This is your chance to meet some of our dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are all here to make sure you have a fun time when you come to NRC. Click on their section below to view their profile. Some past and present team members are below.
Centre Proprietor
Ruaridh Ormiston
I have been involved with horses and pones all of my life and of course especially the family business of Highland Ponies. I helped my father, from as young as I can remember, with running the pony trekking. I finally took over on my own account in 1992 at Croila Stables in the village at Newtonmore and have been running my own operation since then. In February 2008 we moved out to the new yard at Biallid Farm (Newtonmore Riding Centre) where my grandfather and father had run the pony trekking before me from as early as 1952.
It is a great way of life and I thoroughly enjoy it. It is very satisfying to see the local children progresing so well at Pony Club as well as seeing tourists enjoying themselves and returning time and time again. I am very lucky to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic team, and could not run NRC without them all, and of course not forgetting the horses and ponies themselves who we all love.
I qualified as a Centre Supervisor with BET and TRSS in 1995 and just recently did my Centre Operator’s Exam with the TRSS too. I have my HSE First Aid and I am also an accredited Pony Club Instructor, I have done loads of courses in my real job that are also releveant to the riding centre: Risk Assessment, COSHH, Quality Management, HR Management, Finance, Marketing, Safety Management Systems, etc
My hobbies include riding, carriage driving, motorcycles, boats, Highland Cattle and socialising. I also work in the international oil industry as an engineer in the drilling and exploration sector which gives me lots of opportunity for travel and seeing what the rest of the world does with horses !
My vision for NRC is that we have the best run facility in the area that people, staff and volunteers can all really enjoy coming to – with a considerable emphasis on having fun !!
I look forward to meeting you when you come to visit us here in the Highlands at Newtonmore.
We have all sorts of horses at Newtonmore for you to ride and I am sure you will not be disappointed.
Centre Manager
Hannah Accorsini
Hannah first came to us when she was a student in 2014 and then went on to do a season at another busy riding and pony trekking using Highland Ponies in 2015, She came back to us in 2016 and did her Senior Ride Leader before taking over as the day to day manager of the riding centre and pony trekking in 2017.
Hannah has three horses of her own and her favourite discipline is show jumping and she competes with her own horses.
Hannah graduated from the North of Scotland College with her HND in HOrse Management and also has her Senior Ride Leader from the TRSS, Riding and Road Safety, Safe Guarding and Protecting etc.
HHF Centre Manager
Becca Cameron
Becca is freelance and has her own business Ruthven Equestrian but we are lucky that she is able to give us time to help as an instructor and to also train young horses and help with the Highland Pony Stud and youngstock.
Becca graduated from University before getting her UKCC2 and also her TRSS Senior Ride Leader.
Qualifications- BSC (Hons)
Equestrian Sports Science- UKCC
Level 2 – Emergency First Aid- Safeguarding Children
Chief Pony Club Instructor (Volunteer)
Annabelle Eccles
Annabelle has been running our Pony Club Centre for 10 years now and brought all of her knowledge and experience of running a Pony Club Centre and Camps for one of her relations down south to help us at Newtonmore and now at Highland Horse Fun Kingussie for the Cairngorms Pony Club Centre.
During her time at the Centre Annabelle has done her Introduction to Pony Club Coaching and achieved accreditation with the Pony Club as an Instructor. In addition to this she recently passed her UK Coaching Certificate Level 1. Last year Annabelle got her Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland Senior Ride Leader Certificate and early this year topped that off with the Centre Operator / Manager award. She also trained with some other centre members earlier this year at Gleneagles and now holds the BHS Riding and Road Safety Trainer’s qualification.
Annabelle is a key member of the Pony Club Team at HHF and trys to be down to teach Saddle Club once a month. She is always around helping to organise our monthly Pony Club Rally and was the driving force behind our 3 x 3 Day Pony Club Camps through the year.
Cairngorms Riding for the Disabled Association Group Coach / Instructor
Lorraine Duncan
Lorraine joined us in 2010 as a volunteer primarily helping with Cairngorms RDA. During 2011 Lorraine has passed her Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland Ride Leaders Exam and has also done her BHS Riidng and Road Safety Test, First Aid and Child Protection.
Lorraine has been our Group Coach for Cairngorms RDA since 2012 and also has her own Highland Pony called Hector.
Lorraine also worked fulltime for 5 years for Highland Horse Fun as Centre Manager from 2012 to 2017, so really knows all the ponies and has known many of them since they were foals.
