Lionel Dunning- anyone heard of him?

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Cinders

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An EC about 40mins away is running clinics with Lionel Dunning on friday and i'm in two minds whether to go or not. Originally planned to go but it's £30 for a 30 min individual lesson which seems quite pricey and i'm tempted to go SJ instead at £6 a class
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Think we would really benefit from a lesson though so has anyone had him before? Is he any good, as i've personally never heard of him before.
 
he was a pretty efficient showjumper in his day, british team and all. i think the good horse was called Jungle Bunny which shows how long ago it was as the politically correct would probably not let you register it as a name now.
 
Lionel is great, £30 is very reasonable imo - I'd go!!
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He was jumping the same time as my first OH - might have been on the same teams even - might go and look it up...
 
I think you will find it money well worth spent. I had a lesson with him about 12 years ago and learnt so much. I didn't realise he was still going! Showing my age now!!!!!
 
Was at dinner with him once when he told us lots of gossip!!

He had a really bad accident and wore a helmet in the days when they were not usual.

He was among the top riders in his day.
 
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He had a really bad accident and wore a helmet in the days when they were not usual.



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Had one weak leg through injury if I remember rightly - never seemed to hold him back though and he has done his fair share of books and clinics. Should be well worth going.
 
I remember Jungle Bunny - was a spot on name for that horse - it was quite slight and had an amazing ping. You are right about the hat - I can picture him now wearing full harness and no one else doing so at the time. I think he had a very nasty fall and was in a coma - racking my brains but can't remember any more than that!

He has a massive amount of knowledge to pass on. He has taught all over the world, and is a qualified instructor, not just a professional extending his career by teaching.
 
he had a very bad fall, iirc a pole hit him on the head after he'd fallen and he had to be given c.p.r. because he died at the scene, and was then in a coma for a while. he always wore a good hat with harness when everyone else was still wearing beaglers! his wife used to sj to a high level too iirc, Pam Dunning. he's been training eventers and sjers since retiring, i believe.
 
Lionel Dunning and his wife Pam wrote a book called Riding School must be nearly 20 years ago and it was really good, it was the only book I used as my bible at that time. I think his son Ben still competes.

Definately worth a lesson or going to watch, the horse Jungle Bunny was an absolute star.

Good Luck
 
He used to do a lot of dealing about 10 years ago. I nearly bought a horse through him. He was always advertising in H&H, not sure how long ago he stopped.
 
thanks for all your replies, didn't expect so many!

He sounds really good, will definitely ring up tomorrow and try and get a place.

cr81327- it's at Caistor EC, Lincolnshire
 
both lionel and pam were cracking riders....and had a few good horses..

jungle bunny comes to mind for lionel..quirky type..

pam had a lovely horse called roscoe who she sadly lost at hickstead.....
 
Showing my age too!

He was a fabulous SJ and also had a big tack shop - used to have a stand at Burghley every year.

He used to live in a village near me - Brant Broughton in Lincolnshire - don't know if he's still there.

He's very good mates with the (ex) vet Robert Morris - quite a few stories there I believe......!

Any training from him would be well worth it.
 
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but it's £30 for a 30 min individual lesson which seems quite pricey and i'm tempted to go SJ instead at £6 a class
tongue.gif

Think we would really benefit from a lesson though

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One of my biggest niggles this......people who can find money for entry fees but not training.

(Just a general observation & not having a go at you Cinders - I did take note of the smiley!!)
 
My friend trains with both Pam & Lionel on a regular basis & he has helped her a huge amount, I know she would certainly recommend him. Very friendly couple.
 
[ QUOTE ]
An EC about 40mins away is running clinics with Lionel Dunning on friday and i'm in two minds whether to go or not. Originally planned to go but it's £30 for a 30 min individual lesson which seems quite pricey and i'm tempted to go SJ instead at £6 a class
tongue.gif


Think we would really benefit from a lesson though so has anyone had him before? Is he any good, as i've personally never heard of him before.

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Thanks for adding this post, it reminded me of the book I used to have and lost years ago, I have now bought the up to date copy off Ebay.
 
As others have said, a real name (and personality) from the golden era of showjumping. His horse Jungle Bunny (you'd NEVER get away with THAT today lol!) and his full harness hat were the things that made him stick out from the crowd...and yes, I believe his son Ben is still on the circuit these days
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It's only 30 quid...give it a go
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Are you sure that Ben Dunning is Lionels son - I didn't think he was as he is local to Southampton. Are there 2 Ben Dunnings jumping?
 
Years ago (an I mean years) I had a few lessons with Lionel on my ponies, all I can say is brilliant. He used to always park next to us at Newark EC and would have a good old laugh with you and he would come and warm myself and the pony up before out class, I'm sure he waved a magic wand. A really nice chap, his son Ben is SJ...........

Which EC.................
 
I went there as a working pupil many years ago. Lets just say what went on then would never happen now. The stories i could tell....................

Ben Dunning is not his son, Lionels son no longer competes. Hasn't for a long time.
 
Zebedee- fair point! Agree with you but at the time of the post i didn't realise he was such a famous SJer and i'd hate to pay £30 and not get anything out of the session but i know you weren't pointing that comment at me lol

Thanks everyone, have booked my session and really looking forward to it now, hopefully we'll learn lots!

Heidi1- it's at Caistor EC they have a website if you google it.
 
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