Downgate Farm Livery Team

All of us at Downgate Farm have been exceptionally lucky to work with such a great team consisting of experienced individuals and professionals. Below you can find out a little more about the Downgate Farm Livery Team, who we refer to as our ‘Downgate Angels,’ and the important role they each play.

Lewis Yabsley

Lewis is our Head Lad and Assistance Yard Manger. We are extremely fortunate that in 2020, Lewis joined our ‘Downgate Angels Team’. Lewis had all ready passed his level 3, but this was during lockdown so he was not able to get practical experience at this level. So Lewis started his Apprenticeship at Downgate doing a ‘Mentoring’ programme which was a great apprenticeship which he uses skills he has learnt to help new Apprentices that work at Downgate, and he can use in the future, in all walks of life and business.

Lewis has a real love of the horses at Downgate and he looks after them, as if they were his own with such love and care and great attention to detail.

Bea Lindsey

Bea joined Downgate in December 2024 to start her level 3 senior Groom apprenticeship.

Bea says “I absolutely love working with all of the beautiful horses and have a super supportive team around me, My favourite thing about being a Downgate angel is that we care for the horses as if they were our own and are truly loved and looked after by the team”

Bea’s main passion is dressage and has recently brought a foal with the aim of producing herself. Bea apprenticeship will equip me in reaching her goals.

Kacey Brashill

kacey joined Down gate in October 2023 to complete her level 2, we are delighted she passed with a distinction and is now focusing on her level 3.

Kacey says “this was one of the best decisions she made to come and complete her level 2 at Downgate. The whole team have helped me to complete it and finish with a distinction”. Kacey has three horses of her own which she competes mainly in showing and show jumping.

Former Downgate Farm Head Girls

Our former Head Girls at Downgate farm have been amazing and we've been incredibly lucky to have them over the years. They have all groomed for our daughter Emily at Badminton and Burghley and when she has been on British Teams.

Carolyn Wooden

Carolyn started working for us way back in 2007 and was our head Girl. Durng this time groomed for Emily at 3 Young Rider European Championships, Burghley and 4 Badminton Horse Trials. The presentation from Carolyn of the horses from plaiting and attention to detail was and is amazing.

When she can fit it in around her children and family, we are extremely lucky and privileged to still have Carolyn working with us when she can.

Natalie Wright

Nat started working for us in 2010 and later on, became Head Girl. She also groomed for Emily at Badminton twice, Burghley twice, Luhumuhlen 5*, and the London Olympics where Emily and ‘P’ were guinea pigs for the Dressage test.

One of the horses than Nat looked after so well, while she was working with us, was Major Buck who Emily rode at Blenheim 4*, where he came 9th and then on the British Nations cup team Team at Fontainbleau. When Buck retired from International competitions, Nat was given him to compete by his very kind owners, Monica and Peter Durrant, to have as her own horse, and she has had great fun with him Eventing him at BE 90 and 100’s.

Downgate Farm feel so lucky to have Nat here as an integral part of our Team albeit part time. I would absolutely trust Nat and all the rest to jump on any problem that came up, and to sort it out.

Alicia Earee

Alicia moved to our Yard at Downgate Farm in the summer of 2012 for training, then became head girl in that November and was based with us for 3 years. Whilst based and training with Cindy, Alicia rode her horse ‘Twister’ at intermediate / 3* and in the young rider classes and horse trials.

Since then Alicia has set up her own freelance business, mainly riding/ competing in the south east.

It has been wonderful for us that Alicia has started part time yard/ riding work on the yard again.

Now Alicia events her own horse at intermediate who she has produced from a 3 year old.

Fortunately we are able to call upon Alicia for part time help, clipping, schooling horses and she is a very valued member of our Team at Downgate.

Natasha Bird

Tash is my God Daughter and has helped us here at Downgate often over the years, when she was much younger. We were delighted that she joined us in October 2017 as our Head girl.

Tash is now 25 and pursuing a non-horsey career as a dental nurse but we are still lucky enough to have her help one day a week.

Tash used to event Alicia Earee’s event horse Twister, but now has a lovely young horse, Kenny to bring on for Eventing. Tash has always been such a lovely rider and it is wonderful to have her here as an integral part of our Team.

Tash’s dad Martin, my cousin, is our wonderful maintenance Man Fridays who helps us mend and sort everything out for us once a week.

Katya Grimmer

Katya joined us on work experience from Hadlow college in 2017 and although studying at Hadlow, she has never left completely! Kat always puts a smile on our faces and her confidence and degree of knowledge has made her a very important member of the Downgate Team.

At the moment Kat is studying a BSc in Equine Training and Management and is now going into her 3rd year. Clever Kat is predicted to come out with Bachelor of Science Degree (Hons). Wishing her the best of luck with that and thoroughly enjoy seeing Kat when she has time to help out.

Lilly Ansell

We were delighted to welcome Lilly to our ‘Downgate Angels Team’ in early 2023 to begin her level 3 non-riding Apprenticeship.

Lilly has helped us on the yard over the last year, to get to know the yard and horses.

We hope Lilly enjoys learning with us at Downgate. She has already settled in and has become an integral part of the team.

Berry Robertson

In 2018 Berry came to Downgate Farm and started helping, she is a very valued part of the Downgate Team when she can fit visits in around her travelling. Berry is always lovely around the horses, as is everyone.

How lucky are we here at Downgate!

More Of The Downgate Farm Livery Team

Ed Lyall

Ed Lyall (B Vet Med, Cert EM (Stud Med), MRCVS) from the Sussex Equine Hospital is one of the most experienced equine vets in the country.

Our vet Ed does a brilliant job keeping all of the horses healthy and happy here and is definitely and integral part of the team. Emily Erde also comes and helps from Sussex Equine Vets as well now.

Downgate welcome other Vets to the Yard.

Jim Hayter

Being one of the best farriers in the country Jim has been in charge of shoeing the Llewellyn horses at Downgate Farm, Heathfield since Cindy’s daughters were riding ponies.

This incredibly talented man and his team now shoe Pardon Me II and most of the horses based at Downgate farm and was awarded ‘Best Shod Horse’ at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials two years running with both Society Spice and Pardon Me II when Emily was competing there.

Jim and his fantastic Team keep up to date as they compete at many big Farriery competitions. Now we are thrilled to welcome Jim’s son, George as third generation of Master Farrier’s. The attention to detail produced by Jim is second to none. We feel incredibly fortunate that Jim looks after all the horses here.