Topics:  Clinic, demo and classroom "horse talks".

From the Practice Ring to the Show Ring.

Five exercises to teach skills you'll need in the show ring, no matter what discipline you ride. Coach, columnist and judge, Lindsay Grice explains how these tools will improve every pattern, course or test.

Beyond the Round Pen and into the Show Ring.

Thinking like a horse makes training the show horse simpler, no matter what your discipline. Lindsay takes the science of equine behaviour beyond the insights of natural horsemanship. Giving you tools for the:

• Show ring
• Warm up ring
• Schooling ring

We trouble shoot (at the shows my horse whinnies⁄spooks⁄fears the crowded practice ring⁄ quits at the jumps⁄ has too much energy⁄ drifts towards the in–gate.)

Lindsay shares the lessons various horses she's trained have taught her. She discusses the difference between punishment and logical discipline and why the horse might give the wrong response to the amateur rider and not to the trainer, or in the show ring and not in the warm up ring. ("But he never does that at home!")

The Effective Rider – head to toe.

A head to toe description of the classic riding position (and the slight variations for hunter, western, and dressage disciplines). What part of my body controls what part of the horse? How can I give mixed messages⁄noisy cues to the horse? A humorous look at common rider faults⁄exaggerations. Lindsay's favourite practice tools for the eyes, hands, seat and legs.

The Thinking Rider: stepping up to the next level

Reaching your goals is like climbing a staircase…

Long term goals:

Do I want to compete? What are some alternative goals besides showing? Overcoming obstacles (fear, finances, time, talent). The Four T's of choosing the right horse to do the job.

Short term goals:

What's my weekly, daily plan? Save yourself time and trouble in each schooling session using science of equine behaviour. How to teach my horse a new skill step by step.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through the show program

The "hows" and "whys" of training and showing in classes such as…

•  
• 1.  Western pattern classes (western horsemanship⁄equitation, western riding⁄flying changes, competitive trail).
• 2.  English equitation patterns.
• 3.  Rail⁄flat classes (Hunter under saddle, the hack division, western pleasure).
• 4.  Working hunter (over fences).
• 5.  Showmanship ("dancing with your horse").
•  

Choosing a horse for this discipline, goal setting, class procedures, what the judge is looking for. From the training process to show ring presentation.

Making the most of your show day.

How to avoid butterflies, brainfreezes and blowups!

Warm up, mental preparation, safety tips, memorizing a course, ring strategy, troubleshooting, and tips for the "pit crew" (parents, spouses, coaches).

Schooling at home: Making your practice time count!

Does your training time need a creative game plan? Trotting around the same worn track (Need to fit the maximum skills into a minimum time budget) Lindsay lays out a logical schooling session based on science how horses learn. Repetition, attention span, reward, variety and choosing appropriate tack. Lindsay's favourite patterns for the horse and the rider to ban boredom! Adapting the session to the seasoned, green, or horse with an "issue". Save yourself time, trouble and trauma as you step toward your goal!

Bits, spurs, whips and martingales.

How to use them, or abuse them, and how to choose them.

Help! My horse is… bucking⁄spooking⁄ lazy⁄anxious⁄ a bully.

From an equine advice columnist, solutions for common rider woes. Using the tools of proven horse psychology, we get to the root of the problem. Tips for minor tune ups, and guidance for major renovations! Lindsay invites participants to share their puzzling situations and she will solve them looking at rider accuracy, timing, correction and reward, choice of tack, or environment.

The art of neck reining.

Power steering for your western horse! Hints on moving from a snaffle bit to a curb.

Show ring preparation.

"What Not to Wear!" Appropriate dress and tack… even on a budget! For western and English riders. Many small factors combine to get that winning look – turnout, confidence, show ring strategy. The difference between poise and pose.

The topics above can work in a lecture environment, demonstration round pen, or a large ring with multiple riders. I am very comfortable with adapting the principles to all disciplines and to non–competitive riders.