Meet the Equestrian Freedom Technique Ambassadors

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Rachael’s love of horses began at just five years old at her local riding school, and by eleven she had her first pony Dudley, a 13.2hh New Forest who became her loyal companion for many years. 

Together they explored East Yorkshire, hacking for miles and enjoying local shows. With the support of her family, Rachael grew up with her own stables, and the horsey bug took firm hold.

When it was time to move on from Dudley (who remained a treasured family pony), Rachael’s grandparents helped her find Bella a speedy, spirited 14.3hh Arab x Welsh mare. The pair were inseparable, chasing rosettes at local showjumping competitions and racing across stubble fields with all the enthusiasm of youth.

Then came the unforgettable Poppy: a 15.2hh three-year-old Thoroughbred straight from the racing yard, offered to Rachael’s dad in the pub one evening. For Rachael, it was instant love. For her dad and step-mum, it was instant terror especially as Poppy spent most of her time on her hind legs. Despite her quirks, Rachael and Poppy built a brilliant partnership and shared many exhilarating years together.

From there, Rachael’s equestrian world expanded. She rode a huge variety of horses for local owners youngsters, competition horses, and everything in between. Her future looked bright, and she pursued it wholeheartedly: studying equine at Bishop Burton College, progressing to the Northern Racing College, and eventually building a career in racing. She worked for respected trainers including Jonjo O’Neill, Mick Easterby, and the late Patrick Haslam.

Over the years, Rachael gained experience across almost every corner of the industry: riding schools, polo yards, eventing, showjumping, dressage, showing, and driving yards often stepping into yard manager roles. Her knowledge, skill, and adaptability form an impressive foundation for everything she does today.

More recently, Rachael has returned to keeping horses purely for pleasure. She now enjoys life at home with her two boys, Gino and Jasper.

• Gino is a four-year-old Welsh Section D stallion whom she has raised since he was a yearling.
• Jasper, also a Welsh Section D, arrived as an unbroken five-year-old. After an eight‑week start, Rachael has been producing him slowly and sympathetically. He made his dressage debut last year and showed real promise. This season, they’ll step into British Dressage with a focus on enjoyment, steady progression, and correct development.

Rachael is also open about her later-life confidence struggles the legacy of a few bad falls and the pressure she once placed on herself. She’s honest about missing the fearless adrenaline-chaser she used to be, while navigating anxiety, self-consciousness on competition days, and the process of unpicking old habits to rebuild genuine self-belief.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that even the most experienced riders face challenges and that growth, compassion, and connection with our horses matter far more than perfection.

I’m Charlotte 26, nearly 27 and I’m the small business owner behind Equine Elite Laundry. Moosie is my “teeny tiny” horse (all 17.2hh of her) and truly my pride and joy. 

Our journey together has been a massive rollercoaster. I spent my whole life riding little cobs and then took the plunge and bought Moosie. We started going to local shows and venues, and no matter where we went she always managed to turn heads.

During Covid, Moosie had a freak accident and tore the ligaments and tendons in her front legs. Everywhere I turned, I was told I’d be lucky to bring her back from such an injury. But after 18 months of pampering, loving, and begging for even the smallest bit of hope, she made a full recovery. My vets were speechless, my physio was over the moon, and my farrier was ecstatic.

We took everything slowly, and after a year of rebuilding her, we started taking on bigger classes. We were flying showjumping 90/95cm, eventing 80–90cm with big plans to climb even higher. All my equestrian dreams were coming true with Moose.

Then one day I posted a photo of us competing on Facebook, and a video on TikTok. The vile comments that came in were nothing short of heartbreaking. People commented on my weight, my business, and anything else they could pick apart. I received messages, phone calls, even letters in the post. Every time I shared something, it got worse. It felt like the world hated me. Like I was trying to be myself, trying to have fun, and was being told I “wasn’t good enough”.

So I stopped competing. I stopped going out. The comments and messages won. I crawled into my own little hole of self‑pity and stayed there for over a year, throwing myself into my business instead.

One day, I was collecting rugs from Joanne, who told me about her new venture Equestrian Freedom Technique. I said to her, “If you can help me, I’ll call your name from the rooftops” and help me she did.

In my first session I told Joanne everything. Nothing was off the table. I opened up about things I’d bottled up for years. She guided me through EFT tapping techniques that helped quiet the negative thoughts that had buried themselves in my mind. Holding everything in for so long had shaped me into someone who believed I didn’t deserve anything good.

After just three sessions, I was sending Joanne photos of me and Moose back out jumping 90cm cross‑country. She has helped me in ways I never believed anyone could.

I’m truly honoured as an ambassador to spread the word about her amazing abilities, and so excited to feel my confidence slowly coming back.