About Us

Developing Horses. Developing Riders. Developing Partnerships.

Cutting Edge Equestrian was founded by Charlotte and Piers Smith-Hughes, bringing together complementary expertise in equine performance, young horse development, rider coaching, rehabilitation and conditioning.

Based in Lincolnshire, the business is built around a belief that the best results come from developing the whole horse-and-rider partnership.

Our aim is to combine practical experience and evidence-informed training to produce confident, capable horses and riders, while encouraging better horsemanship throughout the equestrian industry.

Charlotte Smith-Hughes

Charlotte holds a BSc (Hons) in Equine Sports Science, an MRes in Equine Performance, and the Pony Club A Test alongside a competitive background in eventing and dressage. She was long-listed for the GBR Junior Eventing Team.

Her practical experience encompasses breeding, foaling, youngstock management, young horse development and ridden performance. She has also completed specialist courses in Foaling the Mare and Yearling Management.

Charlotte has a particular passion for the progressive development of young horses and believes that the foundations established in their earliest years can have a significant influence on their future careers.

Alongside breeding and production, Charlotte coaches riders at all levels, having her UKCC Level 2, helping them develop their knowledge, confidence, feel and effectiveness while maintaining the relationship with the horse at the centre of training.

Piers Smith-Hughes

Piers holds a BSc (Hons) in Sports Rehabilitation and brings extensive experience in exercise rehabilitation, musculoskeletal management and strength and conditioning.

Having played hockey at a semi-professional level in senior East Prem A, Piers has first-hand experience of competitive sport and its physical demands.

His professional career has included 18 months in clinical practice, 18 months supporting Eccles Rugby Union at RFU Regional 1 level, and experience within rehabilitation and strength and conditioning teams supporting elite sporting organisations including Wigan Warriors and Bradford City Football Club.

He has also supported the British Transplant Games on three occasions and was part of the European support team for Ironman events in the UK.

Piers has worked as an Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor for the past 10 years, with particular professional interests in musculoskeletal management and conditioning.

Our Approach

The Horse. The Rider. The Partnership.

Charlotte and Piers' complementary backgrounds allow Cutting Edge Equestrian to consider performance from both sides of the partnership.

A rider's strength, mobility, balance, stability and coordination can influence how effectively they communicate with their horse. Equally, the horse's physical development, confidence and training influence what the rider can achieve.

We therefore look beyond simply teaching a horse or rider to perform a task. The focus is on developing the physical, mental and technical foundations that allow both to progress together.

From breeding and youngstock development through to rider coaching and competition performance, our aim is to create happy, successful and harmonious partnerships.

Our Vision

Our vision has several strands.

We want to breed, develop and produce horses and riders capable of progressing to international level, building the foundations for sustainable performance rather than chasing results prematurely.

We also want to contribute to improving horsemanship within the industry as a whole — encouraging people to understand why they train in a particular way, question what they are told and make informed decisions for their horses.

And importantly, we want to help amateur riders feel confident in applying themselves and striving to improve, regardless of their level or competitive ambitions.

Success does not have to mean international competition. It might mean producing a young horse well, achieving a personal competition goal, becoming more confident in the saddle or simply developing a better understanding of the horse.

Whatever the goal, the principles remain the same:

Develop the horse. Develop the rider. Develop the partnership.

Three male field hockey players running on the field during a game, with one player in a green jersey and two in blue and yellow jerseys, holding field hockey sticks, and a chain-link fence in the background.
A rider in equestrian attire riding a black horse on a sandy arena, with green foliage and trees in the background.
A woman riding a dark horse during an equestrian event, wearing a helmet, navy jacket, white riding pants, and gloves, with a show number attached to the saddle pad, on a sandy arena with trees in the background.
A woman in graduation cap and gown smiling and holding a diploma standing in front of a red backdrop with "Congratulations" banner and Nottingham Trent University logo.
A person riding a horse in a dressage competition at the Petplan Novice Open Area Festival Champion, with spectators and banners in the background.
A young man in a graduation cap and gown holding a diploma and smiling at the camera, standing against a blue and green background.
A young woman in a graduation cap and gown holding a diploma, standing on steps with two adults, surrounded by other people in graduation attire outside a building.
Horse and rider jumping over a log obstacle in an equestrian competition, with spectators and photographers watching in a grassy outdoor arena.
A man riding a horse jumps over an obstacle in an outdoor riding arena.
A group of male floorball or hockey players and coaches posing for a team photo on an indoor court at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. The team is wearing white and blue uniforms, with one player in black goalkeeper gear. There are empty tiered seating and benches in the background.
A rider and horse jumping into water during an equestrian event.
A girl in riding gear, including a helmet and vest, riding a chestnut horse outdoors with a grassy background.