BHS Ireland Events
Future Events
BHS Horse Owners Certificate 2010
Courses for Levels 2 & 4 available in Northern Ireland
Level 2
Commences Monday, 18 January 2010 (11 week course)
Fees: £100
Level 4
Commences Wednesday 13 January 2010 (11 week course)
Fees £140
Venue:-The Skipper Stone Community Centre,Bangor, Co Down
Contact Colwyn Griffiths BHSAI (Int. T) on Telephone:- (0044) 02891888278 or Email colwyn.griffiths@btinternet.com
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Courses for Body Conditioning for Riders
A New Year, A New Beginning - Start Now! Improve your Riding and Create a Healthier Lifestyle. 8 Week Course Starts Thursday, 14 January 2010 at 8pm
Venue:- Kill GAA Centre, Co Kildare
Price: Euro 95 for 8 week Course
Contact:-Amy Fitzgerald on 0860707114
Amy Fitzgerald is a NCEF qualified fitness instructor, personal trainer and BHS qualified instructor. She holds a BSc Equine Sciences from the University of Limerick. She has a particular interest in the rider as an athlete and how much improved rider fitness can enhance the quality of the horse and rider team.
Fitness of the rider is often completely overlooked in favour of fitness of the horse. Make your New Year’s Resolutions now and book yourself or a group with Amy.
Benefits
- Feel more confident about your body
- Improve core stability and strength
- Improve your posture, stamina and balance
- Exercises can be repeated at home
Riding Problems Solved
- Tight hips
- One-sidedness or lack of straightness
- General insecurity in the saddle through any of the paces, jumping or riding across country
- And many more.
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A Series of Talks with Eric Smiley FBHS 2010 at Hillsborough Village Centre, Hillsborough, Co Down Mondays 7.30 to 9.30pm
Following on from previous highly successful years Eric presents another fascinating mix of five topics, which will get the grey cells working.
- 1 February – “Now What? Troubleshooting”
- 15 February – “Cross-Words”
- 1 March – “Riding Out of Doors – A Forgotten Art”
- 15 March – “Stage Management – The Craft of Competition Riding”
Come along, take part in the discussions, develop your thought processes and enjoy the social aspect of the evenings. Spaces are limited, so book early!
Cost £10 per evening to include refreshments. (Booking form attached)
To book your place contact Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer for Ireland
60 Windmill Road, Hillsborough, Co Down, BT26 6LX
Telephone: (0044)02892683801 or (0044)07808141079 or
E mail S.Irwin@bhs.org.uk
You may access this information and booking form on our web site: - www.bhsireland.com
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Series of Talks with Dr Helen Spence in both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland 2010
Advanced Training Principles for Enlightened Horsemanship 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Northern Irelandat Hillsborough Village Centre, Hillsborough, Co Down www.hillsboroughvillagecentre.com (www.helenspencehorsesense.co.uk) on Monday, 8 February, 22 February, 8 March, 22 March
Republic of Ireland at Thornton Park Equestrian Centre, Co Dublin www.thorntonpark.ie on Monday, 1 February, 15 February, 1 March, 15 March
Cost £10 or Euro Equivalent per evening to include refreshments
To book your place on either of these series of evenings contact:- Mrs. Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer for Ireland, 60 Windmill Road, Hillsborough, Co Down, BT26 6LX
Telephone: 02892 683801 or 07808141079or e mail S.Irwin@bhs.org.uk
Booking forms and this information are available on our web site: - www.bhsireland.com
What is Helen’s philosophy?
Good Sense for Horses………. and For Horse People
Helen has a Psychology degree and spent six years researching the relationship between owner attitudes and personality and horse temperament for her PhD. Helen has been running her business ‘Horse Sense’, offering advice on equine behaviour and training since 2003. As well as running clinics and talks and offering one-to-one coaching sessions in Northern Ireland and across Europe, Helen has lectured Psychology at Queen’s University, Belfast and lectures on Equine Behaviour to post-graduate students at Southampton University. She combines this with practical experience gained over years of working with horses (because they don’t read the books!).
Helen’s focus is to bring the many lessons learnt from Psychology across to the equine world- a greater understanding of the animal mind and learning means we can develop kinder and more effective ways of working with our horses. Although there has been a huge development in interest in ‘horse behaviour problems’ in recent years, the methods that Helen uses are a step beyond many of those currently popular. Ethics is of number one importance, alongside safety for both horse and handler. One of the best ways of doing applying these principals in horse training is through the use of a little tool known as the clicker. Helen has been using the clicker in horse training for ten years and teaching others how to do so for the past six or more.
