Something Special for London riders and riders-to-be

Somewhere in between my teaching, riding, learning, revising and trying to find time to sleep I've been working my brains on something really special for London riders and riders-to-be. I didn't want to talk too much about it (and still won't yet!) as I wanted first to at least get the go-ahead from the yards I want to base the project at. They are happy to discuss further so keep your fingers crossed :) 

Once every all clear is given and we get going I will post every little detail. For now, please lots of positive vibes will be great!

Busy Busy, Summer BBQ and Dental saga continues

Barnfield Riding School filled up the air with the wonderful scent of summer BBQ on Sunday night. I taught until 5.30pm with the last lesson being with with Mr.Z who could not wait to dismount and start the party!

The owner breeds Labradors (very successful at pedigree shows may I add:) and they were such a funny bunch. I also managed to convince Ricky to come so he got given a little stable tour. Amazingly I finally took a super sneaky photo of him too but I am not allowed to put it up, private person as he is. What a shame ;)

Anyway, enjoy some snippets from the evening:

My day off yesterday and I did a lot of tidying up of the house, washing, hoovering and moving things around as well as creating a bit of my own space for all the important revising to exams etc and planning of the Training Days so you guys learn a lot and improve. 

The afternoon I spent on my dentist chair having had the second phase of Fix My Teeth adventure. Looks like I also convinced my dentist to come to a Training Day ;) 

No long till I have to leave for work so I am going to squeeze some revising in and then off to teach.

2010 Radio Show Episode 45 - Spotlight Vaulters: English Vaulting Squad

Left to right: Lydia Barham, Emma Runge, Paige Brown, Megan Bignell, Steph Hunter, Sara Shortland, Sarah Reid and Coach Julie Newell"

The ticket prices are announced and we discuss them with Ellen Gregory, PR for the WEG Foundation. Plus, we reveal our choice for the 2010 Radio Show Spotlight Vaulters this week. This is the only discipline where we will be following a team in their quest to qualify and get selected for the Alltech FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games. Congratulations to the English Vaulting Squad and hear what they had to say. Listen in...

2010 Radio Show Episode 45 - Spotlight Vaulters: English Vaulting Squad:

• The winners of the June Radio Show Giveaway were:
  
  
  
  • $300.00 worth of SUCCEED Digestive Conditioning Formula went to Cinde Dodson of Orange, VA. Thank you SUCCEED for the donation.
  
  
  • The winner of the World Equestrian Games Tee Shirt, compliments of the World Equestrian Games Merchandise Store, was Ann Hansen of Trenton, TN.


• The new giveaway for July will start within the week. Check back.


• The big news of the week was that the ticket prices have been set and released! Tickets will go on sale September 25, 2009, exactly one year before the Games arrive in Kentucky.

• Approximately 600,000 tickets will be available with prices starting as low as $25. Ticket sales will be facilitated by the 2010 Games Ticketing Provider, Ticketmaster, Inc. All ticket sales will be completed online at the Games Web site, www.alltechfeigames.com, beginning on September 25, 2009.


• The other big news this week coming out of the Kentucky Horse Park is that there will be no dogs going into the Horse Park next year during the World Equestrian Games. More...

• The US show-jumpers will be defending their lead in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup. After two wins early on, they finished a close second in Rotterdam a couple of weeks ago.


• Horsemania is coming back to Lexington. Those fantastic, decorated, fibreglass horses that popped up all over town in the year 2000 will make a reappearance next year in time for the World Equestrian Games.


• You might find it hard pressed to think what Lexington and the surrounding counties have in common with Napa Valley, but not for long. This year the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a tour of eight distilleries, celebrates it's tenth anniversary, and it's getting ever more popular.


• We are thrilled to announce the Spotlight team we will be following for Vaulting from now through the 2010 Games. We would like to congratulate the English Riding Squad out of England for being our Spotlight team! The English Vaulting Squad was formed in 2000 by a group of committed vaulters and parents who wished to advance up to International level. We had a chance to speak with Gill Barham and a couple of the kids on the team as they were preparing to leave for Achen for a big competition.
• __________________________

Listen Now, Download or Subscribe:

My blog has its second Birthday today :)

That's 2 years gone. Big Thank you to all who read, email and comment. Thank you for your support and I hope you will stay around :) I am enjoying reading your posts too so keep on blogging.

