After last month's post about Derryronane Stud and the versatility of the Irish Draught horse, I thought I'd ask my dressage coach, Simone Hession, to add to the topic. Simone is a BHSAI and HSI Level 2 equestrian coach based just outside Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. She runs Woodlands Equestrian Centre, providing lessons for beginners to competitive riders … Continue reading Dressage in the Ox Mountains – Simone Hession of Woodlands Equestrian Centre
I recently spent a day doing a workshop with second level students on self-confidence and the power of perception. Although it was a used in a personal development context, it can be easily applied to anything. It’s validity from an equestrian perspective really hit home the following weekend, when a friend asked me to come … Continue reading The Power of Perception – Tips for Equestrians in staying positive
I have always loved the traditional Irish breeds of the Connemara pony and the Irish Draught horse. Over the last number of years the popularity of the Connemara Pony and the Irish draught has dramatically increased both at home in Ireland and abroad. This popularity is undoubtedly down to their strength, versatility and their kind … Continue reading Derryronane Stud – Home of the Performance Connemara Pony and Irish Draught Horse
Even though the days are longer it still seems there are not enough hours in the day! I've been very quiet on the blogging front these past few weeks as life in general has been very VERY busy. So this is just a brief update in pictures about what we've been up to. Work - … Continue reading A month in pictures!
In 2016 the Not On My Yard anti-bullying campaign was launched by Tudor Rose Equines in an effort to high light bullying within the equestrian industry. Having worked with children and young adults for over a decade, bullying and its effect on those involved has become a subject that is very close to my heart. The Not On … Continue reading The “Not On My Yard” Anti-Bullying Campaign: Why every riding school should get behind it
This week I'm cheating a little bit in regards to my Tuesday Tip. Last week I was asked by Anne from HorseWorldEU to contribute to the topic of saddle fitting and muscle damage on her own blog post. You can read the full article here. If it's one thing that I've learned over the years as … Continue reading Tuesday Tip! The Importance of Correct Saddle Fitting
How do we explain our love of horses? It begins with feeling. A love for fresh air, green hills and big blue skies - a fascination with life. It's an overwhelming desire to explore the world around you. A sense of adventure and a yearning for freedom. It's the desire for companionship and love as you take … Continue reading For the love of a horse
Yesterday Giselle and I competed in our first one day event of the year - it's been a LONG time coming! We've been focusing on our dressage for the last 6 months or so we were both very excited to be getting out for some fun cross country jumping. Knowing that it would be at … Continue reading One day event – so close!
A thousand horse – and none to ride! With flowing tail, and flying mane, Wide nostrils never stretched by pain, Mouth bloodless to the bit or rein, And feet that never iron shod, And flanks unscarred by spur or rod, A thousand horse, the wild, the free, Like waves that follow o’er the sea, Came … Continue reading A thousand horses….
This Tuesday Tip is dedicated to a good friend of mine who recently stated that every time she sees a horse's backside it reminds her of me... Now I'm sure there are many people who are reminded of me by a horse's derrière but my friend was referring to a particular tip I gave her about … Continue reading Tuesday Tip! Tricky Tail bandages
