Tuition, Training Days, Seminars & Demonstrations

If you would like a clinic at your yard, you can either organise it yourself, or let us do it for you. We offer a choice of private lessons, shared lessons, lunge lessons and /or a group lesson. All levels of rider are catered for, but if you are sharing it is best if you are both at the same level of training. Private lessons are recommended if you need help with something specific, as it is important to get to the root of the problem. You will be shown exercises which will specifically relevant to you and your horse which you can try at home. A combination of private lessons, shared lessons, and group lessons works well in most cases.

If you would like a clinic near you, then contact us with a suggested venue and we will do the rest.

For further details for any of the above , please contact Claire Lilley

Horse and Rider Magazine Competition Winners

Training with Claire Lilley

Prize

• Half day’s training with Claire
• Claire Lilley Lunge Kit
• Fleece-Lined Roller (with adjustable side rings)
• Lunge Line
• Bit Connector

Horse and Rider Magazine held a competition to win a training session with Claire. Here is a summary of the afternoon.  

Sue, Sharon arrived at the yard at 2pm, for a cup of tea and a chat with Claire to discuss what they would be doing, and what they would find helpful with training their own horses.

Claire started off by explaining which muscles the horse should be using when he is working correctly when stretching and in an outline. During training, she “shadowed” the girls, standing behind them as they lunged the horses so she was on hand all the time, and could correct Sue and Sharon easily.

Both Sue and Sharon had a go at lungeing Trevor in the Chambon, and were taught how to watch for clues to know if he was stretching properly. His nose had to go forwards and down so that the top line of his neck was stretching, and the muscles underneath his neck were soft. His stomach muscles could be seen firming up as he stepped forwards with his hind legs, and worked with a gently swinging back. It was important to watch the whole horse, and to check the length of stride, the “triangles” between the pair of front legs, and the pair of hind legs should be the same size. The inside hind foot should step into the print of the inside front foot.

Next they both lunged Trevor in side reins. Claire starts with one side rein on the outside and the lunge line connected to the bit. This is useful if your horse is new to lungeing in side reins- the lunge person can keep the horse relaxed by giving small half halts on the line to encourage the horse to chew. It was explained how important it was to make sure the poll was the highest point of the neck so that the Trevor remained working correctly through his body.

After a change of horses, Sharon and Sue had a go at double-lungeing on a circle. They were both new to this, but had no problem using the Feeling to guide Heinrich successfully around on a circle. They started with the line over his back while they got to grips with the controls, and how to use their whole bodies. It is just as important to stand in a correct position as it is when riding, and to use body language, not to just rely on the hands.

Some leading in- hand work proved very useful with issues such as how to prevent your horse barging you, or turning to face you. The horses are quite sensitive to this, and soon let Sharon and Sue know if they were in the wrong place at the wrong time!

As a final treat, Sue and Sharon had a sit on schoolmaster Amadeus, who gave them an insight at to how tall you should be sitting in the saddle, and how to feel what is going on through your seat, He obligingly gave both girls a feel of piaffe and passage after a bit of bribery with some sugar lumps!

Claire hopped on him to put him through his paces, and he was only to happy to show off. Sharon and Sue were presented with their prizes, and the afternoon concluded with a de-brief over another much needed cup of tea at about 5pm.

Here are the comments from the two girls:

“Just a quick note to say thank you so much for last Thursday Afternoon. I had a great time and I hope also learnt something!

The content of the afternoon was just right and it was a privilege to work with well mannered, well trained horses. Having the opportunity to “sit” on Amadeus and feel the power of Piaffe and Passage was amazing!

Sharon”

“Many thanks for a very enjoyable afternoon  I learnt a lot and am looking forward to trying out all the 'goodies'. The girls in my yard were green with envy to hear that I'd sat on your lovely horse!

Thanks again,

Sue”