Category Archives: Professional Rider

A professional rider will be competent on all horses, regardless of their temperament, making them experts in horse competition and eventing.

Professional Rider

Rider Fitness Tips: 5 Top Tips to help Rider Balance and Posture

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5 Top Fitness Tips to help Rider Balance and Posture: Whatever you do off the horse, your muscles will remember when you’re on the horse. Start making a difference now!

Whatever discipline you follow with your horse: Make a difference to how you ride by improving your balance and posture.  It is as important to a top professional trainer as to the grass roots rider and will make a difference to how you ride.

Horse Scout Blogger is on the case: Being fit, independently of riding, mucking out, poo picking etc. will boost your riding and make things a whole lot easier for you and your horse. Your riding gets a boost from performing a regular exercise regimen at least twice per week, but you can also do little things in between to enhance your fitness.

  1. Walk instead:  walk just a little bit further when you are going shopping or to the office.  Park further away than usual, park your car away from the entrance and take a brisk walk to the door.
  2. Avoid the lift: Walking up even a single flight of stairs puts equestrians’ thighs and calves to work. Walk the stairs briskly and get a mini-aerobic workout, too. Doing two at a time is even better.  Lucinda Green’s top tip!
  3. A balance in life is one thing but balance is critical for success in equestrian sports. Develop balance every day by standing on one leg, then the other for 10 to 15 seconds whenever you’re brushing your teeth, having your coffee or whenever else the opportunity presents itself. Lightly grip a convenient surface (your shopping trolley in the queue for instance), until you can progress to doing this with no surface support.
  4. Don’t slouch: Good posture is critical for balance in the saddle, and for getting the long, lean look that catches judges’ eyes. But don’t just sit up straight in the saddle; do it at your desk and the dinner table, and walk with good posture, too. For those of us who are office bound there is a seat balance cushion….brilliant invention (if a bit prickly!).
  5. Your muscles have a memory and when it comes to posture and balance, whatever you do off the horse to help balance and posture, your muscles will remember when you’re on the horse.
Professional Rider

Looking for Livery near London? Mandy Day and Edward Brook at Caldecote Farm Livery

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Horse Scout Blogger has been keeping an eye on the new listings.  If you are looking for training with top professionals or for livery with great hacking and facilities near London; then look no further!

Caldecote Farm is a professional equestrian centre for all aspects of horse management including livery and competition training. Owned by show jumper Edward Brook and dressage rider Mandy Day, who pride themselves on providing all the services you would expect from a pedigree equestrian centre, including the breaking, schooling and sale of top quality horses.

Easy located, Caldecote Farm is just 14 miles from Central London. Set amongst 50 acres of pasture with stunning views over the Hertfordshire countryside and North London, Caldecote Farm is perfectly positioned within a network of local bridleways. Our own bridge provides access to some fantastic hacking – including the grounds of Munden House Estate, Elstree aerodrome and along the banks of the River Colne and Otterspool Water Meadows.  Heck out their profile here.

A bit about Edward Brook:

Edward Brook started riding horses seriously at the age of 15 and gained his BHSII by the age of 19, making him one of the youngest people at the time to achieve this qualification. He soon realised that he found show jumping the most exciting of all the riding disciplines. He is a highly respected rider on the circuit – competing both internationally and nationally. He has also ridden horses for many owners. He is always on the lookout for young stock in the hope of finding a new star, and has produced horses from three years old to a Grade A standard, ready for selling.

Edward managed Patchetts Equestrian Centre for five years, and helped to make it the place it is today before buying into Caldecote Farm. Like Mandy, he has a passion for teaching and is a Level 3 credited coach for the BSJA, encouraging his pupils to get the most out of their horses in a sympathetic and motivating way. He has helped train Mandy up to Prix St. George dressage.

He is keen to help his pupils from Pony Club through to J/A, from the novice rider to the more experienced; young riders to the more mature.

…and Mandy’s Bio:

A professional competition rider and trainer based in Hertfordshire, London. Trained by Grand Prix rider Lisa Hopkins. Successfully competed at all levels up to Inter II, qualifying for regionals and nationals. Very successful with 4-5 year olds, making all the young horse finals last year. Love training and seeing great improvements in all her clients. Mandys competitive forecast for the coming season: Young international 4 year old qualifier Shearwater, 4 year old qualifier Badminton horse, 4 year old qualifier PSG & Inter 1 Keysoe.

