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PERFORMANCE from POTENTIAL

Well, we are coming to the end of the first half of our season here in NZ. I thought I would share some of my thoughts with you trainers and riders out there on how to pull "performance" out of potential: For the trainers: Great talent is not necessarily the right talent (true of both horse and/or rider) What you see is not necessarily what you get Never overate ribbons and certificates / never underrate character For the riders: Learned skills (good OR bad) live in your brain....

WHAT HUNTER RING JUDGES HAVE TO SAY...From Equestriancoach.com

Equestrian Coach BlogHomeLatest PostsAsk The Experts Judges' Pet Peeves: Hunter… Judges' Pet Peeves: Hunter & Equitation (Featured Image Credit ( CC): S. Carter on Flickr) It's all in the details! Sometimes the littlest things can make a bad impression on the judge! 🙈 In my 30+ years experience in the judge's box, and from having countless opportunities to officiate with hundreds of judges that I respect, I'd like to share with you some pet peeves that might help you to i...

Coming Up Showhunter HOY 2016

STYLE TRENDS FOR SHOWHUNTER HOY2016 Just a few years back girls were all riding with their hair in a pony tail hanging down the back. Now you only see hair pulled back into a tidy bun at the base of the helmet with a hairnet controlling any flyaway hair. This is much preferred as it looks tidier and also is safer. White is a basic colour for a shirt and choker – but any tone that does not clash with your jacket is acceptable. Jacket colours are a big topic of discussion these days as it se...

More from Leigh ...

NZ Show Hunter… Across the Board On the road Lucky me, I get to spread the gospel about what I consider to be the foundation discipline for many keen riders of all levels, over many disciplines… showhunter. Getting out and about around NZ (and further abroad overseas) training riders and mounts of all ages and backgrounds… I hear it time again in every district "wow I didn't know showhunter involved so much skill and precision; but once you get it 'ya got it.' " Showhunter works as...

EVERY REEL NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTIONS' RIDER GETS A RIBBON AT FARMLANDS NZ HORSE OF THE YEAR 2015

I would like to sincerely congratulate my Reel New Zealand Productions' riders who rode with me at Farmlands Horse of the Year 2015 last week. Every RNZP Position=Control™ Rider came home with a ribbon!!! I have to say, hand on my heart, I am really proud of each and every one of you. Everyone gave 110% including all parents, families, supporters who were there at NZ's grand finale of the season…but who have also been there ringside >>> in the wind, the hail, the snow, the rain,...

Winter Progamme for Waitemata Showhunter 2015

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More from Leigh...

NZ Show Hunter… Across the Board On the road Lucky me, I get to spread the gospel about what I consider to be the foundation discipline for many keen riders of all levels, over many disciplines… showhunter. Getting out and about around NZ (and further abroad overseas) training riders and mounts of all ages and backgrounds… I hear it time again in every district "wow I didn't know showhunter involved so much skill and precision; but once you get it 'ya got it.' " Showhunter works as...

SPECIAL OFFER for Equestriancoach.com !!!

After catching up with Bernie Traurig on his whirlwind Southern Hemisphere tour last month, I am proud to announce my affiliate association with Bernie and EquestrianCoach.com. Membership to EquestrianCoach opens the door to a wealth of knowledge provided by some of the best riders, coaches and industry professionals the world has to offer. EC has produced a library of hundreds of instructional videos and they continue to amass topics every month. The core instruction on the site follows the p...

HANDCRAFTED FROM EUROPE

From Wednesday 26 November 2014 until Friday 13 March 2015, if you ride in a lesson (including being trained at shows) you go into a draw to win this beautiful, handmade, leather crop. Measuring at 50 cms, the crisscross plaiting and medium flap make this crop an heirloom piece. The horse head cap is European in design and discreet in stature for use in all rings. Once you have completed a lesson, you simply write your name and phone number on a piece of paper (I provide) and pop it into the b...

Jordan is a WINNER!

I would like to congratulate RNZP rider, Jordan Reed-Smythe (pictured above) regarding the Denise Crispe Memorial Scholarship. Denise Crispe was a good friend; and though the time has slipped by since she left us, I feel privileged to still work with her beloved Oscar via Tracey Parnwell and Tristan Thomas (pictured with Time 'l Tell aka Oscar) - and Sheryl Parnwell occasionally ha ha. I know Denise would be thrilled to have Jordan as her scholarship recipient; as I can tell you from Jordie's...

Equitana this week for Position=ControlTM and Leigh!

So looking forward to hopping on that plane and jumping the ditch to Equitana 2014! It is an honour to be joining other international clinicians. I will be running clinics in Gippsland Premium Quarries Arena on Thursday 20 Nov. and Sunday 23 Nov. I am also judging The Australian Saddlehorse Championship, with Charlotte Dujardin; which will be interesting. I love the fact they all will be in plain snaffles. Look here for more information! See you ringside. ...

NEWS & ARTICLES

Having a lengthy history in both America and now New Zealand in the hunter or "showhunter" discipline, I am pleased to see progress being made both in the showring and in NZ's schooling methods and techniques. We are still a young country in many ways, including in the Showhunter arena. There are several areas of commendable growth; and also some issues that need addressing now that NZ Showhunter has graduated to the next level of the dedicated professional competitor and also with the true ...