Please come down to Equestrian Park to help…..
All systems GO
Well work is well and truly underway at Equestrian Park, the water jump is nearing completion as can be seen by the photos, isn’t it going to be awesome?
I’ve been to Rodney’s and bought almost their entire stock of petunias and am going to be repotting them up so we can have a lovely display of flowers around the course.
Looking forward to seeing members and other dedicated bodies out at the working bee this weekend. Don’t forget to RVSP for catering purposes. Thanks!
Record number of entries
WOW – this event is going to be amazing! We have got over 300 horses entered for the event, and more riders are contacting me wanting late entries. We have a waiting list on nominate, so if you are considering coming, go online and enter, but the lower level classes such as EvA95 and lower are full to overflowing! We are hopeful that the water jump will be completed in time.
The working bee this weekend is still going ahead, so looking forward to seeing you there!
John Twomey Sum-Up and Working Bee Progress
Hi Everyone,
Well, WHAT A WEEKEND we had at Equestrian Park during the very popular John Twomey clinic. John coached 33 combinations over the 3 days. We trialed a new format where each horse did showjump training in the morning, then a XC training session that same afternoon. This worked really well for those of us who have to travel.
Gosh does John know his theory. He explained that in his earlier riding years, he was lucky enough to have some very good horses, and a good feel. Once his career progressed he came to realise that you can’t always rely on just this to succeed. Through teaching, he began to break down the theory behind his success.
The showjump lesson began with exercises that worked on the horse’s straightness. It was very important to guide your horse around turns using the outside aids, and not let them bulge through the shoulder. Similarly to the Sam Lyle clinic earlier in the year, we concentrated on how the ride over one fence really impacted your ride to the next. John emphasised the importance of a quality canter. He always prefers to get a bad spot with a good canter, than a perfect spot with a bad canter.
We all put so much pressure on ourselves to get a perfect spot. At the takeoff to each fence, there is a spot where we ideally want the horse’s front feet to step before takeoff. However, John explained that this is not the only spot that works. John carved a circle in the sand about 1m diameter around that point). If we can get the horse to step anywhere within that circle, we can make it work.
The final (genius) pointer that John gave me (he calls it the “Tinney Tip” giving credit to Stuart Tinney), is where to focus your eyes when approaching a jump or a line. I always had thought that the best place to look was through the jumps straight ahead (this probably stems back to my pony club days where they would say “don’t look down!”). How wrong I was! How are you supposed to see a distance when you aren’t even looking at the jump? John explained that you need to focus on a point on the top, front rail. As you get closer you need to zone in on a tiny detail such as a chip in the paint. Instantly my ride to each jump improved. I couldn’t believe such a tiny, little change could produce such a quick improvement. I now refer to it as the “Twomey, Tinney Tip”, and I think this will change the way I ride forever.
Cross country time! We were all very excited to get some cross country advice from the only rider in the Horseland CIC3* at our event last year, to successfully attempt the direct route in the water jump . See link below…
Twomey Takes on Canberra in 2012
This was also the last opportunity for riders to school on the course before our upcoming event. John’s teaching style was to combine a few jumps at a time, as though you were actually on-course, and then stop to discuss what went well or could be improved. We tested our skills from the showjumping lesson by doing lots of narrow combinations, and using our outside aids to get around tight corners.
Rob Lille
Harriet Gruen
Thanks kate Mackenzie for your efforts organising the clinic and John for a fantastic 3 days! We hope he can make it back soon.
Over the weekend NCHTA also held a working bee in preparation for our November event. We had a great turnout and made a huge dent in the amount of work to be done. With some recently cleared areas and new jumps constructed, there were several places where the footing needed improvement. The team spent several hours (mattock in hand) chipping away at protruding tree roots. We also repainted/ oiled some existing and new jumps. Thanks to all those who came to lend a hand! Special thanks to Felicity Moran and Ben Smith and for organising and catering!
Georgina Miller and Sally Townsend
Lauren McIntosh and Ben Smith
As some of you may also know, the Canberra water jump is in the process of getting a major overhaul. When complete it is going to be more than double the size that it was. Check out some of the progress below!
Water Jump Earthworks
As we all look forward to the Canberra event coming up, please remember there is still lots of preparation needed. If anyone can spare an hour or two to paint new portable xc fences let me know. The painting can be done at your convenience, not necessarily on the weekend.
The next working bee will be Sat 26 and Sun 27 October (the weekend before the CNC). A large proportion of work for the event can only be done the weekend before the event (eg whippersnipping ground lines to fences, mowing where needed, bunting, roping off the xc course in places, flagging), so we need and would welcome your help, be it for an hour or two, or for a day. We also really need 5-6 helpers on Friday 1 Nov for the final set-up for the event. Please contact me at canberraht@gmail.com if you can help with any of the above – your efforts do not go unnoticed!
Lindsey
NCHTA Club Secretary
NCHTA News…
Wanted to remind everyone about a couple of things:
- We are having a working bee at Equestrian Park this weekend to prepare for our upcoming event. We really need some more helpers! Please email me at canberraht@gmail.com if you are available Saturday, Sunday OR Monday! We appreciate your help whether it is for 1 hour, 5 hours or 3 days! Snacks will be provided! We particularly encourage those of you entered in the John Twomey Clinic this weekend to get involved.
