Penny Hollings equestrian

27/11/2024

Face to face lessons don't suit everyone. Sometimes the pressure of another person is too much. Video lessons are the perfect solution, please pm for more information 🦄

15/11/2024

What do people think about the "no talking" rule in dressage? I'd be in favour of quiet reassurance or the odd click. I coach several people who really need to talk themselves through situations. Why allow spurs, curbs and crank nosebands but not gentle encouragement, reassurance and communication?

13/11/2024

I offer feedback on videos and lessons via Facebook messenger or WhatsApp. Please pm for details

13/11/2024

Good evening lovely people. ! Last winter I did a few online sessions covering conformation and type and an introduction to judging. Would you like me to do more and if so, what can I help you with? I'm happy to repeat previous topics and also have an open chat session about any issues you have with your horses and ponies. Please pm or comment below 🐴

05/11/2024

I spend quite a lot of time driving and therefore thinking. I've completed a level 2 counselling course and am working on my level 3 . It's interesting how much of it correlates with the way I teach/coach. Using different theories helps us understand ourselves better.Over the years, I've realised that we don't school horses, we school ourselves in the art of communication with them. Horses don't suddenly get what we want, they just understand because we explained it properly. We do so much subconsciously, especially when stressed, which gives the horse conflicting signals. Leaning forward, knees gripping, lack of balance all result in distorted communication. Our conscious self thinks we're giving the right signals whilst our bodies are not. Riding is mainly control of self, not the horse.

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

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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 🐴