Reaseheath College equine students were riding high after winning a hotly contested inter college team competition. Katie Gibbins, Lucy Lloyd-Brown, Nieve Dillon, Lucy Lunt-Bell, Emily Hassell and Cerys Calcutt, who are studying for their Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management at the Nantwich college, competed against teams from four other leading land-based colleges.
Reaseheath College horse care apprentices were introduced to three very different equine activities during a day which celebrated National Apprenticeships Week (March 6 – 10).
International event rider Michael Owen gave top tips on how best to prepare for the coming eventing season during an informative training demonstration at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre.
Reaseheath’s equine department hosted a free public event last week at its Equestrian Centre as part of National Anti-Bullying Week. The event was aimed at raising awareness about the #NotOnMyYard campaign – an equine-specific anti-bullying initiative launched earlier this year by Tudor Rose Equines.
Equine undergraduates and Level 3 Diploma students attended the prestigious finale of the British flat racing season at Ascot Racecourse.
Reaseheath’s equine department is delighted to be supporting the #NotOnMyYard anti-bullying campaign.
Reaseheath College equine students and staff have again been under the spotlight at the world’s most famous horse show, the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), by providing the arena party for the sixth consecutive year.
Renowned Horse Behaviourist Richard Maxwell gave audiences at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre a fascinating insight into his training methods and philosophies.
Richard, who is a qualified Masterson Method Practitioner, combines a unique blend of natural and traditional horsemanship in order to help horses and their owners. His many clients hail from all equestrian disciplines and include international event rider Sharon Hunt and dressage star Matt Frost.
Richard began his career as a riding instructor in the Household Cavalry where his own introduction to ‘natural horsemanship’ came through a chance meeting with the legendary Monty Roberts.
Said Richard: “In 1988, Monty came to the UK to give a demonstration for the Queen. I gleaned so much from his knowledge and found it interesting how you could take something from a different style of equitation, such as western or rodeo, and introduce this into ‘mainstream’ training.”
Richard’s holistic approach has also been inspired by experts in the field of equine physiology such as Andy Andrews and Jim Masterson – founder of the ‘Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork’ system.
Richard explained: “Andy Andrews helped me to appreciate how physiological problems can contribute heavily to behavioural issues. On meeting Jim Masterson, I was able to put a few more pieces into the jigsaw puzzle and I now feel that I have a fuller picture. I can now help horses physiologically as well as through behavioural training.”
In front of a packed house, Richard worked with three very different types of horses ranging from a dressage horse with ‘stage-fright’ to a Welsh cob with loading problems.
Said Richard: “Any demo is only a snapshot and the answer to behavioural problems is never a quick fix. If I can get just one thing right that might help a horse, then the peripheral problems surrounding an issue may start to lessen.”
Read more about Richard’s demonstration here.
BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Sports Performance undergraduates enjoyed a behind-the-scenes visit to the world famous Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.
The students were privileged to have an ‘access-all-areas’ tour of the Media Centre – an area exclusively reserved for accredited members of the press – with Badminton’s Media Director Julian Seaman.
Event rider Francis Whittington talks to the undergraduates
Julian, who was also the Media Manager at Greenwich Park during the 2012 London Olympic Games, shared his expert knowledge with the students and answered their questions.
Reaseheath undergraduate Lydia Binks said: “Julian offered us an insight into what goes on behind the scenes at the Media Centre to make sure that Badminton is available to be watched and that results are constantly updated – this takes a lot of effort from many people.”
Our students were also given the opportunity to meet International Event rider Francis Whittington, who was himself competing at this elite event. Francis, who is one of this country’s most respected event riders, offered much sound advice about forging a successful career in the horse industry.
Reaseheath student Tyler Simpson, who intends to pursue a career in Eventing, said: “This trip was definitely an eye opening experience. We met some really good industry contacts and I have definitely found a path which I want to follow. Going to Badminton has given me the urge to keep working hard to achieve success in the eventing world”.
The visit concluded with a guided course walk to view some of the awe-inspiring cross-country fences featured on Guiseppe Della Chiesa’s magnificent four mile course.
Our HE equine students will next be involved at Bolesworth International Horse Show which runs from June 15 -19.
Head image caption: Julian Seaman with Tyler Simpson, Hannah Baker, Lydia Binks and Jack Moore in the Media Centre