Monthly Archives: February 2015

Dressage

Professional Profile – Alison Kenward

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Looking for a Clinic in Oxfordshire? – Alison Kenward

Alison Kenward is a trainer and professional competition rider based in Oxfordshire. She competes her horses Roughway Jack at medium and advanced medium level. Alison is a BHS Stable Manager, Intermediate Instructor and UKCC 3 coach.

A professional Trainer she has 21 years of experience helping riders to develop a partnership with their horse (s). It is important to her that training sessions are enjoyed by both the “athletes” and that every session sees development.

Psssst!….check out Horse Scouts blog on Core Fitness

She runs regular clinics in Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire. There is a varied clinic programme including test riding, riding to music, jumping and pole work. Alison coaches riders of all ages and abilities as well as training horses on the flat and over fences to Medium level Dressage, Novice Horse Trials & Newcomers Showjumping. Alison teaches private lessons lasting 45 minutes and group lessons lasting an hour. Alison also offers complete freestyle design & choreography clinics with Nick Reeve. Alison coaches teams for BD TeamQuest and is helping riders to prepare for the Pet Plan Area Festival series as well as the BD Summer & Winter competitions. Riders are welcome to come to Solitaire HQ for training, overnight and day stabling is available.

Please get in touch to discuss training with Alison and joining the Solitaire Riders Team.

Alison is currently a BD Group 5 rider and trains with Emile Faurie. Her horses are based at a private yard in Warwickshire and are looked after by Alison and her Mother, Helen and is preparing for the BD Summer Season 2015. Good Luck to Alison.

If you are looking for a trainer to help you Alison definitely sounds like a lady who can help.

Stallions

Anglo Arabs – French Relations…but no politics!

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Allo Allo Allo! The Anglo-Arab Story owes much to the French

What breed is the third oldest breed in the world? it is the Anglo-Arabian horse!

An Anglo-Arabian is a horse consisting of any combination of Arabian and Thoroughbred lineage, with no more than 75% nor less than 25% Arabian blood. As a type description the horse should fulfill the following criteria which  should be intermediate between the Arabian and the Thoroughbred.  The horse should have the elegance, endurance and lightness of movement of the Arabian with the Thoroughbred contributing size and greater speed.

Elite grade 1 stallion All That Jazz  is standing in Andover, Hampshire (fee £500) was imported to Biddesden from Victoria in Australia as a colt. His sire is the Arab stallion SS City Lights who was bred in the USA and nearly 16 hands. His dam is Belingo, an Australian Thoroughbred by Saulingo. Jazz was always a tall colt with great scope to his stride. He has the softest and springiest of canters as all who have been lucky enough to ride him will attest. He was taken through the ranks to advanced level in British Eventing by William Fox-Pitt and went hunting for a season with the South and West Wilts. His foals have been successful in the show ring and have made a promising start in eventing, with their big strides and elegant steady head positions.

Internationally, Anglo-Arabians are chosen because of their outstanding athletic ability. They are best at such sport horse activities as hunter/jumper, cross country, dressage, show hack, endurance and competitive trail riding.

Anglos are also very popular for racing. However, as a breed, it all started in france.

The French Connection

  1. These horses were first bred in France in the 1836 under the control of the French National Stud Service. English Thoroughbred mares, first imported to France in the mid-18th century, were crossed with Arabians left in that country after the defeat of the Moslems.
  2. Breeders from Normandy created the Anglo-Arabian as early as 1750.
  3. In1833, at Le Pin studfarm, Mr. de Bonneval began the actual creation of the Anglo-Arabian breed and an ordinance by Louis Phillipe created the French Studbook where the English, Arab and Anglo-Arab horses could be found. Mr. Gayot was made manager of Le Pin Stud, his goal was to establish a “French Thoroughbred” and when he was made manager of Pompadour in 1843, he took his “family” with him.
  4. In 1848, Gayot published the first part of “La France Chevaline.”
  5. Thus the Anglo-Arabian breed was born.
  6. It took several years for it to become established, but its importance became apparent among the famous French breeds of “Selle” horses. (The breed “Selle Français” is genetically an Anglo-Arabian.)
  7. By 1850, Anglo-Arabian stallions were used for both pure and cross-breeding. By 1860 race competitions exclusively for Anglo-Arabians were popular.
  8. In 1880, the Anglo-Arabian breed requirements were formally established.
  9. The characteristics of the Anglo-Arabian made it the European epitome of a war horse – dexterity, strength and endurance.
  10. Calvary horses became outdated after World War I, but with the advent of military equestrian sports in the 1920’s, and Anglos winning in all disciplines at all levels, their popularity soared.
  11. Today’s modern German warmblood breeds are indebted to several key Anglo-Arabians, such as Matcho, Inschallah and Ramzes, for their contribution of refinement and athletic abilities, and are hardly conceivable without the influence of these sires.

