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07
July/August 2017 • VOLUME XVII NUMBER 5
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Adam Trew’s tips on preparing for competitions COVERING KENT, SUSSEX, SURREY, HAMPSHIRE, BERKSHIRE & THE ISLE of WIGHT 01-covernew3_lrjuly17.indd 1
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International Event Rider
Adam Trew
Supported by
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Adam Trew’s Guide to
Preparing for Competition
Over the past few issues Kent-based event rider Adam Trew has shared his tips on training and improving your horse ready for the eventing season. In this issue, he focuses on putting what you have learned so far in to practise at an event.
I
take my time at home to make sure all the basics are in place and the horses are happy with what they’re doing before I take them out. Once I am sure my horses are working with me and understanding what I am asking of them, we are ready to try it all out at a competition. It is important that when I do take them out I stick to the same rules as I do at home and ask for everything the exact same way as I would if I was at home in the arena. This way the horses should start to learn and understand that no matter where we are working, the way I ride and ask for things will be the same so there is no need for them to worry. I think it is vital to make sure that the horse’s first few experiences of a competition are a happy, confident one. This sometimes means putting the competitive part of you to one side and focusing on training and developing your horse and working towards the end goal.
In the dressage warm-up the most important thing I work on is keeping the horses happy and feeling good in their body. It is too late 20 minutes before the test to make many improvements so rather than try and possibly worry them, I just try and make the best of what I’ve got. Obviously some horses do get quite excited when starting to get out and about at competitions with lots of other horses working around them, loud speakers, flags flying etc, so it is even more important that I stick to the rules as a rider and remain calm and try and work the horse through some simple exercises that they are comfortable with and used to doing at home, to try and get their attention back on to me and to relax.
Adam warmingup Quintina for the dressage
Show Jumping
Just as I would at home I leave them to do the jumping. From the very beginning I want them to know that I am not going to do all the work and help them out. I set the rhythm and the balance and it is their job to jump the fence. I don’t worry too much if the horse knocks the pole, as long as it wasn’t my mistake and the horse learns from it. If they start to think like this from the very beginning, then they should start to focus on the job and try their best to clear the fences.
Adam and Springwood Blues at Hartpury
Public Relations AdamTrew.indd 4-5 44-45-adamtrew4-lrjuly17.indd 1
Social Media
Pics by Ultimate Images, and Spidge Photography
Dressage
Video Production 23/6/17 22:34:25
Isn’t it time you were getting noticed? “I have usually planned and targeted specific events for each of my horses, which I want to be competitive at, so I make sure all this is in place ready for those competitions. “
www.foxredmedia.co.uk 22/06/2017 17:10
Adam wearing his Equetech Custom Cross-Country Shirt
Adam and Shag Rocks competing in the Novice at Berkshire College
Cross-country
This is one area that I work a lot on. Not only do I do this with my young ones, but with my upper level horses too. I spend most oneday-events schooling my horses round the cross-country picking up time faults, making sure that I am not having to hold them back, they stay in the rhythm I set and everything works just as I want it to, and ultimately, they are confident with everything out on the course. It’s a system I believe in and stick to, but I know it isn’t for everyone. It means sometimes compromising placings for training. Working my horses this way makes it extremely easy for me to ride forward to the fences and keep a smooth, forward rhythm when I do want to make the time. I have usually planned and targeted specific events for each of my horses, which I want to be competitive at, so I make sure all this is in place ready for those competitions.
Top Tips ➤ Be realistic with where you are at in your training. Don’t expect more than what your horse can offer or is capable of. ➤ Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. ➤ Remember to always trust what you’re doing and don’t focus too much on the final result. ➤ Most of all make it an enjoyable experience for both you and your horse. By making sure the basics are in place before you go to a competition, you will hopefully guarantee a good day for your horse.
Get the Look!
WIN!
Adam is sponsored by British equestrian clothing brand Equetech and in this issue, they are giving one reader the chance to win and Equetech Custom Cross-Country Shirt. For your chance to win, turn to page 26. The Equetech Design Lab allows customers to design their own unique look from colour through to sleeve pattern on a technical sports fabric, which has quick drying properties and high-performance styling. Available in sizes: XS - XL or Men’s Sizes: XS - XXL, children’s sizes are also available. RRP: £43.95.
Equetech Men’s Rival KS Breeches Equetech Men’s Rival KS Breeches are top of the range woven breeches, engineered with performance in mind. They are perfect for competing and also high use casual wear, they feature a wide comfort waistband, integral lycra leg panels to hem, a stretch Alos™ suede seat and deep pockets with Equetech stud fasteners. Available in sizes: 30 – 38 in colours: Navy, Coco, Beige and White. RRP: £99.25. For more information on the Equetech range of clothing for men and women visit www.equetech.com
Get in touch we’d love to help, call 020 8108 5950 or email info@foxredmedia.co.uk 44-45-adamtrew4-lrjuly17.indd 2
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