At DO Dressage we want to emphasise that everyone is a valuable team member, none of what we do could be achieved without everyone here and their support.
Maria Nella Dell'Orbo: Rider & CEO
Maria is an international dressage rider with many years' experience ... she always had a dream. With the support of DO Dressage, she is now well on the way to realising that dream. The team at DO Dressage supports Maria in her efforts to continue to achieve success in dressage. She currently trains with Vicki Thompson-Winfield.
Maria is an international dressage rider with many years' experience ... she always had a dream. With the support of DO Dressage, she is now well on the way to realising that dream. The team at DO Dressage supports Maria in her efforts to continue to achieve success in dressage. She currently trains with Vicki Thompson-Winfield.
Born and raised in Italy, Maria has ridden and worked in the equestrian industry in Italy, Ireland and England since graduating from University in her mid-20s. At last everything has come together for her and she is determinedly pursuing her goals as a rider. She refuses to see age as a barrier to achievement and wishes to spread the message that it is never too late to realise your dream.
Maria is an International Dressage Rider and a British Dressage group 1 rider. She is also a BHS Performance Dressage Coach BHSI, IGEQ (International Group for Equestrian Qualifications) level 3 and a member of ANIE (Associazione Nazionale Istruttori di Equitazione). She trains young and not so young riders and horses for dressage!
Dr Kate Dell'Orbo: Managing Director
Since retiring, Kate manages all aspects of DO Dressage, from day-to-day running of the yard and team to projects and strategy. She is the 'eyes on the ground' for Maria between training and helps her maintain focus. And also drives the horsebox!
Since retiring, Kate manages all aspects of DO Dressage, from day-to-day running of the yard and team to projects and strategy. She is the 'eyes on the ground' for Maria between training and helps her maintain focus. And also drives the horsebox!
Kate's background is in academia where she worked as a researcher and lecturer in the UK, USA and Switzerland. She left academia to practice psychotherapy and worked as a specialist psychotherapist for an NHS provider before retiring in 2021. She says she has never been so busy as since she retired!
Kate is currently learning Italian!
Cecilia Dell'Orbo: Team Advisor
Cecilia advises on all aspects of the Team's work and strategy.
Cecilia advises on all aspects of the Team's work and strategy.
An ex-showjumper, Cecilia worked on professional showjumping yards before running her own business breaking in and producing horses as well as competing her own showjumpers successfully.
Olivia Hayes: Groom & Traveling Groom
Olivia joined DO Dressage in spring 2022.
Olivia joined DO Dressage in spring 2022.
Since starting at DO Dressage, Olivia has gone from learning with us to being our traveling groom for all Premier League and International shows. She is also our mainstay at home, working at DO Dressage most days doing general yard duties, helping Maria with the day-to-day running of the stables and exercising horses. She is working on her own riding under Maria's tuition and is beginning her journey through local shows. We are very proud to have been able to bring on such an able groom and look forward to supporting her in her enterprises going forward.
Olivia has a FdSc in Equine Science and Coaching from Plumpton College (validated by the Royal Agricultural University), for which she was awarded a distinction, and has completed her BHS stage 1 and the care and riding elements of her BHS stage 2.
Orinta Capkauskyte: Groom
Orinta joined us to fill in in December 2022, but is now a regular part of the team.
Orinta has been around horses for 9 years and has jumped courses at 90cm at local shows. Before coming to DO Dressage, she worked in a busy riding school and has also undertaken equestrian work in Portugal. She works with us regularly and helps with cover when we are at shows.
In September Orinta begins her degree in Equine Sports Coaching at Hartpury. She will remain with us in the holidays and we wish her all the luck!
Emma Cornwell: Groom
Emma has worked for DO Dressage since December 2021. Emma fills in for us and helps the younger team members.
Emma has worked for DO Dressage since December 2021. Emma fills in for us and helps the younger team members.
Emma is an experienced professional freelance groom who previously worked for a local dressage rider. She has worked with horses for over 30 years, handling, riding and caring for a diverse range of horses and ponies. Emma joins us after a career break and is enjoying returning to dressage and working in a professional yard. One of Emma's interests is the use of essential oils to promote animal and human health and wellbeing.
Emma does general yard duties for DO Dressage. She is qualified to BHS stage 3.
Stacey Beattie: Maria's Pilates Coach
Stacey has been working with Maria since May 2021. With a key focus on core control, body alignment and posture. Maria has made fantastic progress in this time on the mat and this has directly transferred to her posture and core control when riding.
Stacey has been working with Maria since May 2021. With a key focus on core control, body alignment and posture. Maria has made fantastic progress in this time on the mat and this has directly transferred to her posture and core control when riding.
Since qualifying as a Pilates instructor in 2018, Stacey has gone on to build a successful Pilates practice which incorporates working with individuals to help fulfil their unique needs and goals. Progressing a client through the Pilates levels helping her clients build their strength, stamina, mobility and body awareness is Stacey’s passion. This Pilates practice is a perfect complement to Maria’s dressage training.
As well as being a Mat Pilates Instructor Stacey is also a Reformer and Barre Instructor, Sports and Holistic Therapist. Stacey draws from all of these disciplines to provide a holistic service.
Freya Dell'Orbo: Morale consultant
Freya is an essential member of the team cheering everyone on the yard up with her incessant good humour.
Freya is an essential member of the team cheering everyone on the yard up with her incessant good humour.
Freya comes from Romania where sadly he was abandoned at the side of the road as a puppy. But she has put all of that behind her to be crucial part of the team, checking the yard and making sure everyone is cheerful and safe! Her favourite occupations are guarding, eating peanut butter, playing with her numerous toys and posing for photographs!
Nina Dell'Orbo: Assistant morale consultant
Nina joined the team in 2021 from Romania where she was abandoned in a forest. She is learning the yard from Freya! Her favourite pastimes are ripping paper, chasing balls, keeping folded rugs warm and alerting us to the presence of the postman and other visitors! Her favourite occupations are getting patted and exploring.
Nina joined the team in 2021 from Romania where she was abandoned in a forest. She is learning the yard from Freya! Her favourite pastimes are ripping paper, chasing balls, keeping folded rugs warm and alerting us to the presence of the postman and other visitors! Her favourite occupations are getting patted and exploring.
Gustav: Harasser of grooms!
Gustav guards the yard and can take his job to extremes. He is very much a one person goose, there is one human - and only one human - from whom he will request affection, everyone else is not so lucky! Favorite occupations ... guarding, chasing everyone around, making lots of noise and then chilling in his paddling pool.
Gustav guards the yard and can take his job to extremes. He is very much a one person goose, there is one human - and only one human - from whom he will request affection, everyone else is not so lucky! Favorite occupations ... guarding, chasing everyone around, making lots of noise and then chilling in his paddling pool.