Helen Betham Equestrian Training

My youngest client Zoey, 3, having some bouncy fun! Lessons are available for all ages, on your own pony, or I can help you find a Percy of your own to share! #TWOTONPERCY

An aspect of Rider Biomechanics you might find useful is my “doorway ears” technique. I explain to clients how to ensure the best possible response from your leg aids, both lateral and forward, which is the very foundation of the correct way of going, in particular straightness and evenness in the rein. If we imagine our horses ears as a doorway, through which we must channel the rest of their body, it immediately takes the emphasis off heavy rein aids and on to creating ligh...tness and accuracy from the leg. Like a train, each vertebrae should follow the same route through the place marked by the ears. The job of the rein is simply asking the head to move by following the hand, lining up the doorway with our desired route. Should the rider move the contact and the horse resists rather than follows, this indicates resistance anywhere down that side of the body which is merely detected down the rein. Using the leg as a lateral aid on that side, correcting using the “3 types of leg aid” rule if the horse doesn’t respond. We we can think of each leg pushing the respective hind limb under the body, the rib cage away, and the energy travelling through to move the opposite shoulder out at a 45 degree angle stretching the opposite side of the horses body from hip to bit. This transfers weight out of the resistant rein and into the lighter rein to even out how the horse works into the bridle. Remember to avoid two common misconceptions, one that the horse is merely resisting that rein, and by moving the bit in the mouth so that they drop the contact the resistance is fixed. All that happens here is you lose the connection from leg to hand and the horse drops behind the contact and stops telling you about the resistance.
Secondly, remember that travelling straight isn’t leg yielding neither way, it’s leg yielding both ways the same amount! Keeping your horse light off the lateral aids and channeling straight through the ears will help develop lightness in the hand, energy from behind and a flowing harmonious connection between horse and rider. Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
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One of my favourite exercises beautifully demonstrated by @_saskiamanzi and the lovely Paddy! (4 faults overlooked as it was the last go on a very hot day!) Rhythm is the first element of the scales of training and the foundation of every discipline, and whatever the height of the fences jumping rounds are won or lost on it. Using canter poles on a figure of eight encourages horse and rider into a rhythmical, strong canter, whilst also maintaining quick responses to the rider...s lateral aids. This maintains straightness and contact, the second and third of the 3 foundations of the scales of training, ensuring a correct way of going. Those poles come up terribly quickly if you cut your corners! This exercise can be adapted for absolutely any level by adding circles, adjusting the number and height of fences and jumping on a continuous figure of 8 rather than using the long sides. As Paddy develops strength in his canter we will work on more gymnastic exercises to sharpen those front legs! To arrange a lesson at your yard, from individual riders to whole day clinics and groups, please do drop me a message!
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I love a free thinker...

Happy Summer Turnout Weekend everybody! May your days be filled with long grass and lie-ins!
Photo by @jessicaafullerr

Pat pat grey horse. Pat pat.

https://www.facebook.com/…/a.5244107375 7…/1642638625750283/…

Rider Confidence Demo at London Equestrian Centre tonight!

I am now on Instagram @HelenBethamBHSII, follow for tips and client shout-outs, and book a lesson for a shout-out yourself!

Wherever you are on your journey, A bit of inspiration (from @laura_collett here), hard work & persistence = results!

@_saskiamanzi & the dreamboat Harvey building jumping confidence in the summer. Whilst I travel around the London and Hertfordshire areas I can also provide lessons in a floodlit 20x60 arena with a full course of showjumps if you fancy an outing!

I like this guy!

What an incredible story, and guy! I had the pleasure of working alongside Ben Hobday when he was based at the Fox-Pitts a few years ago and nobody could have worked for or deserved a triumphant comeback like he has. #SaveOurNHS

I hope everyone is enjoying the sun with their horses! I had a lovely little play on my retired event horse Splodgy this morning, who even at 16 and only being sat on once every six months or so always delights me with his eagerness to please! (He was retired due to arthritic hocks, simply meaning that as long as he isn't worked enough to exacerbate the joint disease he just has a more limited amount of flexion in his upper hock joints, which don't cause him any pain but mean... he would find sitting on his hocks much more than this difficult.)
It saddens me that at the start of the 10 years I have had him I worked for a top event rider, who had me riding this sensitive chap in draw reins, spurs and a schooling whip in each hand, mistaking his tension for bolshyness, making him too sharp to ride without stirrups let alone a saddle! Having become less young and naive it was enough to put me off riding with aggression rather than empathy for life, and as an instructor this is key to what I want to pass on to others.
I see so many riders struggling away on stale horses who are dead to their leg, tight and tense and resenting being ridden in an uncomfortable way, while their owners feel frustrated and resentful of what should be the cherry on top of the honour of having a horse. It seems that those who are told to forget their position and just get the horses head down by sawing, or to fruitlessly kick and kick their horses and expect them to work, don't understand what they are trying to achieve. This type of riding is not effective in creating consistency or enjoyment for horse or rider! Horses are an expensive habit and should you be paying all this money to not get the best from your partnership? Whatever their level every rider deserves to have as relaxed and rewarding experience whenever they ride as I did this morning.
The simple truth is that if your schooling sessions involve a fight, there is a better way. The reason the riders who inspire us all look so effortless is because they ride in a way that means the horses feel fantastic and love their work, and both horse and rider can enjoy their partnership. If your horse is behind the leg, against the hand, inconsistent or sour, or even if you just don't feel like you're clear about what your aims are in a schooling session, it is easily fixed with the help of someone who has the depth of knowledge and the right approach. Unfortunately horses ridden careers can end sooner than we expect, and I only found trainers that truly worked for me in the later half of Splodgy being ridden. I can't help but wonder what he might have achieved had we made better use of this time!
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This looks great, a free event at the RVC in Camden.