The series of talks will cover topics such as ‘How horses learn and how best to teach them- Learning theory and practise’; ‘Dealing with fears and phobias’; ‘Stress and emotional fitness in horses’; ‘Ethics in horse training’; ‘Training problems: treatment and prevention’; ‘The importance of feel and timing’; and ‘The skills that horses need to work safely with people’. Teaching will be a mixture of theory and practical exercises, with the final class looking at some practical work with horses.
For further information on Helen’s work please visit:
www.helenspencehorsesense.co.uk
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BHS Stable Managers Certificate
BHS Stable Managers Certificate (BHS SM) Training Course with Jo Winfield, FBHS 23 October, 27 November 2009, 29 January and 26 February 2010 From 3 to 5pm at Laurel View Equestrian Centre, Templepatrick, Co Antrim
Content of the Course
This course will prepare candidates to take the BHS Stable Manager’s Certificate.
This course is open to all those of have attained the BHS Stage 4 Horse Knowledge and Care.
Topics covered will include:-
- In depth knowledge of all aspects of horse care
- Managerial practices relating to the running of a riding establishment
- Maintenance of horse health in stables and at grass
- Preparation and care of competition horses for all disciplines
- Breeding and management of young stock
- Examination of horses for purchase – appraising condition, conformation and soundness
- Up to date, practical knowledge of veterinary treatments for equine ailments and illnesses
- All aspects of running a yard including work planning, purchase and maintenance, practical economics, staffing, book-keeping, layout and construction of stable yard and maintenance of grassland
- Selecting, buying and fitting of saddlery and equipment
Preparation of Presentations on topics:-
- The influence of the thoroughbred on breeding the modern day sports horse
- The effect of the current world-wide economic climate on the Equine Industry
- Working horses barefoot or shod?
The cost of the four 2 hour training sessions will be £280 per person or equivalent in euros.
For further information and to book a place contact Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer for Ireland (0044)2892683801, (0044) 07808141079, S.Irwin@bhs.org.uk
Cheques should be made payable to The British Horse Society and posted to Susan Irwin at 60 Windmill Road, Hillsborough, Co Down, BT26 6LX
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The BHS Riding and Road Safety Test
In Ireland January to March 2010
Due to the high demand for BHS Riding and Road Safety Tests in Ireland we have organised further dates for January to March 2010. (See list below).
The BHS Riding and Road Safety Test is the only test that could potentially save your life. You can take the test from the age of 12.You are required to have been successful in the test prior to taking your BHS Stage 2 exam.
(See www.bhsireland.com for further details)
19 January 2010 at Maynooth Equestrian Centre, Clonfert Road, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Phone: 01-6287691, 087-9086894. www.maynoothequestriancentre.com
2 February 2010 at Maynooth Equestrian Centre, Clonfert Road, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Phone: 01-6287691, 087-9086894. www.maynoothequestriancentre.com
8 February 2010 at Hitchmoughs Riding School, Highland Lodge, Monkstown, Co. Cork. Phone: (+353) (0) 21 4371267
9 February 2010 at Hitchmoughs Riding School, Highland Lodge, Monkstown, Co. Cork. Phone: (+353) (0) 21 4371267
9 March 2010at Maynooth Equestrian Centre, Clonfert Road, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Phone: 01-6287691, 087-9086894. www.maynoothequestriancentre.com
31 March 2010 at Laurel View Equestrian Centre, Templepatrick, Co Down Contact by email laurelview01@btinternet.com or call (0044)2890830649. www.laurelview.co.uk
1 April 2010 at Laurel View Equestrian Centre, Templepatrick, Co Down Contact by email laurelview01@btinternet.com or call (0044)2890830649. www.laurelview.co.uk
Things to Do to Book your place on a Test
Prior to booking your place on a test you must ensure that you have hired a horse at the test centre or have organised to bring a suitable horse with you to those tests at which no horses are for hire (Max number on a test is currently 12).
Then ring to book your test place with the BHS Safety Office in England.
(0044) 0192670 7782,
(0044) 0192670 7745
Places are limited and must be booked and paid for at least 3 weeks in advance of the test date!!!!!! The maximum number on any test is currently 12.
Payment can be taken over the phone with a suitable credit card.
4. The cost of the Riding and Road Safety Test: -
For BHS/Riding ClubMembers/Under16’s is Stg£34
And for Non Members Stg£44.
(NB Prices may change for 2010)
The Booking form, the syllabus and information on What does the test involve is attached.
