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Saddleworld/Pessoa Yves Houtackers Jumping Masterclass

Yves Houtackers

Saturday 29th March was the final day of Dressage and Jumping with the Stars 2014 and we saw the Dressage and Jumping Champion of Champions named. 

The Guest riding judges each presented a much anticipated Masterclass and discussed personal training philosophies for young horses and gave advice for more experienced horses, right through to those that have reached the top level in each discipline.

Following the Dressage Masterclass with world No 2, Helen Langehanenberg, the crowd was very keen to stay on to catch the words of wisdom as delivered by the Showjumping judge, Yves Houtackers from The Netherlands. 

Pessoa showjumping saddles and Saddleworld proudly sponsored this session. (take a look at the Pessoa Jumping range).

Yves HoutackersYves is one of the most respected and highly sought show jumping trainers, clinicians and professional advisors in Europe, he has developed a strong following in USA, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Australia where his astute judgement and strategies for managing the development of horse and rider combinations, have earned him wide acclaim.

It was very interesting to note the similarities in schooling methods, priorities and approach to training horses explained by the guest riding judges, as they both encouraged riders to ensure that horses are correctly prepared for the work, taken slowly and never over-faced.   They emphasised the importance of “sound basics” and working with the horse’s strengths.

Liz RichardsonYves Houtackers was very capably assisted by Victorian Showjumping legend, Russell Johnston and Liz Richardson (ight) lent her expertise (as the event MC) to keeping the crowd informed and fielding questions at the end of Yves’ session.

TonyaAssisting Yves was Tonya Holdsworth-Rose (left) riding the Vivant gelding Vigo and Jamie Coman rode Nic of Time Nic of Time, a homebred gelding by Wirragulla Nicholas out of a Valeur mare (below right).  This horse holds great promise for Australia as he is on the National Squad aiming for a start at the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil 2016, if everything goes to plan.

Trot PolesYves quickly identified that Jamie was having some trouble with straightness and set up trot poles on the ground to help the riders to correct these problems and get the horses on the aids.  “Stay close to your horse and keep your elbows in,” advised Yves.  The riders started in trot and progressed to cantering exercises over the poles.

“We want to get the feeling that we are cantering up-hill … and jumping that way.” Yves talks to Tonya as pictured below left.

YvesTonyaYves asked the riders to pay attention to the length of the reins and explained that the reins often get longer than the riders intended and warned that when this happens, the rider risks losing the stability of their upper body with a negative impact on the horse’s balance.

Yves said, ”Tonya’s horse gets too long because he is not in balance, she needs to get him more off the leg and in self carriage.  Jamie’s horse LOVES to go forward.”

“Make a plan for your own horse … and work to this plan.  Tonya, would it be OK for me to ride your horse?”

Yves Tonya HorseYves hops aboard the big bay gelding (right) and explains that he requires the horse to stay in his hand and lengthen/shorten the stride in this contact.

He adds, “It is important to feel what the rider feels … in my opinion Tonya’s horse is too much in the hand and this affects his turning.  Jamie’s horse is a bit limited in his canter, so the exercise using poles are good to develop the canter.    FEEL the canter over the poles.”

VigoYves made improvements to Vigo’s self-carriage and gave the horse plenty to think about.  He used turns and half halts to improve lightness and manoeuvrability and when he was satisfied with the improved response, Yves finished his ride and Tonya re-mounted. Pictured above right Tonya an Vigo and below left Jamie Coman and Nic of Time.

Jamie ComanYves added, “Riders need to relax and make themselves light after the jump … breathe … and relax the horse.  The rider should move so as to position weight over the inside stirrup.”

“Tonya, put pressure on the inside stirrup, do you feel that your horse is getting longer again, he needs to be more off your leg.  Even in training, don’t let him play all the time, he can play in the field!”

“Tonya look into the fence … your reins are getting longer and then the horse gets on your hand and on his forehand.   Then the rider leans forward to compensate.”

“Jamie, don’t throw your upper body up over the fence – simple exercises improve the horse – stick to simple basics to improve your horse.”

“Jamie, in your landing, don’t throw your weight forward, balance onto both front feet, very good, everything is now much smoother.”

The Yves Houtackers session with the riders came to an end and Jamie Coman was quick to thank the Dutchman and said. “This is exactly what I needed before we go away.  I can feel a big improvement in the horse.”

Yves said that the riders should feel that the fence comes to them … and he emphasised that the best systems are the ones that seem simple.

“I have a little rule that when I am jumping in competition, if my first lead (canter) is to the left, then I finish my last jump on the left lead.   I do not jump so much in the warm up and try not to be too busy before a competition.  If I have the Grand Prix on a Sunday, I do not like to put too much pressure on my horse.  Horses do not know that it is Sunday!”

Yves Russell JohnstonYves finished his session with a little time to spare and generously invited questions. 

Pictured right Yves Houtackers and Rissell Johnston.

This high achiever has a modest and simple approach to riding and training and his answers revealed that he really gets into the horse’s head and addresses the training issues at the various stages of education.  He urged riders to consider the individual issues in order to get the best out of each ride and work with the horse’s strong points.

Yves with Riders