Riding Simulator by Lucy McWilliam

31/01/2025

Sometimes it’s not about the theory it’s about the listening.
Today was the first of hopefully many biscuit club sessions. An idea I have been wanting to do for many years.
A chance for a group of complete strangers with similar riding stories to come together and share. Some talking, some riding and plenty of tea and biscuits. Talking to my riders over the years I’m often struck by the similarities in people’s stories. Biscuit club is a place to realise you are not the only one. There is so much to be gained from learning the skill of listening not just to each other but our horses too. No judgement, no I’m better because I do…. Just simply a group of people sharing thier love of horses and how we can be the best for them.

31/01/2025

Bella’s box is a lovely family run business. Their shop is next door to Roo. Tomorrow they are offering free nail clipping.

It’s Back! 🐶

After a successful first session before Christmas, we’re offering you another nail clipping session for your dog, completely FREE!

👉 Save the date: Saturday 1st February

No appointments needed, simply bring your dog anytime between 10-4

Note: If you have a nervous or anxious dog and would like to make the most of this service, simply get in touch with us and we can arrange a quieter time before the shop opens for you.

Amii, our expert in dog grooming will be here for the session and to answer any questions and give advice and tips 🙋🏻‍♀️

Wymondham Windmill

03/01/2025

Back behind these ears ready for 2025!

Come and visit us if you want to:

Improve your understanding of what you are doing in the saddle.
Find a clearer way to communicate and respond to your horse.
Learn to relax and absorb the movement of the horse.
Rediscover the feeling of riding whether that be due to injury, physical restraints or confidence crisis.
Simply have a canter in the warm.

Roo will only do what you ask her to do.
The sensors will show you clearly where you are.
I will break it down and offer corrections in a way that is easy to understand and tailored for your individual needs.

Bring a friend make a day of it. There are several independent shops on site and a lovely tea room selling home made cakes and food.

All the information you need is at www.lucymcwilliam.com

24/12/2024

Father Christmas was at the Windmill this week and he popped in to say hello.

Thank you for all the support this year. I couldn’t have asked for a better return to work.

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Lucy, Roo & Marmalade x

04/12/2024

What a busy November finished off with a successful late night Christmas shopping event meeting lots of new faces.

I have limited availability in December so if you are wanting to book in before the New Year please do to avoid disappointment.
I will be working the following days,

6th December
10th December
13th December
14th December
17th December
18th December
19th December
21st December
27th December
I will be back on the 4th of January. January bookings are available now.

All times available are on the website www.lucymcwilliam.com

Gift vouchers are available online for any Christmas gifts.

I will be stopping the course of 6 lessons with 10% off in January. So if you wish to purchase one of those you have until the 31st of December to do so.
Think that’s it for now 😄

Lucy believes in improving the rider to improve the horse. Roo the Riding Simulator is a perfect training aid to achieving a better understanding between horse and rider.

27/11/2024

The simulator will be open for walk in taster sessions this Saturday 5pm-9pm.
Gift vouchers will also be available to purchase .

12/11/2024

Vulnerability

Not something many are comfortable with.

Necessary when we ride? I think so.

The horse: vulnerable to environment, rider, coach, bridle and the saddle.

The rider: vulnerable to horse, coach and the saddle.

The coach: vulnerable to interpretation and in turn vulnerable to the rider.

The horse the most vulnerable of the 3 and without question the most important. After all it is our choice to ride not theirs.

The simulator: no feelings, no personality, no agenda.

Riding is largely based on opinions. Which style we prefer. Impossible to have only one way for everything and everyone.
Simulator lessons are there to complement not to replace but simply provide a place for us to understand how responsible we are for the vulnerabilities placed on the horse. Offering the space to learn, to make mistakes and to improve without negatively affecting the horse.
So you can say that whichever style you choose you are confident in what you are asking from your horse.

Coaching can be hard sometimes offering an opinion which may not be what someone wants to hear or more commonly not something someone even realised they were doing. The simulator offers a level of protection for us both. Together using the data from the simulator we can create a tool kit that combines a style that works for your needs and the horse’s.

To book your session go to www.lucymcwilliam.com
Based a Wymondham Windmill, Melton Mowbray

Lucy believes in improving the rider to improve the horse. Roo the Riding Simulator is a perfect training aid to achieving a better understanding between horse and rider.