All the best,

Wiola

Dressage Scales Of Training - "It's NOT the pyramid" William Micklem goes to say:

"In the dressage world Herbert Rehbein was considered the professional’s professional – a humble genius. He won the Hamburg Dressage Derby eight times and seven titles in the German Professionals Championships. He was voted 'Trainer of the Year' by the International Trainers Club in 1991 and in '94, and the German Federation conferred on him the title of 'Riding Master'. In 1977 and ‘78 I was lucky enough to spend two short periods at his training stables, Gronwoldhof, when Lucinda Green traveled there for training with, among others, her Badminton winner Be Fair.

DOUBLE DELIGHT

I was delighted to find that one of the retired equine residents at Gronwoldhof was Alwin Schockemöhle’s great Show Jumping World Champion Donald Rex. However I was even more delighted to watch an athletic 4 year working, who was the apple of Herbert’s eye…his name was Pik Bube. It was no surprise that he went on to become world famous, both as a multiple Grand Prix winner and as a Dressage stallion. His success further cemented the reputation of the Hannoverian Stud book, despite the fact that he was half Thoroughbred, as was Reiner Klimke’s greatest dressage horse, the ‘Westphalian’ Ahlerich.

Herbert Rehbein trained with Bubi Gunther, who together with Willie Schulteis and Joseph Neckermann were trained by the Father of modern German dressage Otto Lorke. They in turn trained Harry Boldt, Reiner Klimke and the majority of todays top trainers including Conrad Schumacher and Jean Bemelmans. What a dynasty! What they have collectively achieved means their words have huge significance.

THE NOTES ON A PIANO

Herbert Rehbein didn’t say much to me but his few words were all gems. In particular he said that most people misunderstand the ‘Scales of Training’, even in Germany! His point was that the scales are like the notes on a piano and all six of the scales have to eventually work together for top results and that none of the scales should be worked at individually.

I believe this is actually what Chris Irwin was saying in his last blog regarding the fifth in the scale, Straightness. However I regret that I take issue with Chris and with all the many others who present the scales as a pyramid. It is not presented as such in the manuals of the German National Equestrian Federation….instead it is a linear structure and with good reason. If it was to be presented as a pyramid the base of the pyramid would not be relaxation, as Chris suggests, but the first in the scale which is Rhythm. While at the top of the pyramid it would be the sixth in the scale, Collection. Thankfully we have moved on from the early aims of dressage, which did have collection as the ultimate aim, and resulted in disastrous and often cruel consequences for horses. No, our ultimate aim is to have a happy athlete doing a whole range of exercises within a range of both collected and extended paces." 

READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE on William Micklem's BLOG

Thank goodness for the hose on the yard and Young Instructor Of The Year once again

Sweaty, sweaty day. Some nice breeze from time to time made it all bearable to a point. 

I am focusing on staying super positive and patient when teaching beginner riders and must say that I think I found the key to better that - what works for me is to really concentrate on how to improve the details and to let the riders make mistakes. 

Because of my background and how I was taught I sometimes forget that a lot people do it for fun only and they have no strict agenda of progress. I relaxed my demands a bit and it has been working a treat. What's even better, I noticed certain riders work better without too much pressure and we get the results that are of more quality! Go figure. Still lots for me to learn.

At lunch time I had my driving lesson and my instructor concluded it was my best drive to date. Good. I am looking forward to taking my driving test, and yes I was silly enough not to do it in my teens. 

So lots of fun today. I survived thanks to the hose which I duly used to hose myself down in between the lessons. Hacked the ex-race horse again and was tempted to test his speed but the ground is so hard at the moment that I chickened out. And good job I did as we came back to find he lost his shoe - again. You got to love Thoroughbred's feet...;)

Gave him a bath toes to ears and he loved it. 

Finished the day on teaching livery lesson and they voted for jumping so cue the fun of dragging heavy poles around the arena! I do like teaching them though, when they are focused they really try and that's worth the efforts.

