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- Denise and her husband Kieron, "without his support- none of this would be possible".
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- Course helper Liz -
- "anything you need just ask".
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- Our 20x60 outdoor arena compete with tall mounting block!
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- Evenings at the pub.
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- Michelle Forder on her own bay gelding taking part in a 3 day course 2007, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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- Michelle on her chestnut gelding taking part in a 3 day course 2007, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
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- Theory sessions add value to the courses.
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- Steph Platts 16, on Patilla, competing in Le Touquet, France in Young Rider Grand Prix 2008. "Core stability has improved my jumping so much".
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- Nikki and Helix- putting weight into the knee for a deeper seat.
Courses
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE COACHING
My ‘Ride With Your Mind’ background coupled with many years experience training dressage horses of all types gives me a fairly unique take on coaching.
It means that there is always a strong element of biomechanics, examining exactly how each rider affects their horse and vice – versa, plus many strategies to develop each horse and rider combination along correct and ethical lines of training, whatever your chosen discipline, current ability or type of horse. In short, I work on both of you, helping you to develop a strong partnership, so that the horse can clearly understand the aids and the rider develops a secure, effective seat enabling them to ride with feel and empathy.
My own personal philosophy means that I feel passionate about empowering the riders who come to me for help, and that my coaching is centered around your own personal goals. Whatever they are and wherever you want to aim, there is a Dressage Secret that I can share with you.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Attending a course offers the rider a fantastic opportunity to do some intensive learning, surrounded by like- minded people, whilst having a great time away from home with their horse!
All courses are designed with the thinking rider in mind, and utilise theory sessions, body awareness, and dismounted work as well as video feedback on the private lesson you will have each day. This really maximises your learning and achieves a real and lasting change in you and your horse.
The groups are small, generally a maximum of 6 riders, and the atmosphere friendly and supportive. Many past course participants say they have gained a great deal by watching the other lessons and comparing notes with each other on shared problems and solutions.
Dismounted participants are welcome at all courses. The cost is £20 per day and includes lunch on all 2, 3 and 4 day courses.
The format for individual courses may vary slightly, and details can be found by clicking on the ‘read more’ text against the course title you are interested in.
Some details though are the same for all courses and these are regarding the arrivals and evening activities.
When you arrive, Liz, our course helper, will show you to your stable and be on hand to help you if you are on your own, or need assistance with anything.
If there are lessons on in the school, you are welcome to come and watch, bring a cup of tea with you, pull up a chair and let your ‘holiday’ begin!
On the evening of your arrival there is a welcome meeting to make sure that everyone knows the schedule for the following day, and to make sure that everyone is familiar with the yard layout etc. This is usually followed by an (optional) fish and chip supper. We then see that people get safely to their accommodation, ready to meet up the following morning.
For the other evenings we usually organise a meal out at a local pub, at which partners / spectators and supporters are all welcome. If you are in your lorry, we will arrange lifts to and from the pub and your accommodation or the yard.
The evenings out are optional, but can really add a holiday feel to your stay; Put together a number of people who love horses and they usually get to know each other in no time at all!
If you would like to book an additional private lesson on either the evening of your arrival, or stay an extra night and have a lesson (or take advantage of our fantastic hacking) on the morning before you leave, then this can be easily arranged. Simply state what you would like to do on your booking form, and include your preferred time slot.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF YOUR COURSE
(2-4 day courses)
ADDITIONAL COSTS TO BUDGET FOR
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF A 1 DAY COURSE
WHAT TO BRING FOR A 1 DAY COURSE
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
- All lessons
- All theory and demonstrations
- All video feedback and test sheet feedback
- All stabling and bedding
- Hay -but not haylage-( Facility to soak hay if needed.)
- Use of the Arena and jump paddocks plus private off – road tracks.
- Lunch, (main course and a drink) plus tea, coffee or other drinks that we provide, also biscuits etc throughout the day.
- Help from the wonderful Liz
- A daily smile, lots of fun/encouragement/general good humour!
- Morning feeds given early if left out.
- All evening meals (inc fish and chip supper on arrival day)
- Accomodation for you (budget options through to luxury available)
- Extra drinks/ puddings / side orders from the cafe
- Haylage @ £2.50 per day
- Extra lessons if required
- Hard feed
- Feed bucket /manger (We provide water buckets, skips and barrows)
- Haynets
- Warm clothing (we are a bit exposed!)
- Spare clothing (in case of wet weather) plus some for going to the pub in.
- Tack for hacking if you want to take advantage of this while you are with us.
- Mucking out tools
- Notebook and pen
- Your own video camera if you wish to take away your video footage (ask another course participant to film for you.)
- All of the above less hay and lunch
- Warm clothing (ridden courses)
- Notebook and pen
- Your own video camera if you wish to take away your video footage (ask another course participant to film for you.)
- Full livery (muck out twice a day, haynets and waters done) £8.00 per day
- Muck out stable after you have left (ideal if you are facing a long journey) £4.00
- Jackie Alexander acupressure treatment on the day you leave, a lovely way for your horse to relax and unwind £20.00 (please enquire, some dates not available)
- Additional lessons on the day of arrival or stay an extra night and have one before going home. £30.00 lessons, £15.00 extra night stabling
- Escort for hacking £10.00 – (stay an extra night to make the most of this).