Post by pboy on May 12, 2016 8:59:28 GMT
Yesterday I organised a yard trip to the Talland School of Equitation, which is only an hour away by car. Talland is run by the Hutton family and was set up by near-legendary instructor Molly Sivewright. Her daughter Pammy now runs the yard - she competes at Grand Prix herself as do her children Pippa and Charlie, and Charlie's wife Abi (Charlie and Abi did the dressage demo at Badminton last week). Other instructors there have also competed at the top levels and they have a yard full of amazingly trained schoolmasters. I was a bit worried that the place would be intimidating but it's not at all! It has a typical 'BHS riding school' feel - all breeze blocks and whiteboards, but with a massive indoor and outdoor school, nice cafe and friendly reception staff.
We each had a lunge lesson and a flatwork lesson (they do jumping lessons too). Both of my lessons were with Hilary Hughes, who was a real 'old school' instructor with lots of "good girl"s (for me!) and it was very black and white when I did something well and when I got it wrong, which is a style I appreciate! A couple of the others had lessons with Abi Hutton, who is a lot of fun and very encouraging. YO had her flatwork lesson with Charlie Hutton, who was also really lovely. The horses were amazing - they included a horse that had been around Badminton with Andrew Nicholson and a stallion who competed in the 2012 paralympics!
My first lesson was a lunge on a big grey Hanoverian. His trot felt huge compared with my Spanish boys! I really struggled to sit to him but it felt a lot better by the end - it made me realise that top dressage riders must have amazing core and ab muscles
My second was on a schoolmaster mare called Wiz, again very different to my boys. The contact had to be far stronger and Hilary showed me how to ask for flexion, I needed to be much firmer with my hands a lot lower to get Wiz really bending through the neck and releasing through the base of her neck. It was a real eye-opener! The canter work went well until we attempted a flying change 
I think Hilary decided that would be too much work to fix so we went onto some lateral work in trot instead, with a focus on straightness and getting the right flexion. Both lessons were really enjoyable and I can't wait to go back again, I think we may make it a monthly fixture.
I would definitely recommend a visit there if you are ever in the area!!
We each had a lunge lesson and a flatwork lesson (they do jumping lessons too). Both of my lessons were with Hilary Hughes, who was a real 'old school' instructor with lots of "good girl"s (for me!) and it was very black and white when I did something well and when I got it wrong, which is a style I appreciate! A couple of the others had lessons with Abi Hutton, who is a lot of fun and very encouraging. YO had her flatwork lesson with Charlie Hutton, who was also really lovely. The horses were amazing - they included a horse that had been around Badminton with Andrew Nicholson and a stallion who competed in the 2012 paralympics!
My first lesson was a lunge on a big grey Hanoverian. His trot felt huge compared with my Spanish boys! I really struggled to sit to him but it felt a lot better by the end - it made me realise that top dressage riders must have amazing core and ab muscles
My second was on a schoolmaster mare called Wiz, again very different to my boys. The contact had to be far stronger and Hilary showed me how to ask for flexion, I needed to be much firmer with my hands a lot lower to get Wiz really bending through the neck and releasing through the base of her neck. It was a real eye-opener! The canter work went well until we attempted a flying change 
I think Hilary decided that would be too much work to fix so we went onto some lateral work in trot instead, with a focus on straightness and getting the right flexion. Both lessons were really enjoyable and I can't wait to go back again, I think we may make it a monthly fixture.I would definitely recommend a visit there if you are ever in the area!!
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
