About Melissa
Melissa Beer is an International Dressage rider based in Barns Green, West Sussex who has a rare combination of talent and compassion towards the horses she trains.
Melissa’s passion for dressage started at 9 years old, a late age compared to some. Just 4 years later at the age of 13 years she rode her first dressage pony “The Importance of being Ernest (Ernie)” to a National Title in the Elementary Restricted Summer National Championships. Melissa represented her country Internationally for the first time on ponies Ernie and Bovey Good life (owned by Lana De Savary.)This was the start of what was to be an amazing journey towards the elite rider she is today.
At just 15 years old Melissa moved up to horses, after purchasing the gorgeous Celestial King (CK) with whom she hoped to step up to Junior level. The partnership was fantastic from the very beginning and they went on to represent Great Britain in 3 Junior European Championships from 2007 to 2009, posting a fantastic 10th at the 2007 Europeans in Germany. In that time she also won three Regional titles and contested many Summer and Winter National Championships.
In 2009 she became second rider for International Grand Prix Rider Sarah Millis at her base in West Sussex ‘Millstones’. She stayed there for 6 years, riding a range of horses and training with Sarah Millis on a daily basis, where her career took on a different level.
In 2010, Melissa made the big jump from Juniors to Young Riders. That year she was the reserve for the Young Rider European Team with Celestial King. At the end of 2010 she also received a wildcard for the Young Rider World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany. This was to be the most exciting and daunting international experience of her career to date, where she finishing 2nd in the B final.
In 2011 CK and Melissa were one of two Individuals sent to The Young Rider European Championships in Broholm, Denmark. They posted a top 20 placing, which was a fantastic end to their international season. After some wins at Inter 1 level, the difficult decision to retire Celestial King from competition was made and he now loves his new life in his field.
In 2016 Melissa started up her own business, ‘Valewood Dressage’ in West Sussex. Melissa now takes horses for Training and Full Livery and has a busy diary, coaching a range of riders and horses from Novice to Advanced. Melissa is excited to be working with local Pony Clubs, Riding Clubs and BD Youth.
Melissa is excited to have some talented young horses to produce for the future.