The Studio at Sheepgate

Sarah’s clients are dedicated to their classes and enjoy a wide range of Pilates exercises that have been adapted to suit everybody the Modern Pilates way. The small groups offer individual attention to each and every client with the aim of personal development suited to each person’s needs. Sarah’s teaching skills over the last 20 years have allowed her to progress a wide range of riders at all levels and this follows through in the teaching of her Pilates classes using her own style to allow every person to progress with the encouragement of feedback from clients at every opportunity.


Hear what clients have to say...
~Pilates with Sarah Payne is a well planned and enjoyable small Pilates class where Sarah takes time to explain and communicate with each person in the class in the same professional way that she trains her dressage riders.

~Having now been three months since I started, really don't know what my body would do without Pilates! Still keep feeling improvements every time. Horse must be thanking me too as he has been a lot less resistant.

~Wow, it’s amazing, I feel so much straighter.

~I cannot believe how different I feel when I’m riding after only a few sessions.

~Having practiced Pilates for a few years now, it was really refreshing to go to a class where you are paid such close and individual attention. Right through the class, Sarah spends time individually correcting your position to gain the maximum benefit from Pilates. This gives a challenging and highly beneficial class. My riding style and posture have certainly benefitted. It really is good fun too!

~Thanks Sarah for the many brilliant training sessions I have had over the years with my horses. You always seem to get the best out of us. Didn’t think it could get any better but it has as you now teach Pilates with the same enthusiasm you have always shown when teaching me on my horses. It’s really good how Pilates helps with core strength and the balance needed to get the best out of an equine partner. I look forward to the Equipilates. I know you will help me to achieve my goals.

Discover the Benefits of Pilates with Sarah Payne for yourself
Horse Riders & Trainers....
Does this sound familiar?
I struggle with sitting trot
My saddle constantly moves one way
I am stronger in my left hand or right leg
I lose my balance easily
I feel insecure when my horse spooks
Every horse I ride has the same issues
I am coming back to riding after having a break
My horse always pulls in the same rein
My horse is struggling to bend to the left or right
My body aches when I have finished riding
I prefer riding on one rein
My circles are easier to ride one way than the other
Tension take over at times
My canter transitions are always unreliable
My centre lines are never straight
There’s good news, Equipilates can help.

These are all common issues that any trainer is faced with on a daily basis. With the use of various exercises, the use of gym balls, Chi balls, spiky balls, prickle balls, resistance bands, foam rollers and wobble boards, Equipilates will change your riding to allow you and your horse to work with increased harmony, fluency and ease. This all comes with practice and the more you invest in time and effort the more rewards you will reap but should gain an insight into the enormous benefits of Equipilates after your very first session.
It's as simple as A, B, C...
The ABC of Equipilates

Alignment – The optimum alignment comes from increased awareness of your body and how it moves, not just sitting in the right place and looking correct. Through Equipilates a rider will feel the correct alignment and educate their body to maintain that correct feeling.

Breathing – In times of trouble the first response is to hold the breath! This sends all sorts of panic signals to the horse as well as the rider. The continuous flow of an easy breath into the rider’s belly is essential to maintaining harmony.

Core Sense – Maintaining that core connection allows the rider to use their feeling of timing to the maximum benefit, being able to be passive when required and active when needed. Switching on what’s needed and switching off what’s not needed