All the above details can be found on our website www.bhsireland.com
For any further information contact Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer for Ireland on (0044) 02892683801 or (0044) 07808141079 or S.Irwin@bhs.org.uk
OR Samantha Dale, BHS Safety Representative in Northern Ireland on (0044) 07774907685 or email: Samantha.Dale@btinternet.com
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Past Events
Preparing to Succeed! From Collecting Ring to Final Salute!
Talk by Jo Winfield BSc (Hons), FBHS Friday, 23rd October 2009, 7pm – 9pm at Laurel View Equestrian Centre, Templepatrick, CoAntrim, BT39 0BX
Subjects covered will include:-
- Test Preparation
- Arrival at the Venue
- The Warm-up Process
- Entering the Arena
- The Judges Impression of You
- Riding the Test
Entrance is £10 per person
(Cheques made payable to BHS)
To book a place contact:- Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer for Ireland (0044)2892683801, (0044) 07808141079, S.Irwin@bhs.org.uk and www.bhsireland.com .
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An Evening Not To Be Missed! “The Muscles and Skeleton in Motion” with Gillian Higgins
BHS Ireland presents “The Muscles and Skeleton in Motion” with Gillian Higgins at Danescroft, Waterloo Road, Lisburn on Monday, 2 November 2009 starting at 7pm.
(www.horsesinsideout.com and www.bhsireland.com)
“Gillian Higgins is a dynamic and enthusiastic presenter, passionate about equine anatomy and biomechanics. She is a professional therapist specialising in mobilising muscles, improving performance and educating horse owners.
This fascinating evening will give an insight into how the horse works and moves.
In order to work in harmony together it is important that we as riders understand how the horse is built, how his skeleton, muscles and ligament systems are constructed and linked and how they affect each other. Only then can we on top ride better!”
Seeing the musculature and skeleton painted on a horse allows the rider to see what moves when the horse moves and how we through our own riding or equipment may block his natural range of movement and therefore his performance” said Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer for Ireland.
This informative and interactive talk is of interest to Professional Riders, Coaches, Trainers, Elite Squads, Riding Clubs, The Pony Club, Leisure Riders, Colleges, BHS Students, Therapists, Equestrian Centres and First Year Veterinary Students.
Gillian graduated with a First Class Honours Degree from the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, having also obtained qualifications as a Human Remedial Massage Therapist with Mary Bromiley. She has also graduated as a McTimoney Corley Animal manipulator from the Oxford College of Equine Physical Therapy. She works closely with Vets and regularly attends veterinary seminars and conferences. She is also a BHS Intermediate Instructor and Stable Manager.
On a more personal note, Gillian competes at British Eventing from pre-novice to Advanced level, BSJA and Team Chasing. She has represented the BHS in Sweden as part of the prestigious Leonardo Exchange programme which aims to share knowledge with our European Counterparts.
Gillian’s first book “How Your Horse Moves” was published in March 2009 and she will have a DVD available shortly.
To book at place on this evening contact Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer for Ireland on (0044)2892683801, (0044) 07808141079, S.Irwin@bhs.org.uk or look at www.bhsireland.com for a booking form. Tickets cost £20 per person with a reduction of 10% for group bookings of 10 or more
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Donald Kear Lessons
The NI Riding clubs committee is delighted to announce that Donald Kear Trustee of the British Horses Society will be giving lessons from 17th – 20th November 2009.
Donald is a registered BHS Instructor and Examiner, who has worked as a freelance Instructor since qualifying, has enjoyed numerous experiences in many spheres – Riding Club, Pony Club, Point-to-Pointing, Eventing and Dressage. Donald was a course builder for the Pentathlon World Championships and Olympic qualifiers and presently is Chairman of British Riding Clubs’ Training Sub-Committee.
Riders will be able to choose from flat or grid work lessons.
- 17th Nov at Laurel View Equestrian Centre, Templepatrick, Co Antrim
- 18th Nov venue TBA
- 19th Nov (afternoon) Necarne Equestrian Centre, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh
- 20th Nov (morning) Ray Thornton’s Indoor, Florencecourt, Co Fermanagh
Riding Club/BHS Members: 2 riders per lesson £40 each
3 riders per lesson £27 each
4 riders per lesson £20 each
Private lesson 40 mins £70
Non Riding Club/BHS Members add £5 per rider
Donald will also be one of the speakers taking part at the Riding Clubs Horses Welfare Evening on Wednesday 18th November 2009 in the Lisburn Racquets Club starting at 7.30pm. Also taking part Alwyn McKeown - Farrier, Joe Crawford – Fort Dodge, Declan Cullan – Blue Grass.
