Q: I'm a relatively novice rider looking to buy my first horse. Any tips on what kind of horse I should be looking for? A: Depending on your budget and confidence, generally, a schoolmaster (a horse who has a great deal of experience) is a good choice for a novice rider as he will be…
Q: I’m worried that I’m not balanced in the saddle and that this is affecting my horse’s way of going, but how do I know if this is the case? A: The best place to start when addressing any concerns about your riding is with a good coach, who can help you from the ground…
The four competitors for Philip Smith in 2025 were Hamza Minty from Kwa-Zulu-Natal (KZN), Rebecca Hudson-Peacock from the Western Cape, Alexandra Ric-Hansen from KZN, and Olivia Roberts from KZN. We caught up with the four of them ahead of the Philip Smith. REBECCA HUDSON-PEACOCK HQ: Please tell us a bit about your equestrian background. Rebecca: I’m lucky…
Q: I’m really struggling with my horse’s training. I’m too embarrassed to admit to anyone that I’m having trouble, but I can tell the other liveries at our yard judge me when my horse plays up. I don’t know what to do and feel like giving up. Do you have any suggestions? A: We’re sorry to…
Q: What kind of riders will benefit most from mental skills coaching? A: Before you consider whether learning about mental skills would be useful for you, ask yourself whether you are curious to learn more about yourself, both as a rider and as a person. The most important prerequisite to benefit from coaching of any kind,…
Q: I just can't sit the sitting trot. How can I improve this? Answered by Elena Jankowitz A: The sitting trot is challenging for everyone and there are numerous factors that can make it difficult to sit. The important point to remember is that the trot has a moment of suspension when none of the hooves are…
Behind every successful rider is a coach who is constantly teaching, motivating and inspiring their rider [dropcap]A[/dropcap]ll instructors have their own personal style of teaching, which will work for some but not for others. As a rider, you will likely change instructors a few times as you grow up, become more or less competitive, or change…
It's important to understand the individual goals and lifestyle of each rider [dropcap]I[/dropcap]n the equestrian sport many riders become trainers, but what makes a good trainer in particular? What is it like to be coaching somebody both in their daily training sessions and at competitions? Equine Support International (ESI) brings you a series of three articles that…
[dropcap]HQ [/dropcap]is proud to be partnered with the Dutch organisation, Equine Support International (ESI). ESI's focus is to promote equestrian knowledge all over the world. The team regularly travels to other countries hosting a variety of clinics. We are proud to announce that ESI is planning on hosting a clinic week in South Africa in mid-September,…
Dominey Alexander and Discovery Enjoy 68 [dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s hard not to feel a little star-struck when talking to Dominey Alexander; he has the polished grooming of a celebrity, which extends not only to his horses, but also to his performance in the ring. Anyone who has seen the man in action will admit that he’s a class…
