Get the most out of Winter Training
It's Winter.
It's muddy, it's wet, it's cold and we are not-so-secretly counting down the days until the evenings start getting longer again, HOWEVER, Winter can be a very valuable time and can make or break next years success.
I'm talking about Winter training. Now is the time to get planning and focus on the areas that you or your horse struggle with or are perhaps not as strong, so that you are already ahead of the curve come Eventing time next year. For me, I would love to go XC all day every day, however, it's my strongest phase, so I am using my Winter to focus on flatwork initially. Once I have him super soft over his back and I am stronger in my position we are going to build the jumping back up.
Today I thought I would share my top tips on how to get the most out of lessons and training clinics: they seem really obvious but it's amazing what slips through your brain mid-lesson! Enjoy:
1. Know exactly what you are booking in for - if a clinic is advertised and it's not clear whether it's jumping exercises, grid work, poles on the flat or a round of jumps, get in touch with the organisers and ask.
2. Book yourself in for the correct height - be honest about what level you are riding at and where you need the most help. If you find the level too easy you are going to go home unsatisfied with your progress, but at the same time over phasing you or your horse rarely does anyone any good.
3. Listen, process, action - listen to what your instructor is asking you to do, be sure you know what they mean and then take action. There's nothing more frustrating for an instructor to be giving instructions that are being ignored (also, talk to them- don't be scared and go quiet!).
4. If you do not understand what is being asked, or if you are unsure why you are being asked to do something ASK for clarification - I always find it easier to do something new when I know the theory behind it.
5. Film your lesson - if someone is on hand to film the session then I highly recommend it. You can learn so much from being on the ground (or behind the lens) as you are seeing what your instructor sees. Plus, it doubles up as top Insta content
6. Say thank you when you are finished - thank the instructor and thank the organiser (I also find bribery goes a long way and always arrive at my lessons with Ian Stark with a Caramel Log in hand!), remember they have been standing in the cold all day and manners cost nothing.
7. As soon as you get home or in the lorry write down the key points from your lessons - use your phone notes or a page in your diary (my prefered method as you can look back on the date of your lesson) and write down key points/ exercises so that you can recreate at home without your instructor giving you orders (wouldn't it be nice to have your own personal instructor every ride!).
8. Before your next lesson, go back and re-read the notes from your last lesson - your instructor will be impressed you've remembered to do everything you covered last time.
9. Find an instructor you feel comfortable with and that shares your vision and schedule regular lessons - you are not going to fix everything and expect great results from one lesson.
I hope you found this useful and have a fantastic Winter of training - it will all pay off in the spring. Now we just have to prey the rains switches off!
Sarah x
