About Mary L Longden

Mary was brought up in England before living in Ireland for a year, Canada for six years and then settling outside Melbourne in Australia.

Her qualifications include a Masters degree in Special Education; an Allied Health qualification; the British Horse Society Instructor; the Equestrian Australia Level 3 coach and Coach Educator; and the Australian RDA Level 2 coach and Coach Educator.

Mary’s life’s work has taken her to many countries where she has taught Three Day Event, Para-Equestrian, Special Olympic and RDA riders. At home, and when visiting other countries, she teaches riders and coaches from all disciplines. Coach education is of particular interest to her.

She was an FEI Three Day Event ‘I’ Level judge and an FEI Para-Equestrian dressage judge. She judged at Para-Equestrian World Championships and at the Sydney Paralympics. In 2012 she gave up judging to allow more time for coaching and coach education.

Combining therapy and sport she has been Vice President of the International FRDI (now known as HETI), and was on the first FEI Para-Equestrian technical committee. She is presently on the HETI Educational Committee.

Over the years she has worked in Australia, Canada, Dubai, England, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, and the US. She has presented at many conferences, workshops and clinics as an International Equestrian Consultant in various fields.

Mary’s publications include Teaching Disabled Riders, and Coach With Courage.  She has also produced a set of DVD’s entitled Riding Towards Excellence.