Ross Dhu Equestrian Ltd is the base for Morag Higgins, and Mark Higgins. Ross Dhu’s yard offers stunning livery facilities for horses and owners alike. Livery clients enjoy use of the newly constructed indoor arena, outdoor arena, hot wash facilities, solarium, client room to name only a few of the facilities. With breathtaking hacks in the surrounding countryside of Chatelherault, Hamilton on our doorstep you never need to worry about traffic.
Morag and Mark Higgins have developed their own system of training building on those techniques, principles and teachings of horse care as pioneered by Mark Rashid. Mark and Morag work closely together on building the bonds of trust between horses and owners and training apprentices and students in their Government Recognised Equestrian Qualification System Equido. They run clinics across the country and are available for group and private lessons.
Laura Manby, a 25-year-old trainee from Carluke in Lanarkshire, has won the Equine category at Lantra Scotland’s annual Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards, which took place at Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro last night (Wednesday 28th March). The runner-up spot went to 20-year-old Heather Moir from Blair Drummond near Stirling.
Laura has been doing the Equido Level 3 Instructor course, while working for Ross Dhu Equestrian Ltd. Since starting the programme last year, she has developed and diversified her skill base to include everything from horse care, anatomy and physiology, to psychology and emergency veterinarian treatment. She has also competed in a number of dressage events. Her Equido Level 3 will expand her knowledge to include supervisory skills and junior staff handling.
Laura said: “I am so happy to win the Equine award, what a great honour! I’d like to personally thank my wonderful employers at Ross Dhu Equestrian Ltd, who took me on despite the fact I had no formal qualifications. They have supported me every step of the way and inspired me to keep going when times were tough. It goes to show what you can achieve with hard work, determination and good people around you. I hope this inspires other people to take a chance like I did.”
The 2018 Learner of the Year Awards were organised by Lantra Scotland, the sector skills council for the land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries, and saw more than 200 guests, including finalists and their families, event supporters, employers, training providers and industry leaders, take part in Lantra’s largest awards’ ceremony yet.
Emma Staniforth, a previous overall learner of the year winner, spoke about her experiences as one of Lantra’s industry champions. The keynote 
speech was given by Dougie Vipond, TV presenter of sports and outdoors programmes and Deacon Blue founder member and drummer. Dougie then presented prizes for the Higher Education Learner of the Year, the Secondary Schools Award, CARAS winners, Jean’s Jam Award and the Tam Tod Trophy.
This was followed by winners and runners-up awards for agriculture, aquaculture, equine, horticulture, game and wildlife, land-based engineering, trees and timber, fisheries management and environmental conservation categories.
The evening ended with awards for Modern Apprentice of the Year, for the Overall Runner-up and finally for the Land-based and Aquaculture Learner Year Overall Winner.
According to Kevin Patrick, Director of Lantra Scotland, the awards play a vital role in celebrating the achievements of trainees within Scotland’s rural sector, as well as encouraging employers to invest in the next generation of talent.
He continued: “Our awards highlight the incredible people, the great work they do and the career opportunities within Scotland’s land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries.
“We are also very grateful to have the support of a range of people and organisations who make holding an event like this possible, including Skills Development Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council, ABP Food Group, BAGMA, Countryside Learning Scotland, Easterton Stables, Elspeth Watson, George Linton Memorial Trust, National Farmers Union Scotland, Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland, Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre, Scottish Forest and Timber Technologies, Scottish Land and Estates, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Scottish Salmon Company, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation and SRUC. Lantra Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.
“Thanks also to the independent judging panel comprising: Ray Jones (Chair), Former Chairman of Scotland Food & Drink; Lisa Connell of The Scottish Salmon Company; Rebecca Dawes of Jane Craigie Marketing; Erika Hay, Journalist and Consultant; Keith Paterson of Forestry Commission Scotland, and Keith Redpath of Redpath Farms.”
To find out more about the Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards, visit www.lantra.co.uk/scotland/land-based-and-aquaculture-learner-year call 01738 310164 or email scotland@lantra.co.uk.
Our Show and Clinic Schedule is now available! Please check out our Calendar for dates, something exciting happening every month over the course of the year, don’t miss out! Our Summer Show is open to everyone with Trophies for first place and beautiful rosettes up to sixth place. Application forms (where applicable) will be added as soon as possible.
Due to popular demand we have created a two day course for first time owners/loaners which will be held here at Ross Dhu in 2018 on Saturday 14th April and Sunday 15th April.
There are limited spaces available so please go to the events calendar for details and fill out application forms.
We have a team of rescued horses here at Ross Dhu who spend their time helping others find their way back from personal difficulties. Read about them by clicking the link below:-
A short documentary exploring the uses of Natural Horsemanship across Europe. I travelled to Scotland, Germany and France to meet Morag Higgins, Toril Strooper and Linda Overlaet who all share something in common. Here is their story. Thank you to everyone involved and all who helped make this happen!
We will be posting regular blogs to both scottishhorsehelp.co.uk and equidohorsemanship.co.uk. Click here to visit our blog.
FOR A FULL REPORT CLICK HERE.
DO YOU USE OR WANT TO USE HORSES IN YOUR WORK AS A THERAPIST, TEACHER OR COACH? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE YOUR LOVE OR HORSES WITH OTHERS AND HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP AT THE SAME TIME? CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS.
To sit your Equido Course online please visit our dedicated website at www.equidohorsemanship.co.uk
We are now taking bookings for training dates this year. We offer a comprehensive service from backing to working with remedial problems. If you are looking for help or assistance please contact us for more details. We encourage the owners to be in attendance as much as possible to develop a closer bond with their horse and as many session as possible are filmed. Please hurry as dates are limited.
We are pleased to now be able to offer a private, personal training program specifically tailored to your individual goals and needs. One of our Equido Trainers will be able to visit you at your own yard and work with you towards your goals. For further information please contact us.
Looking for something for the person that has everything? Why not purchase one of our GIFT VOUCHERS?
We are a social enterprise established by British service personnel to give those that have served their country the opportunity to continue serving. We work with veterans and other professionals using their inspirational skills to help less fortunate people within our society to get their life back, and to achieve a renewed and reinvigorated purpose.
Our longer term aim is to use the leadership and training skills of our inspirational people for the betterment of less fortunate or marginalised groups within society and to enhance leadership and moral decision making in other organisations.
Another chance to ride with and learn from the top team of Equido Instructors. Please see application form for further details.
MoreThis event is a free demonstration day where you will get the chance to tour our facilities, meet with our Instructors and watch demonstrations both ridden and groundwork. There will be exciting demos over the two days. Come along and meet us.
MoreAn exciting opportunity to learn from a highly experienced (BSJA Grade B) competitor and hone your jumping skills.
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