Mark Cavell???

[eventers4eva]

Hi Please can anyone tell me anything about him? He's doing a water schooling/xc clinic at Osberton in Feb. Does anyone know what this is before I ring up? Sounds interesting but I am looking for an overall xc clinic not just water although working through various approaches/combinations would be great. Also what sort of level he teaches? I ride my horse at Intermediate so he would need to be challenged somewhat but I also have some green/baby horses who need to do something.

Any info greatly received as never heard of him before. Thanks x

 

[SamuelWhiskers]

Hi there, the water schooling at Osberton is in a large stream/ v small river, they start off by going through it, its quite deep, then they build small jumps, going in, through water and jump out the other side, till this is built up to a decent size with blocks. There is also a running water ditch there to school over, then on down to a traditional water complet with log and 3 steps down to water, and also a telegraph pole you actually jump in the water. So yes, mainly xc water! Mark is very good, he's an experience eventer, can't remember which level! If this works, these are the pics of when my horse was 6yo, water schooling at osberton!

He does push people and will give indiviual attention, often a number of "level" clinics run on the same day, so i'd ring, Osberton has some meaty xc (as you no doubt know!)

Hope this helps!

You can just see the telegraph pole that you jump in the water in this one too....

Its really good fun! and you jump some xc on way from river to the steps etc, Mark pushes you on!

 

[eventers4eva]

looks good. Thanks for that. May see if space to take a couple then. p.s. youre horse is lovely!

 

[SamuelWhiskers]

Tis good fun,

i'm sure you'll enjoy! Thankies.....he's not at the mo...damn this weather!

 

[BronsonNutter]

He's my yard owner

The water schooling complex has three ditches (a double, and one with water running through it), a series of steps, a drop fence into water and several 'normal' cross country fences, as well as the river. There's been a water tray down there for a while now aswell.
He's a fab instructor for both flatwork and jumping, and used to event to (I think) advanced level - had Tom Quigley before Polly Stockton had him.

I don't have as many pics as samuelwhiskers, but here's one of the 'normal' fences:

and one into the water:

'scuse the shirt and tie, was PC camp

 

[KatB]

Would the water schooling be good for a baby to gain confidence?

 

[BronsonNutter]

[ QUOTE ]
Would the water schooling be good for a baby to gain confidence?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, as long as you mention you're only on a youngster they should put you in a group with people who're only going to be jumping fairly small at first (I'm assuming you're wanting to go to one of the clinics too, rather than a private lesson type thing?) Mark tends to build everything in the water very simply at first - ie. crosspole is a long way from the water, before it get's gradually brought in, before it get's bigger, then something on the other side

The fences in and around the river are all rustic poles too, so it doesn't matter if baby horses get their legs in a mess - as long as the poles don't float too far downstream...
I hope you don't mind me answering that!

Also, the pictures of me doing the waterschooling were from my second time jumping xc on that pony, having only ridden her for a few weeks at that point - if I can do it on a (relatively) green pony then anyone can

 

[KatB]

Thats great, thank you!

She is pretty brave when she gets the idea, but is still very suspicious of water

Will definitely store that as an idea if necessary, though hopefully will be able to get her "water proofed" with the facilities I have at the yard.

Sounds fab though