Category Archives: Equestrian Centre

A facility that has been created specifically for the purpose of accommodating and training horses and ponies, and may include a barn, stables or riding hall.

Horse Scout invests in star show jumpers

July 14, 2016

Horse Scout, which has secured global investment to further develop its innovative equestrian social network platform and help riders boost their professional careers, is to sponsor the next round of young show jumpers on the British Showjumping and Haddon Training Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme in its mission to nurture future Olympic stars.

Applications for the 2016/17 AASE programme open at the end of July and those accepted will have the opportunity to be coached and trained by some of the top sporting coaches and experts in the UK including Heike Holstein (flatwork) and Andrew Saywell (jumping).

The programme also gives participants (age 16-19) access to experts that focus on them as an athlete: a physiotherapist to help reduce imbalances and weaknesses, a dietitian to advise on nutrition, and a media trainer who can help develop communication skills.

Aimed at developing and preparing talented young upcoming athletes at the top of their game, the AASE programme provides training and education for those who have a real chance of excelling in their sport and competing at European and Olympic level.

The AASE programme also develops the riders into young professionals within the sport with many progressing to start and run their own businesses.

Haddon Training has delivered AASE for British Showjumping since 2013 with 100 young riders completing the 12-15-month programme which culminates in a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification — equivalent to two A-Levels and 85 UCAS points.

Corinne Bracken, AASE Programme Manager, says: “The programme covers all the core components including technical, tactical, mental and physical skills delivered by industry experts, plus those that are essential to attracting owners and sponsors to the sport. It’s great that global organisations such as Horse Scout recognise the importance of supporting future stars.”

How to apply:Any young rider seeking details on the AASE application process should contact staci.cox@haddontraining.co.uk

Equestrian Centre

Be Aware-Be Very Aware: Teamwork = Framework. 6 top tips to help you understand how you influence your horse.

March 26, 2015

Understanding your frame and how you use it to influence your horses way of going; all starts with you.

Horse Scout Blogger has spent many happy moments trotting round the sitting room and to help you understand how you function will help you understand how your horse functions too.

Attending Yoga or Pilates or learning the Alexander Technique will give you good control of your body and help you become more aware of how you move and the relationship between easy movement and maximising your strong core and large muscle masses to your advantage.

The following are all ways of approaching your training and competitive riding with an understanding of how you function within your frame. This gives you a very clear overview of how a horse also functions. Your top half is the torso, shoulders, forelegs and head of your horse. Your pelvis down to the ground are your horses hindquarters and hind legs. As you do these exercises walk and move like a human but be “horse” in your head. Imagine the bulk of the horse but move like a human.

1. Relax and look up.

Central to all effective riding. If you are relaxed and working “In the moment” so will your horse be.

If you look up and forwards, so will your horse.

2. To Ride Forward On Straight Lines

Become conscious of how you walk. As you move forwards (not counting window shopping by the way!) where do you look. If you are looking at the floor, look up. Think about how you are walking. Are you using your core muscles? Are you moving from your hip? Are you utilising your largest group of muscles: your Gluteus muscles in your legs and seat. Do you limbs move in a relaxed way? Are you moving purposefully? Are your shoulders relaxed and facing in the direction in which you are looking/travelling? …So many questions!

3. Prepare For Transitions

Change your speed

Change your stride walk briskly, what changes? Walk slowly, again be conscious of your stance and the use of your frame.

Can you analyse what you do before you change pace?

Do you use the energy you produce as you place your foot on the floor to elevate your knee action.

Do you fall forwards when you stop quickly.

Learning to dance can really help with control and energises your approach to pace and energy.

4. Prepare For Turns

Change direction – what happened as you turned – what happened before you turned

Do you shift your weight away or over your pivotal leg.

Turn quickly and turn slowly, Think about where you place your weight and which groups of muscles you use to achieve a well executed turn and the difference in an unbalanced one.

5. Ride Good Circles

Walk in a circle, Take note of your body angles, weight distribution and the direction that you are looking and the direction of your shoulders.

6. Bend Correctly

What happens if you go in a circle with all your weight over your outside leg and your shoulders against the direction of travel? Correct yourself and feel the difference.

The more aware you are of how a body functions the more you will understand how your body influences the pace, balance, elevation, suppleness and power in your horses way of going. Try riding some horse movements without your horse. Imagine you are your horse and try lateral movements. What do you have to do with your body to achieve the correct cadence, direction and execution of the movement.

P.S. you can do this is the privacy of your home or be really adventurous and start a trend at your local equestrian centre/livery yard or even in Sainsbury’s…you never know it might be the next big thing like Bio Mechanics or Horse Fit!

