Spring Horsemanship Clinic – Build Connection, Confidence & Have Some Fun!

Want to have more fun with your horse, strengthen your connection and add some new skills to your training toolkit?

Whether you're a happy hacker, a keen trail rider, or someone with competition goals, good horsemanship is at the heart of a great partnership. And the best bit? You don't need to be an expert to get started!

I'm a big believer in incorporating horsemanship and groundwork into everyday training. I regularly use these techniques with my own event horses to:

-Build trust, connection and better communication.

-Improve suppleness

-Introduce variety and keep training interesting.

-Develop curiosity, confidence and a willingness to learn.

-Make everyday handling easier by teaching horses to respond to lightness and feel.

-Introduce play into training to keep horses engaged and inquisitive.

Join us for a fun, hands-on Spring Horsemanship Clinic at the beautiful Wairoa Lodge in Clevedon!

This one-day clinic is all about exploring new ideas, developing your skills and discovering just how much you and your horse can achieve together. You'll have the opportunity to learn, practise and experiment in a supportive, relaxed environment, with plenty of individual guidance along the way.

What's in store for the day?

We'll kick things off with a personalised goal-setting session so we can understand what you'd like to achieve and tailor the day to suit you and your horse.

Session 1 – Groundwork: Build the Foundations

Let's get started on the ground! We'll explore practical groundwork exercises that help develop safety, trust, communication and connection. Whether you're refreshing skills you already have or learning something completely new, we'll work on understanding how horses respond to intention, feel, and pressure & release.

We'll also explore how groundwork can improve suppleness, body awareness and movement, laying valuable foundations for everything we do under saddle.

Session 2 – Poles & Obstacles: Think, Explore & Have Fun!

Let's add a little variety! We'll introduce poles and obstacles as fun, practical tools to develop your horse's confidence, coordination, body awareness and responsiveness. From navigating different pole patterns to exploring simple obstacles, we'll look at how these exercises can improve your horse's focus, balance and willingness to try new things.

We'll explore how to introduce challenges in a positive, low-pressure way, encouraging horses to think for themselves, build confidence and become more adaptable.

For those interested, there may also be an opportunity to explore some introductory round pen or liberty exercises as an alternative, depending on individual goals and suitability.

Session 3 – Under Saddle: Confident riding, Feel & Fun Obstacles

Now let's take what we've explored on the ground into the saddle!

We'll focus on safe riding principles, bending, suppleness and developing a softer, more relaxed horse. Then we'll put those skills into practice with some fun Working Equitation-inspired obstacles and activities.

It's a great opportunity to challenge yourself, try something different and explore how small changes in your riding can make a big difference to your horse.

Clinic Details

Location: Wairoa Lodge, Clevedon

Format: One-day clinic, including three practical sessions and personalised goal setting.

Clinic fee: $215 per horse and rider combination.

Ground fee: $30 per horse, payable to Wairoa Lodge.

Numbers: Strictly limited to 8 riders to ensure everyone receives individual attention and support.

Is this clinic for you?

Absolutely, if you're keen to learn, try something different and develop a better partnership with your horse!

Riders should have basic horse-handling skills and be able to maintain control of their horse in a group teaching environment. If you're unsure whether you're ready, or would like to prepare beforehand, I recommend booking a one-on-one horsemanship lesson first.

Come along, get curious, try something new and discover what a difference good horsemanship can make. Your horse might just surprise you!

With only 8 places available, get in touch to secure your spot or book online!