About Us | Macclesfield & District Riding Club

Jodie Parry

Chair / Showjumping / Team Manager

Jodie has competed at Macclesfield Riding Club for 26 years, starting in 1997 with her beloved horses April Rain & XCaliber in the showjumping ring. She now has a collection of greys and palominos who are expensive and usually self harming field ornaments. Jodie loves everything about MDRC, the fabulous hard working committee, our competitors and their mounts, our fabulous venue owners and the championships which we qualify for. Jodie hopes to continue to support MDRC for a very long time.

Emma Furmston

Deputy Chair / Social Media / Showjumping

Emma has been a MDRC member since she was 7yrs old. She competed on her ponies and then moved onto her best horse Gerry when she was 14. There was no looking back as Emma and Gerry absolute smashed the national shows and has many a BRC championship to their name, including style jumping, dressage and team showjumping. Emma is also a wonderful steward helping out at out many area team events. Emma is also our social media guru.

Barbara Parry

Treasurer, Membership Secretary & Show Entries

Barbara has been on the MDRC Committee for 20 Years after being nominated as a committee member whilst she nipped to the loo. For someone with a fear of horses she hasn't done bad sticking it out but will be found usually hiding in a scary gazebo so horses don't come near. Barbara works hard behind the scenes on the membership system, making sure all the payments are in order and can also be found behind the entries desk at most of our shows.

Jenny Hemmings

Working Hunter Support & Points

Jenny is a very busy mum of two riders who compete every weekend, Jenny travels up and down the country for Tetrathlon, Schools Jumping, Riding Clubs, Pony Club, Pony Racing. Jenny occasionally gets time to ride her own pony Isla when the children haven't pinched her for themselves.

Angela Eardley

Showing / Working Hunter / Judges / Qualifiers

I was involved with the development of MDRC in 1972 and have been on the committee ever since. I have always owned coloureds and cobs, my first being Gyppy, who l was refused to compete on in many classes as she was coloured. I have shown at many shows. I am passionate about children learning about the fabulous, fun and rewarding side of being in a partnership with a horse/pony.

Richard Cairns

Child Protection Officer / Parking Manager

After serving as a committee member some years ago when my daughter was competing for Macclesfield I now find myself returning as my granddaughter now wishes to take a more active role with Macclesfield riding club, always happy to help out at any event In a non technical capacity.

Shelley Wootton

Sponsorship & Safeguarding

By day, Shelley navigates the complex world of finance and operations as a School Business Manager. Every other hour of the day, she follows her true calling: the equestrian life at Hollycroft.

The Heart of the Yard

If the stables are looking particularly pristine, chances are Shelley has been through with a broom. Known for keeping the yard “spick and span,” she brings her professional eye for detail to Hollycroft every single day, ensuring the environment is as perfect as possible for the horses she loves.

A Leap of Faith: Pasha

Last year, Shelley took the ultimate equestrian gamble—buying her first horse “unseen” all the way from Ireland. Luckily, the gamble paid off in the form of Pasha, a gorgeous 3-year-old Irish Sports Horse x Connemara.

Pasha has quickly become the centre of Shelley’s world. While she is proving to be a “very forgiving” soul, their partnership is still a work in progress as they navigate the ups and downs (sometimes literally!) of training a young horse.

Goals for the Season

Shelley’s mission is simple but honest:

Stay in the Plate: Reducing the frequency of unplanned “dismounts.”
Constant Improvement: Working hard to be the rider that a horse as kind as Pasha deserves.
Building the Bond: Developing their partnership from the ground up as Pasha matures.

“I just want to be the best I can be for the sake of my horse. If I can stay on more than I fall off this year, I’ll call that a win!”

Jenna Cairns

Showjumping Steward & Teams Assistant

Jenna has competed at Macclesfield for many years with her showjumping horses and ponies and has competed to a very high level at BS. She was a frequent team member including being on the first team ever to win the sj championship at Festival of Champions. She recently returned to the riding club after having a few years away having her daughter Grace who herself is now a active member of the riding club.

Gracie Wootton

First Aid

At 19 years old, Gracie balances her passion for ponies with a full-time career in childcare—a job that perfectly suits her patient and caring nature. When she isn’t looking after little humans, she’s busy managing her unique and adorable “mini-herd” at home.

Meet the Mini-Herd

King Julian: The senior statesman of the group. Julian is a 21-year-old Standard Shetland who definitely lives up to his royal name.
Potato: A 1-year-old Miniature Shetland who might be small in stature due to dwarfism, but is huge in personality. Despite being partially sighted, Potato doesn’t let anything slow him down!
Dori: The speedster of the family, Dori is an energetic Italian Greyhound puppy who keeps everyone on their toes.

Goals for the Year

Gracie has some exciting plans for the upcoming season! She is looking forward to getting “the boys” out for some fun, with a particular focus on showing. Whether it’s Julian’s veteran classes or Potato’s debut outings, she’s dedicated to giving them both a chance to shine in the ring.

Whether she’s navigating the quirks of her Shetlands or training her new puppy, Gracie’s dedication to her animals is truly inspiring. If you see her around the club, be sure to ask how the “King” and the “Potato” are doing!

About Our Club

A Club for Everyone

Over 50 Years of History

The Committee