TRAINING &HORSE RIDING INSTRUCTION
Horse riding is a fulfilling hobby and an excellent way to keep fit and healthy.
When one comes into horse riding it is often just to own a horse and many just want to ride around with nothing else in mind. Once into the swing of things then other options open up like show jumping, showing, dressage or eventing.
Unfortunately there are no regulations in this business, anyone can buy a horse, open up a stable yard and call themselves an instructor. Make sure that you are taught correctly right from the start as bad habits are difficult to change.
When decision time comes and you decide on the avenue you want to take then you must ask the right questions to get to the desired effect. For example if you want to do show jumping then you visit the stable yards and see the level of riding and the level of instruction being given.
Ask questions:
A: What is the highest level that your pupils are jumping their horses?
B Ask to watch the lessons;
C: Most important: Ask
the instructor for their qualification and ask what height they have
jumped with their horse.
D: Check with Gauteng
Horse Society on the accuracy of the information you have been given
and if necessary ask for some kind of reference.
E: Look at the safety rules of the yard:
Hard hats at all times;
Supervised jumping at all times;
Novice level starts at 80cm and progresses to the ultimate height in show jumping which is international level of 1:50/60m. With the right horse and the right instruction this is possible to gain over a number of years.
If you buy a green horse (novice) that has not jumped then with progress the rider can progress up the grades and reach open grades within 3 years.
The level of riding in SA has
progressed over the last 10 years and our level of riding has improved
so much so that we are now capable of riding courses which are designed
for international level. The technicality of the courses is far more
difficult now than they were 4 years ago. Gauteng Horse Society brings
in international instructors from all over the world and SA’s
instructors have the opportunity of training and taking instruction
from these professionals.
If your instructor has not jumped
higher than 1:20m regularly then the chances are that they are not
capable of instructing to that level. If your instructor has no
qualifications and is not jumping regularly then again they are not
capable of getting the best results.
Many instructors say they are “A” level (Starts at Open 1:30m-1.50m) riders when they have not even jumped past D grade.
If you want to jump to junior level of 1:30 which is the old JA level then find out who are the instructors that are capable of instructing to that level. Ask for the names of the riders that they are currently instructing at that level.
Don’t listen to instructors berating other instructors, find out for yourself by doing your homework. There is nothing easier or more disgusting than an instructor slating another instructor, or another stable owner doing the same thing just to get the business. This is unethical behaviour.
This hobby is very expensive so make sure that you ask the right questions first time around.
Nicola Sime-Nel is responsible for all levels of show jumping and equitation tuition.
A Message From Nicola On Her FEI Training:
"It was a privilege for me to be able to attend a Level 1 FEI coaching course, presented by Gerry Mullins (IRL), who is the Chairman of the FEI working group. The aim of this group is to create a basic structure that can be used to organise our sport for us to attain a basic level of instruction. The course is financed by Olympic Solidarity.
We spent 4 very strenuous days going though the workshop and at the end of it we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves."
Here are some pictures from the course: (click to enlarge image)
She completed her FEI level 2 in 2009.
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