Mandy Day has a strong personal connection with Caldecote Farm. She bought it 3½ years ago after using the livery herself for 20 years, which gives her a unique perspective and a real understanding of what a horse owner wants. Not only does she live on site with her partner Edward and daughter Georgina, she is in the yard throughout the day.

Having competed successfully in show jumping and eventing, she now focuses on dressage and can help with all riding disciplines. With her own two horses, she has competed in the first season at Prix St. Georges – in addition to qualifying for the Advanced Medium Open, PSG Freestyle, Advanced Medium Freestyle and the Wellington Advanced Medium Freestyle.

She enjoys competing at a higher level, as it gives her clients a chance to see her in action.  She also loves teaching and passing on the knowledge she has learnt over the years, encouraging riders at different levels to reach their full potential.  She is a firm believer that attaining a sense of self-confidence is a large part of riding well. To contact Mandy directly follow this link here.

Caldicote hold their own Summer Championship show with intro, prelim, novice and elementary classes once a month May through August with the championship being held on 28th September.

They also have Reggies Bar & Bistro on site.  A wonderful Bistro overlooking the lake with panoramic countryside views. Click here for more info in this fantastic little place.

Professional Rider

How many easter eggs affect your riding? ….. far fewer than horse scout blogger ate!

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Well I suspect that Easter Eggs have featured strongly in all our diets over this holiday weekend. Something Horse Scout Blogger has to confess to…..yes a whole pack of Cabury’s Cream Eggs; even that last one which I really really knew I didn’t need. So its back on the training regime from today.

When it comes to nutrition, riders’ equine partners get the better deal, than their professional trainers. Equestrians view food as fuel for their horses’ well-being and performance, a view they don’t always extend to themselves. Look at how we treat our horses, they get the best feed and supplements. We need to take as good care of ourselves as we do our horses … In general our number one value of food is based on calories and we need to view food as fuel for our bodies.

Here are six top tips for staying fit, getting strong and performing well:

1. Mix it up: It takes a combination of carbohydrates, protein and fats to feed a body well. But concerns over calories often overshadow good common food sense. It’s important to ask the right questions, then choose the right foods. “Don’t ask, ‘How many calories?’ Ask, ‘Is it good for me?’” McAllister advises.

2. Be balanced: Carbs found in whole grains; proteins found in low-fat cheeses, egg whites and lean meats; and fats found in fish such as salmon and sardines all work in concert to create a healthy diet — but only if their intake is balanced.”The brain requires fuel in the form of glucose, and carbohydrates provide an easily accessible supply of glucose,” McAllister says, but the right type of carbs are important. “Instead of carb-loading with sugary foods, have a piece of whole grain bread with an egg white omelet or with a piece of low-fat ham or turkey and cheese,” she suggests. “If you add protein with carbs, you’ll stay fuller longer.”

3. Pick fruits and veggies: Salads, fresh vegetables and fruit all play a part in a balanced diet. The trick is having them on hand as an alternative to salty or sugary snacks. McAllister recommends keeping a pre-mixed salad in the fridge, and a bowl of fresh fruit in plain sight.

4. Think small: Three meals a day might be the traditional standard, but over-indulging at any one of them, or staving off between-meal hunger with quick-fix snacks packs on pounds. Instead, McAllister recommends eating several small meals throughout the day to prevent hunger and out-of-control snacking.

5. Be prepared: Snacking isn’t a bad thing, especially after a workout or a ride. The trick is choosing healthy snacks and having them handy when hunger strikes. “Always keep nuts or fruit in your car or your bag to munch on when you get hungry,” McAllister says. “And always stay hydrated, preferably with water.”

6. Drink smart: Water really is the best way to stay hydrated. It will quench thirst without adding calories. Sports drinks are also an option, but only under specific circumstances. “Save sports drinks for occasions when you’ve had strenuous activity, or if you’re working out or riding in very hot weather,”

Professional Rider

Horse Scout Bloggers’ Professional Profile Review: Olivia Oakeley.