- We are still looking for jump judges, pencillors, pole pickers, etc for our event on the 2nd and 3rd of November. Please send me a quick email if you or a friend is available to help out (canberraht@gmail.com). This is a great way to give back to the sport that we love.
- We are also still seeking sponsors for the upcoming event. If you or a company that you know is interested in sponsorship, please send me an email (canberraht@gmail.com).
- One of our fantastic sponsors, Jenny from Pine Ridge Horse Agistment, is hosting a dressage clinic with Uwe Spenlen from Germany. Uwe coaches Sonya Johnson, the WA eventer who competes successfully at international level. He is a wonderful, easy to follow coach for horses of all levels, from babies through Grand Prix. There are only a few spots left to fill on each of the 3 days. Tues 29 – Thursday 31 and the timing would be perfect for any competitor entering the Canberra CNC event the following weekend. Contact Jenny Campbell for more information (0408 786 004; jenny@pineridge.com.au). In Jenny’s words: “Wouldn’t it be terrific if your dressage score was really super due to a clinic with Uwe!”
- ACTDA also have a dressage fun day organised on Sunday 20th October with the opportunity to re-ride your test for extra feedback. There is also an arena for practicing any level dressage test. The day will be very relaxed – plaiting / jackets are optional. Entries open on Global Entries Online www.globalentriesonline.com.au.
- Good luck to those riders competing at Wallaby Hill and Lynton Horse trials!
Happy Riding!
Lindsey
NCHTA Club Secretary
NCHTA Meeting tomorrow night
A reminder of our meeting tomorrow at the Yowani Club in Lyneham at 730pm. Main topic for discussion will be the upcoming CNC event in November.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Working bees for 2-3 November CNC – first working bee 5-7 Oct
NCHTA is holding a CNC Event on the first weekend in November! There is still a lot of preparation needed. There will be a working bee over the weekend 5th – 7th Oct 2013 (the same weekend as the John Twomey Clinic). 10am to 3pm Saturday, Sunday and probably Monday. You’re welcome whether you have an hour to spare between your lessons, or 3 or 5 hours. We really appreciate your help!
Working bee tasks include: mowing and whipper-snippering around cross-country fences, painting fences, flagging the XC course, bunting, and other jobs as needed for the event. Refreshments will be provided.
Please email me at re when/whether you can help at the 5-7 Oct working bee. This helps us to plan tasks and catering. If the response is small you may receive a phone call requesting your help.
If you can’t help on the long weekend, other working bees are planned for Sat 12 and Sun 13 Oct and Sat 26 and Sun 27 October, plus final preparation for the CNC on Friday 1 November. Let me know when you can help, and please put your commitment in your diary.
If you can help with any phase/s of the CNC itself, I can pass your contact details to the relevant coordinator.
Thank you in advance
Felicity Moran
NCHTA working bee volunteer coordinator
PS If you’re a non-local member, thank you for your support of our club, and we don’t expect you to drive 2 hours or more to a working bee.
We need your help :)
NCHTA is holding the Canberra CNC Event on the first weekend in November! There is still a LOT of preparation needed.
There will be a working bee over the weekend 5th – 7th Oct 2013 10am to 3pm Saturday, Sunday and probably Monday (the same weekend as the John Twomey Clinic). You’re welcome whether you have an hour to spare between your lessons, or 3 or 5 hours. We really appreciate your help!
Please email canberraht@gmail.com to let us know when you can come. Refreshments will be provided.
Working bee tasks include: mowing and whipper-snippering around cross-country fences, painting fences, flagging the XC course, bunting, and other odd jobs as needed for the event.
Chris Burton Clinic
We are pleased to announce that Chris is coming back to Equestrian Park in November.
He will be coaching on the 23/24th November, the weekend prior to Berrima Horse Trials end of year competition.
Entries are limited so contact Kate for availability.
John Twomey Clinic – entries now open
Entries are now open on Nominate for the SJ and XC clinic in October with John Twomey.
Due to the popularity of this clinic, John will be here for all three days of the weekend, and the clinic is organised so that each horse does showjumping training in the morning, then will have the XC training session that afternoon. This means for local riders, only one trip onto Equestrian Park! It also means that 36 horses are able to have training with this exciting coach. There are a limited number of places left on particular days, so please go to the entries site to see if there is a lesson that is suitable for you. If there is, contact Kate and she will give you the password to enter.
Due to popular request, John Twomey is coming to Canberra for a clinic over the October long weekend. This will be the last weekend riders are able to train over the XC course prior to our Event in November. John Twomey is a 4* Eventing rider, and has also won many titles to Advanced level dressage and in show jumping. He was born and raised in Narangba QLD and returned to Australia two years ago after spending a decade in New Zealand. While in New Zealand John won numerous National Eventing and Dressage titles and was a great supporter of the sport of eventing spending three years as the National Riders representative and the two years on the board of Eventing NZ. John has enjoyed enormous success this year with his remarkable horse Wade Equine Highly Recommended winning three 3* CIC ‘s at Tamworth , S.I.E.C., and Canberra. This success has been so much more meaningful as it has come on the back of a devasting rotational fall in 2011 that could easily have ended his eventing career. Today John and his wife Caroline are based at the picturesque Saffron Stables in Arcadia, Sydney. John and Caroline are both professional riders and coaches and Johns days are kept busy with teaching, breaking in and schooling of young horses, and producing competition horses for clients.
National Capital Horse Trials Association 