Welcome to TopLine Equine

TopLine Equine is a coaching-led riding school and Pony Club Centre built around correct foundations, rider confidence, and uncompromising horse welfare.

We work with children and adults of all ages, offering structured group pathways, Pony Club progression, and private coaching — all delivered calmly, professionally, and with the individual at the centre of everything we do.

Our approach is classical, welfare-led, and deliberately unrushed. We believe confident riders are created through correct basics, consistency, and trust — not pressure.

Clear Pathways. Correct Progression.

At TopLine, riders can follow one or more structured pathways, depending on their goals:

Progress Pathway Tier Group Lessons
Ability-led group lessons that place riders with others at a similar stage of development, ensuring confidence, safety, and effective learning.

Pony Club Pathway
As an official Pony Club Centre, we offer Pony Club riding groups that combine ridden work and badge achievement, delivered the TopLine way — supportive, structured, and welfare-first.

Private Lessons
One-to-one coaching for riders who benefit from individual focus, targeted confidence-building, or refinement alongside group work.

All pathways work together. Riders are guided clearly on what will suit them best — now and as they progress.

Professional, Qualified, and Trusted

Every member of the TopLine team is:

• DBS checked

• First aid trained

• Committed to safeguarding, welfare, and best practice

We are proud to offer a safe, professional environment where riders and parents can feel confident and supported.

Meet the TopLine Team

Rachael Cardus – Founder & Head Coach

Rachael is the founder of TopLine Equine and leads the coaching ethos across the yard.

• First Class BSc (Hons) in Equine Science & Sports Performance

• BHS Stage 2 Complete

• BHS Stage 3 Care Complete

• Over 15 years of coaching experience

Rachael’s career began escorting beach hacks before progressing into formal riding school work and freelance coaching. Her background combines real-world horsemanship with academic and professional training, shaping the calm, classical approach TopLine is known for.

She now trains regularly with Tim Brindle, ensuring TopLine coaching remains grounded in correct, classical principles.

Lucy Marrin – TopLine Coach

Lucy is a core part of the TopLine coaching team and has been trained exclusively in the TopLine system since the beginning.

Her coaching has been shaped directly by:

• Rachael Cardus

• Tim Brindle

Lucy delivers lessons that are consistent, clear, and aligned with the TopLine ethos — focusing on confidence, correctness, and rider understanding.

Charlotte Rowland – BHS stage 3 Coach

Charlotte has completed BHS Stage 3 and is now beginning her coaching journey with TopLine.

She is developing her skills within our system, ensuring continuity of standards, welfare, and coaching approach across the team.

Natalya Lloyd – Ride Escort

Tally is our experienced ride escort and has led TopLine hacks across the Sandhills, Wirral beaches, and beyond since we opened.

She plays a vital role in rider safety, confidence, and enjoyment out hacking, and is a trusted, familiar face to many of our riders.

Meg & Ben – Equine Care Team

Meg and Ben are far more than “grooms”.

They are responsible for the daily wellbeing, comfort, and consistency of our horses and ponies, ensuring:

• High standards of care and routine

• Horse comfort, turnout, and management

• Calm, settled horses ready for their work

Their attention to detail is a huge part of what makes TopLine horses happy, reliable partners for our riders.

Rob – Operations & Client Services

Rob is the first point of contact for TopLine.

He keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes, managing:

• Bookings and scheduling

• Client enquiries

• Merchandise and administration

His organisation and consistency ensure the yard runs efficiently, allowing the coaching team to focus fully on riders and horses.

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Tim Brindle – Classical Riding Mentor & Advisor

TopLine is fortunate to receive ongoing training and mentorship from Tim Brindle, a highly regarded classical riding instructor. Tim has dedicated his life to the study and teaching of classical horsemanship, bringing deep experience in riding, training and biomechanics. He was brought up in an equestrian environment and developed his understanding by training horses to high school work and advanced classical movements, always viewing the horse as the foremost teacher in the process.

Tim is known for his ability to assess horse and rider dynamics quickly and accurately, identifying underlying issues and offering solutions that lead to happier, more balanced horses and more effective riders. His teaching emphasises patience, clear communication, correct mechanics and a respect for the horse’s anatomy and psychology.

At TopLine, Tim’s influence underpins our coaching system. Our team trains regularly with Tim to ensure that TopLine’s methods are grounded in classical principles, accurate assessment, and a welfare-first approach. This means that whether riders are in Progress Tier groups, Pony Club sessions, or private lessons, they benefit from standards shaped by classical horsemanship and reinforced through our ongoing professional development.

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Sheila Hinchliffe – BHS Training & Professional Development

Sheila Hinchliffe is a BHS Stage 5 Coach and plays a key role in the ongoing professional development of the TopLine team. She works with us to ensure our coaching, horse care, and standards remain aligned with the British Horse Society framework, supporting staff progression, consistency, and best practice. Sheila’s involvement strengthens our commitment to correct training, safeguarding, and welfare-led coaching, providing an additional layer of oversight and expertise that benefits both riders and horses.

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​The TopLine Difference

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At TopLine, we don’t rush riders, overface horses, or follow trends.

We focus on:

• Correct foundations

• Confident, capable riders

• Happy, well-cared-for horses

• Clear communication with families

Whether you’re taking your first steps in the saddle or developing long-term goals, you’ll be supported every step of the way

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Our Philosophy: Welfare First, Always

We are proud to be known as Chester’s trusted ethical riding school.
Every horse in our care is treated with compassion, patience, and respect. We follow positive, welfare-focused training methods and the classical principles of balance, clarity, and harmony.

We believe that:

• A relaxed horse learns best

• Pressure-free teaching builds true confidence

• Riders progress faster when they feel safe, supported, and listened to

This approach creates lessons that are calm, enjoyable, and genuinely transformative—for beginner riders, returning adults, nervous riders, and children.

What Makes TopLine Equine Different

TopLine Equine stands out because we are more than just a riding school. We are a community focused on:

• Evidence-based riding and equitation science principles

• Kind, correct, and classical training

• Professional instruction with a personalised approach

• Building confidence step by step

• Matching each rider to the right horse for their learning style

• Teaching groundwork, flatwork, and horsemanship—not just riding

Our horses are carefully selected for their temperament and trained to be patient, willing, and comfortable with beginner and developing riders.

Our Instructors

TopLine instructors are experienced, knowledgeable, and committed to teaching riding through clear communication and ethical training. Lessons are adapted to suit each rider’s goals, whether that’s:

• building confidence

• improving balance and posture

• learning classical principles

• preparing for competitions

• starting from scratch

We take pride in creating an environment where riders feel welcome, supported, and encouraged—without pressure or judgement.

A Calm Learning Environment in Mollington, Chester

Our riding school is located just outside Chester, offering a peaceful countryside atmosphere that helps riders relax and focus. With easy access from Chester, the Wirral, and North Wales, TopLine Equine is a convenient choice for families and riders seeking a high-quality, welfare-led riding school.

Our Promise

When you ride with TopLine Equine, you can expect:

• Happy, healthy, well-cared-for horses

• Individualised riding plans

• Clear, positive teaching

• A safe, welcoming environment

• Progress at your own pace

• Ethical, thoughtful training every step of the way

We ride the right way—kindly, correctly, and with true respect for the horse.

Join the TopLine Community

Whether you’re a complete beginner, a nervous rider finding your confidence, or an experienced rider wanting a more ethical approach, TopLine Equine is here to support your journey.

TopLine Equine – where horses and people learn together.