I always remember the wise words of Chris Roberts who advocated ‘no school is better than a bad school’.
I can completely resonate with this however what I do hate is the panic which ensues a day or so beforehand with the weather warnings. These often don’t come to fruition but end up with people cancelling for no real reason instead of waiting for the day itself.
At the end of the day, it’s up to the individual and I respect their choice rather than condemn them. I know some will say you need the practice in case of bad weather in competitions – but I do think this depends on the individuals.
However, I have never had so many cancellations due to all sorts of reasons this year that I am seriously thinking of introducing a cancellation policy, something which I never thought I’d have to do but may have to implement for my business to survive.
Maybe I can suggest an alternative to the lesson if weather forces cancellation such as a mini massage for the horse (I’m a qualified ESMT) or some off-horse mindset training perhaps setting some goals and formulating some plans.
I would welcome any thoughts on this so please feel free to add your comments below – perhaps stable management sessions as I get asked about this area so often, or even the theory of training horses. Some things are more easily understood off the horse as well.
I love my job and my clients – many of whom have become great friends over the years and understand extenuating circumstances however many lessons and clinics for other sports/venues now all have to pay upfront with a cancellation policy in place.
Hopefully, there will be a better spell of weather during Christmas and New Year for my popular pole and jump clinic. I love doing these as it’s great to see the improvements in horses and riders and see their confidence grow.
I can honestly say that this is what keeps driving me forward when I see combinations that I’ve coached over the year and struggled at times blossom and start to enjoy each other more.
I’ve enjoyed new things this year, such as yoga and pilates which have certainly helped in my rehab since my spinal operation in November last year. This has helped me understand how some riders and horses have worked so hard after injury or illness and shows the importance of both horse and rider fitness.
Highlights of my year have been buying Tim a lovely 3-year-old ISH who came a little frightened of life and has grown into an overgrown daft Labrador type!! He’s lovely and I’m learning so much more about horses through him and about myself too. Your horse is your mirror. He’s got into a great routine now – he lives out with his little friend Ginger but they both have access to stables which they often don’t enter even in the most horrific weather.
He just gets fed once a day – a good balancer, sugar beet and chaff with salt and golden linseed added and he has ad-lib hay and carrots. By feeding him in his stable and hay always being in there he has grown to like being in it – I can shut him in with no bother and he’ll have a snooze, but does prefer to be outside. It certainly saves on the labour and I haven’t missed the rushing back from teaching etc to ‘bring the horses in’. He’s also unshod – there’s no need for him to be shod at present and his feet look good but I will always be guided by what he needs. Saying that, our fields are so wet at the moment I don’t think he’d have kept any shoes on the way he loves a good gallop around.
He’s also un-rugged, safer to me if he’s out all the time. I don’t have to worry about any rubs or straps coming undone. Again, each to their own and whatever suits them and their horse(s) so long as welfare is never compromised, as I see too much condemnation or people thinking that what they do has to be the same for everyone else.
I’m just letting him mature as he has a lot of growing still to do but he has basic groundwork skills, can pick his feet up, respects my space, loves being groomed and even has become a fan of mane and tail spray!!
It was very sad letting Prince go off to his new home this year however it was the right thing to do for him. I miss him every day, but Tim makes up for it a little.
One of my greatest achievements this year has been the receiving of my Centre10 Breakthrough Award and I will be teaming up next year with a fellow Centre10 Coach to offer bespoke clinics and camps which I’m so looking forward to. I also hope to engage in lots of CPD which always benefits my clients and I just love learning!!
As well as doing clinics at my yard I enjoyed a recent clinic up at great hosts’ and friends Chris and Andy’s place Longfield Equestrian Centre in Todmorden. It was a Testt clinic and was a great success and so lovely to be indoors helping some great combinations of horse and rider improve their symmetry and balance and therefore improve their horse’s way of going. I’m hoping to run some more clinics up there next year – poles and jumping ones too so watch this space!!
Unfortunately, I need another operation next year – 11 January on my left foot – fractured sesamoid bones (through my running days including 2 London Marathons) 3 broken toes (yes horses) and a plantar plate tear have finally caught up with me!! Six weeks of non-weight-bearing will probably drive me crazy however I’ll use the time wisely before I can get about on crutches!!! That should be fun!!
I also have to give Ron a mention! He just loves coming to lessons, going to the yard and chasing the cats! I love his enthusiasm for life and the fact he always thinks he can!! By that I mean he chases hares all over our fields with no hope of catching them however his self-belief is great!! We also enjoy great walks as part of my fitness training.
I also have to mention a client dear to my heart whom I have taught for a great many years with her different ponies and horses and has become a great friend. She has helped me so much especially when returning to riding after quite a serious spinal operation. So many thanks to Sarah Harwood and the lovely Suzie and Ash and also to Charlotte and Emma who lent their horses for me to hack out on. I also learnt a great lesson – never tell anyone to ‘let them go’ when jumping until you’ve ridden the horse yourself – I don’t know who laughed more Sarah or Suzie!!! Certainly brought the colour to my cheeks that day!!!
So as always, I welcome your thoughts in the comments: likes, dislikes, suggestions for clinics or anything to do with horses!!
I hope you have all enjoyed your Christmas and festivities – it’s important to relax and have fun with friends and family or if you prefer by yourself. I remember many years ago when up in a flat at Brian Powell’s yard enjoying Christmas Day mucking out and hacking out all day!!
So here’s to the New Year and all the good things to come. Many thanks to all my clients past, present and future ones too!
