"I would like to say that Ross Middleton is a breath of fresh air! His tuition and clinics are excellent. After a previous bad fall I lost my confidence but Ross has helped me to believe in myself again with praise and encouragement. He is knowledgable and patient, firm but fair and I would recommend him to anyone!!"

 

Helen Corner

 

"When I had my daughter in 2006 Ross was an obvious choice to take over the ride on my 12yo Irish thoroughbred Samstar.  I had been competing him at Novice level for several years but he was a big strong-minded individual, he had been pulling hard on the cross country and getting very arrogant with me.  As well as needing a safe pair of hands to leave him with I was also sure that a stronger more experienced rider might be able to take him up a level and earn some respect from him.

 

Sam settled at Grange Farm straight away and quickly became part of the Middleton family.  Ross worked extremely hard on him and soon had him jumping 1.40m confidently at home.  When asked to give a show-jumping demonstration for a local pony club, he chose to take my horse.  He was able to show Sam's considerable ability over some big fences to the oohs and aahs of the members.

 

Ross qualified Sam for the Novice Regional Finals in 2007 and had some great results at Novice and Intermediate level.  Unfortunately Sam was retired with ring bone in 2008, denying us the chance to establish him at intermediate level and possibly go further. He still misses Grange Farm."

      

Jane Wood                                               

Sam doing his first Intermediate at Auchinleck  

 

 

 

"I first met Ross whilst he was teaching for the Braes of Derwent Pony Club back in 2008 when my daughter Sophie was 8 years old. Sophie had been learning to ride with a local riding school having lessons once a week. We decided to 'take the plunge' and buy a pony but as neither my husband nor I had a clue about ponies we ended up with a very naughty/difficult one to handle, subsequently Sophie lost all her confidence. We changed ponies to a little 12.2hh and began having private lessons with Ross. This was the start of something amazing! Through Ross' patience and encouragement my daughter started to enjoy riding again and began competing in Tetrathlon events. XC schooling was difficult at first with Sophie saying NO and Ross saying Yes however eventually after many miles in the horse box travelling to XC schooling days/Hunter Trials and Tetrathlon competitions Sophie's tetrathlon team came second in the 2010 PC Tetrathlon Area 2 competition.

 

Following this Area 2 event we decided that it was time to change ponies again for a 13.2hh which would have the potential to complete 3ft XC courses. This time I asked for Ross' advice when purchasing (not to make the same mistake again!) Ross viewed the pony and we tried it out at a local XC course. Since purchasing the pony Ross accompanies us to schooling days and Hunter Trials for teaching/course walking and advice, he also continues to teach Sophie regularly at our livery yard.

 I have always found Ross to be professional in his approach with people of all ages and abilities. He makes the lessons interesting and enjoyable, acknowledging starting points through initial assessments and ensures the rider is given the opportunity of appropriate challenge. Personally I now ask for Ross' advice on all aspects of owning a pony from feeding, shoeing, clipping, schooling to particular events to attend. Thank you Ross!"

 

Dawn Joyce

 

 

 

"After sadly losing my 8yo horse to colic, I had the tasking job of trying to find a new horse. Having found the one I thought was perfect for me he suddenly became too much for me to handle, he decided to rear and buck me off quite often, in fact too often! I was starting to lose my confidence. So I decided to look for someone with enough experience to help me sort out my issue. Ross was recommended by many people so thought we'd give him a call.


After Ross keeping him at his yard for only two weeks in which he rode and schooled him on a daily basis, I returned to find a transformed horse! With this I began to have lessons with Ross who totally built up my confidence. His professional approach in all aspects, being riding, teaching or caring for horses really stands very highly in my opinion.

 

I cannot thank Ross enough for all his help; I would highly recommend him to anyone! Even now Ross is always at the end of the phone for advice and help. Thanks a lot!"

 

Viki Hurry and Theo

 


 

 

"I have had lessons of Ross for around two years now. Before having lessons off him I found that my position and confidence was going down hill. I and other people around me have seen huge improvements over these past two years and I am now competing at pre novice level. Ross has helped me improve my stubborn mare on the flat and her jump; from riding her himself and seeing a totally different horse to helping me understand how to ride her better. He has attended many cross country schooling days with me and showed a lot of patience and always knows which way to tackle every fence. He has also helped me to improve her appearance and help build her up; she looks like different horse all thanks to Ross.

 

I have also recently just bought a 5yr old which Ross helped me find, and I am extremely happy with her. He rides her on a regular basis and has put a stop to the different tricks she tries every week. He has improved her flatwork a great deal over such a short period of time and has also took her around two hunter trials, which before this she had never done cross country before, and she went double clear with ease and confidence. Ross also looks after my horses when I am away and I always know they are in brilliant care with him looking after them. I am very thankful to Ross as I really wouldn't be where I am now with my horses without his help."

 

Lauren Hayton