The FOUNDERS
Beth Shaw
Innovator, Mentor, Inspiration and Teacher,
with a Heart full of love and passion for the horse.
Beth Shaw is originally from Vermont, USA and resides in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa with her son and daughter. Beth graduated from the University of Vermont in 1993, she then set out to travel the world through horse connected jobs. A few years later Beth met the legend of horse physical therapy, Wink’s Greene. Beth studied with Winks for many years, She developed a successful ETT™ practice in South Africa and established BSET Academy in 2008, see the History of BSET Academy for the full story. During February 2018, in a quest to understand more about stress to the Brachial Plexus, Beth travelled to Argyll, Scotland to meet the author of Horse’s Muscles in Motion, Sara Wyche. This meeting between Shaw and Wyche was the foundation of SUMCHI. Later on, in the year of 2018 Beth started, ETT™ International in Hong Kong. April 2021, Beth and her team opened SUMCHI.com to share the SUMCHI Technique.
Sara Wyche
Retired Equine Veterinary surgeon, author and artist with a passion for sharing her deep understanding of the horse.
A qualified veterinary surgeon and a highly experienced practitioner of holistic medicine, as well as a horse owner and an accomplished dressage rider. Sara is a regular contributor to the equestrian press, and her books are essential to any horse owner, trainer, therapist or enthusiast – any person wanting to improve their horses.
The American Quarter Horse Journal quoted on Saras’ book THE HORSES MUSCLES IN MOTION: “If the horse had an architect, it would be Sara Wyche… Wyche offers a simple, clean way to learn about the part of the horse. It is an essential manual for all riders.”
The TEAM
Nancy Schroding
Nancy is an ETT™ Practitioner living in Spain, improving the lives of horses around Barcelona and the Tarragona region and in Madrid, she is a managing member of ETT-AAP (ETT Association of Accredited Practitioners) and an integral member of the SUMCHI team.
A passionate equestrian always looking for a better way to do things. A hunger for knowledge to improve her horses wellbeing and health found Nancy at BSET Academy, a web and graphic designer as her initial career means Nancy has a very useful array of skills. Nancy has been a key element to developing SUMCHI in the content and practical elements. Before moving to Spain, Nancy had a successful business working and improving horses within a wide range of disciplines in South Africa.
Birgit Schroder
Graduate of BSET Academy in 2013. University of Pretoria, Biological Sciences BSc 2011. Birgit joined the BSET Staff in 2014. She is a valued member of the team as an ETT™ Practitioner and instructor. Birgit is also a founding member of the Equine Transeva Technique Association of Accredited Practitioners.
Birgit was the ETT™ Practitioner behind the 1st, 2nd, 3rd placed equine athletes in the 2016 Vodacom Durban July. Birgit has an depth knowledge of ETT™ and is the principal educator of the technique at the BSET Academy. Birgit has made huge contributions to the development of SUMCHI and the technique with an
involvement in future education areas.
Robyn Butterworth
Robyn is head academic facilitator and riding instructor at BSET Academy with involvement in SUMCHI.
Robyn Butterworth joined BSET Academy in 2013. Robyn is a Level 1 EQASA Riding instructor and EQASA examiner. Robyn studied Equine Body Work in the USA and spent four years working in Europe in the equine industry. Robyn is an active rider and competes in dressage.
As the Head Academic and Riding facilitator, Robyn’s vast knowledge of the equine has advanced BSET Academy’s academic programme. Currently Robyn is developing the BSET Academy’s Diploma course through EQASA and SAQA.