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From pony club star to international success as Young Rider European Team member in 2012,13 and 14. Now an International dressage rider with 5 European Championships and a BEF World Class Squad member since 2010; Horse Scouts’ newly listed Professional Freelance trainer Olivia Oakeley was bought her fabulous 16hh Dimaggio gelding called Donna Summer, a big moving five year old who had only been backed for three months, when she was just 13. For a 13 yr old child this was a huge ask and many people doubted the purchase! Together, ‘Rio’ and I trained hard and both of us have worked together to show what we can achieve. In 2007 we became Under 21 Novice National Champions and represented BYRDS South West at Home Internationals in Scotland (Novice) and Wales (Medium) where we were Reserve Champions in both competitions. During the next couple of years, Rio and I continued to work hard alongside my school work.

on Olivias’ website bio she goes on to say:

In 2009 after I finished my GCSEs, I was lucky enough to go to Carl Hester’s yard for two weeks, working in return for lessons. Carl asked me to stay on as his working pupil and so at 16 years old having attained 7 A’s and 2 B’s in GCSEs, I left home. Rio and I continued to improve and show success by becoming Advanced Medium Regional Champions. Following that we went on to become Reserve Advanced Medium National Champions. By this point we had been noticed by the British Under 21 selectors and we were put onto the U21 Progress Squad with a view to competing at Junior level in International competitions. We continued to gain good marks in the Junior Team test and were selected to compete for Great Britain at Addington CDI in April 2010. We came 5th in the Team test and were the highest placed British combination. From there, we were sent to Moorsele, Belgium where we came 11th in the Team Test and improving to 11th in the Individual Test.

The peak of our success was in 2010, when we were selected for the Junior European Team in Kronberg, Germany. We were to be the pathfinders of the team and ended up with an international personal best of 67.24% in 16th place in the team test and the 2nd highest placed British rider with the Team coming 5th. 2011 brought great news as Donna Summer and I were selected for World Class Potential Start Squad. This is huge recognition for us both and we will endeavour to keep on improving and being successful.

In 2011, I was selected for the Junior European Team and then the Young Rider European Team in 2012, 2013 and 2014 where I had three personal best scores all over 70% and finished in 5th place. My goal is to be on future Senior Teams. Alongside my competition commitments, I am a freelance rider and trainer whilst also riding for Lordswood Dressage and I still train with Carl Hester. I have been on the BEF World Class programme since 2010.The peak of our success was in 2010, when we were selected for the Junior European Team in Kronberg, Germany. We were to be the pathfinders of the team and ended up with an international personal best of 67.24% in 16th place in the team test and the 2nd highest placed British rider with the Team coming 5th. 2011 brought great news as Donna Summer and I were selected for World Class Potential Start Squad. This is huge recognition for us both and we will endeavour to keep on improving and being successful.

In 2011, I was selected for the Junior European Team and then the Young Rider European Team in 2012, 2013 and 2014 where I had three personal best scores all over 70% and finished in 5th place. My goal is to be on future Senior Teams. Alongside my competition commitments, I am a freelance rider and trainer whilst also riding for Lordswood Dressage and I still train with Carl Hester. I have been on the BEF World Class programme since 2010.

Operating ofrom her glousestershire base, Olivia Offers a freelance training programme for your horse.  Click here to make an enquiry.

Professional Rider

The Advanced Apprenticeship in Sports Excellence (AASE) programmes at Hartpury .

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The Uk has an amazing scheme in Hartpury, aimed at 16-19 year olds. A perfect way for young and aspiring elite athletes to prepare for life in professional sport.The scheme will be offered across three different disciplines: Dressage, Eventing and Para-dressage.   The open day is fast approaching. 

In comparison; this morning Horse Scout retweeted an editorial piece on American young riders.  

“Teenage Snowbirds? Just Part of Being a Young Equestrian” It made for interesting reading and a great concept.  Bringing young American riders together, in a competitive arena, with a 12 week annual season of coaching and training rounds.  The cost was eye watering with keen parents spending upwards of $23,000 over the season of weekend training. Admittedly this did include everything, stabling barns (One string included upwards of 70 horses: only in America I thought as I read that!)  coaching and entry fees, accommodation and travel etc.  All this with an element of the Jones about it, as may be, but the concept seemed to be a brilliant one and for those who want to become top professionals then this is obviously an opportunity to progress.  The UK has its own answer to this though.  On the British Dressage website today I read about a scheme in Hartpury.  The open day is fast approaching so if you want to take part in this then get your skates on.

