Carreg Dressage | The Team

Georges trained with riders from the Spanish School at Lippica in
Slovenia, which was origionally the stud of The Spanish School of
Vienna. As a young boy he rode with the Guardians of the Camargue in the South of France.

However, the greatest influence on his riding and training
methodology remains the great Maestro Nuno Oliveira, with whom, Georges was fortunate enough to train in Portugal. Greatly inspired by The Maestro's quest for ever greater lightness and balance and the artistry of his riding, Georges returned to Wales to establish Carreg Dressage with Jane Lloyd Francis in 1990. Georges now trains horses and riders from Novice to Intemediaire 1 and teaches at clinics in the UK and Portugal.

During the following years the breaking in and training of hundreds of
horses, of every breed and type has informed and influenced the
training philosophy at Carreg Dressage.

Georges trained as a marine biologist and was a founder member of Greenpeace in Europe. The commitment that Georges has for the landscape is reflected in the environmental management of the farm, Carreg Dressage is an organic farm recognised by the Soil Association and is situated within a designated Environmentaly Sensitive Area.

Jane Lloyd Francis grew up on a farm in Mid Wales and has ridden for most of her life, following the customary route through pony club together with riding her mother’s young horses. Jane only started to train seriously in 1990, two years after meeting Georges Dewez and partnering him in establishing Carreg Dressage. With a professional background in management Jane helped establish Carreg as a unique training centre gaining a number of management awards.

As training assistant on the yard Jane has been trained mainly by Georges Dewez, but has ridden and trained in Portugal and France, gaining extensive experience over the last 15 years working especially with young horses, and retraining difficult horses. In recent years she has participated in many classical riding demonstrations and displays, as well as riding in Equilibre Theatre productions.

Georges and Jane share a passion for the Portuguese Lusitano breed and Jane has worked with the committee of the Lusitano Breed Society for a number of years, becoming Chairman of the Society in 2003 for three years and then treasurer and magazine editor for a further year. Jane directs Equilibre Horse Theatre, a theatre that attracted international performers and audiences, creating devised collaborations with a variety of artists, exploring the influence of horses throughout time and history.

Staff Training

Carreg Dressage has a strong staff training ethic and Carreg was recognised as an NVQ training centre between 1997 and 2007. Recognised as a satellite training centre of Yale College for the last 10 years, there has been a consistent success rate in qualifying students between levels 1 and 3.

Carreg Dressage has been recognised by a number of awards for good management practice, and in 1999 was one of the first equine establishments to gain the Investors in People standard.

Training is also provided in customer care and Carreg Dressage holds a Hospitality Wales Silver award from the Welsh Tourist Board.

Anette Lister- Yard Manager- on her horse Jim Ynyslas Ocober 2009

Wendy Overton

Lucinda Firman riding her horse Jerry.

yard Manager : Annette Lister

Annette Lister came to Carreg Dressage as a working pupil well over a year ago, during which time she also worked for other clients of Carreg Dressage who live nearby. Annette was therefore in an ideal position to take up the role of Yard Manager when it became vacant in February.

Annette has spent a number of years working on a variety of yards and animal sanctuaries, including 2 years at Mallards Reach Equestrian Centre, this has given has significant experience in the care and well being of horses. Annettes attention to detail is a great asset in the running of the yard.

Annette graduated from Bangor University with a B.Sc. in Marine Biology and retains a keen interest in diving and marine ecology when not working with horses. Annette is a keen environmentalist and has already implemented an upgrade of the recycling scheme at Carreg.

Wendy Overton

Part Time Groom, supporting Annette Lister on the yard. Wendy grew up with horses and her mum was a BHS instrutcor! Wendy finds working at Carreg is a leisure passtime compared to looking after her two small children!

Working Pupils

Carreg often has vacancies for working students so its worth getting in touch providing you have work experience and are committed to your riding.

Lucinda came to Carreg on a 6 week work placement, she quickly became part of the team and made a lot of progress in her riding. Lucinda was completing her work placement as part of her diploma in Equine Studies at Rose Bruford College in Cheshire.

In 2008 Lauren Hastings also brought her horse Dominique as a working student and regular visitor and invaluable helper. Zara Myers from Cumbria makes ongoing progress and will be back again in 2009.

This is Lucinda Firman who spent 6 weeks at Carreg as a working pupil with her horse her dressage horse Jerry. Lucinda is currently studying for a Diploma in Equine Science in Cheshire and used her placement to add to her course experience.

Lauren Hastings from Shropshire also spent a short time with us with her horse Dominique last summer as did Zara Myers from Cumbria who will be returning again in 2009.