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Junior Academy |
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BSJA
North East Junior Academy
Easter Event At Holmside Hall
The first Academy event to be held at Holmside Hall was attended by 12
academy members and the day went extremely well ! The weather was
perfect and the large indoor arena has perfect going.
Charlene Dixon a brand new academy
member & Rachel Woolford passed their Proficiency Test under the
watchful eye of Philippa Mckeever who again kindly sponsored the fees
associated with this test. A special mention must go to Charlene who
was immaculately turned out !
The day kicked off with an hours
flatwork session with the members split into 3 groups where
Philippa ensured they focused on balance rhythm , even strides to make
distances easier and adequate control of their ponies & horses.
Philippa also worked on an even contact and the position of the
members.
The groups then moved into the
classroom and on to new goal setting for the season ahead -
what did they want to achieve in the short & longer term? What were
they good at now and what did they need to focus on ? Completion of
the log books ensured the members had something to refer back to when
they went home to practice
The older group also had a horse
anatomy session - with a 39 points of the horse test to
follow !! Heather Gore another new member scored an impressive 38/39
closely followed by Charlotte Telfor. Heather's prize is a £10
www.thehorsewardrobe.co.uk voucher.
Danielle Quigley kindly arranged 2
sessions on preparing for a show -from packing the wagon to
horse & rider preparation. This was a great interactive session with
the groups moving from a brainstorming exercise in the fully equipped
classroom to an actual wagon fully assembled for a show !
The day concluded with another intensive hours jumping in the 3
groups where riders again concentrated on riding a balanced 5 stride
distance down to different lines. This really demonstrated the
importance of a great approach, even stride to ensure perfect arrival
at the next fence. We had great feedback from both established and
newer members. Philippa coached tirelessly all day !
A special mention must go to another new member Sophie Napper who had
a fall in the morning and sprained her ankle and missed the rest of
the day - however a consolation prize of £10
www.thehorsewardrobe.co.uk voucher will hopefully help her
make a speedy recovery
Next event will hopefully be the May holiday week and an event in the
early summer hols where a guest coach is planned. I will keep you
posted !
In the meantime I hope you are all
doing well as we move into the outdoor season and I am sure you are
all looking forward to our Area's spring show at Richmond EC on 2 / 3
May (Sun & Mon) . There are classes for everyone, trophies and
sponsored classes and last year was really well attended.
Please contact Christina at anytime
if you have any queries - and don't forget to check out the exciting
new look area website - link in the the main BS website to see this
write up again and down load all of the schedules for the local shows
this summer.
Rachel Harriman with her pony Brie.
My name is Rachel Harriman I took part in another
memorable event with the BSJA North East Junior Academy held at
Stainsby Grange on the 14th April 2009.
My day started off with a flatwork lesson with accredited BSJA coach
Philippa McKeever. The lesson was based on improving rider balance.
Philipa did this by making me ride like a jockey with my reins bridged
and stirrups shortened by five holes. I had to ride in a forward seat
so I could improve my balance. It was hard to balance at first but I
soon got the hang of it. Once balanced I rode over trotting poles in
a figure of eight in the middle of the arena allowing Philippa to
assess how I could hold and remain in the same position while going
over trotting poles. Remaining in the forward seat we had to canter
down a distance over poles so Philipa could see if I was able to judge
a stride by either applying more leg pressure for longer strides or
closing the bridged reins to achieve a shorter canter stride. When I
was in control I had to canter over a small cross pole to prove I
could hold and remain still while in the forward position over the
fence. The lesson finished off with a cool down session.
My next session of the day was equine dentistry with Tim Baty. He
covered all the main points of dentistry for example the equipment,
names of teeth, tongue, how to tell your ponies age and much more. He
passed the equipment and some teeth around so we could see and feel
what they where like. He explained what the equipment was, why and
when it was used. Tim had horse’s skull to view so all the groups
could have a real good look at the teeth and mouth of a horse. This
made it more interesting and it enabled us to see things like wolf
teeth, teeth that had been shed and the bit seat. Tim explained where
hocks appear in the horse’s mouth and how the dentist will get rid of
them. The equine dentist was very interesting as it taught us new
things to help look after our ponies/horses.
At 12:00pm all the groups met up in the café for lunch which seemed to
go down extremely well!
After lunch all the groups did goal setting. This gave us the chance
to set goals on how we can improve our riding. Members had to set
short term goals ones that can be achieved in a few months time with
practice and also long term goals ones we are able to complete in the
future. This was also a chance for Philippa to check our progress with
members who had set goals before and wished to see if they had
achieved them.