Volunteer
Pat Morris
Pat was lucky enough to grow up with her own pony, Coral, just over her garden fence. She loved just hanging about with her and riding in the local woods and on the beach. Nothing much has changed and she now keeps her young Highland Pony, Tess, at NRC, who she has brought on from a tubby youngster to a sleek, beautiful and loving pony with the best manners in the yard!
Pat spends many hours at NRC, often with a broom in hand. Her husband is in danger of forgetting what she looks like, but is enjoying the freedom to spend so much time on the golf course!
After spending 30 years working as an Occupational Therapist she retired to run a B&B in near by Kingussie. She is now employed part time as a Family Key Worker. As well as her pony, Pat enjoys skiing, all water sports, cycling and walking with her dog. She has two grown up children, one of which now works at NRC.
Pat loves to find new rides and explore the local country side on horse back. Pat just passed her BHS Equine Tourism Assistant Ride Leader Qualification at the start of September.
Volunteer
Rebecca Morris
Rebecca was your typical pony mad child, this passion has remained with her and she is never happier than when among her ponies. She started working at NRC as a volunteer in her spare time and is now our full time Yard Manager. Rebecca loves taking out hacks and treks in the beautiful mountains and glens that surround the centre. She also enjoys working with young ponies and helping out at Saddle Club and Pony Club.
Rebecca has a BA Degree in Outdoor Education and is a qualified instructor in almost every outdoor activity under the sun. Since graduating from University in 2004 she has been travelling the world, coaching a variety of outdoor sports and leading expeditions. After many years of exciting adventures she has returned to her home town and what she believes to be the most beautiful place on earth. Having walked and climbed most of Scotland’s Mountains she is now embarking on tackling them by horse back with her young Highland Pony, Tess, who she shares with her Mum. Rebecca’s latest adventure took her to the rural Algarve where she worked as a Trek Leader for a British owned Riding Centre.
Along with Claire and Pat she enjoys exploring and going on multi day wilderness rides. She has a particular interest in Navigation and is working with Tess to get her ready to compete in ‘LE TREC’ competitions in the future.
Rebecca is currently working towards an HND in Equine Studies and eventually aims to continue on to a Degree in Equine Science. Rebecca has just completed the BHS Equine Tourism Ride Leader Qualification in early September.
Volunteer
Suzanne Campbell
Suzie is one of our regular volunteers and also helps with schooling horses at the centre and Pony Club and Saddle Club too. Originaly from Aviemore she used to help Anna at Aviemore Stables and many of you will remember her coloured horse Tarquinn which she used to take out and compete on at local shows and the Badenoch Riding Club. We would love to see Suzie out again competing on one of the centre’s horses or ponies.
When not at NRC, Suzie works at the planning office in Kingussie and enjoys fun times with her Newtonmore girly friends. Her latest hobby is her new husband Norman Campbell from Newtonmore. Norman’s dad George was a keen Ormiston Cowboy in days gone by. Norman is also keen on the ponies and worked as a stalker and ghillie working Highland Ponies. Hopefully we will get Norman showing a working pony again, he has already done this at the Black Isle Show.
Volunteer and Resident Paramedic
Claire Scott
New to NRC last summer, Claire keeps her horse Yogi on working livery and volunteers to help out with treks and pony club as well as being a gofer around the stables when she is not at work. She has also quickly established herself as chief tea maker!
Claire has been involved with horses since childhood and spent many a happy summer working at a treking centre in Wales whilst studying for a BSc Geology degree. Always looking for new challenges Claire just passed her BHS Equine Tourism Assitant Ride Leader qualification in early September.
Claire’s main interest lies in completing multi-day (unsupported) treks on horseback and she is looking forward to exploring the Monadhliaths and Cairngorms as soon as her and Yogi are fit enough. In connection with NRC, she is hoping to find others to explore with her (oh… and perhaps borrow a pack pony!).
When not at NRC, Claire works as an Ambulance Technician and has a keen interest in outdoor sports. She has a variety of coaching qualifications in paddlesports and hill sports and enjoys running with her dog, playing the mandolin and socialising with friends over a pint of real ale!
Ride Leader & Head Groom
Carrie McNiven
Carrie joined us from North Highland College with her horse Tzar (Croila Whisper CB x Highland/Tersky)who she has owned since he was a youngster. She enjoys doing Level 1 Parelli with him and hopes to start Intro British Eventing this year. She has gained both her NC Equestrian Studies and Business Skills and HNC Equine Care. She has also gained her BHS Stage 1, Riding and Road Safety, Riding and Road Safety Trainer and Coaching Scotland Safeguarding and Protecting Children.
She now works on the yard Full Time both taking out hacks and giving lessons. She is quite happy to teach all levels of rider from the most novice beginner to the more advanced rider.
