Meet Our Staff

Full-Time Staff

Staff Dani
Staff Dani

Dani

I am the founding director, driven and created from socioeconomic disadvantage. I am a graduate of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Scottish Edge Social Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and Inspirational Woman in Sport finalist. I hold my BHS Stage 3 coaching and Stage 4 Equitation and Stable Management, Diploma in Equine Facilitated Learning, am a qualified work based assessor and have recently became a facilitator for TeachingHorse. With over 20 years of experience working, riding and training horses, I specialise in behavioural cases, physical rehabilitation and youngsters.

I have recently began running wellness programs and life coaching through the horses and all they have to bring. Horses symbolise community and teach us to become present as well as understanding our internal energy, with activities that teach social and emotional competencies, life skills and teamwork to all ages.

Dani

Dani

I am the founding director, driven and created from socioeconomic disadvantage. I am a graduate of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Scottish Edge Social Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and Inspirational Woman in Sport finalist. I hold my BHS Stage 3 coaching and Stage 4 Equitation and Stable Management, Diploma in Equine Facilitated Learning, am a qualified work based assessor and have recently became a facilitator for TeachingHorse. With over 20 years of experience working, riding and training horses, I specialise in behavioural cases, physical rehabilitation and youngsters.

I have recently began running wellness programs and life coaching through the horses and all they have to bring. Horses symbolise community and teach us to become present as well as understanding our internal energy, with activities that teach social and emotional competencies, life skills and teamwork to all ages.

Bella
Bella

Bella

I started ESR since 2022 as a volunteer and on alternative education to support my final year in school, and worked my way up to currently working here full time.

I am aiming towards my mental health in sports qualifications and have an equine apprenticeship about to start. I have had many opportunities from ESR such as hosting my own endurance ride, and full loaning my first horse.

Typically I take out hacks, and do day-to-day yard jobs including working with some of our young horses. I enjoy spending time on the ground with horses and ESR create a nice space to do this and expand my knowledge.

Bella

Bella

I started ESR since 2022 as a volunteer and on alternative education to support my final year in school, and worked my way up to currently working here full time.

I am aiming towards my mental health in sports qualifications and have an equine apprenticeship about to start. I have had many opportunities from ESR such as hosting my own endurance ride, and full loaning my first horse.

Typically I take out hacks, and do day-to-day yard jobs including working with some of our young horses. I enjoy spending time on the ground with horses and ESR create a nice space to do this and expand my knowledge.

Part-Time Staff

Staff Midi
Staff Midi

Midi

I started at ESR after meeting Danielle through a practitioner's network. I've joined to provide therapy and trauma counselling , and feel proud to offer a direct route when statutory services are at a crisis point. I have been working therapeutically with people for over 25 years, and became a counsellor after working in holistic nutritional therapy, realising that beneath the physical issues, the cause lay rooted in the emotional/mental/spiritual levels. It's great to be part of a wellness movement with such great social value and holistic approaches for horses and people.

Midi

Midi

I started at ESR after meeting Danielle through a practitioner's network. I've joined to provide therapy and trauma counselling , and feel proud to offer a direct route when statutory services are at a crisis point. I have been working therapeutically with people for over 25 years, and became a counsellor after working in holistic nutritional therapy, realising that beneath the physical issues, the cause lay rooted in the emotional/mental/spiritual levels. It's great to be part of a wellness movement with such great social value and holistic approaches for horses and people.

Staff 4
Staff 4

Gregor

Dad to my amazing little boy Lucas, I started work at ESR in October 2020. I am a yard worker and currently studying part-time to be a groom at Lingfield Uni. Working at ESR has helped me learn new skills and grow as a person. My confidence and patience have improved greatly in the months I've been here and it's a fun job a lot of the time with great people. ESR has helped me realise my potential and challenged me to meet new people and push myself to be a better human.

Gregor

Gregor

Dad to my amazing little boy Lucas, I started work at ESR in October 2020. I am a yard worker and currently studying part-time to be a groom at Lingfield Uni. Working at ESR has helped me learn new skills and grow as a person. My confidence and patience have improved greatly in the months I've been here and it's a fun job a lot of the time with great people. ESR has helped me realise my potential and challenged me to meet new people and push myself to be a better human.

Nina
Nina

Nina

ESR found me and my family whilst Dani was running her freelance business, my mum was crucial to the set up of ESR and we would make the journey from Linlithgow every week for the first year to exercise the ponies and make signs and equipment out of recycled materials. Dani and the yard have continued to be there for me unconditionally since losing my mum through covid and have supported me through exams such as my ride-out safely and horse health. The yard is my special place and a reminder of what my mum helped build and create.

Nina

Nina

ESR found me and my family whilst Dani was running her freelance business, my mum was crucial to the set up of ESR and we would make the journey from Linlithgow every week for the first year to exercise the ponies and make signs and equipment out of recycled materials. Dani and the yard have continued to be there for me unconditionally since losing my mum through covid and have supported me through exams such as my ride-out safely and horse health. The yard is my special place and a reminder of what my mum helped build and create.

