Meet the VIP Team
Amanda Renouard
Director
Amanda Renouard has a lifetime of experience in the equestrian industry. Having graduated from Harper Adams, Amanda spent her formative years working for both Dodson and Horrell Ltd and Dengie Horse Feeds, thus developing a comprehensive knowledge of equine nutrition, sales and marketing.
She has subsequently worked in both PR and marketing, during which time she has also acted as rider representative for several leading international equestrian athletes. Amanda was the Chef d’Equipe for the Irish Dressage Team at the World Equestrian Games at Normandy in 2014 and 2018 Tryon USA and regularly attends high level equestrian events across Europe.
She is based with her family in south-west France where she is also the owner of a private Dressage stud.
Fun Fact: I was children’s tv series Worzel Gummidge
Extra Talent: Every animal I meet has a song that typifies their character
Guilty pleasure: marmite - never travel without it
Top tip for Lockdown: treat lockdown as a gift, it is given us time to consider what is important in our lives
Tamara Hudleston
director
Tamara and Amanda met in 1999 when stabled at the same Dressage training yard together in Hampshire.
After 3 years of competing up to national level Tamara quit horses and went to Durham university to study Philosophy and then latterly Masters degrees in Education and Psychology. She had plans to do Doctorate in clinical psychology and worked in a residential Mental Health setting for 2 years, but the draw of horses was too great, and VIP was born.
She lives at VIP HQ in Hampshire and has a big grey Irish horse called Murphy and they enjoy doing a bit of everything together.
Fun Fact: Tamara rode The Mongol Derby in 2013
Extra talent: Photographing Wildlife
Guilty Pleasure: Listening to 17th Century polyphonic music while reading academic journals with a gin and tonic and packet of wotsits!
Top Tip for lockdown: “Look after your mental health and look out for your friends”.
Jill Chapman - from This is me Design
VIP Branding and Tech Support
Jill and Tamara met at Durham University. Jill is an engineer by training. When she left University, Jill needed a job to fit around caring for her mother who has cancer and complex health needs. She set up “This is me” graphic and web design agency. She loves building brands that fit the people as much as the business. There is literally no task Jill can’t complete.
When Jill isn’t computer coding, graphic designing or dressmaking (she made a lot of my formal clothes at university) she is renovating a house and has taught herself demolition, plumbing, electrics and decoration.
Fun Fact: She thinks horses are terrifying
Extra Talents: Falling over nothing, Jill is self confessed clumsy
Guilty Pleasure: Computer games, especially Fortnite
Top Tip for Lockdown: Don’t feel guilty for looking after yourself, eat chocolate if you want it!
Alice Banner
VIP Social Media and Brand Ambassador
Alice has been working with VIP for 4 months. Part of the Instagram generation, originally a customer, Alice brings some youth and relevance to our team! Alice has a 6yr old ID x TB mare called Jilly. Jilly had become exceedingly difficult to ride and constantly kicked out at Alice’s leg. Alice repeatedly had the physio out, had her ovaries scanned, had her scoped for ulcers, had saddle and teeth checked. The chiropractor found some soreness through Jilly’s rib cage and back. Alice bought a VIP and found the difference to be remarkable.
Alice started sharing and shouting loud about Jilly’s transformation using VIP and we made her a brand ambassador. Alice also has mild scoliosis and since using the VIP her back pain has gone. Alice says “I love working promoting a brand I believe works. If you haven’t got one try one!”. Jilly is now training medium, advanced medium and they look forward to competing in a post Covid era.
Fun Fact: Hates the feel of Velvet or felt and hates potato smiley faces as during a sleep over when she was younger a friend cooked a load and put them all over the house, freaking Alice out.
Hidden talent: Typing fast
Guilty pleasure: Watching say yes to the dress
Top tip for lockdown: “Make lists and stick to them to keep a routine and get things done”.