Fulmer International School of Equitation, Aiken

Working and riding at Fulmer International in Fulmer Bucks was inspirational yes. Robert's 'system' was beautifully simple and so different to anything else. What I love is the way you can get on absolutely any horse, TB, carthorse, cob, and they just go for you! Robert's teaching was so effective particularly as he used to say when you were getting frustrated or despondent, 'It doesn't matter, just keep the rein' and miraculously the horse would round and go! I remember horses Legend, Stosie, Bill, Charlie and Reggie who I helped to break. Once I tried to persuade RNH's 1st wife Joke (sp?) that I couldn't ride her grey mare as I had such a terrible hangover, I was mucking out and in a bad way. She said 'Hurry up, it will be good for your liver, shake it up a bit!' So I rode, and had the most incredible ride, (she was teaching) because I was so relaxed everything worked. Remember Sue who looked after Stosie, Lynn the manager, and faces whose names escape me. Would love to touch base with Barbara Edwards again. I feel so lucky to have been a part of RNH world and to have learnt stuff that has sustained my work with horses to this day, it had a huge influence. I worked there when I was 21 so that would be '78/'79!

I arrived from Canada at Fulmer in Bucks in Jan 71 until that summer when Mr Hall sent me to Ledston with Kenneth Hodges to "get the place on its feet". I had the most incredible riding instruction from Robert Hall which I pass on daily to my current riding students, the most fun with other staff and students Liz, Doreen, Woody, Vanessa, Dot, Sue and many more, and of course the horses. RNH always addressed me as "girl" then miraculously as soon as I passed my exams he called me by name! Nora Thomson

I loved Fulmer School of Equitation especially when Monty Mortimer was in charge. I made so many friends there but obviously lost contact over the years. I was given the opportunity to pass my exams I required and also learn so much about the reality of the outside world other than horses. I did go and work down at Fulmer for about 6 months but missed Yorkshire so came back and went freelance. My name was Susan Hopkinson, just wonder what the rest of my old colleagues are doing now.

I thought I'd post this for fun. I was looking for info on Robert Hall, I was a student at Fulmer, Buckinghamshire. Did my BHSAI and the went onto staff 1977 - 1978. I used to take care of Robert's show pidgeons. Is he still alive? I'd heard he had a stroke. Can't remember last names of the some of the staff when I was there, Mark was senior instuctor, Bill, Jane, Sue was house mother. My name was Heather Redding, now Porter. Great education at Fulmer I ended up moving to California (I'm British), trained hunter/jumpers, worked for Bob and Debbie McDonald at the Orange County Fairgrounds 1980 to 1985, took over their business when they moved to Sun Valley Idaho.

I'm trying to trace people who were at Fulmer School of Equitation in 1970 -1971 - when Liz Brown was senior instructor and Doreen was Bills groom. Robert Hall used to call me Stripy because of my hair. My name is Helen Nightingale but was Whitehead then. I remember one girl called Jude Metzger from New York and another called Debbie from New Mexico. I will always remember those dayswith great fondness, Robert Hall was inspirational.

Fulmer was a priceless learning opportunity for those of us who cherish and respect classical horsemanship and the art of dressage. My working student year was from June 83-84. The theory that I learned in dressage has been equally effective on every single mount I have experienced since. And it is so simple! The memories are awesome. RNH used to sing 'why am I waiting?' if his mount was not properly tacked up and in front of the mounting block on time. For those pony clubbers out there, it was like being at rally for a year! Every horse crazy teenager with some skills should be a working student to truly round off one's equine education. Thanks Sue, (who is now living in my part of the world, the pacific nw), Laura, and RNH. Whatever happened to Uncle William? He is a gem. Cheers. Michele (Mish not Mush) iclaimartist@yahoo.com

After all these years I still think about my experience at Fulmer international. It makes me smile to think about all those wonderful summers I spent working at the stables doing things that some would never want to do. Laura and Robert taught me so much and the meaning a true hard days work. That has carried on with me ..I think about driving down there and popping in on them and taking a ride through the woods one more time. I miss it soooo much! I hope they are well it's been way to long since I have seen or talked with them. They taught me so much and It has made a strong confident person to this day.

It was a dream come true for a horse crazy teenage girl.! Wat else could be better than doig horse chores and then getting to ride everyday. The firt time i was taght to ride english and jump was at fulmer, on Rigoletto, then i believ i rode peter? after that I loved the horses and all the horse crazy friends. I will always cherish those memories of fulmer and the instructors,Mr&Mrs Hall,Suzey,julie,Cynthia.

It was my first work experience when I left school at 15 and studied for my horsemastership and BHSAI exam under Montie Mortimer. I lived in. It would be good to find out what other colleagues are doing now. I was Sue Hopkinson then. Enjoyed every minute.

I am trying to contact anyone who went to Fulmer, Ledston, England, as I have lost touch with everyone. I was ther in 1980.Please email jwild@equinecompetitions.co.uk