Kelly Marks Biography and Gallery

Age: Undecided! (Birthday, January 1st)
Favourite Horse: My present horse ‘problem pony turned Champion’ Pie is super fun to ride but he’s great company even if I’m just leading him out for a walk. He ended up a top Working Hunter Pony, winning the BSPS Desert Orchid with my niece and ‘BSPS Rider of the Year’ twice.
Greatest Moment: My ‘pivotal moment’ was winning the Ladies European Championship (flat racing) in 1995. It gave me the feeling I could do anything. My ‘second life’ began when I started Intelligent Horsemanship, helping people and horses to be happier together.
Words of Wisdom: If things are not going to plan, have the courage to ask yourself how have I trained my horse to behave this way? Then you can put it right.
Star Sign: Capricorn
Essential Piece of Kit: Dually Halter
Aim for 2008/9: Aim of a lifetime, in fact, is to become an extraordinary teacher, enabling people to make quantum leaps in horsemanship by my extraordinary insights (might as well be ambitious!).
Hero or Heroine: Monty Roberts (mentor) and Pat Burgess (showjumping trainer) both in their 70s and both role models for energy and enthusiasm and generosity with their knowledge.

My 'first life’ was as a Junior Showjumper, I won two BSJA Championships then got to HOYS as a Young Rider and won several classes at Hickstead. Then I became a lady jockey both over jumps and on the flat. I retired after winning the Ladies European Championship in Vienna in 1995. I actually met Monty Roberts in 1993 and started learning his methods by helping him put problematic (often terrified) racehorses in the starting stalls. He is recognised in racing as the best in the world for this work – getting the horses to focus on him and overcome their fears.

I come from a very practical horsemanship background. There probably are people still out there who think Monty and my work is something ‘fluffy’; the fact is we work with every type of issue. We fully appreciate that many people want to compete or keep their horse at livery where they can’t be as involved as they’d like. But it’s our job to work with people to help them gain the best results, not tell them how they’re doing everything wrong! This often includes ‘untouched’ horses and ponies and those at rescue centres. I have also worked with several of the big equine charities and been out to Jordan and India as a consultant for The Brooke Hospital for Animals, advising their vets on horse handling.

Intelligent Horsemanship has spread to Ireland, Holland, Denmark and France through 36 associates I have trained to carry on my work. I have written three books - Perfect Manners - How You Should Behave So Your Horse Does Too; Perfect Partners – How to Be The Horse Your Horse Would Choose for Himself and Perfect Confidence & Overcoming Fear, Gaining Confidence and Achieving Success with Horses.