Equestrian Centre

Your Yards – Spotlight on the North coast

February 27, 2015

If you are looking for lessons or livery or even a holiday activity on the North coast look no further.

The North Humberside Riding Centre has something to make everyone happy. They are a British Horse Society Approved Riding, Training and Holiday Centre established in 1965.

Situated near the Spurn Peninsular on the heritage Coast the centre has superb riding on the beach and river banks, bridle ways and quiet country lanes.

The cross country course is on the bank of the Humber Estuary.

Facilities also include an Indoor School and a large all weather outdoor school.

We train riders for examinations and competitions, we introduce beginners to the delights of riding and provide instructional fun holidays for children and relaxing or energetic breaks for

We can offer you the very highest standard of instruction. We cater for all standards from the beginner to the advanced. Riders trained at the Centre have represented Great Britain in Holland, Germany, Belgium, France and Sweden and although we cannot promise that a short course at Easington will ensure you a place in the Great Britain team, we can guarantee that you will receive the very best instruction.

Adults are very welcome outside school holiday periods.

We have limited accommodation at the Centre or accommodation is available locally from modest B&B to more expensive hotel.

Stabling

Riders look after their own horse/pony during the course and instruction in stable management is given with prizes awarded for the best looked after ponies each week. Following an assessment lesson on Sunday afternoon the weeks riding is planned according to ability. Between six and ten young riders are taken each week and either ride as a group or as divided accordingly to age and ability If there is a wide difference in experience.

The larger indoor school provides a perfect working area for lessons and allows riding to continue unaffected by the weather.

The Centre is approved by the British Horse Society. It is open all year and during the school holidays, courses are run for unaccompanied children. Under the professional friendly guidance of the Centre’s staff, children combine serious instruction with pleasure activities.

The stables are ideally located with rides along quiet country lanes, by-ways, plus miles of sandy beach and riverbanks. The cross-country course offers a variety of fences for both the novice and the more experienced rider.

TRAINING VACANCY

Training full or part time available for BHS stages 1/11/111/PTT and riding and road safety

Equestrian Centre

8 Top Tips – Are you taking your horse to the office?

February 26, 2015

Here is a question for you: Do you yearn to have the kind of relationships where you are listened to?

I was reading that a company called Horse Sense offers corporate and team training to help individuals understand the importance of communication with others. Its called Equine Assisted Education. It just makes so much sense.

Their strap line is “Do you wish people would do what you ask, when you ask? Are you a compelling leader, able to lead without force or manipulation? Ready for something different, that is fun and gets results that last?”

Like Becky who founded Horse Sense, I grew up with horses. Looking after them, learning to ride and handling horses formed a huge part of my childhood education. It wasn’t until I stepped into the working world I realised what an advantage they have given me in terms of people skills.

When you are working with your horse you are starting from a position of authority, personal discipline and consideration; you use your senses to read a situation. You respect your horse for himself, both as a partner in your enterprise and as an individual.

Understanding how crucial these skills are when handling your horse is one thing….but these skills are also relevant in the office place. Do you work from the same position as you enter the door to your office?

Don’t invade personal space with out the go-ahead
Don’t alarm your partner by squaring up to them
Sit beside someone rather than opposite
Keep your body language confident and relaxed
Approach new things with quiet confidence
Acknowledge progress
Praise positives
Never rush lunch

Equestrian Centre

New to our lists – Berry’s Farm Livery

February 21, 2015

Horse Scout is growing!. Every day it has new professionals adding their profiles to our lists. If you are looking for livery near Norwich then here is Berry’s Farm Livery.

Berries Farm Liveries is situated on the outskirts of the small village of Hevingham in Norfolk – seven miles from Norwich and just four miles from Aylsham. Run by Richard and Ruby Pointer and Lisa Morris Berries Farm, is a friendly family run livery business with over 40 years’ experience working with horses – our full time team of highly experienced, caring staff have the welfare and safety of all the horses and ponies in their charge as their main priority.

We are able offer a wide range of livery options to suit every horse and owner, from DIY to Part, Assisted, Full, Competition and Holiday livery.

The livery business is situated at the centre of a working farm, which means we can provide many miles of wonderful idyllic off road riding, whilst the quite lanes and roads that surround the farm allow for peaceful hacking.

Our facilities include:-

• 20m x 40m floodlit all-weather surfaced ménage

• Full set of show jumps

• Horse walker

• Lunge Pen

• Clipping room

• Covered Hot horse shower/ wash down area

• Miles of tranquil off-road rides

• Lorry/trailer Park

• Excellent managed grazing

They say;

Here at Berries Farm we not only provide a first class livery service, we also specialise in affiliated show jumping, with our Yard Manager, Ruby Pointer producing some of the very best Sport Horses in Norfolk.