Horse Scout has some lovely Anglo Arabs for sale and listed as stallions for this year.

Meraldos –  a handsome 16hh grey gelding gelding (2006). His pedigree boasts the brilliant genes of top performance stallion Heraldik XX (Nr 1 of the WBHSH ranking of eventing horses; 14 approved sons). His dam competed Advanced medium level in Dressage. Owned (by Veterinary Surgeon) since birth, never been lame or sick. He has 3 flashy, uphill paces and good rhythm; he moves easily, fluid and supple.  He has a truly lovely, enchanting temperament and is excellent to load and handle in everyway. Meraldos is a top quality horse with a gentle easy manner, making him perfect for a professional rider or an ambitious amateur.

Resonance a 4 year old Anglo Arab mare by Sisyrinchium and out of ex-hurdler Rattina. Resonance has been lightly schooled and appeared in preliminary classes at the Arab Horse Show at Malvern. She appears to be a high class Show Hack in the making or a competition horse. Resonance also won her first showjumping class in late August 2014.

 

 

 

Horse Advice

Feeling Good?- how to develop that all important eureka factor -“Feel”

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Feeling Good?- how to develop that all important eureka factor.

Training with ‘Feel’

‘Feel’ is something that cannot be explained easily because each rider’s perception is likely to differ from another’s understanding of that feeling. For that reason, a training approach and exercises that teach riders the ‘feel’ for balance and thoroughness should be part of a trainers routine. When using this ‘feel,’ the rider finds that the movements become less complicated and that the horses are able to stay relaxed even at the highest level of competition.

The thing is though it’s a bit like the chicken and an egg situation….until you can ride with some mastery you cannot really understand “feel” and until you can “feel” you cannot ride with any real mastery! The good thing is that, as you start learning and getting better, you do occasionally have those inspirational moments when you feel “feel”

Eureka moments are easiest, at the start, on simple movements. On a circle for instance. As you concentrate on looking forward, with your shoulders turned slightly in the direction you are going, your inside leg is able to support and push the horse into an outside rein contact and, one you feel the horse is balanced, you can (slowly) release your inside rein towards the horses mouth. In a dressage test this is termed give and take. On a circle when you are training and the horse stays well balanced and does not change its rhythm and continues on the circle….you have a eureka moment! It is one of the most thrilling things ever. Much better than skiing down a mountain (!).

Share your eureka moments and find yourself a trainer in your area. It is so much easier if you have someone on the ground who can help you find that all important “feel”. Horse Scout would love to hear about your first eureka moments.

 

Equestrian Centre

Stonar School Equestrian Centre – Equestrian Apprenticeships- Do you want one?

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What is an “Equestrian Apprenticeship?” There are 2 types of equine apprenticeships.

1. Intermediate level apprenticeship; this is working as an assistant  as a groom, stud groom/hand, trek assistant, supporting harness horse trainer, assistant groom in agriculture or an apprentice or conditional jockey

2. Advanced level apprenticeship: this covers working as a groom, assistant yard manager, trek leader, intermediate instructor/level 3 coach or a jockey harness horse groom, trainer or driver and with agricultural harness horses.

Currently, there are many different apprenticeship schemes open to people wanting to work with horses. The government is currently redesigning 76 different apprenticeship schemes, from TV production to welding, and including grooms. Now (November 2014) member bodies of the British Equestrian Federation, the British Horseracing Authority, equestrian charities, The Household Cavalry and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, as well as representatives from polo and hunting, have become part of a steering group, facilitated by Trent Park Equestrian Centre, to standardise apprenticeships by 2017.

