Gary Greenhill - Husband

Groom, Caller and Driver!

Prior to meeting Nic, my previous experience of horses consisted of a single meeting of a Dartmoor pony on a traditional family holiday to a caravan park in Devon!

I met Nic in 2000 through a mutual friend. I remember not wanting to go to her house as she had lots of over-friendly dogs, but I knew if the relationship was going to work I had to conquer my fear. I soon learnt to love her dogs and now I can’t imagine life without them.

Horses, on the other hand, were a completely different kettle of fish. Not only did they stink, but they were flipping enormous!!! I remember saying to Nic in the early days that I would do anything for her but I wouldn’t muck out. I’m not quite sure when I relented, but how times have changed!

The obvious then happened and I was soon bullied in to riding and after a few painful falls I actually started to enjoy it. I have never had many lessons, so I am pretty much self taught, although it’s amazing how much you can pick up from the floor watching someone teach.

I pretty much do everything on the yard now, except for plaiting, which is the new ‘one thing I refuse to do’. I particularly enjoy doing all of the fitness work with the horses and have even recently been ‘promoted’ to warming up Nic’s horses before she rides.

On competition days, my role in Team Greenhill is to load and drive the lorry, prepare the horse whilst Nic is getting ready, provide guidance and training during the warm up and calling the markers during the test. Together with Sparky we are a well polished team.

Sparky Greenhill - Guide Dog

Mum's Eyes!

I’m Sparky – a female Golden Labrador.