Mary Wanless
Larger than life, yet calm and focused and she relies on Verm-X.
Driving to see internationally renowned trainer Mary Wanless on a sunny spring morning I began to wonder what she would be like. Having met with many riders, teachers and 'horsey' experts over the years I wasn't worried or fazed - just curious to the character I would find on arrival at the charming village of Nether Westcote on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire borders.
On meeting Mary Wanless you are immediately struck by her confidence and warmth and her ability to talk!
Yes she has made her mark as a communicator on many different levels and it is clear to see why.
Mary entered the equine world whilst doing a degree in Physics at Bristol University. She then worked in a wide variety of yards and took her BHS exams.
However frustrated with her own 'lack of ability' in 1979 she gave up riding and spent six months working in London to see if life outside the equine world was any better.
Mary takes up the story:
"Horses have always been my first love and I soon realised I wouldn't be able to go through life without being around them.
I spent 10 years developing my work in London, and then 10 very happy years at West Wilts Equestrian Centre before setting up at Nether Westcote where the facilities have developed along the way.
We have 12 acres a fabulous indoor school and plenty of stabling as well as tack and feed rooms.
I feel very fortunate to be working with horses and helping riders. Soon after giving up, when my enthusiasm returned, I set out with the quest to find out what makes riders talented.
My own riding ability improved enormously when I discovered a way of using my stomach muscles that transformed the horses.
That set me on a quest to discover what it is that talented riders do that they don't know they do. I then began to study core muscle strength and biomechanics."
Mary is a renowned author and has written six books her latest called - Ride With Your Mind Clinic - Rider Biomechanics - Basics to Brilliance has just hit the shelves.
She has dedicated her life to translating the secrets of talented riders into bite-size chunks that make all the difference to every rider.
Explains Mary: "I try to bring in my physics, bio-mechanics, psychology, sports psychology and process coaching skills at every level.
It is very difficult to change anything unless you know why something needs to be changed and more importantly know how to change it."
Mary runs the main yard with the help of yard manager Karin Major, a valuable asset to the team especially as Mary spends a lot of time away teaching in the US.
"Working with Karin is great as we both follow a very natural approach to keeping horses," adds Mary.
For many years Mary has followed the natural approach to horse care, keeping her horses bear foot and in a barn where they can all be together.
The paddocks at her home in Nether Westcote are kept to the highest standards and Mary is keen to promote a calm atmosphere where the horses are relaxed and contented.
This calm focus has helped Mary turn her very nervous 11-year-old Portugeuse Luscitano, into a confident dressage horse.
Mary has two yards in the village of Nether Westcote and all the horses are kept on a natural parasite control routine.
Explains Mary: "I started using Verm-X for horses five years ago as I am a great believer in herbs and their benefits.
At first I just used Verm-X on my own horses but now the livery horses at the yard also follow the natural approach.I have always strived to keep horses and ponies in as natural environment as possible and am delighted by how well they all look.
"For many years horses and ponies in the wild ate whatever was around to help control internal parasites and what better way to continue what nature started than the herbal formula from Verm-X."
When asked about the lovely grey gelding Quite, Mary's eyes light up at the mention of his name.
"Quite is the one I learn the most from. I was very competitive in my twenties and for several years I evented a lot. I also competed at international level when I was a student at university. As a rider although I did event a little in my 20s and also competed in the University Riding teams."
"I try and ride Quite every day if I am here but he gets a good rest when I am away teaching or on a tour. I would like to think at some point I may compete again but currently I am too busy and struggle to find the time required."
Mary teaches riders from the very top-level to intermediate standard and still gets a lot of satisfaction back from training.
"I love seeing both horse and rider change and develop. During the tours over the years there have been times when improvements have been made that are jaw dropping, you get a great buzz from that and it makes everything worthwhile."
For the last 10 years Mary has held an annual tour, often based around one of her new books.
The 2008 tour - Basics to Brilliance saw Mary undertake a 12 stop tour and the role of presenter, trainer and host is one she thoroughly enjoys.
The numbers at a demonstration have varied with an all time high of 365 to a more select number of 150. But whatever the size of the audience they can be rest assured of a great few hours entertainment and learning as part of Mary's voyage of discovery.
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