New England Girls School will be just one of the venues for the Eventing NSW development Clinics
Eventing NSW has a fantastic program of training for their junior riders, not just confined to the top levels but designed to encourage new riders into the sport and reward them at every level with performance patches. Riders who obtain a finishing score of less than 60 penalty points on the same horse in the same grade (Intro to 1-star) in any twelve months form the Junior squad. These riders receive a discount to Eventing NSW junior development clinics as a reward for their performances encouraging them to remain at a grade until they are really competent.
Learn to leap fences in great style
Photo by Main Event Photography
Parents are also encouraged to participate in the clinics and if there are places available adult amateur riders wishing to find out more about the sport are welcome to come along too. This year, Equestrian NSW is encouraging their Inter-school members to attend and the program will give emphasis on dressage or jumping for these juniors to help them step up to team involvement.
Training clinics are held in the Easter and Winter school holidays where, in addition to the usual training in cross country, dressage and show jumping, plenty of time is given to the skills required to compete in competition, learn the rules and manage their horses. This Easter holidays, there are four clinics being held around the State, at Armidale (14-17 April), Mudgee (15-16 April), Albury (14-17 April) and Sydney -Silver Hills (22-24 April).
The stunning indoor school at NEGS
At the New England Girls' School, Armidale eventing coaches Sharmayne Spence and Charlie Brister along with dressage trainer Mariette Van den Berg will be teaching with technical information on rules and competition provided by TD, Norm Hindmarsh. Mariette is also a University lecturer and Equine Nutritionist and she will be conducting a session on nutrition with the Equestrian Centre's manager and Annyka Overton giving riders the opportunity to discuss the psychology of learning as it relates to the horse and rider. Younger riders will not be forgotten and there will be special sessions for them provided by instructors who themselves have young children and are therefore in tune with the thinking of young children.
Everything from horsemanship to cross counry will be available at the clinics
At Mudgee the clinic will is being run in conjunction with All Saints College, Bathurst and will be using the facilities of Shawwood Estate and official one day event course. Their instructors include well-respected eventing competitors Jenny Irvine-Brown and Carlene Barton as well as dressage specialist and coach educator, Megan Joerg. Carlene and Jenny will conduct a session on horse management for competition, fitness for events, plus dealing with minor veterinary issues and will be available to riders at various competitions after the clinic. Megan will conduct a session on dressage protocols and rules.
Everything you need to run a great clinic is at Albury
The Albury clinic will be run at the Albury Wodonga Equestrian centre which has a superb cross country course and huge sand arena for jumping and dressage. The horsemanship and technical sessions will be conducted by Hunter Doughty, who is the course coordinator for the Equine Science program at CSU Wagga, as well as being a rider, course, builder, technical delegate and coach – busy man! Hunter will be supported by specialist coaches, Sam Lyle, Annabel Armstrong and Sandy Lucas. Sandy is particularly skilled at training and encouraging new juniors to the sport and is always available to them at events. Dressage protocols and training will be provided by Carolyn James, coach, secondary school PE teacher, judge and FEI steward so with such a wonderful line up of experience to share with riders, old and young there is going to be plenty to learn.
The Sydney clinic is to be run at Silver Hills farm following their one day event over the Easter weekend. Due to its being squeezed between the event and NSW's major 3-day event at SIEC later that week, this clinic will only go for two days and have a shorter program. Carolyn James, Sandy Lucas and Peter Gillis will be heading the team of coaches for this clinic.
Attending Junior clinics are always a good way to make friends who share your love of horses
For more information on these clinics click on the venue below that you are interested in:
Pretty in pink!
Photo by Main Event Photography
