WHEN it comes to all things equestrian, the Tivyside area is full of experts who are the top in their field.

Among them is someone who combines their love of horses with their passion for music

Gaynor Colbourn is known to many as a keyboard wizard, and as a well respected musician and Grand Prix dressage rider herself she also brings her musical talents to the dressage ring.

Years of working with top recording artists of all styles, her classical background, and work as a session musician ensure her clients have tailor made, unique floorplans and dressage music in any style or genre with which they can enjoy and compete in Novice to Grand Prix Freestyles. Over the years Gaynor has been producing Music for Dressage, she has had 3,125 winners around the world, not to mention many 2nds, 3rds, etc.

Her competition music has been proved to be a very successful addition for local dressage star Nicola Howell, from Starlight near Newcastle Emlyn, with her terrific horse Finley, and equally magnificent Dante, who have both appeared in demonstrations with Gaynor.

Gaynor has been involved in dressage to music since 1980, when she started working with Britain’s top dressage rider and Olympic medallist, Jennie Loriston-Clarke at the sport’s inception.

As a trained classical musician, composer and session musician in the recording and TV/Film world, and a rider herself, the two skills seemed to be destined to merge.

The initial idea came about when having dinner with John and Nereide Goodman, the owners of Wellington Riding in Heckfied, near Reading. Their grand piano was conveniently situated near the television, when the Goodwood Grand Prix Special was being shown with the sound turned off.

Gaynor said she was happily playing piano to the horses, in a way which was reminiscent of the silent movie films music.

"As a little girl, my father encouraged me to play music to the TV in the way that pianists used to accompany Silent Films," she said.

"The rest is history, I met Jennie and our first joint venture was a demonstration of Dressage to Music at Wellington Riding, with Jennie riding the mighty Grand Prix Stallion, Dutch Courage, and a young Dutch Gold who was later an Olympic Medallist then working at Advanced Medium and Benjamin Bunny.

"List One Judge Neirede Goodman rode Wellington Oliver in a beautiful Pas De Deux with a very handsome Jeremy Michaels, her chief instructor on a lovely chestnut, Viscount.

"I produced some very dramatic music for all the demonstration, including an Overture for Dutch Courage, who came into the arena in Passage in absolute darkness but for a spotlight. We went on to have many international successes together for several years."

Gaynor won the Merle Park Rose Bowl Award at The Goodwood International Dressage Festival and developed her unique, trademark style of playing keyboards live in the arena, matching every move, tempo, change, and even the odd shy and buck.

Since then the sport has grown considerably, however Gaynor remains the only person perform alongside the horses and to create highly individual music, tailored to each rider and horse.

The musical demonstrations she carries out include performances by some of the top international and Olympic riders and provide spectators with a real insight into the discipline of Dressage To Music at the highest level.

By also actively encouraging local riding clubs or staff to become involved, demonstrations lead people through from Novice to Grand Prix riders and horses and spectators can clearly see the benefits of schooling to music for any horse or pony.

Gaynor has said that over the years the sheer variety of music she has been asked to do is astounding, with music from all genres, old, new, classical, rock, folk, metal, musicals, reggae the list just goes on and on.

Gaynor always aims to make her music foot tapping, fun, individual and most of all, tailor made in every way to the horse and the test.

"Judges can see music in harmony with the test, and the audiences love the drama and emotion put in," said Gaynor who always approaches the music for her clients in a way which gets the most exciting experience for everyone. She says she is always pleased when clients say that the freestyle made people cry!

Gaynor was badly injured in 2011, while working as an adviser for a high street bank, so her Dressage to Music clinics and demonstrations are now few and far between.

She is however holding a Dressage to Music Clinic at Pembrokeshire Equestrian Centre, Moor Farm in Troopers Inn, Haverfordwest on Monday, August 3 when there is a chance for local riders to book sessions and participate.

For further information contact Jill Ridge at Moor Farm on 01437 890762 or phone 07775 794307.