Part of the desire of creating this Blog is to share some knowledge and understanding that we have gathered over the years. Everything I know I have gathered from other people and sources. The same opportunity is available to you. There are a lot of avenues for learning out there; many of them are free!
Here are some that I recommend!
# The obvious one! Get yourself a good coach (or coaches) that you can have regular contact with. I have Emma Flavelle, Glenn Pearce and Guy Creighton. All have been to the top in their chosen discipline and importantly, suit my way of learning and style of riding.
# Read – magazine articles, online articles, facebook posts, blogs!
# Watch your fellow competitors – What is it that they do that enables them to have success? Look at their technique and how they tackle the different challenges. (It can also make you realise that everyone is human!)
# Look at photos and videos – there are plenty online! What is it about that person’s position that makes them look good? How did they approach that fence that enabled them to do it well?
# Ask and Listen! I will often ask fellow competitors what they have done with a particular horse in order to get it to its current level. On many occasions I have taught at a clinic and asked a fellow instructor what they did with a pupil we share in the hope it would enable me to do a better job. There are too many people that I have leant from for me to mention individuals here.
Understand that gaining knowledge is a long and slow process. More often than not I will read an article or watch a clip and it is nothing that I have not seen before. But it reinforces so many key principles or reminds me of something that I have not considered for a while. Maybe it will be worded in a way that enables me to understand it better. Hence, I am learning and seeking to improve all the time.
We are all on the path to improving our riding and horsemanship. Being intentional in learning is one way to ensure that happens. I hope our blog can be a little educational or at the least entertaining for you, so that it contributes to your journey.
Cheers,
Brett.