People
Dr. Marthe Kiley-Worthington
Marthe Kiley-Worthington B.Sc.D.Phil,M.Phil BHSAI was brought up on a farm in Kenya and aged 6 decided she wanted to spend her life finding out what was going on in the head of her pony, duiker and puppy. She went through the academic channels, and has spent all her life learning about animals. She is now an internationally renowned animal behaviour consultant, animal welfare scientist and researcher. She has written 4 books on horse behaviour and welfare, runs ecological farms, and was the first to start cooperative training of elephants in Africa. She takes part in international competitions in dressage and endurance. She also runs workshops on equine behaviour and teaching which can be included in your holiday programme. She is a something of a sergeant major in the schooling ring, but enjoys life and always has an engaging opinion, and loves a provocative and entertaining discussion.
Christopher Rendle
Christopher Rendle B.Sc qualified as an engineer and has been an ecological farmer for some 30 years, a qualified farrier and animal teacher. He did VSO teaching kids in Ghana. He manages the diversified farms and is an expert on alternative energy and animal education. He is humorous, affable and a great source of rural anecdotes. Chris never turns down the opportunity of a chin wag over a farm gate, whether you want to know more about the inner workings of the tractor or be entertained by one of his shaggy dog stories, of which he has an endless repertoire.
Jake Rendle-Worthington
Marthe and Chris's son and a graduate in an Animal Behaviour MSc from Exeter University, as well as a BSc in Psychology and Philosophy from Liverpool, Jake has worked in a variety of different natural environments. In Zimbabwe he worked on a privately owned game ranch that boasted a successful black rhino population and Elephants that were trained to take tourist rides. It was here that he assisted his mother in their humane and cooperative Elephant training course for the full time guides. In Scotland he guided on boats for an old school friend taking whale watching excursions off the coast of the isle of Mull in the Hebrides regularly sighting Minke Whales, Basking Shark, other sea mammals and birds. He also managed a stables in Kenya on another privately owned Game ranch, taking guests out on horse riding trips amongst lions, buffalo and other big African game. Here he also acquired his Bronze Guiding Certificate.
Having been given his first pony, Aderin, for his second birthday Jake can't quite remember when he first got on a horse. He has competed in long distance competitions both in France and the UK and recently took part in the Arab Horse Society Marathon on Shemal. Jake's passion for horses and his love for the natural environment as well as his easy going manner makes him your ideal host for horse riding holidays in the beauty of the Drôme region.