Staff

Trainer

George Bewley

George has been farming for over 45 years during which he had always kept point to pointers and rode in the occasional race. 15 years ago he had the privilege of owning Geordies Express, a class above pointing and provided him with his first Cheltenham runner, ever since then set about professional training and he took out a full license in 2009.

George’s extensive livestock and horse care background means he has a natural instinct in detecting problems with the horses. He likes to feed mornings and bedtime as feels this is an ideal time to get to the bottom of problems and see for himself exactly how the horse is eating.

George still rides out most mornings, however leaves the schooling to the jockeys!!

Stable Jockey / Assistant Trainer

Jonathon Bewley

Jonathon began riding through the point to point ranks. He was Northern novice champion and rode a hunter chase winner at Cheltenham. He has been away working in various yards in past years but made the decision to return home to the family business when the numbers in training grew. Jonathon is currently claiming 3lbs after riding his 40^th winner at the end of the 2017 season!

Jonathon is very involved in the training of the horses and in a huge asset to the yard. He rides the horses in their races knowing them inside and out, which we feel is a massive advantage to both the horses and the owners.

Racing Manager

Victoria Bewley

Victoria is responsible for the administrative side of operations. She is responsible for the online entries and declarations as well as answering Weatherby’s queries. Victoria specialises in Tax Planning in her role as a Chartered Accountant and is available to help owners with Weatherby’s registration and VAT queries where needed.

Victoria tries to attend as many race meetings as possible, to help things run as smoothly as possible and is a point of contact for all owners when George is unavailable.

Head lass

Debbi Cockburn

Debbi joined us in our move from the Borders to Appleby and came on board as a hugely important member of the team. She has helped at weekends for years and knows exactly how we expect things to be done. She has her work cut out keeping George and Jonathon in line but seems to be getting along just fine!

Debbi was given one of our retired racehorses Hunters Belt by his owner Raymond Fisher and he still goes out with the string a few days a week.

Stable Lass / Work Rider

Lucy Branthwaite

Stable Lass / Work Rider

Ellie Farrell

Jockey

Grant Cockburn

Grant comes to the yard to ride work and school one or two days a week. Grant has been doing this for a couple of years now and has got to know most of the horses very well which gives us a sound advantage when it comes to race riding.

Part-Time Work Rider

Lucy Hogg

Lucy studies Geography at Newcastle University and helps out in holidays and occasional weekends. Lucy is a member of the university’s show jumping team and is about to become a fully qualified Pony Club instructor.

First Aider

Lesley Bewley

Lesley is on hand to look after both the Horses and the Jockeys and makes a mean chocolate chip muffin!!!

Yard Staff

Marie Dodgson

Marie joined us in spring 2017 after looking to learn the ropes round race horses, having had little previous experience. Marie comes in to do stable work in the mornings before heading away to her other jobs. Marie has learned huge amounts in the short time she has been with us and is a stickler for a clean stable. She has also been heard singing to the horses, which I think they enjoy!!

Part-time Stable Lass / Work Rider / Holiday cover

Lizzie Patterson

Lizzie has worked in many yards but now is a full time Nurse. She is a great help when any one is on holiday or we just need an extra set of hands.

Race Day Help

Emma Cockburn

Emma has helped out since we began training and still comes to lead up at the races when she isn’t busy Hairdressing (which isn’t as often as she would like!!)