Next was an optional pony makeover taken by Christina herself. She
gave members the opportunity of getting their manes pulled and she
explained to younger members how important the turnout of your pony is
when attending a show. Christina also gave out tips to help members
with white ponies to keep them clean.
This lesson was followed by a jumping session with Philippa Mckeever,
this was a hard session but no pain no gain right! We had to jump a
small course of fences whilst still riding like a jockey in the
forward seat. This really made us stay in the same position and not
unbalance the ponies. Once we could prove to Philippa that we were
balanced we were able to return to our normal riding seat. This
exercise really helped me to sit and wait for my pony to take off and
not get ahead of her. The day ended with a small BSJA quiz on rules so
junior members would have a better understanding of the rules when at
shows.
Overall it was another fun day of learning with the North East Junior
Academy and I know I enjoyed it. I have to say huge thanks from all
the members to Christine Foley for organising these events, to
Philippa Mckeever who has really helped improve my riding along with
many other Academy members and to everyone else who made the day a
success.
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WIN A VOUCHER FROM
THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF SADDLERS
Over the next two academy days our lead coach Phillippa Mckeever will
be watching out for our most outstanding member and awarding a voucher
from the worshipful company of saddlers.
The criteria for this award will be :
- Junior Academy members who have attended at least 3
events at the academy,
- Shown commitment to improvement.
- Have documented their progress in their log book & can
evidence they have reached some of their goals.
- Improved their ponies/horses way of going and have shown
star quality.
Cristina Foley will send a log book out on email for all of those
juniors attending the next event at Easter time so they can tidy up
your logs you have been recording to date and for the next goal
setting session.
Please take time to review the goals which you originally set in your
files at the first Academy day and document what you have now achieved
- start writing up your results for Philippa.
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Junior
Academy North East Grant Application
Our area have received some excellent news in the form
of a grant of £2000 for our Junior academy from theBSJA. This funding
will ensure that we can continue supporting the development of our
Junior riders in theNorth East going forward.
Peter and the committee would like to extend their
thanks to Christina Foley, whose tireless efforts in setting up and
co-ordinating the academy have resulted in the grant being awarded. |
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Alan
Fazakerley Training Day.
 
Above left, 138 cms group - L to R - Charlotte Eagles, Phoebe Powell &
Millie Allen
Above right, horse group - L - R - Ashley Mitchell, Vicki Hurry &
Holly Rogers
21 North East Junior Academy Members took part in the Alan
Fazakerly Training day at Stainsby Grange Equestrian Centre on Friday
2nd January, getting the new year of to a great start with some first
class coaching sessions from the Great Britain Junior European Gold
Medal Team Coach Alan Fazakerly.
The Juniors were split into 7 groups of 3 based on height, grade and
experience of pony & rider to ensure maximum benefit from Alan's
coaching over an hour long session. The first session took place at
9.30am and the last juniors were slotted in at 4.30PM. Alan was
certainly kept busy all day!
Each group were put through their paces on the flat to begin with,
firstly working on warming up correctly and ensuring their pony or
horse was listening to them. Alan used 2 poles placed in a "v" on the
ground and a cone to introduce some lateral work and correct bend. The
riders were encouraged to Leg yield away from the poles, and a series
of half halts were used to improve suppleness, responsiveness
& correct head carriage.
Alan stressed the need to practice better flatwork and obedience to
ensure the jumping part was made as easy as possible. He reminded
pupils that 99% of the time they were on the ground and moving between
fences in a course and that required great skill through plenty of
flatwork practice to gain a rhythmic balanced canter that didn't alter
either before or after each fence.. "Aides are your language to your
horse" and teaching new things such as lateral work were like "new
Words" they had to lean to improve communication. He encouraged each
rider to think of themselves as a "trainer rather than just a
passenger".
Many of the ponies & horses needed to improve their rhythm and be more
relaxed on approach to and after a fence and a simple technique of
cantering over a pole in a nice outline without the pony rushing or
changing the pace helped reinforce this concept.
Alan also encouraged the juniors to focus on ensuring a correct bend
out of corners between fences and not to accept ponies coming around
bent to the outside or bucking or rushing. He advised the riders
to circle in the corners whilst practising at home or in lessons to
regain the correct bend and canter rhythm. All of these exercises will
make the ponies and horses easier to ride and he added - "more
attractive to potential buyers in the future if the pony looked a
nice, easy and correct ride through good schooling at home"
Alan also reminded the groups not to forget to lavish plenty praise on
their mounts after doing something well !