Carrie will be taking her Stage 2 and PTT soon as well as working towards finishing her HND in Equine Care. She has just passed her BHS Equestrian Tourism Assistant Ride Leader Qualification in early September and laready has her HNC in Equine Care.
Centre Manager and Pony Club Co-ordinator
Antonina Clement
Antonina Clement (Tonya) joined our team from Russia as a volunteer in August 2008, helping us at weekends. In the past Tonya had competed in show jumping and had done some dressage as well.
Tonya has got a Russian bachelor degree in coaching and currently is working towards the BHS qualifications. She was granted a direct entry in to the BHS Stage 4 exam which she is hoping to pass this autumn. She also worked for the Moscow Police Department as a mounted policewoman.
Since Tonya has come to live in the UK she has obtained a UKCC level 1 qualification, also she has passed the BHS 1st Aid Equine Specific Course and Safeguarding and Child Protection workshop. She is working towards her HNC in Equine Studies by Distance Learning and at the start of September 2009 she passed her her BHS Equestrian Tourism Ride Leader exam. In April of this year Tonya went on and succesfully passed her BHS Equestrian Tourism Centre Manager exam and is also now a BHS INT.SM and will be doing her ITT soon.
Tonya was in the Equestrian Department at Highland Industrial Supplies in Inverness before coming to work with us full time for 2010. So if you need advice on any horsey shopping Tonya is the one to speak to !
Tonya’s main hobby firmly remains riding and she competed last year at several shows in Ridden Classes on Suie (A Highland Mare ) and also Kelpie (An ID x WB Gelding)
Child Protection Officer and Pony Club Instructor
Gillian Macrae
Gill starting helping Ruaridh and his family with the ponies when she was 10 years old, and has continued to do so for the last 16 years. As a youngster she was encouraged to get involved and experiment with the ponies. Over the years gill has gained a lot of experience in working with the young stock from bottle feeding and nursing orphaned foals to breaking and backing and 4 year olds. At 16 Gill ran the Pony trekking for the summer season and has been helping with the running of the stables ever since.
Gill is the Centre’s Child Protection Officer with a BEd in Education and a registered Primary School Teacher Gill is very involved with the centre’s Saddle and Pony Club. As an accredited Pony club Instructor Gill’s main interest is in encouraging the children to get involved and have fun at the Centre in a safe and happy environment.
Gill seen here jumping Creag Dhubh Prince, one of Ruaridh’s old driving horses, at Logie Equestrian Centre Cross Country course.
Pony Club Instructor (Volunteer)
Elspeth Rainy Brown
Started riding at Foxley Riding Stables Glasgow as a very young child, then were run by the Jamieson family , Linda Jamieson is still very well known in the world of show jumping.
She owned her own horse at the age of 14. A very nice 15.2 arab cross thoroughbred chestnut gelding.
She had to give him up when she went to train as a hairdresser for an international company in one of their Glasgow branches. After qualifying as a hairdresser , the company sent her to Aviemore , from there to Australia where I worked on a cruise liner for a year touring the south pacific islands, Hong Kong and Singapore. When she returned she was made manageress at the Newtonmearns salon and then came back to Aviemore as manageress. Elspbeth started riding again at Pat Taylor’s yard in Nethybridge and took a break from hairdressing to pursue her love of horses . She was also lucky enough to have training with people like Georgie Henshal, Audrey Horn, Bunny Percival (who she also worked for in Nairn at the Owenmore stables before she returned to Ireland) Heather Anderson and many more very good trainers visiting the area. She part of the team representing Scotland in the riding club area finals at Stoneleigh when training at Pat Taylors.
Elspbeth is now married with 3 children who all ride and have taken part in horses again after a break back to hairdressing and to have family.
Holds an N.C. in Equestrianism, an H.N.C. and has now started the H.N.D.
Holds a Scotvec qualification as a trainer and examiner in hairdressing which I have found very useful to transfer into coaching with horses. Pony club accredited instructor. Has experience in teaching own children to a very acceptable level in the sport and they compete to a decent level at pony club, riding club, show jumping and showing not only in this area but also in the south. We have as a family worked together and produced some very successful ponies which have mainly been sold on to the south to give other children great enjoyment.
Elspbeth thoroughly enjoys teaching the children at Newtonmore and the adults also hopes to do some more teaching qualifications in the future.
Elspbeth normally does one day a week usually voluntarily with saddle club or pony club.
Volunteer
Alice Beardsworth
lice joined us in March and came from Glentannar Equestrian Centre. She is our Yard Manager and works every weekday, as well as some weekends as required. She has worked with horses all her life, her special interests being horse behaviour and natural horsemanship. She has the TRSS Ride Leader qualification as well as the HSE 1st Aid at work qualification. She is working towards her HNC in Equine Care and will soon be taking her Senior Ride Leader exams.
