Balanced Equine – Balanced Equine

Producing a mentally and physically Balanced Equine

Jo and Gin - Photo Credit Scotia M Photography

Balanced Equine was established in 2007 by Joanna (Jo) Heaton and provides high quality full livery as well as backing, schooling and handling using a sympathetic approach to produce a mentally and physically Balanced Equine.

Balanced Equine is a professional full livery and training yard based in the easily accessible, peaceful surroundings of St Micheals in Fife.

Jo has been surrounded by horses her whole life and has a wealth of knowledge in horse care and performance. She has evented to CCI1* and Novice level and also competes at British Showjumping and dressage.

In 2024 her homebred filly, Pure Imagination won the BE90 Scottish Grassroots Championship at Blair Castle International Horse Trials. In 2025 they finished 10th out of over 100 competitors in the BC90 Badminton Grassroots Championship and in 2026 completed the BC100 Badminton Grassroots Championship

Jo is assisted in the running of the yard by her partner Sandy and the smallest but most important member of the team, Wallace. Sandy plays a huge part in the smooth running of the yard. He makes all of the hay and haylage for the horses and keeps the yard maintained to a high standard. He is often at competitions with Jo providing support also. Wallace is 'The Gaffer'.

Sandy and Wallace

Click on each image to enlarge.

Image content:

1. The yard at St Michaels in the mist. 2. Jo and Lady Brave in
the 1* at Blair Castle International Horse Trials. Photo Credit Julia Shearwood
Photography. 3. Jo and Pure
Imagination after winning the BE90 Scottish Grassroots Championship at Blair
Castle International Horse Trials 2024. Photo Credit Hanna Cole Photography. 4. Jo and Jamesfield
Abercrombie competing in the Grassroots Championship at Badminton International
Horse Trials 2023. Photo Credit 1st Class Images. 5. Jo and Pure
Imagination in their dressage test at Blair Castle International Horse Trials.
Photo Credit Athalens. 6. Jo and Lady Brave in
the Novice at Wee Burgie Horse Trials. Photo Credit George Michie Photography. 7. Jo and Jamesfield
Abercrombie at Blair Castle International Horse Trials. Photo Credit Julia
Shearwood Photography. 8. Jo and Jamesfield
Abercrombie competing at the Badminton Grassroots Championship. Photo Credit 1st
Class Images. 9. Jo with Lady Brave
and foal, Pure Imagination at the British Breeding Futurity Championships. 10. Jo and Hobo II
competing at Kirriemuir Horse Trials. Photo Credit Robert Kilpatrick. 11. Jo and Gin at Badminton International Horse Trials in 2025. Photo credit 1^st Class Images 12. Jo and Gin in jumping in front of Badminton House in 2026. Photo credit 1^st Class Images 13. Jo and Gin in the showjumping phase at the Badminton Grassroots Championship 2026. Photo credit 1^st Class Images 14. and 15. Jo and Gin in the cross country phase at the Badminton Grassroots Championship 2026. Photo credit 1^st Class Images.