Hartpury’s multi-million pound facilities and international level coaching give select Dressage and Eventing riders the perfect opportunity to develop their skills, learn how to manage all aspects of a professional riding career, and continue their education. Through the AASE scheme, young riders who have a real chance of competing on the international stage will be professionally supported and trained to achieve their goals. Who is eligible? 

The scheme will be offered across three different disciplines: Dressage, Eventing and Para-dressage.

You must

  • Have 5 GCSE’s A* to C, including Maths and English.
  • Be aged 16 and over by August 31st 2015, and under 19 years of age by the same date.
  • Be resident in England

Eventing AASE criteria for 16 – 18 year olds

The following criteria must be achieved

  • Top 25% of starters in a CCI1* – from 1st July 2014 to close of application date
  • Top 25% of starters in the 2015 National U18 Championships
  • Long listed for the 2015/14 Junior European Team
  • Long listed for the 2015/14 Pony European Team
  • Top 25% of starters at the 2014 U18 Regional Team Championships
  • Top 25% of starters in the 2014 Pony Club Open Championships

The qualifying (MER’s) results are as follows

FEI Qualification CCI1*
75 or less in the dressage
16 or less in the show jumping
clear  in the cross country
36 or less in the cross country time penalties

Pony Club Championships
50 or less in the dressage
16 or less in the show jumping
clear cross country with no more than the 36 in the time penalties

DRESSAGE
Riders should be competing consistently at Medium level and above and achieving 65% or more. (Applicants should have a minimum of four results at the level required in the 12 months prior to application).

Riders will also be considered on younger horses (up to 7 years of age) who demonstrate the potential to compete successfully at International level and are already competing consistently at Elementary or above and achieving 70% or more.  Please note freestyle scores do not count towards minimum criteria.

PARA EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE 
Riders must have a current classification and should be consistently and currently scoring 62% in their relevant grade at BD Para Dressage Competitions.  Please note freestyle scores cannot be counted

On top of this, applicants, aged 16-19, will need to display a willingness to learn and the desire and commitment to succeed.

What do you gain from it?

By doing the Advanced Apprenticeship in sporting excellence you will give yourself the best chance to succeed in your chosen discipline. Apprentices will combine their riding with units aimed at preparing them for all aspects of their future career. Those selected for the course will have aspirations to compete internationally and will be guided throughout to make sure this dream can be achieved.

Apprentices will also have access to a range of specialist, professional services including physiotherapy, strength & conditioning and sports psychology.

How and when do I apply?

Open day – Thursday 9th April  

We’re holding an open day for potential applicants on Thursday 9th April. Those attending the day MUST have or be close to meeting the above requirements in their chosen discipline. If you meet, or are close to meeting, the criteria then you can sign up here.

  •          Applications open – February 2nd 2015
  •          Open day – Thursday 9th April
  •          Applications close – May 29th
  •          Selection and notification – June 2015
  •          Programme induction day – Saturday September 5th
  •          Programme starts – September 2015.

If you meet the entry criteria (under the Who is eligible? section) then please download both forms on the left and fill in all the fields before returning by either:

  • Scanning and emailing to admissions@hartpury.ac.uk
  • Faxing a copy to 01452 700629
  • Posting it to Admissions, Hartpury College, Hartpury, Glos, GL19 3BE
Professional Rider

A New yard on Horse Scouts’ lists. Thundry Farm Livery & Training Yard in Elstead, Surry

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are you looking for livery in Elstead.  Are you a show jumper who wants to enjoy competing and riding with others from your yard who share the same interests? Would you benefit from an experienced trainer available to coach you at your horses yard?

Horse Scout Blogger has noticed a new yard listing.  It sounds like a great place to go for Showjumping livery n Elstead. This fantastic looking yard is run by Christine Shubrook. Christine has been involved in the world of showjumping for 30 years, as a owner, competitor and now coach. She is a BS Approved UKCC level III (Showjump Specific) coach. She is also a NLP Practitioner for Sport. Christine works with all levels of rider and enjoys coaching amateur riders to bring out the best in them and their horses. Increasing their skill set with clear explanations and exercises to gain understanding, feel, and most of all confidence.

The heart of Christines practice is based on the well being of the horse and a happy partnership between horse and rider.

