Schoolmaster/training 'holiday'?

[Embo]

Hi all, wondering if anyone has any advice, experiences or recommendations.

My riding is, frankly, pretty awful. I have regular lessons with a dressage instructor and with an eventer. I can get my horse to go, but I'm not graceful and not especially effective... really my horse and I should be starting lateral work - well, he HAS started, but I'm trying to play catch-up and its not working.

So as it's coming into the quieter months I'd really like to go off to boot-camp.

I'd rather not have a block of lessons at home (although it's an option), I really want to go and ride schoolmasters on a 'holiday' type basis where you stay for a week and have at least 2 lessons per day. I'd like to develop and improve my riding without worrying too much about what the horse is doing.

I've looked online and have found plenty that are abroad - they look fabulous, but including flights it works out too expensive. So ideally I'd like to go somewhere in the UK. I'm in South East/Kent so prefer something not too far away from me if possible.

So - any recommendations, please? Thanks in advance

 

[Pinkvboots]

Not really a holiday destination but here in Hertfordshire there is a place called contessa they have horses you can have lessons on that do high level dressage, I have not been there myself but know people that have and they rated it, you could book a hotel in St Albans and stay there for a few nights there is plenty there to do as it is a city.

just thought the only other place is oldencraig but have no idea what it's like or of what the area is like.

 

[ester]

I went to pen llyn in wales this year and had a fab time, I don't think there are many places with quite so many well schooled horses (not all lusos) that they will also let you have a play on and do the more collected work etc (with a bit of help on the ground!)

Granted a long way for you though but nice scenery and fab pub if you want a quiet week.

http://www.lusitanocymru.co.uk/

 

[Embo]

Thanks, both.

Ester, I'm very open to any suggestions at this point. Of course the closer the place the better, but equally I don't mind going slightly further afield for the right place!

 

[ester]

It was a fair drive for me (near salisbury) but I just visited a couple of horsey friends, one in malvern on the way there and forest of dean on the way back

 

[Embo]

Not really a holiday destination but here in Hertfordshire there is a place called contessa they have horses you can have lessons on that do high level dressage, I have not been there myself but know people that have and they rated it, you could book a hotel in St Albans and stay there for a few nights there is plenty there to do as it is a city.

just thought the only other place is oldencraig but have no idea what it's like or of what the area is like.

Having asked my dressage trainer last night, he also recommended Contessa (he said he knows Tina quite well) so definitely worth looking into. Hertfordshire is around 1hr40mins drive so it's not bad at all. Especially as my plan would be to stay a few days in a hotel/B&B.

Trainer said to avoid Oldencraig

 

[Wheels]

Can't really help with the schoolmaster lessons and staying away etc. but if your current instructors are not helping you develop your seat and effectiveness then maybe it's time to look elsewhere?

If you enjoy your lessons then you could stay with the dressage trainer and then also take lessons from a position specialist but really it's not good enough if your current trainers are not helping every aspect of your riding and the position and effectiveness should most definitely not be left off the sylabus!!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Having asked my dressage trainer last night, he also recommended Contessa (he said he knows Tina quite well) so definitely worth looking into. Hertfordshire is around 1hr40mins drive so it's not bad at all. Especially as my plan would be to stay a few days in a hotel/B&B.

Trainer said to avoid Oldencraig

I would definately recommend staying in St Albans even if it's just for a few nights it's a lovely place with really good restaurants and bars and we love the shops, we often have a night out there as we are not that far away, let us know where you decide to go

 

[ester]

oldencraig hasn't had good reports from a few on here.

 

[wkiwi]

So as it's coming into the quieter months I'd really like to go off to boot-camp.
I'd rather not have a block of lessons at home (although it's an option), I really want to go and ride schoolmasters on a 'holiday' type basis where you stay for a week and have at least 2 lessons per day. I'd like to develop and improve my riding without worrying too much about what the horse is doing.

I think block lessons on your own horse would be the best idea, as it will help you develop the partnership. Sounds like you would benefit from lunge lessons, just working on position and how to interact effectively with your horse. But if you wanted a change then why not take horse with you to somewhere not too far away? Maybe somewhere commutable from home - there are lots of excellent instructors in South East (I will give a plug here for my landlady, Carol Green, who is BHSI with bucket loads of experience in all disciplines, and very kind instructor) which would save B&B money, plus or minus leaving your horse at the venue (or staying somewhere with you and your horse - take a friend and have a few days fully horse immersed, but with your own horse).
Just an idea.

