Get set to
event
Part one: Dressage
Whether you harbour a dream of entering a one-day event or are keen to improve your scores, coach and international eventer Gilles Serbource is here to help
To many people, eventing is the pinnacle of equestrian sport. The discipline of dressage, the precision and care of showjumping and the bravery and technicality of crosscountry require plenty of preparation at home, as well as organisation on the day. But anyone can have an exhilarating day out eventing, so long as you spend some time on the ground work. That’s where I’m here to help. In this series we’ll look at each discipline to help you get the best results possible, as well as demystifying everything from fitness to packing lists. Eventing is a jigsaw, but once you understand all the puzzle pieces you can put them together – let’s get started!
The key to success
Talent isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying eventing, but you do need to commit enough time to training in order to safely complete on the day. That’s not to say that you can’t enjoy your training, or that it can’t be fun, but simply that in order to have a successful, safe, fun day there is work to put in – on a regular basis. The benefits of this daily work are wide-ranging and will boost your enjoyment of all your riding time, so it’s worth the effort. In fact, daily work builds skill, capacity, ability, technique and confidence for both horse and rider, ensuring a successful partnership.
The key to good results is building a relationship with your horse and having fun.
As told to Louise Kittle. Photos: Jon Stroud. Gilles runs GP Equestrian, facebook.com/GPEQU 20 HORSE&RIDER
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TOP TIP
➤ Improve your horse’s balance ➤ Seven dressage top tips
Our expert
Our model
Gilles Serbource BHSI trained at Saumur, home of the Cadre Noir. Now based in south Somerset, he’s been coaching riders of all levels for 40+ years, as well as competing internationally.
Siobhan Micklethwaite lives in Somerset with her husband and two children. She rides her own Mr Porter, a five-year-old ISH. Together they’re aiming for BE Grassroots this season.
GILLES’ GOLDEN RULE
It’s important your horse accepts your contact in walk before moving on to trot
HORSE&RIDER 21 In the saddle
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Strong to ride
Strengthening your body will improve your posture and boost your control in the saddle, says Jo Collins
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Photos: Jon Stroud, Wayne Jones Photography
PART TWO
Our expert
Did you know you use every single group of muscles in your body while riding? It’s fair to say that some disciplines are more physically demanding than others, but that doesn’t mean your body isn’t working hard while you’re out enjoying a leisurely hack. In fact, to stay balanced, upright and in control of your horse, the different parts of your body are working together, often all at the same time. So, how can you improve your posture in the saddle, reduce your risk of post-ride aches and pains and boost your partnership with your horse? My strengthening workout has all the answers you need.
Top of the pile
Your upper body – consisting of your shoulders, arms, chest, back and core – needs to be strong and stable to maximise your effectiveness in the saddle. Being able to control your posture and balance while travelling forwards, turning and jumping at different speeds is no mean feat but, by being stronger, the task will become much easier. Having a strong, supple back means you can absorb the power of your horse underneath you and strengthening your shoulders and core will help you stay in control, rather than being pulled out of the saddle.
Coach challenge
Next time you’re on board, spend the first three minutes of your warm-up in walk and focus on resetting your posture at regular intervals – for example, at every letter you pass or every 10th step your horse takes. To do this, roll your shoulders back and down to bring your shoulder blades together, open your chest, brace your abs and lift your ribcage and chin. Can you feel how all these muscles work together to hold you in place?
Mind matters
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Jo Collins is a Surrey-based, qualified personal trainer and fitness coach to the Lucinda Green XC Academy. As a keen amateur event rider, Jo brings together her riding experience and professional fitness knowledge to create tailored workout programmes to help riders stay fit, strong and flexible.
EXCLUSIVE
PippaFunnell
...reflecting on her biggest achievements, looking forward to the future and talking about the relaunch of her books in our exclusive interview
told to Sarah Burgess.
With thanks to Pippa for her help with this feature, pippafunnell.co.uk 62 HORSE&RIDER
As
Photos: Peter Nixon.
There aren’t many things on the ultimate equestrian bucket list that Pippa Funnell hasn’t achieved. From winning Olympic medals to running a successful breeding operation and writing a series of 18 children’s books – you name it, she’s done it. Life in the Funnell household today is as busy as ever, but we managed to catch up with Pippa to talk about her phenomenal career, what’s next for the eventing legend and how the relaunch of her books came about.
Looking back
Pippa’s glowing record is a testament to her incredible career as one of Britain’s best-ever eventers. However, her achievements don’t just start in the dressage arena and end at the cross-country finish line. In HM the Queen’s 2005 Birthday Honours, Pippa was appointed MBE for services to equestrian sport and, in 2003, became the first person to win the Rolex Grand Slam.
Pippa reflects, “That has got to be my proudest achievement to date. I’d put a lot of pressure on myself and the whole build-up to Burghley was tough. The first two legs [Kentucky and Badminton] were back to back, so I didn’t have time to think about it and my confidence was sky high. I felt like I was on a roll, but as Burghley approached, things weren’t going my way. I had a few falls and some horses picked up injuries, so I didn’t think I’d get to do the last leg. But that feeling when I knew I’d won... nothing could compare.”
HORSE&RIDER 63 ➤ ➤
Pippa and Billy Walk On relaxing at home
