A Cob and a Connie

18/12/2024

Merry Christmas !!! Thankyou for your ongoing support of me and the boys 😊🎄🎅🏻🥰

14/12/2024

Lots of fun was had at our Christmas Working Eq competition today !!
It seems Santa 🤶 (ie me)was a bit mean with the tinsel 😂 but everyone got round and hopefully enjoyed themselves 🎁🎄
Thanks to my little elf for helping when she really should have been tucked up with a whiskey and hot chocolate!! And thanks to Honour Photography for the photos and Julia Catling for dressage judging
Come and join us for more fun in January!!

10/12/2024

I’m very excited to be part of another growing discipline! I can’t wait to start running some training clinics in the New Year - let’s see how many All-Steps Formation Riding teams we can get up and running!
I will let you know when I have dates in the diary - clinics will be held at Tyrellcote Farm Equestrian and hopefully some at Bury Farm Equestrian Village in the first instance 😊

NEW COACH ANNOUNCEMENT

We are so pleased to welcome Sarah Vousden as an All-Steps Formation Riding coach.

Sarah Vousden has been immersed in the equestrian world since childhood, progressing through the Pony Club to become a competitive rider across multiple diciplines.

Her affinity for native breeds has led her to challenge equestrian norms, achieving impressive milestones with her Cob and Connie in dressage (up to PSG level) and Working Equitation (reaching Advanced level).

Sarah believes that every rider, regardless of level, breed of horse or background, can achieve their goals, rekindling the joy of riding
through her supportive coaching approach.

Welcome to the formation family Sarah, you're just our cup of tea ☕️🙂.

Hoof Doctor x Equine One Exeter Gin Flying Changes Mindset Becci Miller Equine Massage Practitioner A Cob and a Connie

09/12/2024

A trip to has been planned in the diary for a while to get the last of our Winter scores. The boys have had to take a bit of a back seat recently so just achieving the required scores was all that was hoped for.
Pads is still needing to grow in confidence in a show setting without the attitude so a schooling round got us a good 65% test in the Novice.
Harley cob was again so lovely to ride in the PSG. I can’t believe how ‘easy’ the works feels now and I love riding him at this level. 63% achieved with a harmonious, mistake free test so he’s now qualified for Petplans if we decide to do them.
Georgeous has benefitted from a reduced workload and Lucy did a fab job holding a keen George in the snaffle for a win on 67% in the ele 🥇

And obviously, how else do you keep yourself occupied during tests, on a freezing cold day, other than dressing the ponies up for the obligatory Christmas photo 😂🎁 🎄

Good ponios 🥰

Avalon Equine Massage - ESMT
Stork Workwear

06/12/2024

Exciting times ahead 🤩

03/12/2024

Sometimes we all need to hear this! Whatever your discipline…

Monday's can be a great start to the week but ..if it’s freezing cold🥶, raining ☔️or blowing a gale 💨 it's perfectly normal to have lower motivation 😟 at this time of year. It doesn’t define you, it defines the time of year when nature intends it to be so.

Don't worry that your horse isn’t nearly competition fit yet... life throws a few curve balls ☄️now & then! Redefine your plan according to fitness and progress- keep it fluid as all sorts can change. Take your time and make that plan, Rome wasn't built in a day! 🏛️

Training is beneficial when both horse and rider are responsive ... If not then take a break and come back refreshed. 🤩

Comparing yourself to riders who have more facilities, more time or a totally different set of circumstances to you is a waste of your energy. Everyone is on their own track and has their own goals, so eyes ahead 👀and focus on yours.

As long as your horse is fed well, warm, loved, cared for like a King or Queen👑and able to enjoy life just like you...it will have the life it needs.

Winter is hard❄️. It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s dark and it feels never ending and berating yourself for everything you aren’t doing or feel you should be doing won’t make it any easier, so take it easy on yourself and just take a breath.

You are doing just fine.🙌

02/12/2024

Meet Pedro … 🐂🇪🇸💃🏼Ole!!!!

So how long did the introductions take?! 😂

29/11/2024

I’m very proud to have been presented with the Kirsty award tonight at the Friends of Bicester & Oxford Riding Club AGM 🥹Kirsty Withnall was a Brave, Determind and exceptionally kind individual who very sadly lost her battle with cancer earlier this year. She was an active member of our club and her closest friends offered this cup to the club and asked for members to vote for individuals who have demonstrated similar characteristics.

They very kindly said that my journey with my horses has inspired many members and my dedication in making that happen is something that reminded them of Kirsty’s dedication to her sport and her competitive spirit.

I can’t tell you how much this award means to me. It’s lovely to be recognised by others but to be awarded the Kirsty cup means so much more having known just what an amazing woman she was 🥹🥰😘 Thankyou BORC and BBB xx

29/11/2024

BLACK FRIDAY PRODUCT LAUNCH!
Introducing my new 'Horsepower' Range of online learning courses!!
First up:

How to ride the Working Equitation Obstacles

Learn all about WE and how to ride each obstacle in order to maximize your marks or just to have fun at home! If you purchase the whole course, you will be given a number of free bonus features including a free feedback session with ABWE approved instructor Sarah Vousden. Courses are also available to buy as individual obstacles for those needing a reminder.

Find out all the details on my home page:

https://acobandaconnie.com/home-page