Una Clancy Classical Riding Instruction and Training.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1451534146675110&id=100054556144361

‼️ OUR CLINIC WITH UNA CLANCY HAS UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO BE CANCELLED - THIS WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR LATER IN THE SPRING/SUMMER‼️

**All links have been taken down**

** WORKING EQUITATION IS BACK!! **

We are delighted to welcome Una Clancy for our Working Equitation Clinic!

🦄 Working Equitation Clinic
📅 Sunday 22nd February
📍 Necarne Indoor Arena
🕚 Slots from 11am to 7pm

**OPEN TO BRC RIDERS ONLY**

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Keep reading to find out more about what Working Equitation is⬇️

•• What is Working Equitation (WE)? ••

Working Equitation is based on classical and traditional training. It judges how well a horse and rider work together to calmly and willingly complete a set of obstacles.

Dressage in WE is different from competitive dressage. The aim is lightness, forward movement, and harmony rather than strong contact.
Movements are practical and directly linked to the Ease of Handling (EOH) phase.
Whatever movements appear in the WE dressage test are expected to be shown again through obstacles at the same level.

This is a very interesting clinic and the spaces are filling up already!

📲 Message Sam with any questions on 07532760645

An open letter to influencers in the equestrian world

I’ll be blunt……

“Only her 5th time sat on.”
“My 4yo first jump.”
“So pleased with her.”

This influencers own words on the post.

That isn’t impressive. It’s alarming.

A horse that has only been sat on five times is still trying to work out how to carry a rider, balance itself, steer, stop, and process pressure. Jumping at that stage isn’t training, it’s overload. Calling it progress doesn’t change what it is.

A 4 year old horse is not physically mature. The spine and pelvis are still developing. Growth plates are still open. Jumping under saddle sends concussion through structures that aren’t ready to absorb it. You won’t see the damage today, you’ll see it in a few years when the horse is lame, sore, “difficult”, or quietly disappearing from work.

A “first jump” is not a milestone to brag about. It should be dull, small and unremarkable, poles, raised poles, tiny cross poles, loose schooling, no pressure, no rider expectation, no camera. If it looks exciting on social media, you’ve probably gone too far.

This also isn’t just physical. Mentally, this is unfair. Young horses need time to understand, not adrenaline to survive. Rushing them creates horses that try hard because they’re brave, not because they’re ready. That bravery gets used up very quickly.

If you choose to call yourself an influencer, you don’t get to shrug this off as “my horse, my choice”. People copy what you do. Kids copy it. Owners copy it. Riding schools kids copy it. And horses pay for it with shortened careers and broken bodies.

This isn’t being soft. It isn’t oh follow the animal rights movement . It’s basic, evidence based welfare, start later, go slower, protect longevity.

The industry keeps talking about horse welfare and social licence while applauding posts like this. You can’t have it both ways.

A horse’s value is not how early it jumps.
It’s how long it stays sound, willing and comfortable.

If that makes people uncomfortable, good….👍🏽

All forward movement is appreciated! 😊

Caroline Bradley, born on April 4, 1946, in Buckinghamshire, England, is undoubtedly regarded as one of the finest female equestrians in history. Her remarkable career as a showjumper was tragically cut short at the age of 37. Caroline exemplified the ideal rider, displaying unparalleled courage, unwavering dedication to her sport, and a profound connection with every horse she rode. Watching her perform is a true delight; her gentle hands and intense focus are evident in her riding style.

I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed her in action. She made her British team debut at the young age of 20 in 1966. In 1973, she earned a silver medal on True Lass at the Ladies European Championships held in Vienna. The following year, she made history as the first woman to win the Puissance at the Horse of the Year Show in London, while also securing fourth place in the Ladies World Championships in La Baule. In 1975, she achieved a significant victory at the Hamburg Derby on New Yorker, becoming only the second woman to win this esteemed event.

A few years later, she claimed the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Royal International Horse Show on Marius, marking a successful year for her top horse, Tigre, with whom she won the team gold medal at the World Championships in Aachen, as well as the Nice Grand Prix and the Grand Prix in Calgary. In 1979, Caroline was once again part of a gold medal-winning British team, riding Tigre at the European Championships in Rotterdam. Together, they also won the President’s Cup in Calgary and the Grand Prix in Paris. The following year was extraordinary for Caroline; she was named Sportswoman of the Year in 1980 and received an OBE from the Queen. Additionally, she topped the earnings list, won the Grand Prix at Hickstead, and once again claimed the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, this time aboard Tigre.

In 1981, Tigre was sold for over eight times the amount Caroline originally paid for him. Subsequently, she acquired a young horse named Milton, who was sired by her exceptional horse, Marius. Caroline was an extraordinary horsewoman with a remarkable ability to select outstanding horses; she recognized Milton's potential as a young horse, believing he would become one of the greatest in history. Caroline trained and rode Milton until her untimely and tragic passing. Her foresight proved correct, as Milton, alongside John Whitaker, became the first show jumper to earn a million pounds.

Tragically, Caroline collapsed after completing the first round of a competition at the Suffolk Show in 1983, and despite efforts to revive her, she succumbed to a heart attack at the young age of 37. At the height of her career, Caroline was widely regarded as the greatest female rider in the world, leaving many to ponder the heights she could have reached had she lived longer. Caroline was truly exceptional – an inspiration and a genuine equestrian icon.