Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
National award for work on jockey and rider training programmes
Sue Ringrose beat off competition from 342 nominations across all sporting disciplines to take home Coach Educator of the Year at an awards ceremony in London.
The horse racing stalwart has been instrumental in supporting coaches who then go on to improve the career prospects of hundreds of apprentice and conditional jockeys.
Sue has worked with the British Horseracing Association (BHA) since 2014 and was the backbone behind both the Jockey Coaching Programme and newly introduced Rider Coaching Programme.
The “outstanding and well recognised equestrian coach” has developed the coaching skills of former jockeys such as 2014 Grand National winner Leighton Aspell, and Michael Hills who has ridden more than 2,000 winners on the flat.
In recognition of her continued contribution to racing, Sue, who started working in the equestrian industry 46 years ago, received the top prize at the UK Coaching Awards which were held on December 5.
She said: “I am ecstatic to receive the award, a marvellous accolade to 46 years in equestrian coaching – helping people to achieve their ambitions and dreams.
“It was an absolutely fantastic night and I was overwhelmed to receive such a prestigious award.
“It’s been a great journey to develop coaching within racing over the years and to have that work recognised is hugely rewarding.
“I am grateful for the knowledge and understanding I gained from attending the course and have used it within my industry to great effect.”
Sue left school aged 15 and then worked towards gaining a British Horse Society Level 5 Performance Coach qualification.
She has also competed both nationally and internationally in Eventing and is a coach educator for British Eventing and a BE Accredited Coach.
Over the last five years, she has helped develop two clear development paths within the racing industry for coaches and delivers coach educator training up to Level 3.
The pathways provide top class training to those who will then go on to coach apprentices, conditional riders and racing grooms.
Coaching is provided to over 90% of the near 200 apprentice and conditional jockeys, by coaches who have been trained by Sue. The BHA now has 20 coaches operating at Levels 2 and 3 across all areas of Great Britain.
Gill Greeves, Vocational Training Manager at the BHA, said: “Sue’s contribution to industry training in British racing cannot be overestimated.
“She has been instrumental in improving the careers of hundreds of jockeys, members of racing staff and in developing the BHA’s coach education programmes.
“The competition was stiff at the awards last night (Dec 5) with nominations from around the UK, but Sue is a hugely deserving winner for all the years of hard work and dedication she has put in and we are thrilled for her.”
Photos courtesy of British Horseracing Association.