Gainfield March 3^rd 2010

 Developing the Young Instructor

                                                                 Priorities;

·        Knowing the scales of training

·        What are they?

      RHYTHM- SUPPLENESS-CONTACT

IMPULSION-STRAIGHTNESS-COLLECTION

·        Understanding the need to establish sound basics.-

·        What are they?

·         The riders ability to maintain an easy control;

·        A rider who can sit straight with a secure yet supple and effective seat.

·        The ability to ride forward into two reins and control a steady neck position.

·        Horses should demonstrate a confident and easy balance whilst maintaining a good swing and consistent rhythm throughout all transitions and movements.

·        How can we achieve this?

·        Continuously developing and improving the balance of both horse and rider

·        Pony Club Tests -their value to The Young Rider

·        Why?

·        To be sure riders have an understanding of basic care of the horse and pony, safety around them and an interest in their well being alongside their own ambitions for their riding.

·        How?                  

    Try to;

·        Keep it Fun! –be encouraging

·        Use positive reinforcement –It `s a long road ahead!

·        Give riders ideas to take home with renewed confidence.

·        Ultimately to inspire riders to understand the need to develop feel in order to be a true horseman.

·        Integrity and patience is the key to developing consistency-  essential for the building blocks necessary for successful and progressive development of both horse and the rider

·        Respect the ambitions of the rider in front of you and promote the enjoyment of horse ownership rather than seeing only your aspirations and desires as a trainer

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The Pony Club

–The Largest Youth Equestrian Organisation in the World!

The P.C objectives:

·        to encourage young people to ride and to learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with horses and riding

·        to give instruction in riding and horsemastership and to educate Members to look after and to take proper care of their animal *

·        to promote the highest ideals of sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty to create strength of character and self-discipline

Care of the Pony Club Horse or Pony

 We do ride for fun BUT the management of horses and ponies does require knowledge, self discipline and organisation.

We must emphasise that knowledge of CARE of the horse and pony is a TOP Priority!

The Pony Club has never had a more important role to play in ensuring the understanding of horse management and horsemanship skills

We must not underestimate the responsibility we have to the horse to protect its welfare!

          Key Characteristics of a good Pony Club Instructor

• Pony Club Testing System- its value and structure

• Carry with you all of the current testing cards - be familiar with the various tests and their requirements. 

• STAND- SPEAK – DRESS - Good self image. Smart turnout and good posture- is essential for conveying confidence in all those around you

• Clarity – start with clear aims with achievable goals

• Communication skills – be flexible in your teaching style and be prepared to try various methods in order to get your message across.

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Assessment   - Start with observing and listening- involve your riders in discussion

• THE INABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IS A RESULT OF FAILING TO LISTEN EFFECTIVELY!

• Perform at your authentic best with plenty of positive reinforcement.

• Constructive criticism partnered with affirmative action ensures a positive outcome.

• Confidence- to instil self belief into those lacking it.

• Developing your eye for detail – whether you are taking the very youngest of riders or the most Senior - instilling into every member the need to aspire to getting those basics right.

• Recognising Members achievements by their effort and their test passes.

• Consistency- do not be afraid of repetition it builds rider and pony confidence particularly in the very young.

• Integrity – be sensitive to those who might be struggling with issues outside the riding arena
• Encouragement and fun!  We do ride for fun after all!

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Mini Riders

Ensure time for basic housekeeping for horse, rider and equipment.

• It is essential to spend time on the small details and reward those who do.
• All our youngest riders should arrive leading their ponies (correctly) into the arena with an assistant close at hand.
• WARM UP (OF RIDERS!)  Stretch exercises to physically and mentally relax  the riders
• Each rider should be asked individually to go to the mounting block and with assistance, demonstrate the ability to check their girths before correctly mounting and take their stirrups without looking down or handling them!
• The rest of the ride should stand at a sensible distance from each other in line-handler on the opposite side to the rider.
• Fidgety and unsettled ponies may need to be to the end of the ride but should be educated to realise they must and will settle before work commences
• Each rider returns to a place in the ride once mounted.
• Introduce yourself
• Each rider introduces themselves
• Encouragement should be given to discuss their ponies with you (although often shy to talk about themselves they will often be most happy to tell you about their ponies) their riding and any problems they may need help with.
•  The emphasis should be on reassuring them that they are here to have fun and in order for everyone to have fun, listening closely to you and doing exactly what you tell them will ensure this.
• Team building starts here – respect for the other riders needs, as well as their own, there could be a need for an instant response – make them aware that every one has to look out for each other.
• Discuss distances whether too close or too distant.
• Position check-
• The lesson should then commence in a small marked out area with clear props to clarify the working area and to determine points for steering.
  • The younger the ride the more props you need!
• Once the entire ride is mounted the usual tack check etc should be undertaken down the line.( unless already done)
•  Your role will always be, at whatever level or whatever discipline, to ensure riders maintain maximum
• Exercises in controlling without pulling and losing balance through transitions and circles- giving numbers to help develop variation in a gait.
• Transitions without pulling – “Magic aids”
• No-stirrup work when appropriate
• The thought aid- lots of use-
• “Get in the groove with your ponies mind!”

Value Your Self- You are a Success!

SUCCESS IS DOING WHAT YOU LOVE AND MAKING A LIVING OUT OF IT!

                                                                   American proverb

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Riding is a risk sport – understand that and protect yourself with knowledge and developed experience

If we can achieve this

ALL riders should be able to enjoy safely the pleasure of horsemanship and its true meaning.

 For the talented few these skills should offer a foundation from which they can develop into our future stars!

Our job is to reassure riders that through attention to detail they can develop safely to becoming the best they can possibly be.

           Riding is an art - an immense skill.

 For those who are successful it generally takes a life time. Being in too much of a hurry can destroy the opportunity to experience one of life’s most challenging but rewarding of sports.

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It is through positive reinforcement that riders will steadily progress to develop the feel required to be that rare creature- a skilled horsemen!

Think not “what can my horse/pony give to me but what can I give my horse/pony? “

·       Achieving more competence develops more confidence

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The love of the horse must be the life blood of the rider

The Way Learning Works

                   The process for learning develops through various stages;

Unconsciously incompetent- we all know some of those!

Happily doing everything badly- oblivious to their  long suffering equine friend having to compensate for their inabilities- they often find one horse who will be prepared to suffer them but their riding career usually comes to an abrupt end when they try it on another!

Consciously incompetent-After feeling the need to improve, the first stage is to start to identify the work that needs to be done- it can feel crushing at the time.

Consciously competent- you have a head ache at the end of training from concentrating so hard but feel great as you are starting to get it!

Unconsciously competent- what we see the best riders doing making it look so easy!

Once you reach one level it `s on to the next and the whole process begins again!

To move from stage to stage takes practise, practise, practise!