Looking at their website Thundry Farm Livery & Training Yard is in a dreamy setting and is well kept and has excellent facilities.

The farm, under the daily management of Christine Shubrook, offers a range of services for the competitive horse owner, especially those who due to other commitments are not able to tend to their horse on a regular basis. We are an ideal base for the enthusiastic BS amateur owner/rider.

Christine says: Our aim is to provide a service where you do not have to worry about the wellbeing of your horse. The care of the horses is based on the same formula that we have used for over 20 years for the production of our own competition horses. We have also attained BHS Approval, being assessed as ‘High Commend’, as an independent assessment of the quality of our service. Please call us if you have any questions or would like to visit to discuss your requirements. We have two levels of livery service Complete and Basic. The complete livery service is fully comprehensive and provides everything your horse requires to keep it happy and in peak condition, ready for you to ride. The horses have a work program that allows for a variety of work and turn out to keep them fit but happy and relaxed. The cost of this service includes many things that other ‘full’ livery services omit. Should your horse need any additional attention due to injury, e.g. cold hosing 6 times a day, hand walking, limited turn out, poulticing, we will see that it is done, there are no extra charges for effort required, to meet the full daily needs of your horse, on the yard. This might be sound too good to be true, but you are welcome to visit and talk with other owners about their experiences of keeping horses with us. This service means that you truly don’t need to worry about your horse when you are busy with other things. We really do what we say we do! If you are available to exercise and care for your horse and its kit on a daily basis, 6 days a week, but don’t want the heavy jobs of mucking out or the hassle of ordering feed and shavings, dealing with staff cover, maintaining facilities and other yard duties, then the Basic Livery Service could suit you. You visit your horse once a day, to perform all the necessary tasks to make your horse comfortable, and then are able to leave knowing that someone is going to be watching over your horse, feeding at regularly times and changing rugs as needed. One day a week will we ‘do’ the horse on its day off, giving you a ‘yard free’ day. You will have the advantage of great facilities, on site training, people on hand to cover for routine days off or the odd day you can’t be there, and company to ride with and attend shows.

So if you are looking for livery in the Elstead area I think this great livery and training stables sounds just the place. Click here to find out more about Thundry Farm Livery and Training or to contact Christine directly

Professional Rider

8 TIPS TO STAYING COOL & CALM IN THE COMPETITION ARENA

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Horse Scout Blogger was speaking with a rider coming up to their first competition level hike. At home they have been performing well and are well prepared in terms of ability and focus and will do well if our rider focuses on what the horse needs from him……The BIGGEST secret to you performing at your best, when it counts the most, is learning how to keep yourself CALM and COMPOSED. If you allow yourself to get too nervous or too excited right before or during a competition, then your muscles will tighten up, you’ll lose your confidence and your riding will go right down the tubes!

This is what it means to CHOKE! The rider gets so nervous that he/she ends up performing tight and tentatively — a mere shadow of your normal self and this will affect your horses performance to as he picks up on your tension.

THE REAL CAUSE OF OUT OF CONTROL NERVOUSNESS

Runaway, pre-competition nervousness can come from a lot of different sources: how good the other contestants are; the level at which you are competing; how important a competition is; how big the crowd is (and possibly more important to you – who in it is watching you; whether you’ll ride well today and win; How will the going be; Will you remember your test/course/timings— the list goes on and on.

While there are many things about your competitions that can potentially make you nervous, the true cause of your performance-disrupting nervousness isn’t any of the things that I’ve just mentioned above. The real cause of your out-of-control nerves is you! That’s right! YOU make YOURSELF nervous!

What I’m saying here is very important — It’s not what’s happening around or outside of you that makes you nervous. It’s what’s happening INSIDE that is the real cause of stress!

So it is important to take on board: It’s not the size, skill level or reputation of the competition arena that makes you nervous. It’s what you say to yourself about them in the days, hours and minutes leading up to the competition that’s the real culprit in sending your heart rate and blood pressure through the roof! Nervousness is always caused by our inner response to the things that are going on outside of us. But here’s the good news about that: If YOU make yourself nervous, then YOU have the ability to change your inner response to calm yourself down under competitive pressure.

