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Welcome to #EquestrianEducation with #GrandSlamEquestrian
#WednesdayWisdom, Part 2: If you want to be safe doing something or you want your child to be safe doing something, then you need to invest in excellent equipment. Educate yourself as an individual or as a parent. Find the best fitting equipment for yourself or your child based on your budget, and future plans within the industry. If your child plans to attend Summer Camp, then invest in an equestrian specific helmet and riding boots. If you or your child plan to compete in the future, then invest in the best, properly fitted black helmet and boots. Depending on the child’s age, the boot requirements may vary. A lot of boots and attire can be acquired second hand. This is a great way to get your hands on quality products without spending a fortune. Especially while they “try out” the sport. Plus you can always re-consign at the end of the season. Helmets however, should NEVER be purchased used under any circumstances. Let me break this down for you: Student A- shows an interest in horses and attends Summer Camp at a local facility. Clearly communicated- This rider has maybe 5 hours of riding experience. Summer Camp is an introduction to horses and very basic horsemanship. The Student enjoys the horses. They show an interest in continuing with weekly lessons, but not competition. Some programs will offer discounted lessons to those that attend their facility’s summer camp. Student B- began as a Summer Camp participant. Has continued with weekly lessons through the fall. Has an interest in horse showing, but does not have enough hours in the saddle to do so yet. Cost may be a prohibiting factor. Trainers do make vested interest in students with strong work ethics and a willingness to learn. Clearly communicated- This rider has roughly 55 hours in the saddle. Student C- initially began their riding career as a Summer Camp participant. Has continued with twice weekly lessons since participating in camp. 104 hours per year This student began competing in local schooling shows. Clearly communicated- This student has roughly 208 hours in the saddle. They can independently W-T-C, but they may NOT be fully jumping courses. They competed in their first horse show, but only showed in “flat” classes as they are still developing their jumping skills. Student A & Student B would be considered Beginners as part of the Grand Slam Equestrian Lesson Program. Student C would be considered Intermediate. In my professional experience, Students should not be jumping anything over ground poles or cross rails in height with less than 200 hours in the saddle. Everyone wants to jump bigger jumps, great. You need more education and saddle time. The jumps do not go up at Grand Slam Equestrian until they are jumped in correct form, speed, and rhythm. This builds confidence of both horse and rider. You need a strong core, have the ability to ride a variety of different horses within the lesson program, and can clearly communicate paths of travel while mounted. This includes ring etiquette of passing left shoulder to left shoulder in an arena with other riders. When Student’s leave my program for another, the receiving trainer probably assumes because a rider can do x, y, or z that they are capable of jumping higher. This is where honesty plays a huge role in this industry. For me it is never a question of if a rider will be over faced, but rather how long until they get hurt. Likewise, when students enter my program from another I treat each individual as if they are riding for the first time. I never assume they know anything and I never assume they know my horses. Most importantly, not all lesson program’s horses are the same. I pride myself on my invested dedication to providing SAFE, show quality & capable lesson horses to build a rider’s confidence in any situation or discipline.
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Welcome to the #EquestrianEducation Series with #GrandSlamEquestrian
Part 1: In his 2008 book “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell wrote that “ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness.” The meaning behind this, in theory, is simple. To be considered elite and truly experienced within a certain craft, you must practice it for ten thousand hours. If you want to be good at something or you want your child to be good at something then you need to invest in excellent, deliberately focused instruction. Educate yourself as an individual or as a parent. Find the best program for yourself or your child’s learning style, your budget, and future plans within the industry. Let me break this down for you: Student A- beginning high school in the fall takes one lesson per week 52 hours per year This student does this for four years 208 hours Clearly communicated- This rider has not been riding for four years, they have roughly 200 hours in the saddle. They enjoy the sport. Student B- beginning high school in the fall takes two lessons per week 104 hours per year This student does this for four years 416 hours Clearly communicated- This rider has not been riding for four years, this rider has roughly 415 hours in the saddle. Student C- beginning high school in the fall takes three lessons per week 156 hours per year This student does this for four years 624 hours Clearly communicated- This student has been riding for four years or over 620 hours. Per our lesson program at Grand Slam Equestrian, only Student B & Student C are eligible to horse show. They need enough hours in the saddle before entering competition. All three of these students have the ability in the United States to become “Professional” or “Amateur” Equestrian’s once they turn 18 and their junior career commences. What is very important to note is that they very clearly do not have the same hours invested. People show up for their one hour lesson and leave. Sometimes the horses are already tacked up. This is where horsemanship is 100% lacking in this Country. 10,000 hours equates to practicing 6 hours per day, every day, for four or five years. As a Professional Equestrian, when you are coming to my program you are paying for my 10,000+ hours of experience which are not just “saddle hours”. In total I have over 30 years of experience. Certainly you can go to a “professional” like Student A, Student B, or Student C, but we are not the same. Invest in someone who has not only invested in themselves and their own continued education, but that of their horses and customers- both past and present and has safety at the forefront of their operation. |
Nina M. ShafferProfessional Equestrian Archives
May 2023
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