Ruby’s father – Richard Pointer is a familiar face on the show jumping circuit supporting not only Ruby but he’s also on hand to provide invaluable advice to up and coming riders. Richard is also the Vice Chairman of the Norfolk Show Jumping Club being one of the founder members of this popular club over thirty years ago.

Richard started his riding career (a very long time ago!) as a four year old boy, by the time he was ten he was competing in affiliated jumping competitions regularly. He then moved onto the Senior County circuit before taking a break.

Ruby started riding at eight years old at a local riding school, she quickly progressed and within two years was jumping affiliated competitions throughout the country on a successful string of ponies that had her standing at the head of the line up on many occasions.

Richard and his wife Sally are still to be found supporting Ruby who has moved up to senior show jumping competitions.

Another key element here at Berries Farm is our Livery Yard Manager, Lisa Morris who has been a long standing influence in Ruby’s life having been with our family since 1996, her dedication and hard work with the horses makes for a superb team.

They provide:

• Professional Care For Your Horse

• On Site Supervision and Late Night Check

• Clipping Service

• Nutritional Advice

• Supply of Home Grown Hay and Haylage

• Shavings Available

Equestrian Centre

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

February 19, 2015

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.

Equestrian Centre

Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre – A yard that feels like home

January 29, 2015

This lovely yard is near Purbright, Surrey

Not only is this yard everything you would want in a livery stable its also set in ideal hacking country, So if you want a fit horse or just to enjoy quiet hacking Stanley Equestrian is definitely the place for you. Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre Livery Yard is situated in an idyllic rural location on the Furzehill Estate, just outside Purbright village in Surrey and is lucky enough to be surrounded by miles of undulating hacking on it’s doorstep.

The yard has wonderful customer reviews praising the personal friendly service in a modern, organised yard, this will surely take the hassle out of owning a horse and allow your precious time to be enjoyed. Quality rather than quantity is the ethos of this well run yard, and with this in mind many of the stables have been used to allow plenty of storage, including 3 indoor hot wash areas, secure tack rooms, rug rooms, laundry rooms, feed rooms and the general office.

Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre has 2 outdoor arenas, a covered area if the weather is grim, a lunge pen as well as a horse walker. Paddocks are mainly post and rail with turnout individual or in agreed pairs.

An added bonus is a very comfortable heated clubroom with a patio to enjoy a cup of tea or sometimes a BBQ when the weather is kind! Plenty of hard standing parking both for cars and lorries/trailers, by arrangement, are available.

Security and supervision of your horse are well catered for as staff live on site so late night check is done 7 days a week, alongside CCTV coverage. There is no doubt that Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre take pride in the horses (and owners!) under their care.

They offer full, part, competition, schooling and rehab livery, alongside training from Michelle or the clinics which they arrange.

Michelle Bone,

Michelle is the ‘In house’ trainer. She is a British Dressage Listed Judge and accredited trainer. As a child she was a keen competitor at Bisley Hunt Pony Club being on many event and dressage teams obtaining her “A” test while also showing at county level riding WHP, Riding Horse and Side saddle. Her first horse she took from pony club eventing to advanced level and has brought on many more since then. She has also helped develop dressage horses having ridden up to Inter I level. Michelle is keen to help anyone who wants to improve no matter what their ambition or goal is.

Other trainers who attend the yard are Targa Hammond and Daniel Greenwood

Targa Hammond is a UKCC LEVEL 3 QUALIFIED COACH & International Grand Prix rider. She gives showjumping clinics at Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre to all levels of horses and riders who want to improve. Targa works with pupils to develop detailed and bespoke training programs they can take forward and develop. A previous member of the Young Rider team and with over ten years coaching experience. Targa works with individuals in a comprehensive and considered manner so they can achieve their long and short term goals.

Daniel is an International Dressage rider who has a very calm and positive approach to training. Daniel has ridden at Grand Prix and has an exceptional record for producing young horses. He is enthusiastic and encouraging no matter the type or breed of horse and gives great advice on exercises to improve the horse’s way of going.

Here are a couple of testimonials from Customers:

I’ve found the perfect livery for my ‘sensitive’ type. She’s not the easiest to manage, but Michelle’s 30+ years’ extensive experience and her common sense approach means we usually avoid weight loss or anxiety before they arise. I really value her approach – also using the vast experience of the experts around us – vet, farrier, dentist, chiropractor, equine masseuse, saddler, nutritionist etc.

The atmosphere that Michelle and her team have created is calm and tranquil, resulting in happy horses and happy owners. It is so nice to see owners staying for the day, enjoying time with their horses without feeling they have to rush off after riding.

So if you are looking for the perfect home for your horse in the Purbeck area check out Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre.