PS - if you wanted a boot camp experience, I am sure that we could provide that! Plus any theory lectures on anything too (I am a vet who has published material on equine behaviour).

 

[milliepops]

If you're up for travelling I've heard positive stories about the schoolmasters at Summerhouse in Gloucester: jumping and dressage

http://www.summerhouseec.co.uk/prestigehorses.asp

I think going somewhere where there is a range of horses sounds like a good idea if you want a couple of lessons in a day. I've only ever had schoolmaster lessons where I go for training on my own horses, but they only have one horse available.

 

[Hannahgb]

Luke Baber-Davies does bootcamp with your own horse. He is based in chailey- Chailey Stud so not far from you. Im sure theres plenty of places for you stay locally and your horse could stay at his yard. I train with him and the difference in me and my horse is enormous!

 

[Embo]

oldencraig hasn't had good reports from a few on here.

Yes, I have read some of the reviews

Can't really help with the schoolmaster lessons and staying away etc. but if your current instructors are not helping you develop your seat and effectiveness then maybe it's time to look elsewhere?

If you enjoy your lessons then you could stay with the dressage trainer and then also take lessons from a position specialist but really it's not good enough if your current trainers are not helping every aspect of your riding and the position and effectiveness should most definitely not be left off the sylabus!!

Thanks, but I never said current trainers aren't helping - just that I'm a bit rubbish! They do what they can, but they can only do so much in the 45mins once per week I see them. My horse and I are making (slow) progress, but I want some intensive training on a schoolmaster to boost my riding without worrying what the horse is doing.

I would definately recommend staying in St Albans even if it's just for a few nights it's a lovely place with really good restaurants and bars and we love the shops, we often have a night out there as we are not that far away, let us know where you decide to go

I've sent a message to Contessa so will see what they say! Thank you

 

[Embo]

I think block lessons on your own horse would be the best idea, as it will help you develop the partnership. Sounds like you would benefit from lunge lessons, just working on position and how to interact effectively with your horse. But if you wanted a change then why not take horse with you to somewhere not too far away? Maybe somewhere commutable from home - there are lots of excellent instructors in South East (I will give a plug here for my landlady, Carol Green, who is BHSI with bucket loads of experience in all disciplines, and very kind instructor) which would save B&B money, plus or minus leaving your horse at the venue (or staying somewhere with you and your horse - take a friend and have a few days fully horse immersed, but with your own horse).
Just an idea.

PS - if you wanted a boot camp experience, I am sure that we could provide that! Plus any theory lectures on anything too (I am a vet who has published material on equine behaviour).

Thanks, this is something I have also considered. My reasoning for going to ride schoolmasters is that I can just concentrate on me. My horse is schooled fairly regularly by a friend and he goes beautifully, so I feel like I hinder his progess somewhat, if that makes sense? So in my head I feel my horse and I would BOTH benefit from me going to ride the schoolmasters, with a view to doing a boot-camp together at some point afterward.

Thank you for the suggestion, though, I will look into it!

Luke Baber-Davies does bootcamp with your own horse. He is based in chailey- Chailey Stud so not far from you. Im sure theres plenty of places for you stay locally and your horse could stay at his yard. I train with him and the difference in me and my horse is enormous!

Yes, thanks, I know of the Chailey stud. I will have a look!

If you're up for travelling I've heard positive stories about the schoolmasters at Summerhouse in Gloucester: jumping and dressage

http://www.summerhouseec.co.uk/prestigehorses.asp

I think going somewhere where there is a range of horses sounds like a good idea if you want a couple of lessons in a day. I've only ever had schoolmaster lessons where I go for training on my own horses, but they only have one horse available.

Thank you, I will look into them. Variety of horses & opportunity for jumping lessons as well would be great!

 

[milliepops]

Thanks, but I never said current trainers aren't helping - just that I'm a bit rubbish! They do what they can, but they can only do so much in the 45mins once per week I see them. My horse and I are making (slow) progress, but I want some intensive training on a schoolmaster to boost my riding without worrying what the horse is doing.

I'm sure you're actually not rubbish but I do think you're probably doing the right thing - it's definitely possible to learn things and teach a horse at the same time (I've done it ) but it's downright hard work and you make a lot of mistakes before getting it right. I think you will (hopefully) find that you make a bit of a leap by riding a horse that knows the ropes so you can work on YOU for a few days.