Penny Hollings equestrian

27/10/2024

The British Dressage intro tests are great for giving purpose when working your horse or pony.They improve accuracy and focus and provide riders with sense of where they're up to and what they need to work on. Several have taken it further and are competing very successfully Danielle Wiseman Stephanie Dawson Aisha Sarr Georgina Marshall Dolly Conway

19/10/2024

Yesterday I did a video lesson from Crete! Wherever you are in the world I'm here to help!

25/09/2024

Forthcoming clinics ( HOYS/STARS/LIHS flatwork & TSR talent spotting)
29 September Selston Equestrian Centre entries close midnight tonight
12 October North East contact Angela James
Plus regular Thursday evenings Appleton Grange Equestrian Centre

01/09/2024

01/09/2024

I have a few dates available if anyone wants a clinic. I'm a talent spotter for The Showing Register (TSR) too. Please pm for information

01/09/2024

I've had a few messages from people recently who've been told by judges that they would have had a higher mark for conformation but the pony was small . I'm quite disturbed by this . We, as judges , are there to judge way of going, conformation and type not height. More is not necessary better - fine dining v all you can eat buffet!
It seems that height now dictates which class people put their ponies in ie if they're 143 then they're a shp, 148 = sp. Type is much more important. Janet Bushell had a 138ish shp years ago who was a fabulous pattern and did really well.
I'd rather see classes split on rider age not pony height then type would be much clearer.

28/08/2024

Wordle 1,166 4/6

⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜
⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩
⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Connections
Puzzle #444
🟪🟨🟨🟨
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩

27/08/2024

If I'm coaching someone I'm familiar with, I can feel instantly when they're not in the right headspace. I always ask if they're ok and invariably say they're fine when it's really obvious they're not.
Quite often the rider retains the stress throughout the session and then, after things go wrong, they finally open up about the cause. When we're stressed we feel different to our horse and therefore they react to that and generally respond negatively.
Be honest with your trainer , you obviously don't need to go into detail unless you're comfortable to do so. If you need a cry , get it out of the way at the beginning. You'll then feel much better and have a productive session. Understand yourself and if you're not in the right frame of mind for an intense session then own this and tell your trainer. It's your lesson for you to enjoy and gain from 🦄

25/08/2024

I've been saying for a while that it's time that the horse world takes a long , hard look at itself and what are considered appropriate "training" practices . I see people using tight side reins on ponies (whilst being ridden by children) , draw reins, long shanked curb bits, tight nosebands etc etc. Surely nowadays people are more educated and realise that if you have to apply force then something is wrong? The old idea of control and coercion should be unacceptable but still appears widespread. Bits don't make horses light, core strength and balance are the way forward. Makes me so sad that people don't look for better, more ethical ways to do things. It is a privilege to ride a horse, they allow us to do it . They don't have to but they put up with their human's clumsy attempts to communicate. They deserve our respect

03/08/2024

When you come out of the show ring how do you feel? Does it depend on your result/ how you're greeted/ your expectations? Your horse or pony has done their best with the information you gave them. You've probably done your best despite nerves. Manage your expectations. Look at what went right, resolve to practice what you need to work on. Love the horse first 🦄

27/07/2024

I know I bang on about straightness but without it we have no balance, no core engagement therefore no self carriage . As riders we must look to ourselves to be precise in our signals . If your horse isn't doing what you want it is probably your instructions that need to be better . Self reflection and improving your feel will get you where you want to be 🐴

29/06/2024

Following on from my winter online chats I'm thinking of doing more. Happy to repeat the "intro to judging", "plaited conformation & type" and "m & m conformation &type". Would people be interested in how to improve shape and way of going? What about a live and interactive session? Let me know 🐴

10/06/2024

A lot of people struggle at times with steering and straightness. It's usually a disconnect between what they're thinking and what their body is actually telling the horse to do. I've found lunge lessons really helpful.
Being on the lunge enables the rider to completely focus on themselves and their balance and feel the effect on their horse.
Being able to balance without gripping, results in a much more relaxed partnership

01/06/2024

Forthcoming clinics:
Wednesday 5 June Crow Trees livery ( Harrogate) contact Zoe Bradley to book
Saturday 8 June Croft Farm Livery & Events contact Helen Spanton to book

16/05/2024

A lovely couple of hours doing a show practice clinic at Appleton Grange Equestrian Centre . We're so lucky to have these amazing facilities. Well done everyone this evening. Next one 30th May🐴

23/04/2024

Just finished my first M & m online chat. Hope everyone enjoyed it!

20/04/2024

It's the best feeling when people message saying how much they've enjoyed a lesson or clinic. I always ask what I can help with and encourage riders to chat about what we're doing as we go along. I aim to improve communication and understanding between horse and rider and therefore develop a partnership which works together producing a harmonious performance

14/04/2024

I was intending to do an online session on Tuesday 16 April but haven't had time to prepare it properly. Instead I'll do next Tuesday 23rd and the subject will be Mountain and moorlands

03/04/2024

If you'd like feedback/guidance on your individual show/performance please send me a video .
I can also do lessons or chats by video messenger call.
Here to help!

02/04/2024

Thanks everyone who attended tonight's online chat about plaited conformation and type. My next one will be on 16th April

01/04/2024

I shared a post about stopping and saluting after the initial trot out in an in hand class and at the end of the conformation phase. It isn't correct to do this, you should just trot to the back of the line or back into line. There is an exception in the case of the performance phase of the SSADL in hand class where, as after any individual show , you halt and salute

06/01/2020

With the season approaching I'm thinking of running some informal show practise sessions, possibly evening or weekend. It would be run in groups of 5 or 6 for an hour working on warm up, go round and shows. So whether you're dusting off the cobwebs or bringing out your future superstar you'll be dry and warm in our lovely indoor!

30/12/2019

Here at Appleton Grange we can offer tuition in flatwork, showing, turnout and trimming. We offer short term schooling as well as livery . We have large indoor and outdoor arenas and also offer theraplate therapy. Penny Hollings and Stacey Wiseman have recently joined the team , bringing years of experience in not only show production but also bringing on horses, ponies and their riders. Talented in house jockey,Alice Newson, works with Penny starting youngsters as well as showing Jo Garnett's own lovely animals. This is all in addition to the fabulous portfolio of stallions, all great examples of their breeds and type. Get in touch and see what we can do for you!