There’s nothing I love more than helping a rider grow in confidence, especially when that in turn means they develop a stronger connection with their horse. From the early stages of learning to jump through to fine-tuning performance before a competition, I love being part of the journey no matter what level people are riding at. I’ve always been driven by the same aim: helping people make the most of their time in the saddle and their horses to reach new heights.
Teaching gave me a new perspective
Over the last 25 years, I’ve worked with riders across the full spectrum of ability and ambition. I’m a Level 4 British Showjumping Coach and Coach Educator, and I also hold a Master’s degree in Sports Coaching. That might sound like a lot of time spent learning rather than ‘doing’, but for me, learning never stops. And that’s especially true when it comes to figuring out how best to support the horses and riders I work with. I know lots of riders reading this will have first-hand experience of how tricky it can be to learn how to teach. Yes, we can get on different horses and get a tune out of them… but working out what the person on board needs to do differently or better. Well, that’s another matter! That’s why becoming a coach educator has been a thoroughly rewarding process.
Marwood gave me so much experience
In 2007, I founded Marwood Equestrian, a training facility near Barnard Castle in County Durham. In the 18 years since taking over, I’ve shaped it into a hub with the top-notch facilities and coaching needed for training, learning and development. Some people come for one-off lessons or clinics to gain confidence or work through a particular challenge. Others return week after week to keep progressing towards long-term goals. I also support para show jumping riders through national training programmes and work with fellow professionals as they develop their own coaching practice.
Looking back gave me an idea…
A couple of years ago, I was reflecting on all the experience I’ve gained and the horse and rider combinations I’ve worked with, and it sparked an idea. I started thinking about how I could put the exercises, insights and practical tips I’ve gathered into a format that riders and coaches could easily pick up and use. That’s how 100 Exercises for Showjumping came to life.
The book is a collection of exercises I’ve found really effective for taking horses from the very first stage in their jumping education all the way through to jumping a course in a competition environment. It’s perfect for people who train alone and want fresh inspiration for their sessions, as well as those looking to keep progressing between in-person lessons. I know not everyone has regular access to a coach, and I wanted this to feel like a helpful guide you can rely on when you're schooling at home. It’s also great inspiration for coaches and instructors with lots of budding showjumpers in their client list!
Take a peek inside the pages
100 Exercises for Showjumping covers everything from foundational flatwork and polework to gymnastic exercises, courses and competition prep. There are also dedicated sections for troubleshooting, offering ways to tackle common issues like rushing, steering issues or losing rhythm. Each exercise includes clear instructions, coaching tips and ideas for how to adapt it depending on your horse’s experience and needs.
One of the things I’ve always loved about coaching is finding new ways to explain or unlock something for a rider. I wanted that same feeling to come across in the book, the feeling that you’ve got someone in your corner, helping you think about your training in a new way.
It’s been so encouraging to hear from people who’ve read it and taken the time to let me know what they thought of it. Knowing that my book is helping riders make the most of their training time and improve their connection with their horse is exactly why I wrote it. And, if all this has made you curious and you would like to take a look, 100 Exercises for Showjumping is available now on Amazon here. I’d love to hear how you get on with it and I hope it brings some fresh ideas and confidence to your time in the saddle.