Overall it was another day of learning for our academy members and
there was some excellent feedback from the juniors taking part.
Look out for our next academy event at HALF TERM - for another
excellent day of coaching - don't forget to check your emails
regularly and if you wish to join the academy please register your
interest at
Junioracademyne@hotmail.com
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Junior Academy
Congratulations to the Junior Academy members who took and passed
their Pony Proficiency test which was kindly sponsored by Lead Academy
coach Philippa McKeever. We had 100% pass rate. Well done juniors and
many thanks to Philippa for her generosity.
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Academy training session at Stainsby Grange EC on October 2009
The second Junior Academy training day went ahead at half term and
18 juniors BSJA members attended this popular event at Stainsby
Grange. Places were limited to ensure sufficient time was available
for those junior members wishing to take their BSJA Pony Proficiency
test.
On arrival the juniors were presented with a full schedule for their
group and timings to ensure they were kept occupied all day! All
juniors undertook a flatwork session or took their proficiency test in
the morning followed by an excellent blacksmith demonstration kindly
delivered by BSJA senior member John Brannen. John covered the
importance of ensuring the horses feet are correctly trimmed including
where to look for problems in the foot such as corns and the various
different methods of corrective shoeing. He also talked through how he
became a blacksmith and the training involved. This was a really
popular demonstration.
A tasty group lunch followed in the Cafe where everyone had time to
chat and catch up with the other groups. Then it was time for the
afternoons activities to get underway.
Anne Priestman from Dengie gave a fascinating and well planned lecture
on the horses digestive system including the use of some fantastic
visual props to help the juniors understand the various parts of the
horses digestive tract and the importance of correct feeding to
promote a healthy digestive system. She helped the juniors work
through a staged process to determine what types of feed were best for
their pony based on current work, condition and temperament. Both
groups of juniors thoroughly enjoyed
this classroom based lecture. The length of the small intestine was
astonishing as the props were passed around the room!
Jayne Currie BA took the juniors through a presentation on Natural
Horsemanship techniques and equipped them with some ideas to practice
at home with their horse or pony to improve their own relationship.
Jayne had kindly prepared some great handouts for them to take away
and refer to in their Academy binders.
As usual Philippa McKeever lead Academy coach provided some excellent
mounted tuition on both flatwork in the morning and jumping in the
afternoon. She coached from 9am until 6pm with only 20 minutes for
lunch. The juniors concentrated on improving their approach to a fence
and using the full arena and corners to ensure they rode correct lines
to a fence.
Jumping fences on an angle and single fillers without any wings got
the juniors thinking about control and accuracy when approaching a
fence. Rythmn and balance were also worked upon with most juniors
feeling the benefit from Philippa's feedback.
Philippa kindly sponsored the Pony Proficiency Test for the 8 members
taking the this and the usual £50 standard fee was waived. Philippa
has kindly given Junior Academy members the chance to have one free
attempt at passing this test which is a great boost for the North East
and will help promote the idea of taking this important test, which
build excellent horsemanship skills in our juniors who have to pass a
variety of tests from tacking up correctly, leading a pony in hand,
riding skills and theory tests on BSJA rules. This is a great building
block for when these young riders progress onto horses and start
working towards the Star Training
programme.
Overall it was another great day and apart from the cold everyone
seemed to enjoy taking part, making new friends and learning valuable
new skills. Thermals for everyone next time! Excellent feedback has
already been received from the academy members. Roll on the next event
which will be publicised via www.bsjanortheast.co.uk and direct to
those who are already members of the Academy.
Congratulations to the juniors who passed the Pony Proficiency test
and are shown in the photograph with Lead Coach Philippa Mckeever.
They are: Lucy Lupton, Samantha Jane Deer, Charlotte Eagles, Sophie
Ann Luke, Charlotte Telfor, Malandra Hale, Hayley Clarke, & Rachel
Harriman.
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Academy
Training Session
Twenty five of the 37 BSJA NE Junior Academy members took part in
the first Academy training session at Stainsby Grange EC on August
13th.
With Academy membership ages ranging between 7 and 16, and with 3
members already on horses it was always going to be a challenge to
meet the individual needs of each candidate. This however didn't deter
the 2 BSJA Accredited coaches Philippa Mckeever and Mia Korenicka
assisted by Academy
Coordinator Christina Foley who rose admirably to the challenge.
