This weekend 8th & 9th July has seen the first of the EFA's popular Winter Training Weekends run at Werribee Park.  Approximately forty horse and rider combinations of all levels gathered for the weekend to train in dressage, show jumping and cross country. I was fortunate to be able to take part over the weekend on my Cleveland bay cross mare who is currently competing at preliminary level.

A wealth of knowledge and experience was available from the well qualified instructors - Catherine Davies, John Bird and Barry Roycroft. All spent many hours over the two days taking the group of enthusiastic and motivated riders through their paces.

The first day coincided with the Golden Triangle Inter-schools Horse Trials.  With 380 competitors from all over Victoria, there was plenty of action. It was a good opportunity for the less experienced horses to gain exposure to Werribee on a busy day without the stress of their own competition.

Recent competitor at Melbourne Three Day, Catherine Davies (pictured left riding Queen's Charisma in the One Star),  instructed her morning rider's through a show jumping course in Indoor 2. The aim of the lesson was to keep the horse listening and waiting. Riders determined a given pace, keeping their horse straight and ensuring that the pace was maintained throughout the course.  It was a great opportunity to school over the course. For many of us this occasion rarely arises.

In the afternoon Catherine took the same group for dressage schooling. The aim of our lesson was to keep horses soft and deep, in front of the leg and responsive.  Her eagle eye ensured that all improved whilst under her instruction.

John Bird was the second instructor for the day, unfortunately I didn't get to find out how his lessons went but all participants seemed to be enjoying their instruction.

(Pictured left - John Bird riding Barney Rubble at Adelaide International 2003)

The second day was much quieter once the floats, kids, ponies and parents were gone.  We were lucky to have the use of the cross country course that had been set for the competition. Many of us took advantage of schooling over fences which would otherwise only be seen during competitions.

Instructors for the second day were John Bird and Barry Roycroft.

Our cross country lesson opened with a warm up canter around the outside of the polo fields at preliminary pace.  I must admit that I have always wanted to do this (never having competed at Werribee on the cross country course) and I would have travelled down to the clinic just for this experience.

Barry Roycroft pictured left at Melbourne 3DE 2006 with Neil Clinton.

Barry's words of wisdom were to keep the quality of the canter and keep your horse straight. On those occasions when the quality of the canter was lost, the quality of the jump also sufferred.  A bit scarey if it was the polo mallett oxer that you were tackling at the time!

This was the first time for many to ride the new water complex.  We were able to school through at differing levels of complexity and take advantage of the watchful eyes of our coaches.  It is inspirational to school over the fences within a complex, looking always to the next level to see what we must improve, also to be able to challenge yourself whilst not competing. 

Although I admit that I find schooling cross country much more difficult than riding a course - with the adrenaline and the established pace missing, it just makes those fences seem a little more difficult - I am sure you all know what I mean :-)

Many thanks must go to the EFA for organising these clinics. The next clinic is on 22nd & 23rd of July and a final clinic is on 5th & 6th August.  For more information visit the EFA web site www.efavic.com.au.

The clinic is open to all riders and a great way to get some pre-competition practice in before the season kicks off in September.  Dont forget Friends of Werribee Park Horse Trials on 2nd September.

© Cyberhorse 2006 Melissa Alexander