Spring Training season commences

It seems like flooding and downpours are the thing of the past in the UK and the first day of our 2014 training adventures at Cullinghood Equestrian Centre welcomed us with beautiful sunshine and warm, gentle wind 🙂

Intensive Training Day at Aspire Development Programme level

New for 2014 – Introducing Aspire Equestrian Getaways: Tuscany ’14

It’s been my goal for Aspire Equestrian to organise short training getaways that bring together hard work on own riding skills in lesson environment and the pure joy of being around horses in most natural way – looking after them and riding out in beautiful countryside.

Here is the first one of, hopefully, many such breaks! There are 6 places available in total. 3 are already taken, 3 are still up for grabs. If we have a lot of interest and there is a possibility to have a bigger group, I will look into it but for now, we are starting small 

RIDING & HORSE TIME

Total hours: approx. 14+ hours in the saddle + 4 hours In-hand training + 4 hours of off-horse training + horse care time as per your wishes

1) Daily Aspire Training Sessions with myself (working on horse’s straightness, suppleness and correct biomechanics as well as on own use of body as a rider. Adjusted to levels of the riders and horses. Use of video feedback for awareness training).

2) 3 x Challenging HALF-A-DAY Trail Rides over varied Tuscan countryside. Plenty of hills and tracks to explore. Both fast and slower options available. Well mannered horses. Fit and fun. For fitness and for joy of life 🙂

3) Each rider to receive 2 private lessons with myself during the stay. Focus on your seat, effectiveness, improvement of given horse on given day.

4) Opportunity to fully look after the allocated horse throughout the stay, muck in and out, feed, groom, make friends and prepare the horse for training and trail rides (with supervision). This was important to me so I was looking for a place where riders could get involved fully. 

Mark your diaries: 12-17 June 2014 (Thu-Tue).

Please click the poster image below to enlarge it and read the print easily. If you feel like you would love to join us, email Wiola at aspire @ outlook . com for update on availability, costs and booking conditions. Beginner riders with aspirations to become sympathetic and effective riders also welcome.

All updates on this Getaway will be posted on the ASPIRE 2014 GETAWAY: TUSCANY page at https://aspireequestrian.wordpress.com/aspire-2014-getaway-tuscany/ (please see main menu at the top of the blog page)

Aspire Coaching Weekend 17-19 May 2013. Photo Snippets.

Learning turn on the forehand in-hand

Building awareness through visual feedback

Learning turn on the forehand in-hand

Ridden work after in-hand work. Using the knowledge from groundwork to achieve better gymnastic results

ESTIMA – AN EX-RACE HORSE RE-TRAINING VIDEO DIARY. Part 1: Meet Estima. Reflections on Posture, Crookedness and Way of Going.

Preface to the series: I am currently involved in training of 11 “project” horses belonging to a “breeder/dealer”.  Together with another Aspire Equestrian instructor, Magda, we would like to share the training journey of some of them. This series will take form of video diaries and reflections on the horses’ progress. The goal  is not to criticise any training methods or breeding choices but to document a no-gadgets, sympathetic yet purposeful training work we prefer. A way that is based on understanding the “why?” not just the “how to?”. This is also the kind of horse training we teach to all our riders. The main character in this series is a 5 year old, ex-racehorse mare – Estima. 

Put your legs up and join the journey – comments, views, observations always welcome. 

Wiola

www.aspire-equestrian.com

PART 1: Meet Estima

Five years old Estima has done very little since her racing days. At least very little as far as correct training goes.