“The overall outcome of the reform is to ensure that every industry benefits from a well-trained workforce with transferable skills,” said Sue Martin of Trent Park Equestrian Centre.

“We will produce a standard of apprenticeship for the equine industry that is world class and builds on existing strengths, with industry and the grooms benefiting from having specialised training.”

Brian Hutton of Talland School of Equitation added: “This will give the many strands of the horseworld the opportunity to work together to create a rounded, educated, practical groom with all the skills for the future of the industry.”

Through the radical apprenticeship reform, The Department for Business Innovation and Skills aims to increase the quality of apprenticeships, put employers in the driving seat and simplify the system.

In doing so it expects that the successful apprentice will be held in the same esteem as a university graduate.

If you would like to take up an apprenticeship in the horse world then look no further!

Stonar Equestrian Centre is looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and efficient person to join our existing team as an equestrian apprentice. Top level coaching provided towards BHS exams, NVQ in horse care and Haddon Training apprenticeships. Regular lessons in both showjumping and dressage with our coaches are included. The successful candidate will be a dedicated, motivated person and preferably have some industry experience. Candidates must show good communication skills and enjoy working with children. This is a full time position with a requirement to work some weekends.  Acommodation and full board included.

Stonar Equestrian Centre is a BHS approved Riding School and Livery Yard and has BHS ‘Where to Train’ approval up to BHSI level. Riding has been a core feature of the school for several decades. The outstanding facilities include first class indoor and outdoor schools, stabling for 65 horses and a cross country schooling field with a wide variety of different fences. Whether pupils are complete beginners, wanting to ride for fun or are already riding competitively, our equestrian education will continue their riding development. Riders can bring their own horse or pony to school.

The centre has an impressive staff line up Darrell Scaife FBHS, Eleanor Halsey BHSII and Joanne Chilcott BHSII and very good facilities including an onsite xcountry course.

 

Horse Jobs

Excellent job available for good riders: “Are you looked after” asks John Gallagher?

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Are you looking for work in a racing stables?

“Fun ownership with happy horses” is the mantra at John Gallagher’s family-owned yard near Moreton-in-Marsh. And while that might simply appear to be the kind of opportunistic marketing which many small yards employ, the proof is there for all to see says the Gloustershire Echo of this family run racing yard.

“Competing against those trainers who can call on the resources of big-spending owners is never easy, and John and wife Rebecca have always been fighting a battle to be competitive with cheaply-bought or home-bred horses.

The true test of a competent trainer is his or her ability to place such animals to advantage, and a record in 2014 of 12 handicap winners from just 42 runners is remarkable by anyone’s standards, and more so when you consider how competitive such races are, particularly at sprint trips.”

Grove Farm Racing Stables in Oxon is run by John Gallagher Licensed Racehorse Trainer 4 qualified members of staff. These excellent family owned facilities in the Cotswolds, including 7 furlong all-weather gallop, 5 furlong grass gallop, new parkland gallop 1m 2f round, the horses love it! large loose school, fences and hurdles all set in 60 acres of organic grass turn out. 112 winners so far………!!!

Groves Farm is looking for staff for their friendly successful 30 horse racing stables in the Cotswolds. They state that their racehorses are well behaved and good to ride for any person experienced with horses. The industry is regulated.

Grove Farm has excellent accommodation, facilities, the job itself offers good hours, wages, expenses, bonuses and insurance.

Riding 2 to 3 horses a day.

Taking your horses racing.

Working hours are 7am – 1pm then 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Every other week end 4pm to 5pm sat 8am to 10am then 4pm to 5pm Sun.

30 days holiday per year.

Minimal mucking out.

Must be able to ride well.

Under 10st.

Experience preferred but if a confident rider you will be considered.

The yard covers:

Breaking & Producing

Breeding & Stud

Livery – DIY & Paddock

Pre-training Race

Racing – Dual Purpose

Racing – Flat

Racing – Jump

 

 

Eventing

Opportunity to rent 6 – 10 boxes at Rosegarth, Nr Devises from May 2015

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Are you a professional rider on the move?

