Spring has sprung...

April outfits included: Winter coat, sunglasses, factor 50, shorts, wellies, waterproofs, thermals, sun hat.... the weather certainly lived up to Spring Time Expectations! Along with the unpredictable spring weather, we had the slightly unpredictable horses with the spring grass beginning to make an appearance.

Despite April's unpredictability there's certainly been some definite progress made across the SPCoaching team. So what's been happening this month?

I started the month at the Active Rider Camp, at Somerford Park in Cheshire giving 1 to 1 Confidence Coaching sessions: these sessions involve speaking to the rider about techniques to use in order to control their mind whilst riding, reducing the effects of nerves and anxiety- and creating what I like to call 'Badass riders'. It was lovely to meet so many riders who are determined to overcome their fears and achieve their goals!

From Cheshire, I returned to the Staffs/Derbyshire border to the lovely venue of Eland Lodge to jump a clients pony who was an absolute superstar round his first course away from home for a while! He has since been out with my clients daughter competing at Eland and was equally as well behaved!

It's been a busy month for Showjumping clinics and private coaching sessions at Curborough Equestrian, Lichfield. I've had the pleasure of working with some new faces, as well as some familiar ones; it's great to have so many riders and horses leaving the indoor arena having taken another step on their ladder towards achieving their goals for the season!

New faces has been a theme for April, I am lucky to have more horses and riders joining the SPCoaching Team. I'm looking forward to keeping you all updated on everyone's progress over the next few months!

Along with coaching, I have also managed to fit in competing and have re-registered to British Showjumping after a two year break (yes, it does feel like I'm coming out of retirement!). I was definitely more worried about having a sat- nav error mid-course rather than the actual fences, and Corillo was more worried about looking like a pro in front of the other 50+ horses in his classes at Weston Lawns (our BS comeback appearance!). After a 2 hour + wait to jump we finished 7th out of about 50 in the 95cm Dodson and Horrell National Amateur first round- qualifying for the 2nd rounds! We had a slight miscommunication (finding a new rocket button!) in the Discovery 2nd phase, clipping the related distance. He was equally as bold at Fieldhouse this weekend, an unfortunate 4 fault kind of day but, he certainly made their decent Discovery and 1.05m track feel like nothing! A few areas to adjust and, work on ready for our next outing!

AND FINALLY THE BIT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR... **INSERT DRUM ROLL**

THE BADASS RIDERS OF THE MONTH...

KIRSTY SMITH-

Kirsty has transformed her pony Max into a speedy jumping pony- AND tackled their first water tray with the best recovery I have seen in a long time! Badass!

JOANNE MINNIE-

Jo has worked incredibly hard to become a team with Grace the sassy Haflinger! I no longer need to say 'More energy', I have to say 'slow down'. I've never seen this rider without a smile on her face and determination in her eye. Badass!

SARAH HENN-ALLEN

Sarah's pony is mentioned above, he was the pony I had the pleasure of jumping at Eland but, it has definitely not all been smooth sailing with this one. Sarah has at no point given up, she's trusted the process and the training (and me!) throughout the last few months. Going from having a pony which had become nervous to even get on, to now going out hacking, competing successfully in Dressage and getting out and about jumping! Badass!

Last but, certainly not least because it's Spring time I also get to help with some other four legged animals so, I'm going to leave you with some cuteness overload!

Happy Bank Holiday!

Sian :)