Eric Smiley is a former international event rider who represented Ireland at European, World, and Olympic level, winning team bronze medals on two occasions. Smiley began his equestrian career in the Pony Club, and continued it in the army and at the world-renowned Talland Equestrian Centre, during which time he gained his British Horse Society Instructor's certificate. In 1995 Smiley passed his British Horse Society Fellowship exam, the highest teaching qualification in the industry. Smiley was Team Coach of the Belgian Eventing team for the 2011 European Eventing Championships and 2012 London Olympics and was an FEI judge who regularly acted as a Ground Jury member. Smiley is the author of the cross-country bible 'Look … No Hands!' and 'Two Brains, One Aim'. He travels the globe helping professional and amateur riders achieve their goals.
It is a truism to say that the best coaches are those who are themselves great students. For the 40 years I have been his supporter and colleague, Eric Smiley has always been a great student. Always listening, always questioning, always thoughtful, he never rests on his laurels but continually looks for new challenges and better ideas. This attitude, combined with his wide experience, gives his words special value. --William Micklem, Equestrian Consultant, Writer, Creator of the Micklem Bridle Eric puts himself into the mind and skin of the horse, so his advice has obvious feeling at its heart--what it feels like to be a horse. --Christopher Bartle, Performance Coach British Eventing Team, Olympic Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalist, and Author of Training the Sport Horse Eric has always had an incredible ability to break down any problems with a sympathetic and easily understood method--often with a great sense of humor added to take the sting out of any constructive criticism. --Ian Stark, OBE, Winner of Four Olympic Silver Medals in Eventing and Cross-Country Course Designer