This Seminar is open to all riding club members.
Further details of seminar contact B. Gaston 02890 611567, elizabethgaston@aol.com
For more information and to book lessons contact Shelagh Laird 07711664096, shelaghlaird@aol.com
To book lessons at Necarne/ Florencecourt contact Jo Balcombe 07711708064, jo.balcombe@uwclub.net
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The British Horse Society, Ireland present
“Bits, Bitting and the Principles of Saddle Fitting” with Hilary Vernon
On Tuesday, 17 November 2009 at Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny
From 5pm to 9pm, £20 per person or Euros 25
This evening acts as a Continual Professional Development Day/Refresher for the BHS Register of Instructors, counts for 10 hours for those gathering hours for their logbooks and is also accepted by Horse Sport Ireland. This course is highly recommended for attendance by all equestrians, not just instructors/coaches.
“Hilary is an inspirational speaker, has great depth of knowledge and understanding and will change how you bit and saddle fit your horse.” Says Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer for Ireland.
Hilary's philosophy...
If a horse is uncomfortable in his mouth, he will resist, stiffen and not concentrate on what you are asking him to do. Finding the right bit for your horse, teamed with good basic schooling is a critical part of reversing this process, so you can communicate effectively and humanely with him and he can relax into his work.
I had the great good fortune to have all my early lessons in Horsemanship and Riding given by very traditional patient people for whom the Horse always came first and the Rider second. I hope that has set me in good stead for my own career.
I have ended up Bitting Horses for a living as a natural progression to all the work I have done and all the information I have collected on the subject over the years. And I might add am still collecting and never cease to continue to learn more as I go onwards and hopefully upwards!
I think finding the right bit for your horse should be a blend of taking the time to seek obedience through correct schooling and the right degree of control, tempered with understanding on the owner's part of the horse's mind set, welfare and structural comfort.
I really enjoy working with Horses and their owners and am just as thrilled to get good results from Horses that Hack to top Competition Horses.
I have Bitted Horses following the work of Equine Dentists and Veterinary Surgeons and Equine Therapists liasing with them to continue the recovery of individual cases.
My work helping with communication in the schooling programmes of Horses with behavioural problems is one of the most rewarding.
In short I just want to help people to bit Horses to the best of their capabilities not to sell bits for the sake of a sale, as most of my clients so far I'm sure will agree.
It is really a dream job to get paid to spend most days with Horses and their owners, the only down side is all the travelling!
Hilary is the author of "The Allen Illustrated Guide to Bits and Bitting", "The Allen Illustrated Guide to Training Aids" and "The Allen Illustrated Guide to Horse Clothing" and "The Allen Illustrated Guide to Saddlery" and the soon to be released "The Allen Illustrated Guide to Carriage Horse Harness".
Hilary is also an independent saddle fitter who works mainly for Barnsby.
To find out more about Hilary and her work look at www.informedbitting.com.
For further information please look at our website www.bhsireland.com for booking form or contact Susan Irwin, British Horse Society Development Officer for Ireland
Tel: 028(048)92683801
Mobile: 00447808141079 00447808141079
Email: S.Irwin@bhs.org.uk
Website: www.bhsireland.com
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Two Days of Training with Patrick Print FBHS
On Friday, 20 November and Saturday, 21 November 2009 at Cavallo Farm, Crawfordsburn Road, Newtownards Co Down, BT23 4EA
Patrick Print holds the coveted Fellowship of the British Horse Society and is also the current Chairman of the British Horse Society.
He works tirelessly for the British Horse Society, is a great supporter of BHS Ireland and is a very popular instructor at both BHS Ireland Adult Summer Camps and BHS Ireland Examination training days.
If you would like to book a lesson or organise training for BHS Stages Exams please contact Susan Irwin with your requirements. A booking form is attached.
The Fellowship is the final step on the equestrian qualification ladder in the UK and is the highest teaching qualification within the BHS System. There are only 64 Fellows throughout the world.
Successful Fellows are qualified to teach riders at the highest level within their chosen discipline and to whom riders and students can turn for advice on the equine industry
For further information please look at our website www.bhsireland.com for booking form or contact Susan Irwin, British Horse Society Development Officer for Ireland
Tel: 028(048)92683801
Mobile: 00447808141079 00447808141079
Email: S.Irwin@bhs.org.uk
Website: www.bhsireland.com