Availability for a professional rider to join Lucinda Fredericks Yard from May 2015 to rent 6 – 10 boxes near Devises. Opportunities for tuition from Lucinda. Other professionals on site at Rosegarth include:

Oliver Smith (GB) Emily Young-Jamieson (GB) Thomas Heffernan Ho (HK) Nicole Pearson (HK)

As you would expect, it is a yard with great facilities which include :

 

  • 30 m x 60m outdoor school,
  • 24hr onsite supervision
  • Designated lorry parking
  • Excellent off-road hacking
  • Under cover horse walker
  • Hot water washdown & Solarium
  • Individual turn out
  • Lunge Pen/ Separate school
  • Mirrors around school
  • Non-individual paddock turn out
  • Onsite communal tea & coffee facility
  • Onsite shower & changing rooms
  • stabling with rubber matting,
  • lunge pen,
  • rower and rub show jumps,
  • gated access
  • an alarmed tack room
  • full onsite security system.
  • superb on and off road hacking

To find out more click through to Lucinda Fredericks page on Horse Scout

 

 

 

Horse Advice

Ever Wondered Why? – Words about Warming UP

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Have you ever thought about how you move after you have been sitting still for a long time. (hopefully reading all the interesting tips on this Horse Scout Bog!) Everything is just a little bit stiff and can be a little bit cold. (well certainly this is true at my age); but that aside any muscles which have been inactive are in a state of stasis and need waking up before you ask them questions.

Our horses are the same and by adding 20 minutes to your work time by warming your horse up effectively will reap its rewards in training progress and avoidance of injury.  Warm downs should also become an integral part of your routine too.

To understand why you need to warm your horse up before asking him to work in an outline or jump is simple.  Test out why yourself.  Put on some suitable footware and open your front door and start running (be aware of traffic and stay safe).  Result?

Yes you can run a fair way; and then what happens? Running is good for you but don’t approach your own fitness this way.  You will get out of breath first, then you will feel tired. If you continue to run you will get a build up of lactic acid in your muscles and they will cramp of become overly tired.  If you don’t stretch afterwards you will have sore stiff muscles within a couple of hours.

This is exactly what happens to your horse.

If you need help with creating a suitable routine then contact one of Horse Scouts trainers and arrange for some lessons.

However, there are some things you can do from the ground and Gillian Higgins, who is a sports and remedial therapist, BHS Senior Coach, anatomist, and founder of Horses Inside Out, has some brilliant graphics on her website using her painted horses to demonstrate exactly how effective a warm up routine is.

She says  “Your warm-up is so important for a number of different reasons,”. “First and foremost are the physiological reasons. Warming up your horse’s skeleton, joints and muscles is crucial to ensure he avoids injury and can perform to the best of his ability. Then, secondly are the behavioural and

psychological elements that get your horse switched on and listening to your aids. A good warm-up programme will help to tackle all of the above.”

To get your horse properly warmed up follow Gillian’s six step essential warm-up plan, covering how to:

1. Start with groundwork

2. Loosen him up

3. Get his blood flowing

4. Move his joints

5. Work his core

6. Get him listening

Novice Rider

Fitness First – 6 Key Advantages to Core Strength Training  for Riders

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What’s the difference between being pushed in a buggy and ballet dancing? – Well, for riders, it is core stability and fitness for athletic performance.

I’ve noticed that most top riders advocate a fitness regime away from your horse both for aerobic fitness but also physical strength.  Physical fitness and core strength are things which, will, ultimately, make a great deal of difference to your ability to ride a horse well.  Being fit helps you balance and hold your own body (rather than asking the horse to ‘carry’ you).

The muscles of the trunk and torso act to stabilize the spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle. From this solid, balanced base the limbs can be moved powerfully and under control. In fact before rapid movements of the extremities can take place, the central nervous system stabilizes the spine in anticipation (1). The rate at which the core muscles stabilize the spine may have a direct effect on the power of limb movement (2).

Core strength training differs from many traditional weight training routines by working both the lower back and abdominals in unison. The same is true for the upper and lower body. All athletic movements incorporate the core in some way. Very few muscle groups are isolated. Instead the whole body works as a unit and core strength training endeavours to replicate this.

What are the benefits of core strength training to the athletic rider?

  1. Greater efficiency of movement
  2. Improved body control and balance
  3. Increased power output from both the core musculature and peripheral muscles such as the shoulders, arms and legs
  4. Reduced risk of injury (the core muscles act as shock absorbers for jumps and rebounds etc.)
  5. Improved balance and stability
  6. Improved athletic performance!