Alice is also a qualified Veterinary Nurse (small animals) and has a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing Science, which she did at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. Whilst there, she spent time at the equine therapy unit, learning many equine rehabilitation techniques.
An experienced instructor, one of Alice’s many ambitions is to worked towards her BHS stages. She is particularly good at teaching nervous riders, working with them in a calm, understanding way to help re-build their confidence and self-belief.
She also has experience backing and bringing on young horses and re-training horses that have behavioural problems. Her speciality is nervous horses. Please see link below to Alice’s own website.
4 Feet Forward Equine Training Solutions
Outside work Alice enjoys walking her dogs and socialising.
Meet the ponies
All the Horses and Ponies at Newtonmore Riding Centre have their own individual characters and if you come and spend some time with us you will get to know them better. Meanwhile click on the section below to learn more about our Equine Friends.
Panache
Panache came to us with Nasher at the end of last year and is a great wee gelding that likes to jump and is a favourite at Pony Club and Saddle Club.
Breed:Welsh C
DOB:2001 - tbc
Gender:Gelding
Height:12.3 hh
Colour:Chestnut
Markings:White face
Nasher
Nasher is one of the favourites of the children for Pony Club. He joined us at the end of 2008 with Panache.
Breed:Dartmoor
DOB:2003 - tbc
Gender:Gelding
Height:12 hh
Colour:Black
Markings:None
Marigold
Registered Name: Kincardine Marigold
Marigold has worked as a deer pony and came to us earlier this year and is now a firm favourite with the children. She is a great going wee pony and fun to canter. This year she did the West Highland Way as a Pack Pony on and Expedition.
Breed:HIghland Pony
DOB:1994 - tbc
Gender:Mare
Height:13.1 hh
Colour:Yellow Dun
Markings:Black Points, eels stripe etc
Kelpie
Posh Name: Arisaig Sea Kelpie
He is fun and mischevious but most of the time very dedicated and a perfect gentleman when in his carriage but a little bit full of himself when ridden in company, he is learning to enjoy jumping. He is usually first to come when called.
Breed:Irish Draft x Warmblood
DOB:2004 - tbc
Gender:Gelding
Height:16.2 hh
Colour:Light Bay
Markings:Some white bits !!
Jodie
Registered Name: Croila Jodie
Jodie is a favourite of many of us and is one of the real workers who seems to get more than her fair share of work which means she must be good. She was bred at home here in Newtonmore.
Breed:Cleveland Bay x Highland
DOB:2000 - tbc
Gender:Mare
Height:15.1 hh
Colour:Bay
Markings:Black points and mane and tail
Isabella
Pedigree Name: Isabella of Muck
Bella is a character and loves going out on longer rides, she is forward going and fun to ride. She was born on the island of Muck but she is a 100% Ormiston Highland Pony on both sides of her breeding !!
Breed:Highland Pony
DOB:2004 - tbc
Gender:Mare
Height:14.1 hh
Colour:Grey (white)
Markings:Slightly creamy tinge to her coat !
Blue
Pedigree Name: Noire of Croila
Blue is a lovely old lady who will always look after her rider. She is a little greedy though so you have to watch out for her trying to grab a quick bite. She has bred 2 foals and is going back to the stallion in 2009. She was bred at home here in Newtonmore.
Breed:Highland Pony
DOB:1993 - tbc
Gender:Mare
Height:14.1
Colour:Grey (White)
Markings:None apart from her slightly blue tinge !!
Ben
Ben joined us recently and had been getting ridden by Honor Rainy Brown at shows. He has been doing very well and is a great new member to the NRC Team.
Breed:Dartmoor
DOB:1993 - tbc
Gender:Gelding
Height:12.0 hh
Colour:Dun
Markings:Blaze
Pepsi
Pedigree Name: Sandmilla Pepsi
He is very well bred and has Harry Sleigh’s famous “Wells” bloodlines on both sides, Pepsi used to be our Shetland Stallion when we were still breeding Shetland and won a lot in hand including Champion at Nairn Show. He is always the first to come to you in the field and loves giving pony rides.
Breed:Shetland
DOB:1997 - tbc
Gender:Gelding
Height:11.1 hh
Colour:Black
Markings:More Black
Suie
Pedigree Name: Suie of Croila
Suie is a very active Highland Pony and will be shown under saddle again later this year, she is happiest when out on hacks.