I rewarded myself on the way back home reading today's Horse & Hound and catching up with feed time ;) 

Pic. above: my preferred way to travel: nice snacks and good reading materials :)

After some uhmming and ahhing I decided to apply for a place on this year's Young Instructor Of The Year (2009). If you read this blog regularly you will know I've done it last year and although it was a very good experience I knew straight away that I didn't have much chances going through further than the regional stage. The candidate who went to semi-finals from my region had his own yard, competed regularly and was a very good rider. 

BUT, it's the last year I'm eligible to enter so I decided to give it a go again. The South East qualifier is in September at Hadlow College. If my application is successful I shall do it there. All in all it's the experience that matters and it's always good to watch other coaches in action!

Tropical Wednesday

Another day in 30C. Berkshire, however, has that little more breeze than London not to mention the shady, cooler woodlands to hack in!

Pic. above: The flora seems to love current climate as the bridleways are rather overgrown!

Had a very pleasant start to the day with a slow pace hack. The bridleways are getting really overgrown and flies are quite aggressive of late but still, it was so relaxing. 

I came back just in time for a little chat with a rider who brought her own horse for a XC lesson. She wanted a confidence giving run so I worked through some very simple exercises to test her control of the horse and off we went into the woods. She rode really well and will be back for more lessons with me. 

Took another horse out for a hack after lunch, he's an ex-race horse and is just having chilling out time, being lunged and hacked out. 

Sunshine is overwhelming. 

P.S. I found something interesting some of you may want to read too: http://www.williammicklem.com/articles.html

I could say it was a hard work in this heat but...

What are you doing woman???!!!

Gimme that hose right now!!

...in fact I had the easiest day since I remember! The 32C in London, apparently higher than in tropical Bangkok, caused plenty of on-the-day cancellations from riders to be. It is set to be even hotter tomorrow with heatwave warnings, hmm: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8122969.stm

As a result I only taught a few lessons today which was just as well as the horses were so hot that even walking made them sweat. Gave some of them a nice hose down but not all appreciated it, naughty creatures ;)

In summary, my day consisted of eating ice creams, drinking gallons of liquids, reading up to exam in between cold water face splashes and chatting horses. It was still super hot at 7.30pm but seeing how little time I now have to ride I grabbed a chance to school one of the ponies. 

Trying to cool down now indulging in strawberries and cream :)

BHS Intermediate Teaching exam - Lessons Plan for the required Subjects

I am sitting here taking full advantage of the world wide web. If I could multiply the time so I could spend more time on reading and videos watching I would do so in an instant :)

For those of you who wonder what are the subjects required for the Intermediate Teaching exam here is the list:

1. The importance of self reflexion, CPD (Continual Professional Development), managing own progress. Any of the following subjects are suitable for the inclusion:

• how feedback can be used to assist self reflexion and CPD
• criteria that is suitable to evaluate coaching performance
• how to improve future coaching performance
• methods of keeping up to date with coaching developments
• the benefits of reviewing coaching sessions
• the importance of evaluating personal coaching strengths and weaknesses
• how to compile a professional development action plan
• the benefits of the register Of Instructors
• inexpensive, practical methods of developing coaching skills and knowledge
• how to support other caches in designing and self-implementing CPD

2. Phases of a coaching programme: pre-season, preparatory, competition, post-competition. It is suggested that any of the following subjects are suitable for inclusion within the discussion on phases of a coaching programme: 

• physical, technical, tactical and mental preparation
• physical, technical, tactical and mental performance
• how good planning and preparation of a coaching programme reduces rider and horse injuries

3. Obtaining and using feedback

• types of feedback
• the effects of positive and negative feedback
• the components of good feedback
• the use of scientific methods of feedback
• how technology can assist in providing feedback
• non-verbal methods of feedback e.g. body language, facial expressions
• how perception affects feedback
• the importance of good listening skills when giving and receiving feedback
• the use of reflective logs or journals as a method of feedback
• methods to ensure that the content of feedback has been understood correctly
• how to use feedback when action planning or agreeing new goals
• how to use feedback to adapt goals
• parties that could be included in the feedback process e.g spectators, parents
• the pitfalls of external involvement in the feedback process e.g. parents
• how feedback affects motivation

