In this feature. . .
➤ Warm
up at a new venue ➤ Maintain focus
Go arena
eventing with Gemma Tattersall
Our expert
2016 Olympic eventer Gemma Tattersall rides six-year-old Johan-Some, owned by Linda Allan and Peter Hiscocks. He opened his season with two wins at BE100 and, following a pandemic-induced pause, has now stepped up to Novice. Produced in Ireland by Heidi Hamilton, Gemma feels he has everything he needs to be top class.
As told to Rebecca Philpot. Photos: Lucy Merrell
Our model
Hannah Lavender is Gemma Tattersall’s second rider. A long-term and staple team member, she rides five-year-old Chilli King, a 16.3hh homebred gelding by Chilli Morning and out of Kings Gem.
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Want to extend your competition season and get an eventing fix through the winter? Gemma Tattersall guides you through your first steps into arena eventing
R
ain, mud, wind and fewer daylight hours are a combination of conditions sure to put a stop to any eventer’s competitive efforts, but what if I told you that you could still experience the thrills of your favourite discipline, even when the elements are against you? The answer, as you’ve probably already guessed, is arena eventing. Not just for eventers, it’s the perfect solution for riders looking to revamp their riding routine or dip a toe into a new discipline. Whatever your reason for this new endeavour, it’s the perfect way to inject some fun into your training. And, by giving your horse a carefully-considered introduction – that actually translates well to whatever new endeavour you wish to undertake with him – you’ll be ready for the season to come in no time.
In the saddle
➤ Introduce
him to water ➤ Tackle natural fences confidently About arena eventing
Combining rustic eventing-style obstacles with the reliability of an all-weather showjumping surface, arena eventing offers plenty of perks after a long season of worrying whether the going will be too hard, too soft or just right. However, before embarking on your new adventure, you’ll need to get some hours of schooling at a designated venue under your belt to introduce your horse to the different styles of jumps he might come across. Set out similarly to a showjumping course, you’ll get more than your money’s worth when it comes to variety of jumps, without the required level of stamina you’d need for on-the-course training at a true cross-country venue.
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In this feature. . .
➤ Boost
your marks with the scales of training
Get test ready As told to Bethany Searby. Photos: Lucy Merrell
with Dan Sherriff Whether you’re about to start your dressage journey or need a little refresher, Dan Sherriff ’s handy hints and exercises will send your scores soaring Our expert
Dan Sherriff is an international dressage rider and trainer. He has won nearly all national dressage titles from Novice to Grand Prix.
N
ow more than ever, dressage is a sport for everyone. Whether you’ve been riding for years and want to try it out, have taken a break and wish to make a comeback or are at the beginning of your life in the saddle, there are tests to suit all horse and rider combinations, as well as a wealth of support that means access to the right trainer couldn’t be easier. So, how do you go about preparing for your first test? Polishing the basics at home, using the arena to your advantage and some scales of training homework will put you on the path to success.
Our models
Freya Messling is a young rider and pilots Mario, a six-year-old gelding. They’re a new partnership working at Novice level.
TOP TIP
Straightness isn’t just about riding on a straight line – it applies in all schooling shapes. On a circle, your horse’s quarters should follow the same path as his forehand, not swing in or out. Arena mirrors, your instructor or a knowledgeable friend on the ground will help you learn to identify straightness.
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In the saddle
➤
Ride perfect corners every time ➤ Achieve your best walk yet
Learning the scales of training by heart will enhance your understanding of the judge’s comments
On paper
The starting point for anyone working towards their first test is becoming informed about what’s required. If you start at Prelim, dressage judges will be looking for the basics – in other words, making smooth upwards and downwards transitions and turning left and right correctly and accurately – and evidence that the scales of training are starting to be put to use. These scales are important areas of study in your horse’s education, and you’ll be expected to have them more and more polished as you move up the levels. The scales refer to your horse’s... • rhythm The forwardness and regularity of your horse’s steps • suppleness Meaning that both sides of your horse’s body are evenly relaxed, pliable and free from tension • contact The feeling that your horse is pushing through from behind into the reins • impulsion Refers to the energy being injected from your horse’s hindquarters into his paces • straightness In which your horse’s shoulders and hindquarters follow the same line, as if you were riding on train tracks • collection Or, your horse’s ability to engage his hindquarters and compress his outline Learning these scales by heart and keeping them in your head as boxes to tick will ensure you’re informed about the quality of your horse’s work and will enhance your understanding of the judge’s comments, allowing you to learn more from your scoresheets.
