Biomechanics coaching for riders, dressage training for all levels and disciplines.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

These courses are aimed at riders who are already established in their basics, but perhaps have areas of their riding and schooling which they would like help with. Because the courses are intensive, combining  theory, private lessons and video feedback, the amount of improvement that can be made in a couple of days often pleasantly surprises riders who come to us for the first time.

The courses are either 2 or 3 days long, with some taking place at the weekend and some during the week. Arrival for all courses is on the previous afternoon between 2pm and 6pm.

COURSE FORMAT (ALL COURSES IN THIS SERIES)

All of these courses begin each day at 8.15 in the morning , with a theory session in the classroom. Many of our course participants have said how useful this is, as the rider gets the chance to understand what they are trying to achieve and how to do it without using precious lesson time to listen to explanations and work things out. Instead we do that on the saddle horse, gym ball or just on a chair, with lots of opportunity to ask questions, and get things clear before getting on your horse!

When appropriate (or requested by the course participants) a short ridden demonstration can form part of the theory session, which can help show how the theory works in practice.

Private lessons of 45 minutes each then take place, with a gap in the middle for lunch. We encourage riders to watch as many lessons as possible as this really does maximise your learning. (If you would find it off � putting to be watched by others, please say. Everyone is usually very supportive though, and would not mind being asked to give some privacy).

A portion of the lesson will be videoed, to be shown during the last session of the afternoon, which again takes place in the classroom.

HELP! IS IT ME OR MY HORSE THAT IS CROOKED?

If you have asked yourself this question, even if you are not sure of the answer, you are already ahead of the game, as it is highly likely that you BOTH contribute to the problem.

By the same token you can both contribute to the solution!

By understanding the biomechanics of both the horse and rider some lasting fixes can be made, putting an end to falling in (and falling out!) on circles plus many other asymmetry patterns. Common symptoms of crookedness are feeling that stirrup length is not equal, that one shoulder sits higher than the other or that there is a collapse in the hip/waist area. Often the rider feels that one hand takes a stronger contact than the other, and all of those lead to crookedness in the horse, who often responds by bending one way more easily than the other or falling onto one shoulder through turns.

Help is definitely at hand for this most frustrating of problems!