About Us -

Please see below for a short biography of our Committee members:-

Maggie Wylie – Chair

I am the current chair of the Caledonian Riding Club, my second tenure in this position, having previously also been the Secretary and general committee member.

I first joined the Club when I was 17, that being the age at which we were primarily able to join. The Club had been started in 1970 by Ann Salvesen, Kate Hardie and Eve Clouston (my mum) and I have been involved over many years, interspersed with having children and a riding career.

I have my own venue where I run a livery yard and hold dressage and show jumping events, along with training for both. Occasionally I even get to ride my own horse!

I hope to encourage our members to get the best out of their equine friends, through good practice, training and competition.

Kristen Williamson – Treasurer

I have had a love of horses all my life but only bought my first horse Bobby nearly 3 years ago! We have a great love for showjumping, cross country, and hacking. I am still working my way up to dressage!

Out of the world of horses I work in accounts and payroll, I am a mum of 2 girls one of whom loves ponies and the other who does not but is happy to help. I am the treasurer for the club and look after all the pennies 😊

Its great to see people taking part in events and members and non-members all joining together to share our love of horses and ponies. My greatest passion with Bobby is jumping and he has helped me overcome a lot of fears, you never know maybe in a couple of years we will get to The Black Isle Show or even Blair!

Minette Maclennan – Training Officer

I fell into horses by chance, when a friend of mine, also non horsey got an invite to do something with, 5 Shetlands, 1 new forest, a Welsh sec C and an Anglo-Arab. Only the New forest was broken in. It was an interesting start.

After persuading my father to buy me a pony I headed off to pony club, then at 17 I entered the horse industry, working on a variety of yards, college, and spells working for myself. During my 30 years in the industry I gained my BHS Stage 4 care, my Intermediate Instructors qualifications and 3 parts of the stage 4 riding. My passion was eventing and I was very lucky to come across the 3 horses that helped me fulfil that dream, My last horse Max never won an event but I didn’t care because when jumping he gave me a feeling like no other. He had the biggest heart and the kindest, gentlest nature of any horse I ever met, and boy was he brave, he was only 15.1hh but could gallop like red rum, so no time penalties and lots of placings in BE Novice for us.

I was only able to fulfil my dreams thanks to the volunteers that stood around all day putting up jumps, being gate stewards, organising events etc. So I joined the committee as I feel that I should do my bit to enable other riders to take part and better themselves in the sport.

Rebecca McLelland – Competition Support Secretary

This is my second time round on the CRC committee – once before I had my family and now again in 2024. I will be supporting the other committee members to offer a variety of competitions and I look forward to meeting everyone at these.

I have owned and ridden horses all my life, a passion passed down from my mum. It is lovely we are now able share this with my daughter Imogen, who is also a CRC member. We have found the club to be both welcoming and encouraging to junior and senior members alike.

In my day-to-day life, and to fund the horsey lifestyle, I am a clinical pharmacist in mental health. I love the challenge and I have been in this role now for nearly 18 years.

Amanda Harper – Committee member

My interest in horses started when I was 8 years old and having regular riding lessons. I moved from Brighton to the Highlands when I was 16 years old and obtained my BHSAI under the tutorage of James Munro and Sheila Thom, following which, I worked at several riding schools and livery yards both in Scotland and England.

About 1993 I changed career and worked in retail and journalism while parenting 3 children and for the last 17 years have worked for the NHS. My youngest daughter, Natalie dragged me back into the world of equine sports and I blame her for my purchase of Diva, an ex racehorse which I am currently re training. Being a team member at The Scottish Championships this year was an extremely proud moment for me when we achieved first place.

This is my second year on the committee, last year as membership secretary and this year as a general committee member along with my husband Brian, who has taken on the role of membership secretary.

I enjoy helping out at events and get a lot of pleasure from seeing our members progress.

Sasha Pocock – Committee member

Hi there, I’m Sasha and I am married to Ian and between us we run our business, Highland Trekking and Trail Riding, in the most beautiful setting in the Highlands, Cougie, Glen Affric.

Many of you will see myself and my ‘supercob’ Spyder, trying our hands at jumping and dressage and enjoying participating in all the Caley Riding Club events.

In 2023 myself and Lee Macdonald rode the length of the West Highland Way, a total of 96 miles, raising money for Equine Grass Sickness.

I am continuously working towards my Stage 3 exam as I am keen to improve my level of knowledge and to gain the qualification to teach at home.

Lee MacDonald – Committee member

My love of horses came from my grandfather. Being a croft owner he quite often ended up looking after his friends animals.

Along came Maisie, a 12h Welsh pony who was meant to stay for 2 weeks and never left. This is where my equine journey started and my love of horses began, much to my mothers horror!

I have been on the Caledonian Riding Club committee for 4 years and enjoy the camaraderie we have. The most rewarding part is seeing our members enjoy our events and watching partnerships grow and develop.

My proudest achievement is competing for the Club at the Scottish Championships this year, something I could not have done without the support and encouragement I received from my fellow committee members.