Breed:Highland Pony
DOB:2000 - tbc
Gender:Female
Height:14.1
Colour:Grey (White)
Markings:None
Murphy
Murphy is our favourite for giving pony rides and has been with us since the start of last year.
The pic on the right is Pepsi till we get a head shot of Murphy, but Murphy is below.
Breed:Shetland
DOB:1993 - tbc
Gender:Gelding
Height:11.2 hh
Colour:Skewbald
Markings:Mostly Brown and White
Yogi
Yogi is a working livery and belongs to Claire Scott. Claire only just got Yogi in June, so he is still settling into his new home but is proving to be a fun character. He loves hanging out with the mares -particularly Tess!
He likes being out on treks with other horses -particularly if he can be at the front where he can stride out with his usual fast walk. He can sometimes get a bit excited in canter if he is in behind others, but is a perfect gentleman when up front. Claire will work to settle him down and hopes to do some long treks with him as well as some light schooling and a little jumping this year.
Breed:TB x Highland
DOB:08.05.02
Gender:Gelding
Height:15 hh
Colour:Chestnut
Markings:Two white socks (left fore & right rear), Star running into blaze with a pink snip! He has lots of whorls on neck, chest and belly.
Tzar
Registered Name: Croila Whisper
Tzar is Carrie’s 7yo CBx Steel Grey Gelding. Carrie has owned Tzar since he was a 5yo, he has done everything fron RDA (Riding for the Disabled) to Vaulting, Eventing and everything in between. He is an asset to the yard due to his ability to turn his hoof to anything. He will quite happily take the smallest and youngest rider to the more experienced jockey. He was born and bred in Newtonmore
Breed:Cleveland Bay x Highland
DOB:2000 - tbc
Gender:Gelding
Height:15.1 hh
Colour:Dark Dapple Grey
Tess
Tess is a very willing wee pony and a great member of the team.
Breed:Highland Pony
DOB:2003 - tbc
Gender:Mare
Height:13.3 hh
Colour:Grey (White)
Markings:None
Penguin
Another Pony Club Favourite and a good wee jumper, best out on hacks though.
Breed:Exmoor
DOB:2000 - tbc
Gender:Gelding
Height:13.1 hh
Colour:Light Bay
Markings:Mealy Muzzle
Dolphin
Dolphin loves to go fast and used to be used for long endurance type rides. She is a lovely character and can go slow as well.
Breed:Arab x Welsh D
DOB:1994 - tbc
Gender:Mare
Height:15.1 hh
Colour:Chestnut
Markings:Small Star
Charlie
Charlie joined us in 2009 and is already settling in as a good trekking and hacking pony.
Breed:Haflinger
DOB:2000 - tbc
Gender:Mare
Height:14.0 hh
Colour:Golden with flaxen mane and tail
Markings:Blaze
Mascots
Rusty Russell
Rusty Russell is our K9 man in charge at HHF and was born in late 2005. He succeeded his mum Rosie Russell a rough coated Jack Russell who was with us from 2006 till we lost her in 2020, she was a well known and respected member of the team and was world famous, often appearing in the newspapers and who claimed at one time she was “The Fastest Dog in Scotland”. Rusty who’s dad was Harvey a Parson Jack Russell.
Top Dog & Son
Rosie Russell
Rosie Russell is an eleven year old Jack Russell and lives with her “dad” Ruaridh Ormiston who is the owner at Highland Hotrse Fun. She was joined at the end of 2015 by her son Rusty Russell who is now 2 years old. They work at Highland Horse Fun where they mainly chase things and give football demonstrations. They also help the children learn to jump in the arena by being a pretend horse !! They loved cosy nights in, but also liked going out and being bad in the dark. Sometimes they run away from home but they were never gone for very long ?
At one time Rosie was called “the fastest dog in Scotland” (According to The Daily Star and some other tabloids !!) and we still have the newspaper clippings.
Pastimes: Chasing Rabbits and Running Around Fields
Interests: Tractors, Motorbikes, Dog Friends, Horses, Football, Chasing Things
Sports: Terrier Racing, Carriage Driving, Motorbikes
Scared of: Big Scarey Things
Happiest when: Sleeping on my dads bed when he is not looking !!
Favourite food: Must be human food but I also like some dog food like Butchers & Bakers too
Loves: I loved giving kisses, They loved all the other dogs that come to the Riding Centre for Dog Agility when it is running.
Read More about Rosie in these Newspaper Articles below:
Rosie Russell has her own Facebook Page
Rosie was a keen Road Safety Campaigner and was seen here with Tonya in Fluorescent Gear helping with BHS Riding and Road Safety Training at NRC. We would run courses and training for Riding and Road Safety at Newtonmore.