Equestrian Centre

Katie Jerram

January 21, 2015

We welcome one of the top showing producers to Horse Scout. Katie has a rider, trainer, and yard profile with us.

With in excess of 35 years experience riding and producing… Katie continues to produce horses for the Queen, and manages to maintain a role as a columnist for Horse and Hound for approaching 14 years now!

To view Katie Jerram Showing yard click here

Equestrian Centre

World Equestrian Games – Another Gold for Charlotte and Valegro

August 27, 2014

Double Olympic Champions Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro added a World Champion title to their collection by taking Gold in the Dressage Grand Prix Special Individual competition with an outstanding performance on a score of 86.120%, the highest ever score recorded by a horse and rider at the World Equestrian Games.

In a closely fought contest, Charlotte held on to Gold after a superb test from Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg riding Damon Hill NRW, who finished in Silver on her score of 84.468%.

Charlotte spoke afterwards “It was a great ride and I was very happy with my test. I had no team members to worry about so I thought I’d just go for everything. Valegro was just fantastic – he is a like Ferrari with all that power. The crowd were very hard to deal with, all I could hear were gasps, whether I did a good or a bad thing.

Helen Langehanenberg was equally thrilled at her own result “The test felt very good. He always goes forward and listens very well. He is keen on working with me and knows what to do. I did not know Charlotte’s score before I went into the stadium – I was just concentrating on my preparation and test. I am really looking forward to Friday now – he is a very happy horse!

Kristina Sprehe at just 27 years of age is another one of Germany’s bright prospects in the world of dressage. Having won a team Olympic Silver and team Golds at the European’s and the World Games respectively she added her first individual medal to the collection. “I am really happy. Coming in to these Games I was only focused on Team Gold. I had no thoughts for the Individual at all. This is just fantastic, completely fantastic! My horse was perfect in the test, even if during the passages he lost some rhythm and he has to be more energetic. I had a really fantastic feeling during the whole test.”

Tomorrow Eleanore Kelly, Horse Scouts roving reporter will be heading down to Haras La Pin for the first day of Eventing Dressage.

Equestrian Centre

World Equestrian Games – Day Two – Dressage Grand Prix

August 26, 2014

We’re going to Rio! Great Britain secure Team Silver and Rio Qualification

A momentous day for Britain as Charlotte Dujardin, Michael Eilberg, Carl Hester and Gareth Hughes walked away with the team silver and a ticket to the Olympics after a sterling performance on day two of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

After Gareth Hughes and Carl Hester’s tests yesterday, which the team in the bronze medal position overnight, the pressure was on for Michael Eilberg and Charlotte Dujardin to come up trumps.

Entering the arena for his world championship debut, Michael produced a vital test for the team, marred only by a couple of expensive mistakes aboard a slightly unsettled Half Moon Delphi to post 71.886%, which sees him through to tomorrow’s Grand Prix Special.

Afterwards Michael said; “I’m a bit disappointed really today with the test that I had. Obviously quite a few mistakes crept in; we’ve had some really good recent form, so the test today was a little bit below par. I’m a bit gutted because I wanted to get a good score for the team but that’s the way it goes. She warmed up really well – that can be a negative because she felt too good! Even round the outside of the arena she felt really good but on the first diagonal she was a bit looky at the camera and it made her hide just a bit. The piaffe came off well today I thought and I collected a few marks there as the test went on.”

The afternoon’s competition saw Olympic and European champion Charlotte Dujardin take to the floor. With Roly Luard and Carl Hester’s Valegro the popular duo impressed the judges to take the top spot. Their test, which included some impressive piaffe and pirouettes, posted a stunning 85.271% to stand nearly four percent ahead of their nearest rivals, Germany’s Isabell Werth and the exciting ten year old Bella Rose.

Charlotte said; “I went out there to do my very best and wanted to try to get the team into a medal position. He did his best and I’m so lucky, as he has just felt fantastic all week. He did try to stop on the centre line but apart from that I was really, really happy. To go out there and get the welcome I got was fantastic. It’s such a great feeling to have that many people behind you.”

Will Connell, Chef de Mission out at WEG summed up today’s performance; “As a team they only have two occasions to qualify for the Rio Olympics. This is absolutely what we wanted and means that they have a two year run in to the Olympics, during which time they can bring on young horses and don’t have to worry about qualification. What Charlotte did today was truly outstanding, and along with her team mates, they have made the paving stones for the road to Rio.”

Carl commented on the result; “As a team we’re really delighted; no one feels left out, we’re so lucky to have Charlotte who can take the pressure off to get the scores and win medals.”

Germany finished in the gold medal position with an all female team and three riders inside the top five.The Netherlands taking the bronze. Charlotte, Carl and Michael will go on to compete in tomorrow’s Grand Prix Special.