Most riders who get too nervous to ride well do so because of what they focus on and think about as the day approaches. They worry about how well they’ll ride, what people may think or say about them, etc. Focusing on any or all of these things will guarantee that your stress level will go through the attic and your performance will get stuck in the cellar! To stay calm under pressure, you must learn to go into competitions with a completely different headset and focus. I

 

What you need is a game plan;  a game plan is a series of little mental goals that you want to bring into the performance with you. If you follow this game plan, it will guarantee that you’ll stay calm and relaxed when you perform. Remember, being your best when it counts the most is all about being loose right before and during your competitions.

 

Leading up to your performance –

1. KEEP YOUR CONCENTRATION IN THE “NOW”

Train yourself to keep your focus in the NOW — especially during your performance! This means that leading up to the performance, you don’t want to think about and focus on the upcoming competition and its importance. If you want to stay loose and relaxed, you must learn to keep your concentration in the now. When you’re in the action, you want to focus on one present-moment play at a time.

2. RECOGNIsE WHEN YOUR FOCUS “TRAVELS” AND BRING YOURSELF BACK

Concentrating on what is happening now and reacting to that is key. Whilst you have to anticipate your next move you must live in the now in order function from a position of strength. If your focus moves to reflect on what has happened or you start imagining the future bring your focus back.

3. KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON YOU, YOUR JOB AND YOUR PLAY

Allowing your focus to drift to anyone or anything other than you and your horse will quickly make you feel nervous. Staying focused on you and your job will keep you calm and confident.

4. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF WITH OTHERS! Comparison will always make you too nervous to play at your best.

5. HAVE FUN – Enjoy your job

Enjoying your performance and appreciating what is going well is the secret ingredient to staying calm and doing your best when the heat of competition is turned up high. When fun goes, so will all of your skills.

6. LEAVE YOUR GOALS AT HOME

One of the biggest tension-inducing mental mistakes that you can make as an competitor is to take your goals with you into the competition. Focusing on what you need to achieve will make you too nervous to perform well and, ironically, cause you never to reach them. Instead, leave your goals at home and keep your focus in the action, on “this” movement, this turn, this half halt.

7. KEEP YOUR MIND DISTRACTED BEFORE AND AFTER GAMES

Thinking gets most performers into trouble and makes them nervous. While you can’t really stop yourself from thinking, you can purposely distract yourself from it. So, in the days and minutes leading up to a big performance or tournament, keep busy. Do not allow yourself a lot of free time to think. If you are going through your test or riding the course in your mind. Think about HOW you re riding each movement or jump etc not how difficult its going to be.

8. KEEP YOUR FOCUS OF CONCENTRATION AWAY FROM THE “UNCONTROLLABLES”

There are a lot of things that happen in your sport that you do not have direct control over. Any time an competitor focuses on an “uncontrollable” (UC), they will get really nervous, lose their confidence and ride badly. So make a list of all of the things about this upcoming competition that you can’t directly control. For example, the officiating; the crowd; the future, such as the outcome, how well you’ll ride, winning or losing; how you are feeling that day; other people’s expectations; etc., and post the list in a highly visible. Keep in mind that these UCs are mental traps. They are lying in wait for you and every other competitor in that competition. Concentrate on the things over which you do have control.

Remember, if you really want to ride well, you have to stay loose and relaxed. To do this, focus on executing this GAME PLAN!

GoodLuck

 

Professional Rider

Three fantastic opportunities at Lucinda Fredericks’ Yard, Rosegarth in Wiltshire

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Horse Scout keeps an eye on its lists and when possible will blog or tweet on behalf of the professionals who have profiles of themselves, their yards, their horses and any horses they have advertised for sale.

  1. For A professional Rider from May 2015

A Fantastic Opportunity for a professional rider to rent 6 – 10 boxes at Lucinda Fredericks’ Yard in Wiltshire from May 2015. Rosegarth offers every facility for the competitive rider including : 30 m x 60m outdoor school, stabling with rubber matting, wash area with state of the art solarium, lunge pen, covered horse walker, rower and rub show jumps, gated access and an alarmed tack room and a full onsite security system. We are located within superb on and off road hacking. Opportunities for tuition from Lucinda Fredericks.

We will ensure your horses are completely cared for on a daily basis including mucking out, feeding (using Pure feed and hay), turning in/out, grooming, tack cleaning and exercising.

