Barbara Mitchell,
coach, judge and owner of Stouffville, Ontario's CornerStone
Farm, took time out of her winter schedule last February to head
a discussion at the Horse Publications Group Symposium on how
to create a "downtime" coaching strategy. The following
tips are based on Mitchell's suggestions.
The show season
has pretty much wound down and you have started having nightmares
about your students riding those interminable, ever-decreasing
circles around you for months on end in a dark, cold arena. But
it doesn't have to be that way. With some ingenuity you can make
the cold, sometimes
uninspiring winter a fun and educational time of year for yourself
and your students.
1. Put Yourself
First
Although
it might seem difficult to tear yourself away because you think
you're the only one who can properly care for your students and
horses, take some down time from "thinking, planning and
coaching" says Mitchell and do something for yourself. Go
on a vacation or take up a hobby or activity such as skiing,
yoga or attending the theatre, that is "totally outside
of horses" she suggests. This way you can help avoid the
winter downers which can be easily transferred to your students
and even the horses.
As for horse-related pursuits, attend professional development
seminars. Or visit other pros and watch them teach, give them
a hand setting up jumps, trade horses for awhile, get their input.
("Most of us love to have people come to see our places,
says Mitchell.) It gets you into a different environment
and allows you to evaluate your own coaching program.
2. Give 'Em
a Leg Up
Help
your students work toward specific clinics they may be attending.
This gives you and your students a goal to aim for during "this
time of year when you're aimless" says Mitchell. Work a
heavy-duty clinic into your students' winter schedule, i.e. train
for three weeks prior to the clinic, participate and then have
an easy-going subsequent three weeks.
3. Bring in
New Faces
Last
winter over the Christmas
holiday, young coach and competitor, Erynn Ballard, taught two
lessons to CornerStone's riding school clients. "She built
a course that she used for two days," says Mitchell. It
was a wonderful use of the arena...I got a lot out of it."
Then, during the second week of January, Beth Underhill conducted
a clinic for the school.
Mitchell assures coaches that they shouldn't be afraid of asking
(other)
professionals to do some sessions. However, she does advise that
you choose a clinician who will complement your teaching style
and reinforce what you teach. "The worst thing is to have
someone who asks your students, 'Who taught you that?'"
4. Explore
New Frontiers
Coaches
can also try trading lessons with coaches from other disciplines.
For example, a hunter-jumper coach can teach a lesson or two
at a dressage barn and vice versa. "No money needs to change
hands," Mitchell says. This is not only beneficial to the
riders, but the coaches as well.
5. Head for
the Hills
Teach
a class outside and/or go on hacks with your students - even
if everyone just walks. "Try to get out of the box,"
as Mitchell calls the arena. She cautions however, that this
activity might not be advisable for children or beginner students
riding school horses: the combination of excited students and
horses, cold weather and questionable footing can create safety
issues. But it is a great activity for advanced riders and those
who own their own horses. Don't worry about roughing it says
Mitchell. "We protect our 'prissy' little horses too much."
6. You're
"It"
Play
games! Pole bending, musical rides - something other than riding
around, says Mitchell. Letting loose can encourage riders to
develop confidence and skill and also "keeps the horses
fresh."
7. Oh, the
Agony
Have
your students ride with no stirrups for a week. "They'll
hate you by the end of it but they'll be able to ride,"
says Mitchell.
8. Target
Your Practice
Hold
an equitation week where all the work is rider-focused. During
the week, get the riders to switch horses (particularly if you
run or teach in a show barn) to help erase some of the bad habits
people can develop when they ride the same horse all the time.
For a change, put more advanced riders on ponies ("It will
be great for the pony.") and let little kids ride safe,
larger horses.
Consider holding a "big jump" day with your jumper
students - put them on an experienced horse and let them jump
fences that are huge relative to what they're used to doing.
"It really opens their sights up," but, advises Mitchell,
"Set it up so they can't miss and crash."
9. Generate
a New You or Two
Teach
your students how to teach. Give them a lesson or part of a lesson
to do. "Get them to vocalize all that learning they've been
getting from you," says Mitchell. Eventually, once they
are comfortable, they can provide you valuable assistance by
warming up lessons and helping at horse shows. The students will
also start analyzing their own riding which will, in turn, make
them better riders. Down the road this experience might help
your students find teaching jobs. "You can't hold them forever,"
she warns. "Let them go off with some knowledge from you."
10. Get Out
of Routine
Do
something with your students that isn't horse related - tobogganing
or a movie for younger students or a party or luncheon with adults.
In lieu of a lesson, take your students to a clinic so you can
come back and talk about it. (Mitchell cautions however, that
the coach might have to educate the parents in the
benefits of attending clinics as they may see a lesson as a lesson
and discount alternative learning experiences.)
11. Have Confabs
Organize
one-on-one meetings with your students where you set goals and
establish a focus for both the rider and yourself. Make sure
the goals are realistic, particularly with students you are having
trouble with. Beware that in the case of some children, their
goals may not match those of their parents; they may feel pressured
to succeed or, on the other hand, might not get enough support.
Also spend time with the parents in a situation where you can
discuss horses as well as other topics. A "thank you"
party or a get-together over the holidays could be the answer.
Give them a questionnaire prior to the meeting to facilitate
discussion.
It may take a bit of planning and consideration but the winter
doesn't have to be quite the doldrums you may have originally
anticipated. In fact, by incorporating some of the above ideas
and infusing some of your own, the season may, in fact, become
your most
productive time of year for you and your students.
