BRC Training Day
Sunday 26 May 2024
Ground Work & Up Clinic with Skye Wansey – Southern Highlands Horsemanship
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Cross Country Group Lessons with Fiona Gruen - Wallaroo Equestrian
Ground Work & UP – with a focus on safety
About Skye –
Skye is an EA coach with over 30 years of experience in teaching and riding Dressage, Showjumping and Eventing. She has more recently competed and placed in the Brumby Challenge in Victoria, camp drafted, trained racehorses, bred and shown Australian stock horses, and eventually found her passion in Horsemanship.
Skye is a Horsemanship Specialist who has trained with some of the best – Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, Phil Rodey, Buck Brannaman. Skye is now based in Exeter in the Southern Highlands. We can’t wait for you to meet her!
About the training -
Skye will be coaching us in ground work and then moving on to ridden work. The focus will be on safety – as Skye says, “Confidence is knowing you’re prepared” and “Believe in your horse so your horse can believe in you”.
We’ll start on the ground and then saddle up (as part of the clinic) and ride. There will then be a break for the horses and lunch for us and then another session in the afternoon with a focus on finishing on a good note.
The sorts of things you might expect to learn could include: moving the forehand and hindquarters -- standing at the mounting block -- how to correctly perform a one rein stop -- lowering your horse’s energy -- exercises for horses who don’t like to lead or those who only like to be at the front -- opening and closing gates correctly -- ground tying -- horse shy horses.
It is important to Skye that a horse is safe and suitable for the job at hand and she will help you with any problems you might be having.
The clinic will be limited to 10-15 participants at a cost of $100 per horse/rider combination.
Cross Country Group Lessons with Fiona Gruen
About Fiona –
Fiona has a wealth of experience with over 55 years involved in eventing, including coaching for over 45 years. In recent years she has been the power behind the Canberra Horse Trials very successful media campaigns. Her passion is helping horses and riders develop partnerships based on the foundation principles of confidence and trust from grass roots to 4*.
About the training -
Lessons will be conducted in groups of four riders, each lasting an hour, and cost $60 per rider. We are hoping that Fiona will be returning later in the year so that riders can build on their previous lessons and progress. Depending on interest we may have two sets of riders in Group 1, and only one jumping group.
Option - Group 1: Essential training prior to jumping XC fences to develop balance, safety and confidence. Learn to ride in an open space and negotiate different terrain. This session is structured for riders needing to practice pace control and balance between fences, and will cover use of the two point seat, half halts and cruise control. The lesson will start in an enclosed area, and then move out onto the course.
Option - Group 2: XC jumping introducing straightness using different smaller obstacles - ditches, banks, water, uprights, galloping fences . This can be for any level jumper with straightness being the theme.
The work will start on the flat between markers, then progress to riding over a single log, before introducing other obstacles.
Option - Group 3: For riders with prior experience and confidence jumping XC out and about. This session will focus on flow through a course, starting in an enclosed space with two fences then progressing to ride a course of six fences.
All riders out on the cross-country course will be required to wear an EA approved back protector.
In Addition:
Lisa Camp is offering:
Musical Team Drills and Obstacle Training
Want to have a go at riding as a team to music?
If the answers yes then join Lisa for a fun session to learn how to work in close contact,
coordinating and timing with other people and horses. Team drills are great training for both
horses and riders whilst having fun.
On the day we will begin with a couple of warm up exercises, then learn a couple of drills and try
and put it to music.
Each session will run for approx. 45 mins/1hr
Limit of 8 riders each session
When sessions are completed this dressage arena will be available for riders to use freely.
Obstacle Training
On the day, on the other dressage arena, there will be a range of obstacles set up for riders to
come and have a go at their own pace. Can be in hand or ridden.
Come practice obstacles for our upcoming gymkhana to be held in July.
This is also a great opportunity for your young horse as an outing or floating practice to somewhere close with no pressure to arrive at a certain time. Registration is required for all attendees so we know who is on the grounds and have your emergency contact details - $10
The covered arena and the cross-country course will be available only to those who have registered for either activity.
Please note - if you are entering for Skye you will not be able to enter the other activities - no time. If you are entering one of Fiona's groups you could potentially also join a Lisa team training. If you are entering a Lisa team or a Fiona group then obstacle play is included.
All attendees on the day must have entered for at least one activity. Any questions, email the club - 2mybrc@gmail.com
We are sharing the grounds with Wamboin Pony Club, who are holding their Mounted Games Championships on the main arena – please be aware for parking and access to yards.
**All riders should walk between riding areas**
Wamboin Pony Club will also have a canteen in operation at the Pavilion, along with a raffle – please support them – bring cash 😊
Rego Form at https://www.nominate.com.au
Enquiries: by email initially, please: 2mybrc@gmail.com
Group times will be emailed directly to riders before Friday 24th May 2024
Cancellations: after the closing date for registrations any cancellations will require a veterinary or doctors’ certificate to receive a refund, less a $15 admin fee.