Preparing for success – putting the winter to work
Off-season for eventers can seem to last a lifetime but then all of a sudden, the first event is upon us and we find ourselves wondering what we really achieved over the winter months. For me, it’s important that I plan my winter training like I wou...
Potty about lunging? Insights into how to lunge your horse
Lunging has so many advantages. It can be used as part of the breaking and training process, as an alternate method of exercise, as a rehab tool, as a time saving way to work your horse, as a way to allow a horse to let off steam or relax before you jump ...
Learning from a legend – Camilla trains with Chris Bartle
The Irish have long since been known for their brave, natural cross country riding. In recent years, however, the sport of eventing has changed quite dramatically. The standard of dressage has increased to be on a par with that found in pure dressage. Sho...
On Target – training the young horse to jump arrow head / skinny type fences
Joseph Murphy is one of Ireland’s most successful event riders and has trained many young horses to the highest level in this demanding sport. With cross country courses becoming ever more technical, ‘arrow heads’ and ‘skinnies’ now feature at a...
Training the Grand Prix Dressage horse – Snowdon Faberge – ‘Fabio’
Fabio is a 17.3hh, 9yr old dark bay gelding we are training towards Grand Prix Dressage. We purchased him as a 4yr old from a family friend. What I initially loved about Fabio was his super walk and canter. His trot, although not big and flashy, has a ver...
The Merry Minstrel – ‘Socks’ – training the young horse
Socks is a 17hh 6yr old Chestnut Gelding. We purchased him at the end of 2014 from a show jumping yard. What we liked about Socks was his positive attitude, his three good paces and his flashy good looks. Over the past year he has been competing at Prelim...
