In this blog, H&C's Jenny Rudall tells us of her pre-event training. 

“So with the event season just around the corner and our first event entered, it was time to dust of the back protector and remind myself and the lovely ex-racehorse that I train what solid fences look like. When an email came from the CDT (Coaching and Development Team) to say they were running a workshop at Tweseldown, I thought it an ideal opportunity to get some coaching for both horse, rider and, as it turned out, owner.

The CDT

The CDT was initiated by the BEF World Class training programme in 2005, orchestrated by BE's Performance Manager, Yogi Breisner. The workshops have been designed to improve rider knowledge and awareness, which alongside technical ability will be the main ingredients to Ted and I having a safe, happy and successful season.

The afternoon started with a course walk with coach Phil Surl which included a discussion on course design, distances, lines, terrain, straightness, types of canter, rider responsibility and presented a chance for Ted’s owner and me to shake at the size of the intermediate fences and ponder Ted’s chance of ever competing at that level.  Phil was interesting and insightful and although he threw several thought provoking questions our way, inducing the group to awkward silences for fear of getting it wrong, I felt I was learning.

Speed training and reliving the racing past 

After the course walk, the six riders jumped on and I was reminded that it was not that long ago that Ted was at this very venue as a point to pointer. Ted decided now would be the time to make his presence felt, growing several hands and literally bouncing towards the course. In my keenness to get in some much needed training, I had failed to remember that Ted had never schooled with other horses and, in Ted’s racing mind, if a horse leaves him, it is his job to chase it.

Speed training was part of the warm up and we excelled. The training is used as a way to gain greater understanding of the different speeds required at different levels.  Markers for the 90, 100, Novice and Intermediate distances were out and Phil handed out stop watches and told us where we were to start from.  As Ted and I were hoping to do BE100, I cruised him along at first to see how close we were to the 100 marker after our stop watched beeped at one minute.  I need not of worried: Ted easily covers the ground and without trying hits the marker almost bang on.  On the second attempt, I moved Ted up through the gears and at the Novice speed Ted may have found it easy but I seemed to have lost my brakes. Another reason we are in need of training.

Jumping and being a wet wimp

With the warm up done, it was time to start over some logs and work over some lines.  Phil was excellent with each different level of rider, which seemed to be from Intro to Intermediate and understood each horse's differing needs.  He encouraged us to choose our own lines and not to stand and get cold; it certainly was not a case of just jump one fence at a time, Ted and I were at no point bored.  As we worked through the course, all the riders and horses grew in confidence and several of my fellow jockeys felt they were finally starting to get back into their XC stride and were voluntarily picking bigger fences and combinations.

After some ditch practice and some breath-holding moments where the mane played a vital supporting role, we finished off in the water complex.  Again Phil said don’t stand around - jump what you want to jump then pick a line of fences to finish that suits you and your horse's level.  To finish, we were told to do any jump or line we felt we needed to complete the day and I knew I had to use this opportunity to introduce Ted to the concept of actually jumping down into water.  I did however want to end the day in the saddle and more importantly not ending up getting an untimely bath.  Having been launched into water on several occasions when training youngsters (but never landing in it yet, a stat I was keen to hold on to), I all but tip-toed up to the drop in with a bit of mane firmly wedged under my finger, hoping Ted would just kindly dribble in; he was unconvinced and unsurprisingly refused.  Phil quite rightly said if he was unsure I wanted to go in then Ted certainly was, I was to turn round and for goodness sake trot in.  So off I went quick turn and with a good trot Ted knew what I wanted and just plopped in, he is a star and I still have no idea what I was worried about. Big lesson learned. 

The CDT is certainly doing a fantastic job in helping to improve training for eventers and I would strongly encourage more riders to take part.  They are an ideal pre-season training session which helps improve confidence for horse and rider at any level; I will book again."