4. Managing a coaching programme (supporting and monitoring)

• factors that need to be considered before beginning a coaching programme
• planning activities and exercises in order to meet the needs and goals of participants
• health and safety issues, including risk assessment, first aid and child protection issues
• responsibility for equipment, facilities, allocation of horses and other resources
• the need to observe and monitor activities to ensure standards are maintained and weaknesses in the programme or training are identified
• the sharing of good practice
• appropriate ethical, moral and behavioural guidelines
• the importance of feedback, communication and liaison between coaching teams and participants
• reasons for modifying and adapting coaching programmes
• the importance of accurate and up to date record keeping 
• designing a programme that incorporates coaching styles that are compatible with the learning styles and experience of the participants
• the importance of promoting self-esteem and confidence in coaching teams
• suitable methods of reviewing a coaching programme

5. How to empower participants

• what we mean by term 'empowerment'
• methods and techniques that empower participants
• barriers to empowerment
• personal responsibility and ownership of learning and development
• health and safety implications of empowering staff members
• the relationship between empowerment, delegation, authority and responsibility
• how to increase the coaches ability to become more self-reliant

6. Physical and mental preparation for a session

• the benefits of mental preparation for a training session or competition
• the benefits of physical preparation for a training sessions or competition
• how poor mental preparation can effect performance in training sessions or competitions
• the importance of a training plan/ structure as part of mental and physical preparation
• how good mental and physical preparation helps to prevent stress and anxiety
• the effects of over training
• factors that need to be built into a physical or/and mental preparation structure

7. Motivation - what it is and how to use it

• types of motivation
• motivational theory
• techniques suitable for motivating young or children riders
• how positive and negative feedback affects motivation
• barriers to motivation
• types of goal setting, its effect on motivation
• intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors
• how peer pressure effects motivation

8. Rider injuries not related to falls

• the importance of identifying proper/safe riding techniques in order to reduce the risk of injuries
• the importance of warm up and warm down
• how to prevent injuries in horse riders
• the importance of setting realistic goals suitable for the rider's fitness level and skill set
• the most common rider injuries and symptoms - unrelated to falls
• what causes injury? including extrinsic or intrinsic risk factors
• the importance of using and maintaining safety equipment
• how risk assessments help to prevent injuries
• professional help and guidelines available in the treatment and rehabilitation or sports related injuries e.g. GP consultation and referral, sports physiotherapist, osteopathy etc
• the use of essential protective equipment including gloves, footwear that provides support and protection for your feet and protective headwear to reduce the risk of serious head injuries

9. Positive reinforcement

• the importance of acknowledging and praising effort as well as results
• why mixing praise with criticism can devalue the message
• how to promote desired behaviour and/or skills
• positive reinforcement and its effects on confidence
• the effects of positive reinforcement on behaviour and skill
• how positive reinforcement improves performance and reduces errors

10. Mentoring

• how mentoring can help individuals to recognise and maximise their potential
• the skills and attributes of a good mentor
• how mentoring helps to raise awareness and generate personal responsibility
• the importance of encouraging the mentee to explore options and make choices for themselves 
• informal versus formal mentoring practice
• personal qualities of a good mentor e.g. empathy, respect
• the importance of reflective practice and continuing professional development of the mentor
• the relevance of ethical and moral values when mentoring
• the importance of confidentiality
• the differences between coaching, teaching and mentoring 

The downside of freelancing is...

...losing your income when clients cancel their lessons :( Short day today as my late afternoon teaching was cancelled but that actually gave me a chance to school one of the horses. Always good to sneak some riding in. 

Some very productive lessons today but the hot weather is staying around so it's quite tiring. I am looking forward to my day off tomorrow. Pain kept me awake for so long in the last several weeks that now it's almost entirely gone I am going to indulge in some sleep time! 

My aim for tomorrow is to write some of the lessons/lecture plans (ones that I need for my exam), spend as little time on my feet as humanly possible and read up on business management (again for exam).   

I have some more riders interested in the Training Days so I am now taking bookings for August.