In total 25 sessions took place over the packed day which began at
08:30 sharp and concluded at 17:00. Sessions included flatwork, pole
work, show jumping, sports psychology, goal setting and turnout.
Academy members undertook flatwork training covering the establishment
of the fundamentals including; balance, rythmn, straightness, control
and speed. Concentrating on keeping the pony in front of the leg,
moving forward in balance with control. Effective use of both the 2
and 3 point riding positions were practised over ground poles.
Lengthening and
shortening exercises were used to encourage riders to use their seats
to determine the pace rather than relying on their hands.
Individuals were encouraged to ride pro-actively, improve lower leg
position and not to over ride the poles or fold the upper body and
exaggerate the position over a fence.
Mia Korenika, 35 from Northamptonshire has been an accredited coach
since 2005 and trained for 5 years with Nelson Pessoa in Germany. She
was one on the coaches on the TV programme Only Fools on Horses. In
her sessions Mia
concentrated on the basics, pin pointing problems with elbows, lower
leg and riders too concerned with the ponies head rather than engaging
the hind leg.
Before lunch members undertook a hands on session on turnout with
Paula Allen who very kindly shared some of the tricks of the trade
which secured Spot the Lady the title of Best turned out pony at the
recent European Show Jumping Championships in Switzerland recently.
Following lunch Philippa McKeever, the Lead Coach for the North East
Junior Academy and sports physcologist explained the benefits of
personal goal setting and improving the competitors ability to prepare
mentally for an event. Each candidate was encouraged to set 'SMARTER'
goals and instill the 'will to win' in themselves.
Academy members then undertook show jumping training once again in
small groups of similar ages and abilities. Both Philippa and Mia used
individual fences and doubles to have riders concentrate on
straightness before and after the fence, to regulate speed, adopt a
good rythmn and to soften the hands over the fence. Upper body
position was focused on as many riders exaggerated their position over
the fence and this was diluted to greater effect.
Place poles were used and exercises to reduce the number of strides
between fences were practised. Riders were focused on anticipating the
next fence, to encourage their ponies to land on the correct lead leg
after the fence.
To conclude the day each Academy member set their individual 'SMARTER'
goals which they will work to achieve before the next Academy session.
Excellent feedback was received along with suggestions for future
sessions.
Christina Foley should be congratulated on her excellent
organisational and coordination skills as the day ran like a well
oiled machine thanks to her enthusiasm and determination to bring the
Academy to the NE region.
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The North
East Junior Academy
North East England BSJA is launching a new and
exciting initiative for young show jumpers in the shape of the North
East Junior Show Jumping Academy.
The Academy aims to provide progressive coaching rather than one off
training sessions, using experienced BSJA Accredited Coaches to
significantly improve the riding skills and horse knowledge of the its
junior membership in order to make them more competitive in the sport
of show jumping.
The idea is to develop a 'culture of improvement'
offering progressive, structured coaching to develop greater
understanding across all areas of horsemanship and recognise that
there is more to it than just riding.
With this initative it is hoped to develop a camaraderie between the
members of the Junior Academy,
increase awareness and positively impact upon junior membership, to
retain junior members who subsequently become seniors.
The Academy will be:
- Open to all BSJA Junior or Junior Associate Members
- Eligible until December after their 18th birthday
- No bar to entry, all standards and experience welcome
- Subsidised by North East BSJA
- develop competitive edge
- spot the stars of the future
- have fun
It is envisaged that the Academy will create value for the parents
as well as the juniors and bring together keen, competitive juniors
committed to our sport and create an environment where they benefit
from training with their peers. The Academy also aims to create an
environment where non-horsey parents feel comfortable to ask for
advice and feel included in what is sometimes thought of as an elite
sport. Help with rules, classes,
qualifiers etc
Whilst it is recognised in the NE that many junior riders train
regularly, often this is in isolation, and, therefore, the
competitiveness and peer pressure which often makes us try harder to
achieve is missing. The group environment of being coached and
watching others being coached (doing and seeing) is invaluable.
Log books can be issued which would contain the riders Personal
Development Plan. The log book would contain information on ponies
ridden by each individual, their aims and objectives and records of
training goals and competition successes.
A rider remains a Junior Academy member until the December after their
18th birthday ? whether riding ponies or horses.
We need to gauge interest in this exciting concept in the North East
region. With enough interest from BSJA members we can begin to launch
the North East Junior Show Jumping Academy.
Be part of it, lodge your interest NOW- e mail
JuniorAcademyNE@hotmail.com
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