Charlotte Dujardin and Laura Thompson both have a series of videos on UTube talking about their own fitness and the difference it makes to their riding.  For show jumpers, event riders, jockeys and polo players it all sort of makes sense because they are very physical in their requirements but in truth rider fitness is key in training a horse well right from the off. Flat work and hacking and gridwork all require the rider to be balanced and able to aid the horse and direct using their own body in tension.  This does not mean tensely it means carrying their own body in much the same way as a dancer and is particularly well seen in ballet and contemporary dance.  Good dancers are fit…people who move around to the music and then sit down (well I think you can see where I am going with this one!)

There are some simple things you can do on your own like:

Download a 30 day abs challenge onto your phone and at beginner level.  It is amazing how much difference it makes even at this low level.  There are other advantages too….it makes your tummy flatter.  Bonus!

Or you can try following these simple instructions.

Prone Bridge

In a face down position, balance on the tips of your toes and elbows while attempting to maintain a straight line from heels to head. This exercise focuses on both the anterior and posterior muscle groups of the trunk and pelvis.

Lateral Bridge

Start on your side and press up with your right arm. Form a bridge maintaining a straight line from your hand to your foot. Rest on your elbow to increase the difficulty. This exercise focuses on the abdominal obliques and transversus abdominus.

Core s Supine Bridge

Lying on your back, raise your hips so that only your head, shoulders, and feet are touching the floor. The supine bridge focuses on the gluteal muscles. Stronger gluteals help maintain pelvic control.

Pelvic Thrusts

Lie on your back with your legs bent 90 degrees at the hip. Slowly lift your hips off the floor and towards the ceiling. Lower your hips to the floor and repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.

Perhaps we should start a campaign and get livery yard owners to encourage all their clients to start running or swimming.  …. Or maybe not. It would be a thought though wouldn’t it?

Never overdo exercise when you are not fit.  Start small and work up, just like you do with your horse.  If you are unsure then invest in your self and your horse and join a gym.

It will make all the difference to you when you are training or even just walking your horse up and down to the field.

Perhaps you could set yourself a goal. If I get to the end of 30 days and I have reached this target then I can…..

Have a lesson with …. (take your pick from Horse Scouts Top Trainers!)

Go Cross Country Schooling/have a jumping session at….(Loads of great equestrian centres to choose from on Horse Scout!)

Do you think this is shamless advertising? Well its more because we think that Horse Scout has a great range of trainers and equestrian centres listed and that you should know about them!.

Have a great day.

 

 

Horse Breeds

What about a Warmblood?

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If you plan to ride as a sport you will definitely be seeing the term ‘Warmblood”. Why buy a warmblood breed? Excellent for riding due to their confirmation the warm blooded breeds were created when warriors returned to Europe from the Middle East and Africa with hot blooded Arabian horses captured in battle. Bred for 100‘s of years to strict “specifications” the breeds have a particular stamp and steady temperament and are, generally, easy to do.

A Bit of History!

Breeding the large, heavy war horses of northern Europe with the lighter, faster and fiery tempered hot bloods from the Mongolian steppes created horse breeds that combine the quickness and agility of race horses with the larger build and milder temperament of cold bloods. Over time, the draft horses of Europe were increasingly bred with hot blooded imports, creating the forerunners of dozens of breeds in existence today. Warmbloods have smaller heads and bodies than draft horses and tend to be less excitable than hot blooded horses, making them good all-round horses for riding and light work and yet with the abilities of elite athletes for the Olympic sporting events.

To ensure that breed criteria and standards are still met for warm blood breeds the UK has its own breed society standard grading matrix. Since 1982 the British Warm-Blood Society, now the Warmblood Breeders Studbook – UK, has been operating a Mare Grading scheme and the Mare Grading will form part of the two-day WBS Breed Show. The introduction of the Mare Grading scheme means that only graded mares are eligible for the BWBS Stud Book, which has three separate sections as follows:

  1. SELECT STUD BOOK – must have three generations of fully pedigreed and graded warmblood parents(i.e. Pink Papers).
  2. MAIN STUD BOOK MARES: must have at least one graded parent and a full verified pedigree for three generations on both sides ( i.e. pink or some white papered mares).
  3. PERMANENT BREEDING REGISTER MARES: must have one graded and recognized parent.

