DRAFT ONLY
Our first Challenge Day for this year is a 'training' one. It is being held at the Albany Equestrian Centre Obstacle Course. The idea is that you will have a chance to help and guide your horse to gain confidence with each obstacle before presenting them with a competition later in the year.
As you know, our focus at ANTs is to build trust between our horse and ourselves. This is best done through activities that are a bit 'out of the ordinary' but without pressure and instead, giving your horse time to look at the obstacle and wait until you see them reset their nervous system. (Wait for a lick and chew; a flicker of the ears; a lowering of the head; a blink and softening of their eye.) Once you've allowed them to relax, they will trust you more and participate more willingly with what you're asking.
The Challenge Training Day will give you a chance to practice this reset. The plan is that you will each be given a number. That number will match up with one other participant who you will spend the day working with. So, working in pairs, you will start with the obstacle that matches your number.
You will have a chance to practice the course Online and then once everyone has gone through the course, you can practise it Ridden if you choose.
There are 16 obstacles altogether. You will have 5 minutes per person per obstacle. This is to give you a chance to approach the obstacle and observe your horse's thresholds. Some of you will complete the course quickly in which case you can spend time chilling with your horse while the others finish, or, you can find an obstacle that is free and try it again.
This is not a race!
It is designed to be fun for both you and your horse.
Attached is the list of obstacles. Remember, you will have 2 rounds: Online and Ridden (if you choose to).
Start: Arrive 9.30 (or earlier) for 10.00 start. Your trailbosses will need to brief you on the Course PLUS do the pre-ride checklist, so please DON'T be late.
Holding yards: put your horse in the hold yards while you attend the Briefing. There are plenty of yards to choose from, some in the shade and others in the sun.
Water and Food: Bring your own water bucket and haynet.
Hoofboots: not required
Morning Tea to Share: Please bring something to share with the others for morning tea.
Lunch: We will be stopping for lunch and a chill around 12.30 to 1.00 so bring something for your lunch.
All RSVPS are to Eva by COB Wednesday 4March. Any questions are welcome to
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