What does Kevin think?

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What does Kevin think?
I'd like to share my concepts, philosophies, and my style as a trainer, and rider.

Flat Work - is so paramount in being a successful rider. Flat work challenges both horse and rider to obtain a connection, build core muscles, balance, and moving together in harmony. Flat work also allows the rider to approach jumps accurately, navigate through the five stages of a jump, and gives the ability to manage strides through grids and combinations.

Longing
It is my belief that a rider should be able to work their steed in hand on the ground; capturing the horse’s movement before asking the same while mounted. There are so many techniques and training aids in longing. I personally prefer the Pesoa Training System, which is a very simple concept of moving the horse from butt, to bit, and into hand. The Pessoa Training System offers many configurations; from working long and low to a dressage frame. It has been my proven experience that the trot builds muscle while the canter builds balance. I longe my horses at least once a week. I will either use a field that has a slope in the topography or in the ring with trot poles, raised trot poles, and cavalleti.

Nutrition
Nutrition is key when conditioning, maintaining, and showing your horse. I stay focused that all my horses are receiving the nutrition they require for optimal performance. I often consult with a few Equine Veterinarians, one of which has a Masters in Equine Nutrition.

Training my horses or clients is a big thrill for me. I enjoy personalizing a program which allows them to set the pace, yet challenges them. I am always aware of the client’s riding capabilities and overall goals. Adding muscle, enhancing balance and gaits, and increasing cardiovascular ability usually gives the client a brand new horse that rides different, more forward, is more content, and enjoys working.

I enjoy teaching so much. ……Seeing the client’s face light up with exuberance, expressing a sense of adulation, and feeling they are on top of the world is awe-inspiring. I never go into a ring without a goal. Sure, the goals may change midstream and that is OK…..it is good to take it down a notch and refresh the basics every once in a while. I believe a rider should ride every stride – so then it is my job to train every stride. During my lessons, I like to receive feedback on what the rider is feeling their horse is doing, especially if the movement they are experiencing is new. I want to make sure they know that the movement is correct and how it feels so they are able to execute the same movements when riding without instruction – it also starts to define muscle memory for the rider. Eventually, the rider will be able to ride these new movements as if they have been riding them all their life. My approach during a lesson is consistent. I start of with building blocks on the flat and gymnastics then work our way up to jumping by incorporating what was just learned in the beginning of the lesson.

I hold myself to a professional standard at all times during a show and expect the same from my students. Students are my top priority and have my 100% undivided attention. I walk the course with the rider, offer suggestions for strategy, have the rider communicate back so I know they understand, and support them throughout the show. I do not yell in the ring or walk the student out of the ring with a list of errors that occurred. I have the classes video taped and we will review at a later time. I give positive feedback and express a job well done. When my students enter a ring, they are warmed up, prepared mentally, physically, and both horse and rider are communicating well.