This course is aimed at coaches who are working with clients who wish to develop their jumping interests, or riders who need to develop their techniques jumping cross country type obstacles. Equally the course would also suit riders who wished to develop their skills jumping cross country type fences.

Paul Tapner is a former top-level event rider who represented Australia on numerous teams and who won Badminton in 2010 on Inonothing. In recent years, since winding down his string, he has been involved in the management of eventing at the highest level working as technical director for the Event Rider Masters series, and has had time for more coaching, developing a training academy for aspiring young eventers alongside his wife, Georgina. Wickstead HorsePlay is a top-class facility offering a huge all-weather surface with arena eventing fences including steps, banks and water as well as BS jumps. 

The aims of the course are;

• To consider the types of jumps that maybe used within a schooling area
• Consideration of the use of fences for varying levels of horses and riders
• Discuss coaching sessions for riders and horse
• Develop an understanding of assessing riders and horses using cross country type obstacles
• To explore the use of cross country type fences within a schooling area for a variety of riders and horses

Programme

• 9.30am Register
• 10am Introduction
• 10.15am Arena cross country fences
  - Setting out and use of simulated X-country fences within a schooling area. This should include; corners, skinnies, combination fences and related distances. The use of equipment such as – blocks and plastic wings but also include purpose built indoor cross country fences. The objective being to create simulated routes and cross country environment but also to create fences that look like cross country jumps
  - Course walk and discussion
  Setting out fences that could be jumped in a course order and also be used for schooling. Discussion of lines to fences speeds and approaches. If time, group exercise with coaches planning a course around the fences
• 11.45am Coaching Skills
  Assessing horse and riders, consideration of how cross country type lessons will be structured. Working with single fences, developing to related fences, dealing with riders who show less confidence or are worried, terminology, approach to sessions and attitude, using the right language
• 12.15pm Lunch break
• 1pm Practical demonstration - Working with a group of riders - 70-80cm Riding Club type
  Managing the group but involving all
  Working the horses and riders in preparation for jumping cross country type fences
  Position of rider moving the pace forward and bringing the pace back. Position over fences, position between fences and on corners: Position when jumping a variety of obstacles
  When to approach a jump slowly and when to take more pace
• 2.15pm Q&A Session
• 2.30pm Practical demonstration - Working with an individual rider or pair Guinea pigs - established BE100/Novice competitor(s)
  Assessing the needs of an individual and considering the session from an initial assessment
  Working the rider and horse before jumping begins, working the pace forward and back, developing the rider position when moving forward and slowing down
  Working with a single fence and determining progress to other fences and lines
  Developing lines
• 3.30pm Q&A Session
• 4pm Finish

£35 for BHS Accredited Professional Coaches, £40 all others. Please note the reduced rate is ONLY for BHS APCs, not coaches affiliated to other organisations - thank you.

This day has been accredited as CPD for BHS Accredited Professional Coaches and counts for 6 CPD points. Certificates of attendance can be provided on request to coaches requiring CPD for other organisations, but it is your responsibility to check they will accredited the course.