All foals sired by WBS graded Stallions are eligible for registration and white papers, but mares only enter the Stud Book only after successfully attending Grading.

Since 1983 only foals with two graded parents and three full BWBS/WBS recognised generations can receive pink papers.

For the competitor Horse Scout has a few British Warmbloods listed with Professional event rider and dressage rider Wayne Garrick who has ridden at 3* international and Advanced medium level dressage. He is currently breaking and producing young horses along side running the competition horses. Two of which are:

Hillgrounds Movinda  for £15,000 an eye catching 16hds dark bay mare rising 5 by T Movistar X Don Premaire. This incredibly eye catching mare has three uphill paces, correct confirmation and a trainable nature. Super young horse ready to start her competition career.

Diamonique Dancer £14,000 Gorgeous 16.2hds 5 year old bay mare by Sandros Dancer X Dimaggio x Pik Trumpf. 3 correct and exuberant paces. Professionally schooled and being slowly produced to allow time to mature. Has been out to unaff. competitions and has proven to be well behaved and well liked in the arena by the judges. Hacks alone or in company and jumps too. As with any horse with lots of scope and potential she is not a novice ride.

With Carron Roberts Equestrian we have:

Cookie a 16.2 British Warmblood x TB Bay Mare, just turned 5. Won & placed Combined Training, Double Clear at first unaffiliated ODE, Won and placed unaffiliated Dressage and Clear at WWEC Hunter Trial.She has super balanced and elevated paces with a bold scopey jump. And to top her off she has a super temperament and wants to learn and please you as a rider. Will happily stand on the lorry alone and with company and is easy to do at competitions. Hacks out alone and in company. She loves people, this horse is easy enough for a good amateur but talented enough for a professional. NO vices. Based at a professional yard since a foal so has been produced and handled correctly, competed by one of our talented working pupils.

In Southampton there is a super 17hh dark bay young horse who would be a great prospect for young horse classes 2015.He is tall but elegant with three quality paces and his owners think he is sure to make a top dressage horse.

 

 

 

 

Horse Jobs

Polo Groom Required at Dave Allen Polo in Gloucestershire.

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David Allen 4-goal professional Justo Mourino 3-goal professional, as Dave Allen Polo, are looking for a groom to help get the ponies fit over the next two months at their yard where they, as professional polo players, they offer polo tuition, Full polo livery. Polo training and schooling for young horses and have a polo and/or equine management consultancy.

Their ponies are kept at Fossehill Farm which is the home of the Royal Agricultural University equine enterprise, situated in glorious Cotswold countryside and within easy reach of the main university campus. With Dr Kate Gandee at its helm, the yard has evolved into a successful commercial unit providing DIY polo and livery facilities, as well as supporting important academic research.

The stables set out in 8 barns ranging in size from 3 to 31 stables. The barns have been designed to allow good working undercover conditions and are light and airy. The impressive new outdoor arena and the 1km all-weather 5m wide track are great assets.

The polo yard opened in 2006 and had a very busy season with over 100 horses in the first year. It is the only independent DIY polo yard in the area and is well established in the polo world. Every year, Fossehill now welcomes back a number of local and  international polo players, requiring high quality facilities for more than 70 polo ponies.

Each winter, the equine centre at Fossehill Farm houses around 45 horses, including permanent DIY liveries, overwintering polo ponies, students horses from the university and the occasional weekend stay. The student horses come from a variety of disciplines within the equine world, from happy hackers to point to point.

The RAU have invested heavily in Fossehill Farm, with the recent construction of the 60 x 30m outdoor arena and its top of the range Martin Collins surface. This facility will allow Fossehill to extend its polo season as it will provide an area for practice for arena polo. The outdoor arena is also available for use by the livery clients. We are looking forward to running clinics with outside trainers from a variety of disciplines.

Fossehill has always run scientific projects for both commercial companies and students and for years had a group of 24 Dartmoor ponies which were available for projects. Each year, a number of students use the facilities for their final year and masters dissertations and having Dr Kate Gandee on site to advise and provide horses has proved to be very useful. The farm is often used for practical equine lectures.

Sounds like a very interesting place to work.