Rockrose Equestrian Sports | Training, Coaches & Clinics
In addition to our resident team of experienced coaches we offer a full program of events. Please see the events pages for more information.
Regular Training & Clinics | Coach Biographies
Harry Payne UKCC4, PGDip, BHSSM.
Harry is a UKCC level 4 coach. He regularly coaches people of all levels from Pony Club to Grand Prix and 4 star eventing. He is based here at Rockrose.
In addition to holding the UK's highest coaching qualification he is also a List 1 (Grand Prix) dressage judge and an FEI 3/4 star eventing judge. He regularly judges at regional and national dressage championships and international eventing championships. Harry also works as both a coach and judge educator for BD.
Harry is a regular competitor on the circuit. He has ridden at international level in both eventing and dressage. He has competed successfully at all levels including Grand Prix and in many regional and national dressage championships.
David Harland - UKCC2 Qualified National Showjumping Coach.
David is a highly respected coach & successful competitor who regularly hosts clinics across Scotland. His ability to communicate his experience enables all his clients to maximise their potential. His depth & breadth of knowledge offers coaching to all levels of riders, from BS Club level right through to the Junior Scottish Squad. In addition to being Scottish Grade C Champion with a stylish double clear, taking the Scottish Puissance & earning the Scottish Gentleman's Chapionship, David has recently been recognised for his training achievments, being presented with Horse Scotland's Coach of the Year award.
Sheila Bowden | Registered Instructor (BHSAI, INT. T) | Clinic & Rally
Currently Chief Instructor of East Lothian Pony Club, with over 30 years teaching experience at all levels including training students for BHS exams.
Karen Dewar | Horse Scotland Performance Coach of the Year 2024 & 2025.
Karen is an award winning dressage trainer with vast experience of teaching riders of all levels and backgrounds. Horse Scotland Performance Coach of the Year 2024 & 2025.
BD list 3A Judge & PSG Rider
UKCC Coach
Fully insured
PVG, 1st Aid trained with safeguarding & child protection.
Jo Barry
Test riding & Freestyle floor plans specialist - Jo has a successful riding career, having 17 National British Dressage Championship titles ranging from Novice Gold to PSG Silver in both straight & Freestyle classes.
She has won numerous Regional, Scottish Championships & had National Championship appearances to Inter1 level on a variety of horses.
The Driving Force | Sonya Cunningham
Born in 1973 on an Aberdeenshire farm to non-horsey parents Sonya was seven when the first family pony came along - to share with two sisters in exchange for "never getting toys *ever* again". Self-taught over home-made jumps her obsession with horses continued through riding club, lower level BSJA & BE & - most impressively - survived both university & ensuing full time employment. Her dedication was proven when work took her to London & abroad for a decade & while keeping her horses on full livery in Scotland she continued to compete at weekends.
Married to James in 2005, Sonya was given the fabulous Irish Sport Horse stallion, King Cotton Gold (Cavalier Royale / Cor De La Bryere) in 2009 & she said of him "he made me face my shortcomings as a rider". The deep connection between them became beautifully evident, with Sonya & "Ping" competing at 2* International Eventing Level, an achievment now being succesfully echoed with Dryfe Royal Cavalier (aka "BB") the son of an naughty liason between a show pony mare & the late, much missed King Cotton Gold.
In 2013 & now with two small children, Sonya decided to put together the Rockrose team, aiming to give others the chance to achieve their own goals. The next chapter starts here!