What a scary accident and amazing work from the professionals involved. A good reminder to keep up with regular checks to your horsebox, however infrequently it is used! https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?st ory_fbid=952659221456047&id=10990636 2398008

A great article on the importance of rider fitness - it seems traditional with keeping horses to neglect oneself and pay intricate attention to the horses needs, and not just fitness - rest time, nutrition, health, luxury clothing! I've seen first hand the preparation that Olympic riders put in when they need to be at their physical peak for their horses, including running up the gallops as many times as the horses. I now spend more time on my own fitness than I do on riding,... and I can feel the dramatic benefit to my strength, balance, endurance and straightness, as well as my kinaesthetic awareness. Check out Eventfit by JenniDouglas for rider-specific training programmes to revolutionise your riding! I can also help you with ridden aspects of your physical health such as straightness, balance and position, which are the absolute foundations of a correct way of going for you and your horse. http://dressagetoday.com/…/adelinde-cor nelissen-fit-riding-…
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I am a BHS Intermediate Instructor and hold a degree and postgraduate diploma in Equine Science from Hartpury College, having taken great interest in subjects such as equine biomechanics, rider performance, anatomy and physiology, sports medicine and equine nutrition. Whilst studying at Hartpury I was selected as a member of the Academy of Sport Development Squad, recieving weekly training from renowned trainers such as Nick Burton and Carl Hester. During my Postgraduate Dipl...oma I recieved a scholarship which included a job in the Equine Veterinary and Therapy Centre, where I was involved in the veterinary rehabilitation of a wide range of horses using high-speed and underwater treadmills, groundschooling and manipulative therapies.
I have worked for international event riders including Jeanette Brakewell, Ann and Nigel Taylor (based at Aston le Walls, the UKs premier eventing venue) and as a rider for William Fox Pitt. Alongside teaching riding freelance for the past 14 years, I have produced horses from backing to competition and sale on behalf of owners, and also offer help dealing with all varieties of problematic behaviour. Whilst my priority has been with training I have also competed to Newcomers showjumping, Novice eventing and schooled to Advanced level in dressage. I combine this with working as a lecturer in Equine and Animal Management at Oaklands College, St Albans.
I am able to combine the insight I gained from watching and training with inspirational riders on a daily basis and my knowledge of the dynamic structure and psychology of horse and rider to provide a unique eye for a correct and harmonious way of going for horse and rider. My approach is through empathy, understanding and fun with a no-nonsense approach in order to achieve the best results.
Services offered include dressage, showjumping and cross-country tuition, childrens lessons, preparation for BHS exams up to BHS Stage 4 and IT, assistance with problematic behaviour and tuition for students studying equine college or degree courses.
Coming soon: weekend clinics, competitions and training days in North London/South Herts border.
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Just had my first lesson with Helen. She was wonderful. I have confidence issues and not the best rider but felt good and achieved things today even with the wind blowing! Thank you Helen

I have had quite a few lessons with Helen on a couple of different horses and I find her knowledge and understanding of the interaction between horse and rider is fantastic! She has enabled me to ride better than I ever thought I could through firm but gentle correction of my position and aids. With Helen you get sound instruction and a positive atmosphere. Helen has also helped me to find horses to share, she is always helpful and well informed!

Helen is an experienced instructor who explained things to me in ways that I still remember and use when I'm riding. She is calm and thoughtful in her approach and I would definitely recommend her !

Helen has a wonderful way of getting 'essential work' done.. Whether it's engaging the hind end or improving my position - Helen always has a fun and interesting exercise up her sleeve that means it isn't boring and doesn't feel like hard work... I've had a few 'jumping lessons' that have had a lot of transition and lateral work in them, had Helen said we'd be doing a dressage lesson I would have flatly refused - Helen pretended it was all about the jumping and I pretended not to notice.

Whatever level you are at - from beginner to serious amateur - Helen is a great instructor and will improve both your riding and your horse's way of going.