Blog

By our Head Trainer Jenny Richardson Many people are considering a riding holiday as spring beckons, and lots of us enjoy topping up our horse riding skills in a new location, as well as relaxing and unwinding on a riding trip. But if you’re planning a riding holiday, do you want a beach ride, a trek, or a training break like the fabulous ones on offer here at Castle Leslie Estate? Preparing for the climate There are several important things to consider when choosing your trip, such as the climate. If you are a fair-weather rider at home, remember you will feel just the same way abroad! Rain … [Read more...]

by Jenny Richardson, BHSAI In our last blog we discussed the importance of enjoying some indoor show jumping training and competition over the winter. Here, our head instructor Jenny Richardson BHSAI shares her top tips for maintaining rider fitness this winter… Yes, Christmas is over, and many of us may have over-indulged! But now’s the time to regain health ahead of spring, as it is key that horse riders maintain fitness, especially if they compete. Being at optimum fitness and on top of your game will give you a huge advantage in the competition ring, as your thought processes and your … [Read more...]

by Jenny Richardson, BHSAI It is time for many equestrian enthusiasts to enjoy some indoor show jumping training and competition. Our head instructor Jenny Richardson BHSAI shares her top tips! Jumping indoors for some horse and rider combinations can provide somewhat of a challenge! The space is often much tighter, and often, spooky horses find the indoor environment more intimidating. It almost always takes riders by surprise, when they first compete or even attend a clinic indoors, and have to contend with smaller warm-up spaces, and tighter turns. Learning to jump well in at an indoor … [Read more...]

by Jenny Richardson, BHSAI Here’s my tips on speeding up your showjumping round. It seems that as we climb the showjumping ranks, e.g. by jumping higher fences or progressing from unaffiliated to affiliated shows, there’s more at stake. The class numbers get higher, as do our expectations. Initially, we entered for the experience – then we were hoping for a clear-round, and maybe a placing – and now we’re perhaps wanting a first place! Accuracy is key, but time will of course play an important part in our success. The time allowed in any class should be viewed as a reminder not to go too … [Read more...]

by Jenny Richardson, BHSAI Our head trainer Jenny Richardson BHSIA teaches many guests and clients here at Castle Leslie Estate’s wonderful Equestrian Centre. She says that, just like the horses at the Estate’s world-leading riding centre, many of us are winding our own horses down for winter now. Our hard-working horses at the Castle Leslie Estate Equestrian Centre will shortly be enjoying a well-earned break from holiday visitors. As autumn continues, many horses will be wound down for the season, as competitions become more scarce, and the nights draw in. Here in Ireland, our eventing … [Read more...]