03/11/2024

You can find us in the row of shops just past the Windmill on the right.

30/10/2024

Marmalade would like you all to know that gift vouchers are now available online or to collect in person.
We also have special stocking filler vouchers available this year.
These 10 minute taster vouchers are £10 and the perfect stocking size.
For more information go to www.lucymcwilliam.com

29/10/2024

Tuesday Thoughts:

Horse Simulators weren’t designed to replace the real thing, but to enhance our relationship with them by becoming better riders for their sake as well as our own.

Do you agree?

25/10/2024

Lesson for two!
By popular request you can now book a shared lesson for two people.
One hour of lesson time for £55.00
Each lesson will be tailored for your individual needs.
For more information or to book go to www.lucymcwilliam.com

10/10/2024

Save the date!
The Simulator will be open for taster sessions 5pm to 9pm.

✨ Save the date ✨

Join us for a festive evening of late night shopping on Saturday, the 30th of November from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Shop unique gifts from the indoor craft stalls, meet local artisan makers and explore all our wonderful on-site shops after hours.

Enjoy some delicious bites, and goody gifts from the festive food stalls, as well the seasonal specials in the café……it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season 🎄🎅🏼🎁

07/10/2024

Meet Paddy!
Paddy can only be described as a true gentleman. He is kind, gentle and forgiving. The kind of horse that greets you ears forward with a gentle nuzzle.
I first met paddy’s owner when she came for lessons on the riding simulator.
She is also kind and gentle and only wants the best for her horse. Theirs is a true partnership built on mutual trust and a big dose of fun.
There was just one thing. Up until I met him it was thought that Paddy was a head shaker when ridden. He was never ridden without a fly mask and nose net. Overtime it became obvious to us both that perhaps Paddy’s issue wasn’t allergies but it might be linked to rein contact.
Rein contact is an interesting one with many opinions on how and what you should do to achieve the correct contact.
Ultimately what we should all be striving for is comfort for both horse and rider.
It’s very common to meet a rider that doesn’t realise how heavy handed they can be. The most common fault being tension and lack of balance both of which feed down the reins to the bit without the rider realising.
We have worked a lot on improving her seat, both on the simulator and Paddy developing a more secure balanced position to ensure the contact is soft and free. In return Paddy has become more settled in his head carriage and no longer shakes his head when ridden. The mask and net have now been hung up and the partnership between horse and rider is even stronger. A lesson perhaps that our horses try to communicate with us and a real example of a rider taking it on board and working to find a solution.

03/10/2024

So I wrote a post about the fact that you can have different coaches for the simulators in the same way you would on your real horse.
How none of the simulator coaches I’ve met use the simulator in the same way.
I then wrote a bit about the fact that I’ve been using the simulators for the best part of 16 years now about the different models I’ve used and how my style and experience has grown.
And then I overthought it, didn’t post it and now I’m here.
How many times do we do that when we ride? How many times do we overthink the stride, panic entering the arena and forget the test. How many times do we think about doing something about that thing that is holding us back in our equine journey stopping us from trying something new. Unsure of how it will be received or what it might show up.
Then I realised exactly what I would say to someone if they were thinking of booking a session on the sim.
Why not give it a try. You might be amazing at things you didn’t know you could do or a simple change could eliminate the block in the road.
I guarantee there will be no judgement. No you were silly to come only kindness and understanding which is exactly what is needed by our horses.
For the record my original post said something along the lines of, I have loads of experience. There isn’t much I haven’t seen and my style works not just on the simulator but real horses too. I also happen to think I’m quite good at all this horse/person stuff!

30/09/2024

Limited taster sessions available.

I have four 10 minute taster sessions available on Saturday 5th of October.
£10 for ten minutes on the Riding Simulator.
Sessions available are
1pm
1.15pm
1.30pm
1.45pm
For more information or to book call or text me on 07885972142.
Based At Wymondham Windmill, Melton Mowbray, LE14 2BU.

28/09/2024

I have some spaces available on Wednesday 3rd & Thursday 4th of October. To book go to www.lucymcwilliam.com
30 minute and 55 minute sessions available.

Lucy believes in improving the rider to improve the horse. Roo the Riding Simulator is a perfect training aid to achieving a better understanding between horse and rider.

23/09/2024

Two more lovely testimonials this week from two riders who came for completely different reasons.