Fear to Fun - A huge HIT!

Train with Dutch trainer and test ride with British Dressage Judge all in one session!!!

Dutch Dressage and Hack Up Bespoke are only 10 miles apart in Suffolk. The two leading men are now  blending the best of both equine nations to benefit local unaffiliated and affiliated dressage riders!  On the 21st June we held a highly successful clinic at Dutch Dressage near Finborough.  The combination of the Dutch dressage riding and training with the British Dressage judging skills went down like a STORM. Alex Gingell’s 8 year old BYRDS rider, pictured, was the youngest and first jockey to test the new concept that Alex and Okke had created over a very English cup of tea and slice of home baked cake, in the wonderful professional yard at Dutch Dressage. Mini Gingell declared their idea as FANTASTIC and was followed by lots more riders who felt the same way! By popular demand the next date was set straight away for the 10th August 2017.

The riders accepted that test riding often increased their fear factor resulting in much of the training they have invested time and money into going to waste, just when they need it most! So making the judge part of your training – was a logical suggestion, but not one that is common practice.

The day: Working-In without support – just like at a competition

Okke watched the riders work in as they would at a competition, without guidance – then he watched them test ride in a 20 x 40 end of the arena with the judge Alex Gingell sat at C. “Most of the riders who came were liveries to this pilot version, they therefore ride in this arena almost every day – in the main, their riding deteriorated hugely before they even entered at A! Then the test riding with the judge in place added another pressure – the fear factor was HUGE! Many of the horses were spooked by the bell and the car! Although a usual environment, making a change creates a real issue for many horses and their instincts. Being at a new venue can have much the same effect.

Talking Test Sheet!

After the first test the rider, trainer and judge all compare notes whilst fresh in all of their minds,  they identifed key areas that need developing, to prepare for an improved second test ride. Alex watches Okke train the horses, offering guidence as a judge as required. Making timely changes for the riders gave them a feel and a way of going that they then captured in their test riding.  Being a quick rider to train young horses is accepted as vital - but training humans just when they need it, is equally more effective.  Some horses Okke also jumped on, to help show the riders that their horses CAN do it – this has a huge effect on a riders ‘can do’ state of mind. When Okke is happy for the combination to ‘go again’ – he prepares to read out the test, indicates to Alex, Alex rings the bell and test two begins. “To train a rider and improve their skills and confidence at home is something that us trainers see progressively. But to have the opportunity to add on a competition pressure really gave me a clear insight on what areas each rider needs help with when they are under pressure.– if done regularly this method will actually prepare them to compete and have FUN and remove the FEAR for both horse and human. Riders who were waiting for their times sat in the car with Alex and heard what he said for each movement, they were seeing corners in circles and odd sizes and shape movements, which showed them more than if they were just riding.

NEW FOR THE 10th AUGUST 2017 • VIDEO YOUR TEST RIDE 1 v 2 - see your improvement and keep it for future reference. • USE THE FULL ARENA TO WARM UP IN • WARMING-IN  TRAINING • 40mins PER HORSE AND RIDER COMBINATION • £35.00 EACH SESSION