Emma is a Senior Lecturer in Equestrian Sports Science at Hartpury University. The modules that Emma teaches aim to advance students’ knowledge and practical skills in sports science & performance support for horses and riders. Across the last 12 years at Hartpury, Emma has specialised in research and teaching focusing on physiology, biomechanics, performance analysis and psychology for the horse and rider. She is keen to promote the benefits of developing our industry’s understand of the horse-rider partnership and the importance of the riders role in improving performance, reducing injury risk and maintaining a high standard of equine welfare. Alongside teaching and research in rider performance, Emma regularly works with industry to support athletes, including Pony Club webinars and performance camps, British Dressage South-West regional groups, and in 2023, Emma presented at the British Dressage Sports Science day on fitness principles for Dressage.
Emma has her MSc in Equine Science, and BSc in Equine Sports Science, and is currently completing her PhD (2025) at the University of the West of England (UWE) investigating the psychological implications of occupational injury on horseracing staff, working alongside Racing Welfare. She regularly publishes academic research on equestrian performance and the demands of rider performance and has hosted webinars & podcasts on AnimalWeb as an invited Expert on rider sleep, and injury psychology. Recently, her work on rider sleep at FEI Eventing competitions was featured in Horse & Hound.