Report on the Connie Colfox Zoom evening

The flyer advertising the zoom meeting clearly stated ‘don’t try this at home’…. which prompted me to have a look at Connie’s website. The first thing that came up was Connie riding a lovely bay horse up and down a barn with no bridle, or headcollar, nothing!!! She appeared to be just indicating to the…

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Report from the Scottish Equine Coach Assembly

Venue: SNEC, 7-8 October 2024. Organiser: Jen Morris BHSI, F&I Committee member and our Scottish Representative.   Reports: compiled by the team of Robert Pickles, Liz Eaton, Becky Monk and Alison Craig.   Photographs: courtesy of Sian and JUMAPhotography.   Introduction, and Day 1 (report, Alison Craig BHSI) Well, that was worth the trip to Edinburgh!  Everyone who…

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Burghley Course Walk

Burghley Course Walk – Thursday September 5th 2024 – taken by Nick Turner FBHS. We all met at fence 2 to begin our walk – where it emerged that we were extra-lucky, as Nick was accompanied by rider Emma Thomas.  This meant that we could listen to Nick describing the challenges, observe the course-walk-with-coach process,…

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Report from the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead

A wonderful day on Saturday 27th July was had by F&I Association members, who each brought along a variety of friends and family.  22 in total, including three generations!   Hickstead itself as a venue is iconic and had a sense of excitement when I first arrived, meeting up with our F&I Hon Secretary and…

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F&I Association Report: Irish Day 2024

On Tuesday the 11th of June 2024, F&I Association members and guests alike spent the annual Irish Day by reminding themselves of what ultimately energises us all to do what we do: riding at its finest. More specifically, we were welcomed to the heart of Hughes Horse Stud (HHS), which is nestled in the beautiful…

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F&I Report on Badminton course walk with Eric Smiley FBHS

We gathered at fence 2 for a sunny 10am start on Thursday 9th May, with a lovely warm welcome from Ann Bostock who introduced Eric. Eric started by talking about the different types of course walk: For the rider. For the coach. For the owner. And how to approach those differently. Then he threw a…

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Report from the F&I Training Day with Judy Harvey FBHS

29th April 2024. Morning report – from Mandy Chaffin BHSI. I was privileged to have a lesson with Judy Harvey for the F&I study day at her yard near Milton Keynes. The experience was hugely beneficial to myself and my horse “Dailmer” who is a 9yr old warmblood as we have recently stepped up to…

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Report on F&I study evening with Becky Thompson, Life Coach “MINDHOP”

25th April 2024.   Organised by Liz Eaton FBHS, report by Sarah Thorne BHSI. Becky Thompson presented a fantastically educational presentation and discussion on Mastering Energy Shifts in ourselves and in our clients by being aware of what energy they may bring to a session. She started with the explanation that we are all energy, with…

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F&I Talland Study Day

The F&I’s ability to provide food for thought served up another feast at the Talland Study Day on 19 March. Led by Pammy (despite a ghastly cough), Adam, Islay and Tim, along with an amazing 19 incredibly varied and willing horses, ranging from 4 to 27 years old. The moment everyone was gathered Pammy and…

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Report from Sam Watson Equiratings Evening

Sam’s presentation was truly excellent and a lot of food for thought was left for us to ponder. He started off by telling us how Equiratings started. It all began by him not performing well in the showjumping phase at the World Games in Kentucky in 2010 and at the next World Games in 2014.…

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Report from the Annual Course Dressage Training with Gareth Hughes

Firstly, very many thanks to Ann and all of the Committee Members for organising a fantastic and inspirational two days of training at the F&I conference. For all of us, this was our first visit to the conference since qualifying in 2018, 2023, 2006, and 2018 respectively. We met in Hong Kong and have been…

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Report from the Annual Course Jumping Report

Addington is a venue I have not been to for many years. I remember being pretty impressed all those years ago. It didn’t disappoint this time, simple and smart new navy branding, many arenas and good signage greeted us as we arrived. Ann was on the door smiling as always. I never know how she…

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Report from the “Let’s Focus on Show Jumping” day

“Let’s Focus on Show Jumping” was the theme at this year’s Scottish F&I day, organised in collaboration with BHS Scotland & BS Scotland. Held on Monday 18th September 2023 at Netherton Equestrian, Perthshire, it was an exciting day with a full programme of Show Jumping experts. Organiser Jen Morris had put together an amazing panel…

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Report from the 2023 Burghley course walk with Eric Smiley FBHS



10.20 am at fence two we all assembled, in eager readiness to walk this iconic five star track under the expert guidance of Eric.  The sun shone and pleasantries exchanged with fellow members from far and wide. Today’s group from all corners of the world making it a truly multi-national group. One of the joys…

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F&I Association Report: Irish Day

On Tuesday, the 23rd of May 2023, F&I Association members had the pleasure of being welcomed to the beautiful Kildangan Stud in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Famously, Kildangan is one of 7 studs within the wider Godolphin Ireland Limited enterprise, founded by his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister…

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