Unlock the Secrets of True Horsemanship

The Team:

> John Jones
> Daisy Lewis 
> Amy LeBailly
> Luke Jones
> The Horses & Dogs

“My first memories were of working horses in Yorkshire when I was five years old. I often spent time at my Grandmother’s house where shire horses delivered the milk and coal; I was in awe of these gentle giants as they turned their heads to look at me with their huge eyes. I count myself lucky to have had a glimpse of the Old World. From then on I was drawn to horses and in 1973 I bought my first horse. The lessons I learnt from him I still keep today like being patient, understanding, gentle and kind. I always owned and trained my own horses from then on, each one has taught me a great deal.”

John ran his own business called Dingle Joinery specialising in building and restoring old timber frame houses. John compares working with horses to building timber frames, if the foundation beam isn’t put down on a solid base it will carry the building for a while, but it will gradually give way causing structural problems so it is important to insure a good foundation. And deal with any problem areas as they arise which is exactly the same for horses.

Horses and animals have always been part of John’s life. John saw Monty Roberts the renown Horse Whisperer on QED, which inspired him to then enroll on the Intelligent Horsemanship Courses in 1997.

“One of the most important things I gained from the courses was from Kelly Marks who told us to keep an open mind and keep looking and learning which I continue to do”

On the 20th of March 1998 John completed his Monty Roberts Prelim Certificate at West Oxfordshire College and has been a Recommended Intelligent Horsemanship Associate since 1998.  John has been teaching on the Kelly Marks Intelligent Horsemanship Handling the Untouched Horse Courses in Oxfordshire since 2006.   John has enjoyed helping people and horses ranging from eventers, dressage; show horses, racers and pleasure horses. “I have met many wonderful people and horses” Some of John’s biggest influences have been western trainers Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance & Bill Dorrance.”

Now John has become an inspirational teacher and has helped thousands of horses and people.

>> Read John’s recent interview for the Intelligent Horsemanship Listening Post Magazine

Daisy has always loved animals since she can remember. She has been working with John since 2000. Daisy helps John with training the horses and teaching people. John rides the horses himself but Daisy rides them too. Daisy has ridden from a young age and has always brought on her own horses. She has worked in Ireland at Kilpedder Stables and at the age of 16 she enrolled at Hartpury College and completed her First Diploma at distinction level. Then she went on to do her National Diploma in Horse Studies for two years and worked at Ypaja Equestrian College in Finland and for Matt Ryan Olympic Gold medallist in Oxfordshire. Daisy has had lots of experience in the equine industry and is sympathetic and sensitive when riding youngsters and problem horses. She looks after the horses in training and the permanent herd of horses at Old Shawls Farm. Daisy is also John’s PA arranging John’s trips abroad, lecture demos and generally making sure everything is running smoothly.

Daisy enjoys travelling and is particularly interested in personal development/life coaching and has walked across hot coals twice at Anthony Robbins Unleash The Power Within Seminars.

She enjoys spending time with her mare April who has been a big part of her horsemanship journey. Daisy lives nearby with her husband Mark and sheepdog Tommy, she looks after the farm when John is away teaching.

“I have always wanted to be in harmony with horses whilst working with John I have learnt a huge amount and still continue to learn. Helping horses and owners communicate on a deeper level is extremely rewarding.”

Amy has been helping at Old Shawls Farm since 2009; she is a working student/apprentice and has a keen interest in Natural Horsemanship techniques/methods. Amy helps a few days a week with the yard duties and rides/backs the horses and ponies in training; they really appreciate her calm confidence and quiet manner. In her spare time Amy enjoys spending time with her youngster Lucky and using techniques she has learned to help with her training. 

Luke is John’s son, he helps keep the fields in order and with the demos held at Old Shawls Farm.

At Old Shawls Farm there is a permanent herd of Horses who are a big part of the team, they are fantastic teachers and have taught John and Daisy so much, each has an interesting story. Now they teach people who visit the farm. The dogs are also an important element helping with the day to day running of the yard.