THE UNICORN EQUESTRIAN TRUST
Unicorn Equestrian Centre is run by The Unicorn Equestrian Trust, a registered charity governed by a Board of Trustees, to provide outstanding equestrian facilities to those of all abilities for the purpose of physical recreation, education, social welfare and community participation.
From its roots in carriage driving, Unicorn Equestrian Centre now embraces virtually all equestrian disciplines, including pony racing, equine science and vaulting, as well as the more traditional disciplines. The Trust works closely with the national governing bodies including British Carriage Driving, British Eventing, British Dressage, British Showjumping, British Equestrian Vaulting, Riding for the Disabled and Team GBR. Additionally we are involved closely with a wide range of national and international associations representing many different disciplines, charities, clubs, trainers and other equestrian specialists.
TRUSTEES
SYDNEY SMITH
Founder, and Company Secretary
Sydney was born in America and came to the UK in 1968 to learn carriage driving, which quickly became a life-long passion. After a career competing and judging at national and international level, Sydney established the Centre in 1996 as a purpose-built equestrian facility to promote the opportunity of education and training for all. Sydney has a ‘can do’ approach, embraces new and innovative ideas and works closely with client groups to ensure training, events and other activities are given all support necessary to run smoothly. Drawing on her experience of building a structured development programme for young carriage drivers, Sydney takes a particular interest in the nurturing of young talent – whatever their equestrian discipline.
FRED GLENNIE
Chair
Fred is a Chartered Marine Engineer working for BAE Systems where he is the Head of Engineering of the team supporting the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers based in Portsmouth. He previously spent 33 years in the Royal Navy serving in a variety of ships from steam driven Frigates to a diesel powered Helicopter Carrier as well as appointments ashore in the Ministry of Defence and the Naval HQ before retiring as a Captain in 2014. Despite growing up with 2 Aunts who were Pony Club District Commissioners and cousins who all rode and hunted Fred did his best to avoid horses and ponies, a strategy that was working well until he met Cazzy in 1985 and rapidly got drawn into the world of carriage driving. Although they had to take a break from competition driving whilst bringing up 4 boys they now have 3 Hackneys in various states of development (and repair) and compete at both Single and Tandem pony. When time allows Fred is a keen cyclist and an enthusiastic but very new silversmith.
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.Date of appointment: December 2012
JILL HOLAH
Trustee
Jill’s equestrian background covers many disciplines, with carriage driving her particular passion. She was awarded the British Equestrian Federation Medal of Honour in 2018. Jill was British National Champion for many years, and has been Team GB Chef d’Equipe at World Championships for numerous driving teams since the early 1980s, a job requiring rigorous organisational skills, team work, sound judgement and strategic thinking, all of which Jill brings to her role as Trustee.
Date of appointment: 1996
DIMAH RODDICK
Trustee
Dimah was appointed to the Board of Trustees in October 2019. With over 15 years experience as a Management Consultant Dimah has successfully advised and delivered transformation programmes for numerous media, government and sporting clients. Her specialisms include business planning, business development, strategic programme management and stakeholder engagement. She is passionate about problem solving and creating better ways of working.
As a keen equestrian Dimah has experience across many of the disciplines. She started her riding career with her local Pony Club and Riding Club and represented both at the National Championships. More recently Dimah’s passion has become Dressage and she competed with British Dressage for many years. Now that her children are becoming keen riders themselves Dimah is closely involved with the Pony Club again as well as learning all about Vaulting!
Unicorn Equestrian Centre is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England & Wales under registered number 7904571, having its registered office at Granary Cottage, Netherswell, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire, GL54 1JZ. Registered charity in England & Wales number 1148612.