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Another Show Jumping title for the Davison's.

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Following in his brother Tom’s footsteps, Joe has been awarded British Showjumping’s Area ‘Rider of the Year’ award. He was also awarded the ‘Young Rider of the Year’ award for the second year running.

As Joe was away competing at the time of the award ceremony it was down to Richard to collect the awards on his behalf at the Area 22 Dinner and Awards ceremony held on 18th March.

On learning of the awards Joe said “ I feel very honored to receive two such prestigious titles and I would like to thank all those who put so much work into our area and appreciate all their efforts”

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In other news, we have been using the good weather to prepare the fields ready for spreading the Suregrow Fertiliser which allows us to carry on turning our horses during the spreading. Having used it last year, the results have been very beneficial for our horses who love their field time!

Verona, our jumping brood mare in foal to John Whitaker’s Argento, has left to go to Lingbourne Stud in anticipation of her foal next week. No doubt she’ll be looking forward to some well prepared fields.
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Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers Support Britain's Richard Davison

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Richard, Joost & Clark

Dressage fans around the world will soon be letting rip to music made famous by global superstar Robbie Williams using songs written by himself and legendary song writer Guy Chambers. They will provide the new blockbuster dressage freestyle for Great Britain’s Olympic dressage rider Richard Davison in the run-up to London 2012.

Some of the music duo’s most famous songs, such as ‘Let me entertain you’ and ‘Rock DJ’, will feature including a special introduction with Robbie’s vocals while Guy plays the melodies on his classic Steinway.  Under conductor Clark Rundell, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s interpretation guarantees a massive and beautiful feel.

Holland’s Joost Peters, who has been responsible for creating the world’s finest Kurs to date – including the one used for the world record breaking black stallion Totilas – was selected to pull the whole project together. “The music of Robbie and Guy make this the best kur dressage has ever heard – it is simply fantastic and takes the sport to another level. The beautiful melodies and beat have a real get-up and dance effect. These guys are legends – listening to Guy and the orchestra playing my arrangement has been a surreal experience for me” described Peters.

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Richard & Hiscox Artemis

Davison, aiming for his fourth Olympics and Britain’s dressage team captain, will ride the 12 year bay gelding Hiscox Artemis to the composition. He explained “This has been the brainchild of Hiscox Artemis’ co-owner the Countess of Derby; she has made it all happen and how lucky am I? Both Artemis and I love the music – it has got a great beat and really makes him rock.”

Speaking on behalf of Robbie Williams, IE Music said “Hiscox Artemis’ expressive movement fits the dynamics and beat of the music perfectly. It would be wonderful for Robbie to see Richard and Artemis perform live to his songs  – and what better setting could there be than in the Olympic arena on home soil.”

Davison will first unveil the Kur though at Holland’s leading indoor competition at S’Hertogenbosch next week. That is the final qualifying opportunity for riders to gain a ticket for the FEI’s Reem Acra World Cup Final in Leipzig in April. The series is the flagship of the sports dressage to music competitions. “It will be great to have one public outing before the Final but of course next year’s Olympic arena is the ultimate venue for this piece” said Davison.

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Your Horse Magazine video & photo's with Richard & Tom.

Richard & Hiscox Aliano

Photo time with Richard & Ali

With glorious sunshine we set about shooting the videos for Your Horse magazines online content to kick off our monthly training articles covering a huge range of different training activities to help develop your dressage, jumping and cross-country.
With Richard demonstrating a number of exercises designed to improve your seat and position for dressage, Tom introduces a five year old jumper and Georgie Spence’s eight year old intermediate eventer. The two jumping rounds include a small commentary to point out what we are looking from for each horse and the area for improvement.

Tom & Julie

Tom talks through an exercise with Georgie & Julie

We shot the photo’s to accompany the first magazine article focusing on rider position for the different disciplines.This will be out in the April edition and includes four exercises from both Richard and Tom on how to perfect your position so we have a secure, effective and adaptable position to handle any situation. From stretches to sitting trot and jumping with no stirrups, a first for Georgie, some of our most valuable activities are in it!


Tom

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Developing you medium & extended trot out in the field with Richard Davison.

Trotting up hills is a great way to teach your horse to open up his shoulders, and will help him understand what he’s supposed to do, says Richard Davison.

Medium and extended trot both have to be mastered if you want to go up the levels in dressage. And it’s easier than you think, says Richard Davison

Some horses can naturally lengthen their stride, so if yours is one of them, then when you’re preparing to ride your first Novice test (where medium trot is required for the first time), you shouldn’t have much trouble.

Others may need a bit more help, but you should find that most horses will happily oblige once they understand what you’re asking them to do.

But before you start to teach your horse how to lengthen his trot stride, here’s a reminder of what the trot is and how the horse should move in trot.

The trot: defined
The trot is a two-time pace where the horse moves his legs in diagonal pairs, plus there’s a moment of suspension when all four legs are off the ground.

Ideally – and essentially at the higher levels – the horse should work in good, uphill balance with his hindlegs stepping well under his body. He should be supple through his topline and seeking a rein contact.

If your horse’s trot doesn’t feel up to scratch, don’t panic. Here are some common trot problems we encounter, with some simple solutions, too. I find they work well for my horses, so give them a go.

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Tom & Egano Star
The hills are alive
If you have access to a long, not- too-steep hill, then use it to your advantage.

Take a light seat, but don’t give the rein away, and don’t allow your horse to fall onto the forehand.

You should find your horse naturally reaches with his stride more than he would on flat ground, so encourage him.

Or if you have a friend who has a horse with an established medium trot, trot up the hill beside them and watch your horse really open up!

In conjunction with Horse&Rider Magazine.

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Developing you medium & extended trot out in the field with Richard Davison.

Trotting up hills is a great way to teach your horse to open up his shoulders, and will help him understand what he’s supposed to do, says Richard Davison.

Medium and extended trot both have to be mastered if you want to go up the levels in dressage. And it’s easier than you think, says Richard Davison

Some horses can naturally lengthen their stride, so if yours is one of them, then when you’re preparing to ride your first Novice test (where medium trot is required for the first time), you shouldn’t have much trouble.

Others may need a bit more help, but you should find that most horses will happily oblige once they understand what you’re asking them to do.

But before you start to teach your horse how to lengthen his trot stride, here’s a reminder of what the trot is and how the horse should move in trot.

The trot: defined
The trot is a two-time pace where the horse moves his legs in diagonal pairs, plus there’s a moment of suspension when all four legs are off the ground.

Ideally – and essentially at the higher levels – the horse should work in good, uphill balance with his hindlegs stepping well under his body. He should be supple through his topline and seeking a rein contact.

If your horse’s trot doesn’t feel up to scratch, don’t panic. Here are some common trot problems we encounter, with some simple solutions, too. I find they work well for my horses, so give them a go.

Picture

Tom & Egano Star
The hills are alive
If you have access to a long, not- too-steep hill, then use it to your advantage.

Take a light seat, but don’t give the rein away, and don’t allow your horse to fall onto the forehand.

You should find your horse naturally reaches with his stride more than he would on flat ground, so encourage him.

Or if you have a friend who has a horse with an established medium trot, trot up the hill beside them and watch your horse really open up!

In conjunction with Horse&Rider Magazine.

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