Coburns Road, Toolern Vale. Victoria. 3337. Australia

Catherine Shelley

Founder & Director

Catherine is an extremely good coach and indeed rider. Add to this, a very experienced all round horse person and thoroughbred trainer and you have a most unique horse woman   . Catherine has been involved in the horse industry for more than 30 years, covering a vast range of equine activities. She has competed at the highest level, such as the Garryowen, many times and has won many Championships in riding, hack, pony, harness, breed classes, dressage and jumping.

 From the age of around 7 years, Catherine began her riding career at The Margaret Bruce riding school at Glen Waverley, Victoria. Mrs Bruce ran a very tight equestrian centre and all her students were given a terrifically solid grounding in horse management and of course, riding tuition. From those early days Catherine  has been fortunate and very thankful, to have been instructed by many great International and National equestrian coaches, This high level of instruction has given give her a very sharp eye, quick mind with a wealth of knowledge to pass on to her students.

 Catherine is a specialist in getting her students to sit up, get their position and use their body to obtain the best out of their horses.  Many of those whom Catherine has coached over the years include Gitte Donvig, Dressage Champion; Chelsea Henning; Chelsea Carbury; Justine Greer and René Pertretti. How could one forget Brianna Judge and Catherine Sheppard.

There are many wonderful riders with whom Catherine has had the pleasure to have been involved with and they include, Nicola Waker, Hong Kong Jockey Club; Karen Walker, West Australian runner up National Rider of the Year and riding Catherine’s horse Octavia; Hayley Beresford, West Australia National Rider of the Year, also riding Catherine’s horse Octavia - Hayley is now overseas training with Isabel Worth - Alexandra Hanna,  Leading Rein winner Barastoc HOY; Bradley Britton RDA National Squad National Winner;  current riders Jan Pike, RDA Para Olympic competitor and medallist; Emily Aikenhead, Grade one Pony Club Competitor and many more aspiring  riders including daughter, Cara Shelley; Jen Mainland; Emma Cox; Stella Stevenson; Amy Munro & Licea Yeo.

Many of Catherine’s ex students, who attended the academy and who rode only for the love of horses, are still in touch with Catherine. Great friendships have developed over the years and Catherine is now teaching some of their children. The Melton Equestrian Academy was established in 1987 and today, is still going as strongly as ever.

Some of Catherine's Qualifications are:

 NCAS Level 1 General Coach

NCAS Level 1 R D A Coach

Certificate 4 TB Racing Industry

Diploma of Racing

Certificate 4 Work Place Trainer & Assessor

Level Assessor HRCAV

Cert 2 First Aid

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