Scotts of Thrapston

I definitely felt more secure and took away some valuable advice.

Posted on 10. May, 2011 by Julia Berrie in Rider Development Programme, Sarah Orr

Saturday 16th April – XC Training Clinic with Nick Turner

We arrived at Carlton to a friendly warm welcome from Sara.  The weather was beautiful and Bugsy was much calmer than the previous week.

We started off by introducing a fence at a time and gradually built it up to a course of approx 10 fences. An exercise we concentrated on was jumping into the forest then back out over a palisade which had a downhill approach and landing. Once happy we continued downhill to a roll top which was also on a slight angle. This was excellent for getting us to think ahead. The hill meant we had to work slightly harder to keep the horse in balance. Throughout the exercise I tried my best to keep my shoulders back and to look ahead. I even found myself breathing! I think this was down to Bugsy being so well behaved and responsive compared to the week before.

I was given advice from Nick – he explained that I should never commit to any one stride. I often see a stride and push for it which can cause confusion between horse and rider. I was told my job as the rider is to give the horse the best possible approach and to wait for the fence to come to me. It’s the horse’s job to jump and as a rider I must then follow suit with whichever stride the horse sees/takes.

With this is mind I rode the small course of fences without any instruction from Nick. My aim was to think ahead, to keep my shoulder back and to be patient and wait for the fences to come to me. Excellent piece of advice I resisted from pushing for a stride, didn’t fold on takeoff and we jumped around positively.

We ended by jumping a small course of fences which included the water complex, the bank, two roll tops, palisade, log and step, helsinki steps, rails and a steeplechase fence.

It was good to work on my position and I took away some valuable advice. I rode a hole shorter than normal and definitely felt more secure. A lovely day, Bugsy was a little star and we’re really looking forward to the June Series.

Saturday 23rd April – Badminton Horse Trials

An amazing day and a real treat to walk the course with Nick. It was really interesting to have so much explained from such an experienced rider/trainer. It was my first time at Badminton and I was amazed at how technical the combinations were. The drops were huge and the skinny fences really narrow. It just proves how fit, accurate and focused both horse and riders have to be.

The grass roots courses looked amazing and both Alex and I share the ambition of qualifying and riding around there one day.

I’d just like to say a special thank you to Sara, from Shelley and I for organising such a wonderful day.

Friday 26th April – SJ Practice with Nick

After a quick brief and warm up we started with shortening and lengthening the stride in canter. Bugsy was responsive and on his best behaviour. We popped a few jumps whilst still playing with lengthening and shortening the stride. I instantly felt rhythm on approach and upon landing and even if we didn’t quite get the right stride, it didn’t seem to matter. We jumped around a course of 90cm in practice for our first affiliated event. I was really pleased and it was so encouraging to receive such positive comments from Nick.

I will be attending more SJ Clinics with Nick in May & June, the XC Series in June at Carlton and will continue to be putting in lots of work ready for our first affiliated event in June.

Sarah Orr

Tags: Badminton Horse Trials, Carlton Cross Country, Nick Turner