Facilities:

24hr onsite supervision

Designated lorry parking

Excellent off-road hacking

Horse walker

Hot water washdown

Individual turn out

Lunge Pen/ Separate school

Mirrors around school

Non-individual paddock turn out

Onsite communal tea & coffee facility

Onsite shower & changing rooms

Outdoor school 20m x 60m or over

Solarium

Stabling

Undercover horse walker

Current Onsite Professionals: Lucinda Fredericks (Aus) Oliver Smith (GB) Emily Young-Jamieson (GB) Thomas Heffernan Ho (HK) Nicole Pearson (HK)

Horse Scout Blogger also notices that Rosegarth are also advertising for staff on their website as follows:

2.A Temporary Full Time Groom

We are currently seeking a temporary groom, full time over 6 days to start immediately.  This is a great opportunity for someone wanting to gain experience working on an International Eventing yard as part of a fantastic and friendly team.  Excellent on site accommodation is available.

3.And a Working Pupil Position

We have a new opportunity for a working pupil to join us with or without their horse asap. Closing date: extended to 31 March 2015

This is a great opportunity for someone wanting to experience life on an International Eventing yard as part of a fantastic and friendly team, whilst developing your own, and your horses career.

Case Study: Zoe joined us in August 2014 as a Working Pupil, she has shown herself to be a hardworking member of the team who is quick to learn and is a joy to be around. Due to her commitment and enthusiasm we have worked with her to transfer her onto an apprenticeship scheme and she is now working towards a level 3 qualification with us.

Zoe commented “Lucinda is someone I aspire to be like and what more could you want than being at her yard itself. In five years time I see myself and my own horse competing regularly in different disciplines, surrounded by and being part of a determined, hard working team. My ambition is to run my own yard for breaking, schooling and competitive livery”.

Professional Rider

Finding the right producer for your baby- give your horse the best start to his career

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Working with young horses, understanding how they function, anticipating how they will react and being aware of their needs is a skill and a calling.  Not every professional rider wants to start horses but those that do offer a service which is invaluable to you and to your horse. Horse scout has number of professionals who list breaking and producing among the services they offer.

Key advantages in asking a professional to start your horse for you.

  1. They have experience in this specialist area.
  2. They have started all sorts of youngsters and know what to expect.
  3. They treat each horse individually
  4. They follow a set routine (which is progressed and adapted to suit any one particular horse)
  5. They know how much to ask
  6. They know when to back off
  7. They know when to push forwards with training.
  8. They take the sudden and sometimes explosive reactions in their stride
  9. They understand which behaviors are reactions to the training and which may indicate problems
  10. They are successful because they are experienced and skilled at their job.

Using a professional for this key first stage in a horse ridden career can make all the difference to your relationship with your horse.  It is easy to let a horse scare you when you are unsure or inexperienced and it is just not worth the risk to you or your horse in terms of your mutual relationship.

There are, however, things which you can do to help prepare your horse:

It is always more effective to train through positive reinforcement and respect rather than using force, which only creates fear.

A horse which respects and trusts you will follow commands better and be a more enjoyable companion than a horse that fears you. However gaining respect is not always a simple scenario and has many facets. Knowing how to interact with your horse is the key in training. Here are some steps to bear in mind if you’re handling a young horse which will prepare him for life in general as well as pre formal breaking- in training.

Respect Is Mutual: Gain Their Trust

The first step to training a horse is creating and maintaining a bond of trust. If your horse doesn’t trust you it will be near impossible to train into being a calm and content riding horse. Grooming is a great way to create a connection between you and your horse. It is soothing and relaxing and is a bonding act within the herd itself. As with any animal you should talk to your horse so it knows your voice, if you frequently talk to your horse it will associate your voice with being a safe command or soothed so make sure to talk sensibly to your horse when trying new things, or going into new places or where he becomes spooked by a noise, object or strange feel……like the water from a hosepipe or a plastic bag in your hand or in the hedge.

Introduce Equipment and Gear Slowly

It’s important not to overwhelm your horse so introducing equipment slowly is a sensible way forward. Horses must first become familiar with common equipment such as bits, brushing boots, travel boots or even maybe the saddle. Introduce the gear slowly by placing it on them for short intervals at a time and gradually building up their use with shear repetition and patience. Rugs are one thing that will become a common place article, used on a daily basis. Always put on from the front to the back and take off by undoing the rug from the back to the front. That way it will never slip back and tangle in their legs. Good old fashioned common sense at all times.

