Hattikins
Well-Known Member
Well yesterday i took the ginger monster to the coaching development training day at golden cross, and i cant speak highly enough of the trainers or the day itself
This particular day was being taken by Nick Turner and Phillip Surl. Groups A and B (i was in A) were taken all day by Nick, and groups C and D were taken all day by Phillip.
We started with a general friendly upbeat introduction to the day, then Groups A and B went to walk the course set up in the arena. Then Group A rode and B stood with Nick and watched us ride. (then viceversa) The course was fantastic, all very technical but kept low to start with . Few fences but Plenty of tricky lines, angles, corner, skinnies and 101 different possible courses! (dont want to give too much away if other people are going to one of these days!) It was all really interesting and very good for Hattie - couldnt believe how much she has grown up - didnt bat an eyelid at the skinny - no wiggles!! and Nick sussed me out so quickly! he'd recognised all my faults and was brilliant at getting me to work out the problem an giving me possible solutions to correct them
He saw that i was far too focussed on the fence and tending to dictate too much to Hattie in the final strides, so as i came into a line of angled fences he stood several paces to the left of the first one and as i approached the first element he held up his hand and asked me how many fingers he was holding up, then changed them and asked me again so i had to take my focus off the fence - it was a really good exercise for me because it made me realise that as i long as i gave hattie the correct approach, in the final strides it was up to her to clear the fence and not up to me to "strangle" her!! very very useful and great to get ideas from a different trainer
Then in the afternoon Groups A and B did several hours of theory which was sooooo interesting, Nick talked about everything; fitness of the horse (and of the rider
), safety (body protectors and hats), stopwatch use, he used videos to look at the position of famous riders at big venues XC, cooling off horses after the XC, illegal drugs etc etc. there was so much information
It was a really fantastic day, both Phillip and Nick were very approachable and extremely talkative
We have all encouraged them to do more of these days, and also some just theory sessions as they were really useful
im always a little dubious about training days but this has completely changed my views on them, the CDT have done an awesome job and i hope the programme is a huge success and grows and grows so that more people can have the opportunity be taught by these trainers and others on the programme
hope that was helpful and didnt make you doze off
We started with a general friendly upbeat introduction to the day, then Groups A and B went to walk the course set up in the arena. Then Group A rode and B stood with Nick and watched us ride. (then viceversa) The course was fantastic, all very technical but kept low to start with . Few fences but Plenty of tricky lines, angles, corner, skinnies and 101 different possible courses! (dont want to give too much away if other people are going to one of these days!) It was all really interesting and very good for Hattie - couldnt believe how much she has grown up - didnt bat an eyelid at the skinny - no wiggles!! and Nick sussed me out so quickly! he'd recognised all my faults and was brilliant at getting me to work out the problem an giving me possible solutions to correct them
Then in the afternoon Groups A and B did several hours of theory which was sooooo interesting, Nick talked about everything; fitness of the horse (and of the rider
It was a really fantastic day, both Phillip and Nick were very approachable and extremely talkative
hope that was helpful and didnt make you doze off