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DID YOU KNOW?
At the lowest levels, you might develop rudimentary collection ahead of smooth downward transitions or for remaining balanced on a 15m circle. As you progress, the highest degree of collection will be required for movements such as passage and piaffe.
TOP TIP
At some point every horse and rider combination has to address crookedness. It’s always a good idea to assess your own position to see if there’s anything you need to correct and if your horse still feels one-sided, arrange an assessment by a qualified saddler and physio.
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shave A close
A fresh clip is all about function – but how can you ensure your horse’s coat and skin are in the best possible condition for a sleek, show-quality shave? Our foolproof guide tells all
I
t’s one of the necessary evils of horse-owning, alongside shelling out the price of a pair of Kurt Geigers every six weeks to get your pride and joy shod and spending twice as much time squaring your muck heap as perfecting your 20m circles. But clipping season doesn’t have to be stressful – in fact, with solid preparation and after-care it can be a super satisfying job on your year-end agenda. Ready to turn those winter woollies into silk? We’ve got all the advice you need.
Photos: Bob Atkins, Jon Stroud
Perfect preparation
A polished finish doesn’t come by accident and is instead the result of meticulous planning. It’s important to prepare several things – your horse’s skin and coat, your clipping station and tools. However, before you start, you’ll first need to think about timing. Are you clipping simply because your horse has started to get too hot during work?
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Or are you going in for the big shave ahead of a competition? If the latter, you’ll want to give yourself at least a week’s grace period after the clip to allow your horse’s coat to settle, any residual lines to fade and to give you time for any necessary touch-ups.
Management know-how
THE CLIPPING CHECKLIST
A few days prior to the clipping session, you should ensure you’re fully stocked for a successful haircut. You’ll need... • a clean, serviced pair of clippers • a functional battery pack, if applicable, or an extension cable with trip switch if using mains clippers • a set of freshly-sharpened blades – and, ideally, a back-up set • clipper oil or blade spray, a rag and a small brush • plaiting bands or hair clips • a tail bandage • a piece of chalk for marking lines and saddle patch • a clean body brush • a pair of trimmers for fiddly areas • a haynet • coat-shine spray
Clean and clear
TOP TIP
Many sensitive-skinned horses will break out in rashes or hives after coming into contact with clipper oil. While these rashes are rarely painful or problematic, they’re avoidable – simply conduct a patch test 48 hours before clipping.
TOP TIP
If you’re clipping on a particularly cold day, throw a cooler or stable rug over your horse’s quarters to keep him warm while you work.
In order to guarantee a stripe-free finish and minimise the risk of any adverse reactions, your horse’s skin and coat must be completely free of dirt, dust and grease. Working on a clean coat will allow your clippers to glide easily through the hair, keeping them sharper for longer and preventing an unsightly corduroy effect. While it’s absolutely fine to bathe your horse on the day, you’ll need to ensure he’s completely dry before you begin clipping. If your time at the yard is limited, you may find it easier to give him a bath the night before, using a clean, lightweight rug with a hood to avoid any bedtime wallowing. Coat-shine, in addition to a clean coat, will help your clippers make light work of the job at hand. Spray liberally over the area to be clipped and use a soft brush or rag to help it penetrate and coat each hair. You don’t need to worry about the spray making your horse too slippery for his saddle – he’ll enjoy a thorough bath after the job’s done.
TOP TIP
Worried about losing valuable mane while trying to perfect those crisp lines? Secure it with plaiting bands, then use a chalk line to mark the closest point at which you can safely clip.
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