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Lucky Winner has a Lesson with Eventing Ace Oliver Townend

When Katie Irving received a telephone call at work to let her know she had won a lesson with Eventing star Oliver Townend her colleagues were alarmed as she screamed with delight!

 

Katie entered the competition in Equestrian Lifestyle magazine organised by one of Oliver’s sponsors – MacWet Gloves.

 

Based in Leamington Spa, Katie and her horse Caprice, a six-year-old, 16hh, Belgian Warmblood, travelled to Oliver’s yard in Market Harborough for the lesson. Katie and her horse enjoy competing locally and for the South Warwickshire riding club.

 

Oliver and Katie spent the lesson working on her two main challenges – an inconsistent rhythm and keeping Caprice in front of her leg. Oliver explained the importance of the horse working in a relaxed fashion and going forward whilst taking in the new surroundings.

 

Said Katie: “Work on transitions made Caprice much sharper off the leg and she soon became soft and round, working into a good contact.”

 

They then moved on to some showjumping work, Oliver talked about the fundamentals of jumping, taking balance and line into account.

 

Beginning with a cross pole, followed by a one stride double they worked on maintaining a good rhythm and then went on to jump a course.

 

Oliver advised: “Move the pace up a notch, assume a more forwards position and then sit up towards the jump, remembering to keep your hands high.”

 

Said Katie: “Oliver made me feel at ease and was a really inspirational teacher, I gained so much confidence and am now making it my goal to come out and jump bigger fences now I have found the ‘power’ button!

 

“The MacWet Gloves performed brilliantly, it was a cold day but my hands remained warm allowing me to maintain a consistent grip on the reins”.