Ian
Ian Woodhead was one of the original founders of Dressage Horses International; he was National Under 21 dressage trainer for 18 years, during which time the Pony Team won 10 medals; two silvers and eight bronzes; he was home trainer to the Bechtolsheimers, and has trained many dressage riders up to Grand Prix level.
In 2004 he moved away from pure dressage and now mainly trains event riders, a result of having met and married Heidi. Ian has an extensive list of clients include Oliver Townend (Flint Curtis and Carousel Quest, Badminton, Burghley and Express Eventing winners), Piggy French (DHI Topper W, Some Day Soon and Jakata, European silver medal winner and British WEG squad member), Nicola Wilson (Opposition Buzz, European and WEG team gold medal winners).
Heidi
Heidi took an HND at Bishop Burton College, during which time she worked for Bernd Vietor, moving to Germany to work for his father after graduating. In Germany, Heidi was part of a very successful team who won championship medals at European Junior and Young rider level. She returned to Bishop Burton as a lecturer, and started developing a business at East Lilling Grange Farm, producing young sport horses for Eventing.
Heidi found the horse that took her to four star, The Biz, in Leicestershire – he was originally destined to be a hunter for her father but was very quirky. After a delayed start to their career together, due to Foot and Mouth, they progressed from Pre Novice to winning a 1* at Blair Castle, and doing a 2* in one season, in 2002. They completed Badminton and Burghley 2004 before Heidi broke her leg. Back in action in 2007, The Biz won a World Cup Qualifier in Ballindenisk, Ireland, was placed 4th at Bramham, and represented Team GB in Aachen, completing Badminton again in 2008 and 2009.
Alongside producing competition horses, Heidi is well known as a trainer, BHSI & BE accredited Coach, and Coach for the World Class funded Regional Foundation Squad, (Northern Region), and enjoys teaching riders at all levels, specialising in cross country training at the facilities developed at East Lilling Grange Farm.
Heidi and Ian’s vision for East Lilling Grange Farm is to create a tailor made training facility in the north for event riders, whilst also producing top level competition horses for the competition market.
