Claire Knowles Horse Riding Instructor

Background

I was born and raised in the UK on a farm in the south of England. My childhood was spent riding ponies, attending Pony Club, competing in horse trials and hunter trials. I spent long days hacking out over Salisbury Plain and through Chute Forest. After leaving school I went to work full time with horses, training as a working pupil in a variety of yards. I gained valuable experience riding and training young eventers and hunters, competing, general schooling and riding out for a leading flat racing stable. These years also allowed me to develop my knowledge of stable management of yards such as these and understand the responsibilities that lie with sole charge of fit working horses. During this time I was able to take my British Horse Society Certificate Stage III.

Since moving to Australia in 1994 I completed my EA NCAS Level 1 exams and now enjoy teaching on a regular basis as well as run my agistment property in Seville in the Yarra Valley. I regularly coach at Adult Riding Clubs, Pony Clubs and private clients at their property or mine. In October 2016 I obtained my Associate Diploma in Equitation Science.

Key Focus

➢ To produce calm horses in self carriage
➢ To apply learning theory in evidence based training
➢ Help you navigate a landscape of opinions versus facts
➢ To promote the safety and welfare of both horse and rider
➢ To empower riders to become trainers with ability to analyze their own problems
➢ Develop your ability to break training into steps, and learn how to shape your horses responses

Training with this focus is relevant to all disciplines, whether you have competitive goals or seek to improve your understanding of training for the joy of a safer, sounder more pleasurable relationship with your horse.

Bookings

I am available 7 days a week by arrangement

➢ Adults and children
➢ Private, group, shared lessons
➢ Adult Riding Club Pony Club Rallies
➢ Lessons in flatwork, poles, jumping and cross country
➢ Ground work training
➢ Theory sessions in riding equitation and horse care
➢ Beginners and nervous riders welcome

Why not get together with some like-minded friends and run a training day tailored to your interests. Combine riding instruction with basic groundwork skill development as well as dedicated time off your horse to discuss training and riding theory. Both novice and more established riders benefit from time off their horses to absorb and discuss this.
Time invested in good groundwork and handling skills is time well invested. Both from a safety perspective, and also because there is strong evidence that demonstrates a correlation between your horses responses in hand and those under saddle. (Mclean AN Mclean MM 2008 Academic Horse Training Equitation Science in Practice)