Ben Atkinson work/training?

[__am.elia]

After seeing Ben Atkinson perform 5 times and visiting his yard, it’s safe to say that I am absolutely hooked on what he does, and I would love to get more involved with the liberty and classical dressage world.

My ultimate goal is to do work experience with him (I have a compulsory 4 weeks of equine work experience as part of my uni degree to complete next year), so I was wondering if anyone has previously done work experience/training with the Atkinson Action Horses (or similar horsey people) and could tell me how to get into it? Or possibly even worked for them?

I have researched similar horse people like the AAH but most are just stunt riders, and that is the area I am least interested in - I am more interested in the trick training, liberty, dressage etc.
Or alternatively, if anyone knows of any good places to do equine work experience please let me know! Either around England with accommodation nearby, or must be near Hartpury university if no accommodation.

Thanks in advance!
Amelia

 

[Tori21]

have a look at pen lllyn lusitano stud, I think Janine works with Ben. They do liberty and classical dressage lessons, its a great place.

 

[__am.elia]

I have heard of them looks brilliant, thank you

 

[Courbette]

I had a brilliant trick riding session at The Company of Horsemen earlier this year. I rode their freisan Hessel and really enjoyed it. I also rode annually at Pen-Llyn for about 8 years during family holidays and would really recommend a trip there, I'm long over due a visit myself. They do classical riding and trick training (Spanish walk, bow etc).

I had a yard local to my parents that had a classical riding and liberty display team so it is an area I have always been interested in. The book Classical Circus Equitation edited by Sylvia Stainer gives a overview of how the author trained his horses for circus and liberty work. I think I picked my copy up from Amazon and it is lovely book if your interested in circus high school.

 

[hattie2525]

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think Ben himself teaches, he tends to point most people towards Janie at www.lusitanocymru.co.uk.
Most stunt groups will do liberty work though so just contact your nearest one, they might be able to help or give more contact details, its a very close knit community.

 

[alexomahony]

I got a lesson with Ben for a friend's 50th and it was fab - she couldn't walk for days muahaha! If I were you I'd message them directly via FB to discuss work experience options.

 

[ester]

Penn Llyn are still looking for working pupils atm
on the newish fb page
'Pen-Llyn Lusitano Stud and Riding Center'

I went about 4ish years ago, it was very interesting and helpful and did play at some in hand stuff too (plus it was nice to know that I could ride something other than a lazy welsh successfully!)

 

[__am.elia]

I got a lesson with Ben for a friend's 50th and it was fab - she couldn't walk for days muahaha! If I were you I'd message them directly via FB to discuss work experience options.

Wow I’m jealous! Would love to have a lesson with him I have asked his colleague Kat Pickering directly in person when I visited their yard, but unfortunately she said they probably wouldn’t do work experience as they are too busy I have also asked Ben via private message and he said it was possible but was best to email about it. I have emailed quite a few times ages ago but sadly never had a reply x

 

[__am.elia]

Penn Llyn are still looking for working pupils atm
on the newish fb page
'Pen-Llyn Lusitano Stud and Riding Center'

I went about 4ish years ago, it was very interesting and helpful and did play at some in hand stuff too (plus it was nice to know that I could ride something other than a lazy welsh successfully!)

Thank you - I would love to be a working pupil there if I could, but I’m at university and I’m not local to the Penllyn Stud, so I couldn’t dedicate my time to a live-in equine job as well as uni

 

[ester]

long holidays though? Pretty sure she will take people for a couple of weeks or more.

 

[__am.elia]

long holidays though? Pretty sure she will take people for a couple of weeks or more.

Ah ok, that’s an idea! Thank you