The Myler Team UK
The Myler Team UK is a group of well-respected horsemen from across all disciplines, both amateur and professional, including both top and up-and-coming junior competitors. Team members include Christopher Bartle; Nicky Barrett; Jeanette Brakewell; Beccy Broughton; Gary Docking; Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks; Bob Mayhew; Richard Maxwell; Robert Oliver; and Nick Skelton.
The Team members are all enthusiastic proponents of The Myler Bitting System and are working with Belstane (the UK distributors), to promote better understanding of The Myler System, and, indeed, bitting in general.
Christopher Bartle: Just made the first Honorary Fellow of the BHS, Christopher is one of the rare individuals who have reached the top in two disciplines. He achieved the highest ever placing of a British dressage rider in the Olympic Games (Wily Trout, 1984), and has been equally as successful in Eventing. He was European Gold Medallist in 1997, and won Badminton in 1998 with Word Perfect. Managing Director of the Yorkshire Riding Centre, Christopher was the official dressage trainer to the last two British Three Day Event Olympic Teams and is currently training the German Three Day Event Team.
"Having the horse comfortable with the bit in his mouth makes absolute sense. Whilst a bit is never the total answer to every problem, having the horse relaxed in his mouth must be the first step to success."
Jeanette Brakewell: Always a keen sportswoman and a former pony club tetrathlon competitor, Jeanette is one of the brightest young stars in British Three Day Eventing. In the spotlight as "one to watch" since the mid 90's, Jeanette was on the Silver Medal-Winning Team at the Sydney Olympics and won Team Gold at the European Championships in 2001. She has a well-deserved reputation as a rock-solid and inspirational pathfinder across country, and for her ability to produce excellent young horses.
"Anything which helps to make the horse more comfortable is a very good idea and I like the common-sense approach of The Myler System."
Beccy Broughton: Beccy started competing in endurance rides at the age of 6, trained her first pony at 9 and enjoyed growing success through her teens, culminating in her selection for the British Young Riders Team. Now competing successfully at FEI level, Beccy was 7thin the European Championships in Italy in 2001 and has a growing reputation for producing good young endurance horses. She is the top British-based rider in the World ranking and the only one invited to compete in the UAE Federation's 130km race in Dubai.
"Myler Bits have made a huge difference to my own horses, helping them to relax into their work. A tense horse is less likely to concentrate and more likely to trigger muscular problems throughout its body."
Gary Docking: Born and raised in Cornwall, after a brief but exciting career on the stage Gary went back to his roots in the equestrian world. In the fifteen years since opening his own driving yard in Hampshire, Gary has won numerous top Private Driving Classes, both for himself and his clients. He is also a Council Member of the British Driving Society and the Hackney Horse Society; lectures regularly at home and abroad and is increasingly sought after as a judge and commentator of carriage driving classes.
"The Myler Bitting phenomenon is both interesting and exciting and I am looking forward to introducing this horsemanship and its gadget-free formula to the traditional world of Private Driving."
Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks: Following great success at home in Australia, Clayton came to the UK in 1993 to compete at the top level of international eventing. Lucinda has a long history of success from an early age, including selection for the British Junior Event Team. With Lucinda's flair for dressage, in which she also competes at Grand Prix level, and Clayton's reputation for producing horses and training, particularly on the jumping side, they are building a formidable team for the future.
"Control is vital in our sport, it is so important that the horse is comfortable. If there is any tension in the horse's mouth it is transferred throughout his body and the knock-on effect can destroy the horse's confidence."
Di Hayes: Di started her driving career in 1982 following a hunting accident and was competing at national level within 2 years. Di's current Hackney horse was Champion Performance Hackney in 1998 and 1999; National Horse Driving Trials Points Champion in 1999 and 2000; and the Windsor International Driving Trials Single Horse Champion in 2000. As well as competing, Di has been a Horse Driving Trials Judge for several years, through which she is able to indulge her interest in dressage and training.
"Communication with your horse when driving is even more difficult than when riding and the bit is the main tool the driver has. I believe we owe it to our horses to make sure they are as comfortable as possible in their mouths to enable relaxation and thus better work."
James C L Lucas: After an active and varied pony club career with Chiddingfold Farmers, James joined his extensive Family Polo Dynasty. James has represented and captained the England Polo Team in the UK and abroad at various levels and currently plays as a semi-professional player off a handicap of 5. His present string of 7 polo ponies are mainly from Argentine stock. James is also on the HPA Development Committee, concentrating on promoting Under 21 English players. He plays in a High Goal Team with his brother and two cousins and also plays Snow Polo and Arena Polo.
"I am in favour of any bit that helps my ponies and reduces pressure and stress."
Richard Maxwell: Following a career in the Household Cavalry, Richard has been a freelance specialist in equine behaviour problems. He also starts and schools many young horses. He is now internationally renown for his results and spends much of his time travelling out to help owners and pass on his knowledge, giving them the confidence to progress with their horses themselves. His nation-wide lecture/demonstration tours are very popular and successful.
"I am in favour of anything which makes the horse more comfortable and the Mylers' Bitting System is a thorough, systematic approach to getting the horse comfortable and relaxed in his mouth."
Robert Oliver: One of the country's best known riders and producers of show horses over the last 30 years, Robert won the lightweight and middleweight hunter of the year in 2001. He is also Master and Field Master of the Ledbury Foxhounds; an international judge of horses and ponies; and a lecturer and author on showing horses and ponies.
"Being a producer of horses, it is most important to have a soft comfortable mouth, both in the show ring and the hunting field."
Anna Ross: Anna gained a scholarship to the Talland School of Equitation in 1995, training with Pammy Hutton FBHS; Adam Kemp FBHS; and Molly Sivewright FBHS. In 2000 she was the recipient of the prestigious Pat Smallwood Award from the BHS. Anna currently works as a freelance rider/trainer, competing horses up to Prix St Georges level; she trains with Dries Roefs and Judy Harvey FBHS. Holding the BHS Stable Manager qualification, she also manages the London Equestrian Centre and prepares many British and International students for BHS examinations.
"Comfort and relaxation are the keys to successful communication between horse and rider."