Event Reports

On Wednesday 3rd July 2013 10am – 4pm at Shorthampton Farm, Chipping Norton, OX7 3HW, 9 delegates enjoyed a fabulous day coaching, discussing and sharing schooling exercises, guided by Jeremy Michaels FBHS.  The day was hosted by Mandy Holloway who provided us with a great venue for the day, fantastic horses and riders and a most…

On June 13 approximately 50 fortunate F and I members and guests assembled at Carl Hester’s idyllic Gloucester base to feast our eyes and fuel our minds with Carl’s inspirational ways. The morning started with Carl discussing his four year olds and then progressing through the ages and stages finishing up with Dances with Wolves…

“Forward Forward Forward………” I heard in the background of my “hands free” as I turned the car around and waved for the third time at the man walking his dog who laughed and waved back. From there Traffic Controller Ann talked me in to the yard! Needless to say I missed the best part of…

It was unusual to drive south from Northumberland to find that spring was also late at Badminton with slow growing grass and no swallows in the main arena on the Friday. However, sun, blue skies and a fresh wind made perfect conditions for course walking. Nick started by saying how well and fit all the…

We were blessed with lovely sunshine when we headed to Boomerang for our cross country training with Janette Brakewell. It was bitterly cold, but, at least no rain and the going was ‘good to firm’. The schooling area is regularly harrowed and you really couldn’t complain about the going although it was a little frosty…

This is the first time that I have ridden at an F&I Course and both myself and my horse thoroughly enjoyed it. The first day was all about the fundamentals, which after all are the base to everything. We worked in particular on straightness to create more power. We started in walk; weaving in and…

We were very privileged this year having an opportunity to receive some training from Stephen Clarke FBHS. The course was well supported and there were horses from Novice to Grand Prix, so we all got the opportunity to see Stephen’s philosophy of training horses at all levels. For all riders and spectators Stephen provided great…

Speaking personally, I find marketing quite difficult and have often felt frustrated with the BHS, that they do not promote our qualifications better. I am very proud of my qualifications and really want them to be recognised as the best training system for instructors/trainers in the horse industry. I also feel like I have wasted…

I was lucky enough to be invited to join the F & I Association course which was held at Coleg, Gwent (Usk). The course was taken by Gareth Hughes. What an inspirational trainer. He worked with 10 combinations all at various levels of training from an ex racehorse to PSG. Gareth assessed each combination, quickly…

The day started well – it wasn’t raining and the journey down was clear of traffic. As soon as we turned up it became apparent that the ground conditions were not nearly as wet as we had expected and wellies were definitely not needed !! Having hit the trade stands and spent much too much…

This clinic was aimed at all standards of horse and rider. It was open to Fellows and I’s and those training for the E and T. Held on Monday 16th July, starting at 9am at Wellington Equestrian Centre and costing £40.00 per horse. Spectators were welcome. This event was kindly organised by Annette Christey and…

On Thursday 8th March 2012, I was fortunate enough to attend the 20th Annual National Equine Forum, as a representative for the F&I Association. This was held at The Institution of Mechanical Engineers in Westminster. One of my reasons for attending was to support our friend and colleague from F&I, Sue Pimbley, who presented an…

We were blessed with lovely Spring weather for the morning at Mrs Robeson’s National Hunt yard in Buckinghamshire. The strike rate for this 24 horse yard since 1st January is looking impressive, 4 winners and numerous placings from the handful that run at this time of the year. Two FBHS’s, five BHSI’s and 3 guests…