Welcome to GGCoach!
Well it has been a busy preparation to the beginning of the season. The first show - Waikanae Spring Show - has been and unfortunately I was not there so do not have anything to report. But apparently there were huge entries with some riders not getting home until 8pm! There is always a lot of apprehension and nerves at the first show of the season because as a rider you want to start the season off right! However the pressure of setting such a high standard for yourself to do well at the first show of the season often backfires, as nerves take over and you dont ride your best! In the coming weeks I hope to have some information on my Website Resources Page that can help riders deal with those nerves at competition - so keep an eye out.
My preparation for the season has been a bit up and down with the stress of changing jobs. I am nno longer the NZPCA Coaching Officer, but now the Operations Manager for the Wellington Riding for the Disabled - who are a great bunch of peopel to work with. Anyway, as such the schooling of my horses has suffered, but we have managed to have Andrew Scott down for a couple of GREAT clinics and never ceases to amaze me with the heights and courses I end up riding under his confidence-building eye! I have been to watch Bill Noble teaching dressage and his main theme was seeking a “beautiful contact” with the horse. James Jackson, 3* Advanced Eventor has also been down to Wellington and I about to go and have a lesson with him shortly. QE2 had a great XC training day and I am pleased to report my young mare jumped all the PreTraining fences first pop, so I was very pleased. Pepper, my 2* eventor now has a new rider - Tasha Mazey - and he is enjoying not having to do the hard fitness yards and high jumps anymore!
Well, daylight savings is here and the school holidays, so here is wishing everyone the best of luck for the coming season. Send me any results or pictures and let me know any other interesting info out there - tonigray@xtra.co.nz
