A little ../about us..

Julie and Fiona moved to Long Barn Stables at the beginning of 2007. Work was undertaken straight away on the yard to turn it into a top class showing facility.

In 2007 the yard was awarded BHS/BSPS Accredited Yard status, one of the first in Great Britain. The yard is subject to an annual spot check by the British Horse Society to ensure that the highest possible standards of safety, welfare and management are maintained.

The yard comprises of two large American style Barns - one for the ponies and one for the horses. In the horse barn the horses are luxuriously housed in huge 14 x 14 stables, with a feed room, tack room and wash box with heated power shower to ensure pre show preparation is as comfortable and efficient as possible. The pony barn has 10 x 12 stables, with half of them overlooking the part of the yard. All boxes on the yard have automatic waters and all are on deep litter beds. The pony barn has its own tack room and the yard office is also located here.

Outside facilities include a 20 x 60 all-weather floodlit ménage, in which the surface has been recently replaced. We have turnout paddocks to ensure that the ponies have ample time to play out. Last year we installed 2 temporary stables, which we use frequently to acclimatise the novices to the stabling they will meet at shows. Long Barn is situated in a really quiet position, with plenty of countryside. This allows for safe hacking to keep routines varied.

Julie Templeton

Julie's name is synonymous with the showing world, however she has long been involved in the equestrian industry. Starting in an eventing yard at 16, she then worked her way through the teaching and competition ranks. Gaining her BHS Intermediate Instructors exam at 20 years old, she then began producing ponies and training their riders for top level competition in the show ring. When time permits Julie also judges nationally and internationally.

Julie is a BHS / BSPS accredited trainer. She frequently travels around the country being invited to hold teach-ins, clinics, demonstrations and guest speak at National events. However when asked the key to success, Julie cites the importance of putting the right combination together. Matching the ponies and the riders abilities and personalities is essential. When the two have come together its all ../about training and more training. “Not many people take the time to train the children to get the best out of their pony. We set the ponies up and its my job to make sure that the children have all the confidence, knowledge and skills required to give them that winning edge in the ring”

Fiona Wallace

Julie's business partner Fiona, comes from a different background, although has also had a long term involvement with horses and ponies. After leaving school Fiona went to university and qualified as a primary school teacher. Fiona then began specialising in working with children with Social, Emotional and Behavioural difficulties, eventually going onto run this service in South Lanarkshire in Scotland.

It was, however, her goddaughter Caitlin Galbraith who began Fiona's interest in the showing world. Julie began producing Caitlin's ponies for Fiona in 2003. In 2007, Long Barn Stables was found and they went into business. Fiona deals with the day to day running of the yard and all the office related work which allows Julie to remain hands on with the horses, ponies and riders on the team. The Internet side of the business is also Fiona's baby and keeping it up to date is time consuming but rewarding. “It's amazing how many people come up to us at shows and say that they love the site. We chose from the outset to include our Team news and this is now the most visited area on our website - there never seems to be a dull moment to report on.”