Sussex Retirement Centre

Sussex Retirement Centre Retirement Livery for your elderly or injured equine, based in Selmeston East Sussex. Est 2010

Helen Adams is the owner of Sussex Retirement Centre which is based on over 200 acres at the foot of the South Downs. I provide a natural safe haven for elderly horses or equines who can no longer be ridden through injury. I started out in the racing industry as a jockey in France some 30 yrs ago, backing 2 yr olds and producing yearlings for the Deauville Thoroughbred sales, for the Irish Trainer

John Fitzpatrick. I then went back to my roots at The Yorkshire Riding Centre where I was trained by "The Bartles" and studied for my BHS exams. On completion I decided to join Carlton Bank Stud where I studied Thoroughbred racehorse training and breeding up to NVQ level 3 along side being their head stud groom standing 6 stallions. We also had some youngstock Eventing upto Novice and older horses running up to advanced so spent some time travelling the length and breadth Britain as their groom, running upto 3 horses at the same event single handedly. Eventually my journey took me to Newmarket to be the sole Event groom for the very talented rider Zannie Cooke she had vairous horses competing up to and including Advanced level this is where I would find myself at all the famous 3 day events throughout the UK. I took a short break from horses to drive Heavy goods vehicles, Busses and vans in London before settling in Surrey, having Ella and starting looking after retired horses. After meeting Chloes father and subsequently marrying him I became a Dairy farmers wife in East Sussex which was a varied role and learnt everything from herd management to land management and everything in between. Sussex retirement Centre was started at home in 2010 albeit only 3 horses which allowed me to buy unhandled New Forest ponies and later cobs to handle and produce as childrens ponies, many of which ended up on the BSJA and Eventing circuit both here and abroad, of course non of this would have been possible without my daughter Ella being the small jockey and working every hour god sent. Along side the busy farming and producing ponies i managed to be a freelance Event groom for Hannah Gould and have helped her husband Andrew Gould out on many occasions with his very successful dressage yard and helping train his younger staff. Sussex Retirement Centre since 2010 has gone from strength to strength and has been located in Selmeston for nearly 4 years and can house up to 25 residents. Throughout my equine journey ive been privileged to have worked with some of the best equine vets in the country and along with my continuous need to research all medical conditions I come across, this has given me an extensive knowledge I have today.

Autumn 🍂 is definitely here 😍
22/09/2025

Autumn 🍂 is definitely here 😍

💔 Goodnight, Red 💔It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our beloved Red.Red came to me at Sussex Retireme...
01/09/2025

💔 Goodnight, Red 💔
It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our beloved Red.
Red came to me at Sussex Retirement Centre two years ago after a very unsettled past — passed from pillar to post, through countless dealers, arriving emaciated and broken both physically and mentally. With his health issues, he was never going to pass a vetting, which meant he was trapped in a cycle of being sold on, each person trying to make back what they could.
That cycle ended when he was signed over into my care. From that moment, Red was able to have what he truly deserved — retirement, safety, and unconditional love. Over the last two years, he gained weight, friendships, and a sense of peace. He never went without a full tummy, never had to worry about where his next home would be, and he found comfort and security in his herd.
Sadly, in recent months his mobility worsened, and despite the better condition of his body, he became less able to carry it. Today, we let him go with dignity & surrounded by love.
I feel honoured and privileged to have had Red in my life. His story is one of resilience, and though his time here was short, he knew what it was to be safe, cared for, and loved until the very end. Run free now, beautiful boy. 🌹
✨ A huge thank you to everyone who donated — however big or small — you helped make it possible for Red to live out his days with comfort, love, and the security he so desperately needed. We couldn’t have given him this happy ending without your kindness and support.

Acorns! 2025 is going to be a "Mast year". This happens every 5 to 7 years our last being 2020, meaning there will be an...
25/08/2025

Acorns! 2025 is going to be a "Mast year". This happens every 5 to 7 years our last being 2020, meaning there will be an abundance of acorns and as you can see from a friend's picture, theyre falling already!! (Good catch Carolyn 😉). Just a reminder to get your oak trees fenced off and collect wherever possible. These are highly toxic to many animals.

Sunday is my favourite day of the week, listening to the church bells 🔔 ringing whilst walking around checking everyone,...
17/08/2025

Sunday is my favourite day of the week, listening to the church bells 🔔 ringing whilst walking around checking everyone, what better way to end the weekend . A few pictures from this morning 😍

Just chilling with our buddies 😎 🥰
08/07/2025

Just chilling with our buddies 😎 🥰

23/06/2025
Colour coded fields 😍
22/06/2025

Colour coded fields 😍

Often we end up clipping some residents in the summer, to help keep them comfortable. This lovely lady is always a pleas...
20/06/2025

Often we end up clipping some residents in the summer, to help keep them comfortable. This lovely lady is always a pleasure to do ❤️

14/06/2025

I'm looking for some references for a new client. If anyone fancies helping out that would be amazing ❤️

Red is looking incredible this spring. He must have been huge in his day, all muscled up. 😍
26/05/2025

Red is looking incredible this spring.
He must have been huge in his day, all muscled up. 😍

17/05/2025

I love this old video of "Turnout day" 2020.

Our Winter forage has started. Nothing like the smell of cut grass. I know you guys will agree 🥰
09/05/2025

Our Winter forage has started. Nothing like the smell of cut grass. I know you guys will agree 🥰

Address

The Street
Selmeston
BN266TU

Telephone

+447735609171

Website

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