Show Him the World

Don’t hide your young horse away……….Let him see and get used to all the things he will have to cope with as a ridden horse. Spend time in hand safely grazing your horse near a road so he can see and smell and hear all the traffic and comings and goings. The more solid you make him out here the easier and better he will train later on.

Travel train him! Get him used to the trailer…….don’t wait till the day he has to go somewhere. Spend some time feeding him on the ramp and then inside the space. Take him for short journeys when you don’t need to.

 

Horse Scout has Four professional, newly signed up, who specialize in breaking and producing young horses are:

Claire Rowland– Harrogate

Selina Milnes nr Bristol

Lorna Riley in Durham

Emily Llewellyn in Surrey

Professional Rider

Professional Profile – Louis Principe – International rider with an impressive track record!

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Are you looking for a top trainer in Gloucestershire? then International Grand Prix Dressage Rider – Luis Principe may be the man for you. Currently training with Carl Hester Luis is enjoying passing on the considerable knowledge & passion gained over the years to his clients. Based in Cheltenham (Gloucestershire). Luis enjoys training riders and horses from Novice through to Grand prix at his base or Freelancing.

Horse Scout blogger was looking at a video of him training Washington this morning and considering the musculature of this wonderful horse. The pure strength guilt into the base of his neck and the beautiful smooth top line all the say to his tail was so obvious as he piaffed and passaged for Louis. “Training from Novice to Grand Prix level” Louis’ approach to training the horse and/or rider (from Novice to Grand Prix) is a sympathetic calm approach with the welfare of the horse being paramount, and I think you can see this is his horses way of going.

One of the consistent things about a top class dressage horse is the evidence of “Durchlassig” When translated literally this actually means “permeable” Which I love, Germans have a way of using words which make such sense if you think in half pass or shoulder in! The Germans use the word Durchlässigkeit to mean that the horse’s energy and the rider’s aids travel in a continuous circuit without resistance in any part of the body. In English this is referred to as “throughness”; ideal state in which the rider can influence the horse with ease. When the horse is Durchlässig, or through, the half halts can form him into a “beach-ball” shape in which he can be very flexible and elastic. His topline becomes very round and he lifts up under his belly, raises his withers and softens the under-neck muscles without resistance.

Louis moved to the UK in 1999 and commented a few years later on his admiration for the pace at which the British rider trained a horse, allowing the horse to mature into its body and build training incrementally “really focusing on the basics and on getting the horse through the levels in a sympathetic and friendly manner, independently of how long it might take,” he said. He preferred this over the Portuguese’s sometimes hurried approach, in the early 90’s, where there was a temptation to just get the horses to do all the “tricks” as soon as possible… “as it just wasn’t for me to bully horses around,” he stated.

Louis Principe represented Portugal in several CDI’s and BE competitions – Highlights: World Cup Qualifiers, 2 European Dressage Championships, World Cup Finals, Reserve for the 2012 Olympics and the 2014 WEG. Whilst busy competing mainly Internationally Luis has also been establishing his own teaching clientele.. The 2015 European Dressage Championships and the 2016 Olympics are Luis’s main aims for the future.  On his Horse Scout Porfessional Profile he has “ Too many placings at International competitions to mention them all but here are a few”: 2011 – European Dressage Championships Rotterdam – Several placings in CDI’s and the World Cup Series – Several placings in BE events to include a 1st place at Pontispool Intermediate on a score of 24.6 penalties 2012 – Several placings in the World Cup Series – World Cup Finals – Reserve for London Olympics 2013 – European Dressage Championships Herning – Several placings in CDI’s and BE events 2014 – Qatar CDI 5* (placed) – Reserve for the WEG Caen.  That is an impressive record!

Louis goes on to say ‘In the new season I’m looking to bring out “Bueno” a 8 years old Lusitano Stallion (not your typical one) in Grand Prix with the aim being either the European Championships (if he is ready at the time) or the 2015/2016 World Cup Season. We have also a superb 3 years old Stallion that I’ll be aiming at the World Breeding Championships in Verden in the upcoming season 2015”

Louise is based at the BHS approved Studdington Court Farm and can offer tuition at the stud or can travel.  Please contact him here is you would like to talk to him about training or orgainising a clinic with him.

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