PENNY SLATTERY

Penny has ridden since early childhood. She has over the years accrued comprehensive horse knowledge. Working professionally, initially in hunt service, subsequently ‘grooming’ for two International event riders plus trips to Australia and Kenya. In the former she worked for a top dressage competitor, the latter for a vet/leading racehorse trainer.

She joined her mother, the renowned equine physiotherapist Mary Bromiley, in 1982 to help set up and undertake the day-to-day running of an equine rehabilitation centre. She devised and undertook all the exercise routines, while managing a staff of 5+ personnel. In addition to her vast practical experience she is a qualified equine masseur.

The family business downsized and moved to Exmoor in 1998. Penny continues to help with her mothers rehabilitation business in addition to managing a small flock of Exmoor Horn sheep and overseeing the upkeep of the farm. When time permits, she ventured forth onto the moor and its surrounds to enjoy her hobby of wildlife photography.

She continues to ride and has hunted on occasions with both the DSSH and the Minehead Harriers in the area around Dunkery Beacon. She is blessed with an uncanny ability to spy many of the shyer residents of the moor and will be accompanying you on your rides to point out both paths and the occasional sighting of deer, ponies and other wild inhabitants both furred and feathered.

RABBIT SLATTERY

Rabbit, like her sister, has ridden from childhood; she however, took a different route in life. A degree in Sports Science and Sports Therapy led to the setting up and initial running of an on-course therapy scheme for jockeys in England in 1992. In addition she administered the financial side of the family business.

She joined her mother and sister on Exmoor in 2000. Although not the equestrian her sister is, she has enjoyed and increased her leisure riding time as work commitments permit. Hunting on occasions but often just hack-out for pleasure and to blow away the cobwebs.

Rabbit joins the rides to help if numbers require but on occasions just for the joy of riding on Exmoor.

MARY BROMILEY

Mary, an internationally renowned animal Physiotherapist and author grew up in the West Country and returned in 1998 with her daughters. She is based at Combeleigh Farm working with a small number of trainers and vets treating and advising on all aspects of animal physiotherapy. She continues to run and teach equine massage courses each winter where students can gain a working qualification through the ITEC. She has passed on her love of Exmoor to both her daughters. Not directly involved with Equusamor she gives great encouragement and counsel to her daughters.

 

COMBELEIGH FARM

Combeleigh Farm; jointly owned by Mary, Penny and Rabbit, is the base from which Equusamor is being run. It nestles under the southern face of Dunkery Beacon, which at 1704 above sea level is the highest point on Exmoor. The rides from the farm take in all the many varied changes in terrain that epitomise Exmoor itself. These include steep hills on sometimes rough tracks which mean that the majority of the rides are taken at a leisurely speed allowing the horses to pace themselves and for the riders to take in and enjoy their surroundings.

The farm is 90 acres of grazing land, ½ on steeps ½ flat lands, used primarily for a small flock of Exmoor Horn sheep which Penny farms. It is favourably situated approximately a mile and a half from Wheddon Cross village; itself the highest village on Exmoor; which boasts a convenience store and petrol station. It is here that riders will be housed.