
Emma Whiston-Riley BHS Stage 4, BSc (Hons)
Founder & Practice Manager

Emma has always been involved in the equine industry and, after leaving school, set up her own freelance coaching and livery business from Woodpecker Stables. Since then it has grown and thrived, employing a dedicated team, and facilitated the building of the family home at Woodpecker. Now the construction of the Equine clinic is the next piece of the jigsaw.
Whilst developing the business in those early years, she gained her British Horse Society Stage 4 certificate and studied part time at Nottingham Trent University gaining a BSc (Hons) in Equine Sports Science. She loves her role as practice manager, and is studying for further qualifications in veterinary leadership and management.
Emma met Gil when he came to vet a horse she had for sale, and the rest as they say is history! They married in 2004 in the tiny church in Dale Abbey and Olivia arrived in 2006 followed by WiIson in 2008. In her spare time, she enjoys watching the children play their various sports, taking Olivia training on her horse Troy, and riding her own horse, Bruno. If there is any time left, she loves taking the three rescue dogs – Bonnie the beagle, Mojo and naughty Barkley! – for a walk around the fields, often joined by Miss M, one of her three rescued cats.