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Event Type: Cowboy Racing

HORSE HANDLING, RIDING CONFIDENCE & SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Northam Equestrian Centre

West Coast Cowboys
24/05/2026
24/05/2026
01/05/2026
02:00 PM
22/05/2026
04:00 PM
22/05/2026 – please note a late fee will apply after the original closing date
9:00am

DO IT FOR DOLLY DAY

Do It For Dolly Day. (Home | Do It For Dolly Day 2025). Every day, young people across Australia experience the pain of bullying. For many, it’s a constant emotional battle that impacts every area of their life. 

HORSE HANDLING:    IN-HAND & LEAD CLASS ONLY 

Targeted for 'unridden' horses. A focus on 

  • YOUR RESPONSIBILITY - The critical importance of this 'development stage' in a horse's life  (i.e. if they are not allowed to become relaxed & confident with Human interaction at this stage, they may struggle to achieve it at all)
  • Safe Handling & Developing TRUST
  • Establishing human/horse Hierarchy
  • Boundaries, Manners, & consistent communication 
  • Groundwork Foundation - establishing Cues, maintaining consistency, developing your co-ordination skills
  • Lunging - the critical importance of establishing the Lunge, maintaining the 'controlled Lunge', ensuring it is always kept controlled & stress-free
  • Discussing the importance of TIME, REPETITION & CONSISTENCY 
  • Desensitization Techniques.......once TRUST is established 
  • How to develop & support my horse's confidence, i.e. How do I make my horse FEEL?

RIDDEN FUNDAMENTALS & SAFETY, WITH A FOCUS ON BUILDING CONFIDENCE 

Targeted for the Nervous Rider, the Nervous Horse, and those developing Riding Confidence.

A focus on

  • Basic Safety practices - how do I know my horse is safe to get on?  What can I do if my horse spooks? How do I distract my horse from a scary object or situation?  What to do if my horse is "rushing"? What to do when my horse is upset, or when I feel 'out of control'?  What can I do when my horse doesn't want to leave the Herd?  How can I calm myself down & reassure my horse, in the saddle?
  • We will learn & practice - Basic 'prior to mounting' techniques;  Emergency Stops;  Emergency Bracing;  Hind disengagement;  'Moving the feet' distraction techniques;  Emergency Lunging;  Breathing exercises, & Mental confidence tips
  • Discussing the importance of "Confident Leadership" & how you can 'fake it till you make it'!!!
  • Staying relaxed under saddle - Breathing techniques, singing & storytelling, giving the horse a job  to keep their mind on you, not on the "thing" (walk round a stump; back through two trees, the 5m Trot circle, regular side pass, zigzagging, etc.
  • Group exercises - 'partnering' to support confidence, advancing away from the group, avoiding separation anxiety & managing 'Herd behaviour'
  • Rules for riding in a group, trail riding, & group activities. (i.e. If everyone follows the same courtesies it makes things safer for all)
  • How do I develop our Confidence, i.e. how do I make my horse FEEL, how does my horse make me FEEL?

 ADVANCED RIDING & OBSTACLE PARTNERSHIP

Targeted for Intermediate & Advanced Riders 

A focus on

  • Developing Skills & Partnership
  • How to give the best, to get the best out of our horses - The importance of Leadership, Trust, & deep connection
  • "Whole Body" riding - using our weight transfer, body position, & mental connection to cue the horse
  • Transitions, Transitions, Transitions!!! (exercises, patterns & challenges)
  • EXCA 'Development Pattern' for Racing
  • Obstacle Challenges & the importance of GOING SLOW, TO GET FAST!!!
  • Putting it all together for Challenge Success
  • Discussing "an honest look at our horse's happiness & wellbeing", i.e. am I 'encouraging' my horse to develop, or 'forcing' my horse? Recognizing the difference could make ALL the difference to your horse

PRICE:

Members (with Membership Pre-paid) -  Adult $55  Child $40 (NOTE:  This includes Ground Fees)

Non-Members (including Day Membership) - Adult $80  Child $55 (NOTE:  This includes Ground Fees)

Gold coin donation $2 for Morning Tea, drinks will be available to purchase and please BYO LUNCH.

Plenty of yards available, no need to book. First in best dressed.

RULES:  Please clean up after your horse, i.e. POO & HAY MUST BE PICKED UP & deposited into the Poo Bins!!

AGENDA:

9.00am - 9:15am - Welcome & Introductions

9:15am – 10.30am Groundwork & Warm up

10.30am - 11.00am - Morning tea

11:00am – 12.30pm - Fundamentals

12.30pm - 1.00pm Lunch (BYO lunch)

1.00pm - 3.30pm Obstacle play then equipment packup.

!!!!!!!!! WHAT TO BRING:  Bucket for your horses water (water available), halter & leadrope, Carrot stick-optional, Horses hay/feed. 

Bring something to share for morning tea, BYO Lunch & Drinking Water.

 

Number Class Status Notes Test Fee
In Hand Only
Class: expand_moreMember - Adult 2a Number:2aMember - Adult Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $55.00
Class: expand_moreMember - U18 2b Number:2bMember - U18 Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $40.00
Class: expand_moreNon Member - Adult 2c Number:2cNon Member - Adult Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $80.00
Class: expand_moreNon Member - U18 2d Number:2dNon Member - U18 Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $55.00
Ridden & Building Confidence
Class: expand_moreMember - Adult 3a Number:3aMember - Adult Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $55.00
Class: expand_moreNon Member - Adult 3b Number:3bNon Member - Adult Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $80.00
Class: expand_moreMember - U18 3c Number:3cMember - U18 Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $40.00
Class: expand_moreNon Member - U18 3d Number:3dNon Member - U18 Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $55.00
Advanced Riding & Obstacle Partnership
Class: expand_moreMember - Adult 4a Number:4aMember - Adult Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $55.00
Class: expand_moreNon Member - Adult 4b Number:4bNon Member - Adult Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $80.00
Class: expand_moreMember - U18 4c Number:4cMember - U18 Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $40.00
Class: expand_moreNon Member - U18 4d Number:4dNon Member - U18 Status: Open Notes: Test: Fee: $55.00

Event Notes

Plenty available
N/A
N/A
Few available - first in basis
N/A
Price is per horse per night

Contact Details

West Coast Cowboys
[email protected]
Vanessa Gordon
0412 509 107
[email protected]
N/A

Other

PARKING

Please drive all the way along Clarke Street, Northam. You will pass the trotting track and a large hockey oval/park on your right hand side.  Continue on down the gravel/dirt road and you will see us on the right hand side.

Please park with other float access in mind!

Other Useful Links:

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