Jenee Edwards Equine Coach

17/06/2025

Billabong Adult Riding Clubs Winter Woolies show is less than a month away 😍
We are holding this year's event at Wangaratta Pony club ground on the Sand arena 😀
A great event for all.

Hope to see you there🤩🤩

Enter now via Event Secretary 🐎

15/06/2025

A great sunny day held in Rosedale today.
Thank you to Rosedale and everyone who came, along especially our demo riders. 🙏

14/06/2025

Here's a great opportunity to have your say at what you would like for the future direction of the HRCAV.🤩

Bitless bridles allowed across all disciplines was one suggestion 😉

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16jAEK8NAo/

🚨 HRCAV Members – We Want to Hear from You! 🐴

The HRCAV Executive Committee is currently developing a Strategic Plan to guide the future direction of our organisation — and your input is vital. 💬

We’re asking all members to complete a short survey to share your thoughts, ideas, and priorities. This is your chance to help shape the future of the HRCAV!

📅 Survey closes: 30th June

👉 Complete the survey here:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=KhtNKX3Veky04fWFkJDBUuvU9wuiPItIgkN7clRUngRUQkQyM1VEMVZGMFM5WkI1WDhVTTQzMDRXTy4u

📲 Or scan the QR code below to access the survey instantly:

Thank you for being an essential part of our community. Together, we’re building a stronger future for all riders. 💪🐎

31/05/2025

"Bringing wabi-sabi into your life doesn’t require money, training, or special skills. It takes a mind quiet enough to appreciate muted beauty, courage not to fear bareness, willingness to accept things as they are — without ornamentation. It depends on the ability to slow down, to shift the balance from doing to being, to appreciating rather than perfecting."

Embrace the perfection of being imperfectly you.😍

27/05/2025

Last year I found myself needing a horse to ride and a lovely friend offered me the opportunity of riding her young one. 🙏

The first question I asked was at what age was he backed. I'm sure she saw the relief in my face when she waited until he was 5. 🥰

When I got him, I didn't just jump on and ride for an hour. I did lots of ground work and in hand work, to build him up to be ridden.
When I started riding him it started with very short moments in the saddle. I'm talking as little as 5mins at first then 10 mins. Over a number of months I slowly built up and added in different exercises to set him up for success.

I saw this today and thought I'd share;

https://www.thehorsephysio.co.uk/are-you-in-a-hurry/ #:~:text=The%20vast%20majority%20of%20younger,three%20or%20four%20years%20old.

It’s an age-old debate. The vast majority of younger horses are backed (‘broken in’) at three or four years old. At this age, the growth plates have not fused, and many horses are unable to function optimally into their teens, potentially through damage that occurred in relation to starting ri...

22/05/2025

Its been over 7 years since I competed in Dressage and hadn't had an opportunity to compete in 3PE.
I knew I wanted to compete again. I knew it wouldn't be easy after such a break and my training style taking a different path.

Here are some steps you should consider when getting back competing.

1. Rebuild the Foundation.

Focus: Balance, position, seat, and feel.

Ride regularly—3–5 times a week if possible

Refine your seat without worrying about reins or aids. Work on the lunge is great or just on a loose rein.

Work with a coach who understands your background and can work with you at the right pace.

2. Horse Partnership (most important in my opinion)

Start slowly with basic work—rhythm, straightness, transitions.

Liberty and in hand work to build the connection and communication with your horse.

Relearn the feel of correct movements.

3. Fitness & Body Awareness

Dressage/3PE requires core strength, flexibility, and feel.

Add Pilates, yoga, or targeted strength training.

Even 10–15 mins daily can make a big difference.

4. Set Realistic Goals

Start with local shows to get used to the environment. Treat them as a training session.

If you can, choose lower-level tests first, even if you’ve ridden higher before—build ring confidence again.

Work toward recognised competition when the basics feel solid and consistent.

5. Mindset

Forget perfection. Focus on progress and consistency.

Be patient—some days will feel like setbacks. That's normal.

Celebrate small wins—a square halt, better contact, a clean test and getting that canter circle. 🥳

Get out have fun and enjoy your horse. 🐎

Don't forget to thank him for the ride. 🥰

Photo credit Grain and Mane.

18/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1C7FPRn7iM/

10/05/2025

Happy Mothers day to all the wonderful horsey mums out there. 🐎🥰

The other day I was judging a lovely lady and as she was competing in her Style phase, I heard this little voice from the side line say " Hello Mum! " and I hear the rider reply "Hello baby". 🥰
I look over to see a little, maybe 2yo, girl with the biggest grin on her face. Mums biggest cheer squad. ❤️

May you all be cheered on today and every day.🙏 😊 👏🥂🎊

No matter whats going on, you ARE a super mum each and every day!!!

Photo from 5 yrs ago 💝💖

29/04/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16DUPVEpoo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

If you’ve ever considered changing to riding without a bit, the range of bitfree bridles on offer can be overwhelming.

A couple of years ago, in light of increasing evidence to support bitfree riding, we felt it was important to have school horses working bitfree alongside those working bitted, so our students have practical experience of both systems. We then realised the market had moved on a tad from a small selection of hackamores 🤦‍♀️😆 Being in the business of education 🤓, we realised an expert was required and World Bitless Association endorsed trainer, Dr Dorothy Heffernan, kindly agreed to come to our rescue and deliver some training!

This is the third time we have run this event and the focus will be for yard managers/livery owners and coaches to help you support clients interested in bitfree options, however, all are welcome. Dorothy’s events are always relaxed and informal, questions and discussions are invited and accompanied by great biscuits! See the link 👇 for further details. Approved for 2 BHS APC CPD points 😁

World Bitless Association Dorothy Heffernan Northumberland College

Link below to book:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transition-to-bit-free-riding-tickets-1328049394489?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

19/04/2025

This is well worth a read.

Written by Dr. Max Gahwyler and Bettina Drummond There is no other statement used so often in Dressage riding as the horse should accept the bit, be on the bit, etc. And very often when you go to clinics or shows, it's the predominant preoccupation of riders, trainers and, unfortunately, often also....

23/02/2025

I often have riders ask if they can have a lesson on the ground or start on the ground before riding. My answer is "absolutely, yes!"

Giving horses the opportunity to look, sniff and explore is an important part of training.

Today I used the opportunity to show my 3yo a few obstacles I had set up. And in true Crosby style he had to taste a few too. 😆
This will be helpful when he is a ridden horse in the future.😃

*Side note, I do not allow unbroken horses in my lessons 😉