About Us

Inspiring to Achieve since 1996

~ Since 1996 ~

Our Founder

Sydney Smith

1944 - 2025

The Unicorn Equestrian Centre was founded in 1996 by Sydney Smith with a clear vision: to create a centre of excellence that would promote training opportunities for riders and carriage drivers of all abilities.

Set across 60 acres in the beautiful Cotswolds countryside, we have grown to become one of the UK's most recognised equestrian training centres. Unlike many equestrian venues, we do not host competitions — our focus is entirely on training, education, and creating bespoke programmes that help each individual achieve their goals.

In 2017, our founder received the British Equestrian Federation Medal of Honour, recognising decades of dedication to the sport and to making equestrian pursuits accessible to all.

Today, we continue that mission, welcoming riders, drivers, teams, schools, and groups to experience our outstanding facilities and personalised approach to training.

~ What We Stand For ~

Our Values

Inclusivity

We welcome riders and drivers of all abilities, creating accessible opportunities for everyone.

Excellence

Recognised as one of the UK's premier equestrian training centres with world-class facilities.

Community

A warm, supportive environment where riders, coaches, and staff form lasting connections.

Development

Focused on training and education, helping each individual reach their full potential.

~ Our Charity ~

The Unicorn Trust

The Unicorn Equestrian Trust is a registered charity in England & Wales (Charity Number 1148612) and a company limited by guarantee.

As a charitable organisation, our primary focus is on promoting equestrian activities and making them accessible to people of all abilities. Every visit to our centre helps support our charitable objectives and enables us to continue offering inclusive training opportunities.

The Trust is governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees who share our passion for equestrian excellence and inclusivity.

~ Our Governance ~

Trustees

Mary Jane Campbell

Trustee

Mary Jane is a Chartered Accountant and Tax Adviser, and a partner in a firm of accountants based in Exeter, where she heads the agricultural and rural business team. Before becoming an accountant, Mary Jane studied Agriculture and then set up a farming business with her husband in 1988. Through their three children learning to carriage drive, Mary Jane has become closely involved in British Young Drivers, most recently acting as Chef d'Equipe for Team GBR at the FEI European Youth Championships in 2014.

Johnny Gloag

Trustee

A Chartered Surveyor, he recently retired after 30 years as Estates Bursar of Merton College, Oxford. He and his wife, Tor, have three grown daughters, all former members of the Heythrop Pony Club and enthusiastic event riders, giving the family a long-standing connection with the Unicorn Trust. One daughter is now a professional event rider based in Oxfordshire, while Tor continues to organise eventing clinics at the Unicorn Trust, supporting riders' development and promoting excellence, access, and horsemanship across the sport.

Jackie Ferguson

Trustee

Biography coming soon.

~ The People Behind the Centre ~

Meet the Team

Sam Anderson

Sam looks after the day to day admin, ensuring The Unicorn Equestrian Trust runs without a hitch.

Fred Glennie

Fred takes care of our compliance and safety policies as well as managing our estates team.

Cazzy Glennie

Cazzy looks after future development, accommodation and social media.

Sabina Biernacki

Sabina is one half of our amazing catering duo, always serving with a smile!

Betty

Sabina's sister, Betty completes our brilliant duo, famous for her Polish Apple Pie.

Katie Maddocks

Responsible for the vaulting horses, ponies and other animals on our estate.

Adam Cleaver

Adam looks after our estate, with a particular interest in our quad bikes and other power tools!

Fred Kibisu

Fred also looks after our estate, with a keen eye for detail, keeping everything shipshape.

Karen Keep

Karen is in charge of housekeeping, ensuring our accommodation is ready for our guests.

Alice Mustey

Karen's daughter, Alice assists with housekeeping. They are a dynamic duo!

~ Inspiring Champions ~

Our Ambassadors

Sir Lee Pearson

Paralympian

After discovering para dressage while watching the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics on TV, Lee started riding and has gone on to win team gold at every Paralympic Games he has competed at. He took the triple title (team, individual and freestyle) at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, 2004 Athens Paralympics and 2008 Beijing Paralympics, setting an equestrian world record by being unbeaten at three consecutive Paralympic Games.

In 2003, he became the first disabled person to have won a title at the British Dressage National Championships while competing against non-disabled riders when he took the 2003 elementary restricted title. He received a CBE in 2009 and then in 2016, he was made a Sir, receiving a knighthood in the New Year Honours List for services to equestrianism and disability sport.

Sophie Wells MBE

Paralympian

Sophie started riding at the age of eight at her local riding school and took up able-bodied dressage at the age of twelve. In 2008 she became the first para dressage rider to win a non-disabled international competition, after she finished first in the junior international class at the Hickstead Under-21 international.

She was the first para dressage rider to compete on both an able-bodied Junior team and the para dressage team in the same year (2010), competing on the dressage Young Rider European team, as well as being selected as part of the World Equestrian Games para dressage squad.

Sophie was selected for her first Paralympic Games in London 2012 where she won team gold along with silvers in the individual and freestyle competitions. She was also picked for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio where she took individual gold and freestyle silver and helped the team defend their team gold. Sophie received an MBE in the 2013 New Year Honours list for her achievements in para-dressage.

In 2017, Sophie helped the team to a seventh consecutive European team title and took freestyle gold and individual silver. This was followed by triple gold at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018 with C Fatal Attraction, then the pair achieved triple silver in Rotterdam at the 2019 European Championships.