BRIGADIER JOHN SMALES - CHAIRMAN

John has a wealth of equestrian experience and is an experienced horseman who is ex King's Hussars and whose comprehensive equine experience includes show jumping, racing and drag-hunting. John has ridden all over the world, from Afghanistan to Argentina. John was the Chief Executive for the ILPH for six years.

LUCY KATAN - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lucy was a dressage groom for eight years. Following a speech on behalf of groom recognition at the 2003 Equine Forum, she became the BEF's Grooms Representative. She is the brainchild behind the BGA and will be running the office and coordinating all BGA developments. She regularly rides her own dressage horse, Alfie and rides out race horses on a Saturday morning.

ZOE TAYLOR – MARKETING DIRECTOR

As a Freelance Marketing Consultant, she works extensively for the British Horseracing Authority. Zoe has worked as a polo groom and as an equine veterinary nurse. Sharing three event horses with her boyfriend she is no stranger to ‘doing her 3’ before work and therefore stays very much in touch with the realities of a life working with horses!

 

During her equestrian career, Gill worked in training, competition and racing yards.  She regularly evented, showjumped and hunted her own horses.  She worked for the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust for 15 years, developing qualifications and training courses, latterly as Executive Director.  Sharing family event horses she now enjoys the role as exercise rider and unpaid groom!

 

Anne completed her law professional exams before working in the tax department at one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms, and spent several years with HMRC, but she left corporate life behind in 2007 to follow her true calling- working at a stud farm and setting up her own business. Anne has a quarter horse (who introduced her to Western riding) a friesian, and a fantastic Dartmoor Heritage pony who is the pride, joy and best friend of her two daughters!