Instructors

All of our instructors are qualified and have a wealth of knowledge to help you to achieve your goals.

L-R:  Melissa Lovell, Nicky Hallen, Kara Lockhart

L-R: Alina Essenhofer, Rhiannon Fletcher, Rozelle Blanche

Melissa Lovell – Mondays

Melissa has worked at WEC for several years as the lead yard staff.  She has a lot of knowledge about horse care and horsemastership.  She also teaches privately, so the natural progression was to pick up a day teaching in the school.  Melissa is great with complete beginners right through to those who can ride and want to get back into it.  She has a lovely manner which makes riders feel calm and confident and she has awesome knowledge as well.

Melissa competes in her spare time in Level 5 dressage and has competed in Eventing in the past.

Rozelle Blanche – Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays

Rozelle started studying Equine science at Tswane University in South Africa in 2012 and landed her first job at a big livery yard in Dunblane Equestrian Centre in Gauteng South Africa in 2012.  She had first worked there as a groom for 2 months then became Stable manager.

Rozelle was responsible for managing about 100 horses.  During her time, she was responsible for all managing aspects of the livery yard and also started getting lessons and giving lesson a while later.

While Rozelle was being coached, she completed her studies at Uni and also sat her EQASA Level 4 examinations (Instructor, which included jumping a 1m course).  Rozelle was also lucky enough to complete Level 2 courses with NZ own Parelli instructor Russell Higgins

Rozelle is now busy teaching in the WEC Riding School and has a young family.

Nicky Hallen – Thursdays

Nicky’s riding career has been very diverse. In brief – pony club, adult riding club, eventing, show jumping, show Hunter and dressage. Qualifications to date – British horse society riding instructor, qualifying in England at the Yorkshire riding centre where Nicky spent 9 months as a working pupil in a 70 horse yard. List 3 dressage judge with 23 years’ experience, recently invited on an exchange programme to judge in Boneo Victoria. Highest level competed – grand prix dressage. Alongside the competition and judging Nicky has produced many riding showcases under the Dressage Waikato umbrella. For the past few years Nicky has instructed at WEC developing her own team of young riders which she is very proud of. Nicky also instructs at pony club, and various adult riding clubs as well as teach privately. Nicky says, “As my love of horses started 43 years ago, I have many, many stories which I won’t bore you with – if you want to know just ask.” What Nicky stands for…
1. Empathy for the horse
2. Passion to be the best you can be
3. Knowing who we are so our strengths can be maximised
4. Fun
5. Attention to detail within the ability of the rider
Nicky has two teenage children and really appreciates that one size does not fit all. Nicky has the last word – “Favourite quote that my young riders love, RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!”