BREAK THE COMFORT ZONE
I thrive on learning, practicing and testing new skills and I always have a goal of competing. I have learned, though, that when I only practice at home within my personal comfort zone inclusive of my trainer, arena and similar jumps that horse shows becomes more intense than they should be. A solid stepping stone between these two extremes is to participate in a clinic.
For those of us that ride with a regular trainer, we have the benefit that the clinician has typically been well vetted and folds seamlessly into an existing training program. If you are not in a program, make sure to complete your due diligence to ensure the professional you will be lessoning from is a good fit. When all of the stakeholders share common goals and philosophies, than the entire experience is much more beneficial.
SAME CONCEPTS, DIFFERENT DELIVERY
Last weekend, I clinicked with an “R” rated judge from Oregon, Kathy Kerron. The 2 days pushed me outside of my comfort zone because I was taught by someone that did know both my holes and that of my horse, which include course memorization, polishing green lead changes and burying my eye to fences. This process makes you step up. At one point when I was repeating the course back to Ms. Kerron for the third (or maybe 5th) TIME, I actually said, “Now you can feel MR’ (my trainer’s) pain! Amazingly, I was able to memorize and ride a longer course that did not follow traditional show hunter tracks. This was a confidence boost.
The entire weekend was spent taking the skills we already know, but applying them using different tests with a third party objective. Sometimes just having a concept you have struggled with phrased differently, mentally clicks. Additionally, it is a fabulous feeling when you hear feedback about what you are doing correctly, especially when the clinician is a judge. Yes, I did have a little anxiety similar to what I would be challenged with in the show ring, but Ms. Kerron was there to help us through the questions that we are asked in the competitive environment. Instead of just working through a round as an individual and walking out of the ring without a chance to fix any issues, the clinic environment provides real time learning to accelerate the growth process.
VIDEO: SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS
ON COURSE
Ms. Kerron setting me up for success and ensuring that I stay on course without losing my concentration. She literally made herself into a physical barricade to direct me. This was instrumental as I had verbally kept missing one fence when I repeated the course back to her before my round.
A CLINCIAN'S PERSPECTIVE: THREE TIPS TO PREPARE FOR SUCCESS
1) FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF: If possible, watch at least one group that has a sessions before you. This allows you to become familiar with the flow of the events, terminology and concepts. I personally have found that Googling a clinician will generate other clinics they have hosted, or at the very least, rounds of their students in the show ring.
2) FAMILIAR YOUR HORSE: Have your horse ready on time and try to warm up in the arena before your session. The more relaxed and comfortable your horse is, the better you can focus on the instruction.
3) TURNOUT: It is not the cost of your horse, clothing or equipment that impresses a judge or a clinician; it is the time and care you apply to becoming an authentic and effective horseman.
- Wear well fitting clothing. Shirts should be fitted and tucked into a belt. The clinician can then better correlate your equitation to your horse’s performance. Helmets should properly fit and the chin strap should be adjusted snugly, according to manufacturer's directions.
- Tack & Equipment: Your tack should be workmanlike, adjusted properly and clean.
- Horse: Your horse should be clean, trimmed and fit.
Owned and operated by Kathy Kerron, Eche’lon Training is a premier full-service hunter/jumper program located just outside of Newberg, OR (Portland area). Ms. Kerron is a certified USEF “R” judge in the hunter and equitation divisions.
Kathy teaches beginning through advanced level riders and focuses on creating a positive and educational environment. She has produced and trained horses that have become USEF champions throughout the country and developed riders that are now successful professionals within the Hunter/Jumper industry.
For more information, VISIT ECHE'LON HUNTER JUMPERS.