Zoe
Zoe

Zoe

I met with Eat Sleep Ride first through school and started volunteering. I now work part time at ESR, starting from May 2023. I'm starting my Lingfield course to train as a groom.

I feel like I have found my confidence in talking to new people. I'm fantastic with kids and have respect for everyone. I'm pushing myself to work harder every day.

Zoe

Zoe

I met with Eat Sleep Ride first through school and started volunteering. I now work part time at ESR, starting from May 2023. I'm starting my Lingfield course to train as a groom.

I feel like I have found my confidence in talking to new people. I'm fantastic with kids and have respect for everyone. I'm pushing myself to work harder every day.

IMG 20240212 WA0076 1
IMG 20240212 WA0076

Tobi Kottwitz

I started to work at ESR in summer 2023. One of the first reasons why I came here is the mission to build a tiny house on wheels for ESR with my company "The Tiny House Experience Ltd." Originally I'm from Germany and I was living the last 8 years in Edinburgh. I moved to the farm with my own tiny house on wheels in June 2023 to realize the project here directly on the place.
While I'm living here and building the little house, I'm also working halftime on the yard basically as a craftsman/handyman. I'm repairing things, doing woodworkings and also building new projects like a chicken coop.
I really appreciate to live and work with and between all the lovely horses and nice people on the farm. For me it's a very new chapter and it helpes me a lot to improve my skills and growing up. I'm fulfilled of thankfulness for being here on this unique place of positive energy.

Tobi Kottwitz

Tobi Kottwitz

I started to work at ESR in summer 2023. One of the first reasons why I came here is the mission to build a tiny house on wheels for ESR with my company "The Tiny House Experience Ltd." Originally I'm from Germany and I was living the last 8 years in Edinburgh. I moved to the farm with my own tiny house on wheels in June 2023 to realize the project here directly on the place.
While I'm living here and building the little house, I'm also working halftime on the yard basically as a craftsman/handyman. I'm repairing things, doing woodworkings and also building new projects like a chicken coop.
I really appreciate to live and work with and between all the lovely horses and nice people on the farm. For me it's a very new chapter and it helpes me a lot to improve my skills and growing up. I'm fulfilled of thankfulness for being here on this unique place of positive energy.

IMG 20240212 WA0057
IMG 20240212 WA0057

Bekah Spraggon

I’m a Mum to 3 amazing little ones, you’ll often see 2 of them bopping around with me at the yard. I started volunteering at Eat Sleep Ride in August 2023. After a few health bumps, I now run TikTok and the behind the scenes pieces so you won’t always see me around the yard. Dani and the team at ESR have became my second family, helping me and pushing me to become a better person. Dani is helping me with my physiotherapy so I can gain back my strength through riding.
If you happen to see a strange red haired person dancing in a stable, you’ve found me.

Bekah Spraggon

Bekah Spraggon

I’m a Mum to 3 amazing little ones, you’ll often see 2 of them bopping around with me at the yard. I started volunteering at Eat Sleep Ride in August 2023. After a few health bumps, I now run TikTok and the behind the scenes pieces so you won’t always see me around the yard. Dani and the team at ESR have became my second family, helping me and pushing me to become a better person. Dani is helping me with my physiotherapy so I can gain back my strength through riding.
If you happen to see a strange red haired person dancing in a stable, you’ve found me.

The Board

Stephen Boyle

As the Chair of the board, Stephen boasts a diverse background, including community support, entrepreneurship, and corporate experience, demonstrating a wealth of skills and dedication. He championed community empowerment and sustainable development at the Community Ownership Support Service. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Stephen ran a successful stained glass business. Previously, he served with The Richmond Foundation, offering support to adults with learning difficulties and fostering community inclusion. Driven by a passion for positive impact and excellence, Stephen eagerly continues his journey of service, contributing to causes that uplift communities and empower individuals.

Lee Loumeau

Level 5 HR diploma, advanced diploma in hairdressing. 20 years equine experience ( management, training, teaching, competing, ect.) 20 years experience in hospitality and beauty industry (management of front office for spa/salon and hotel for various locations in South Africa, Mauritius and Scotland)Mother and full time carer of autistic 4 year old which has give me first hand experience and training on different neurodiverse conditions and I have attended multiple course on this topic.

Jennifer Mcgarrity

Community psychiatric nurse, degree in illustration and printmaking and a degree in Mental Health Nursing. Worked in intensive psychiatric care, acute mental health, CAMHS and now severe and enduring mental health in the community. Have done lots of art with people in my work. Have worked for Artlink with people with learning disabilities.

And many thanks to our affiliates who work with us on special projects; Elaine Jenkins, Sarah Oliver, Fran Baker, Fiona Ennis, Equitait, Kim Peters, and many many more