EquiTeam’s Liz Daniels is part of the duo who runs Equiteam Confidence Camps. We follow Liz on her journey through BD camp as she pops her camp cherry.
Despite the fact Lou and I have hosted so many camps under the Equiteam Confidence Camps umbrella I have a secret to share… this is my FIRST ever camp.
Yep ladies and gents… I am publically popping my camp cherry!
I’ve often wondered what it felt like to be a camper and see things from the other side, and if this is what it is like then I am hosting less and riding at more!
Only kidding Equiteam campers – but I was very excited.
The email with the timetable and all important information (food and timings) dropped into the inbox at the start of the week, this was the start of the excitement as now somehow it started to feel real!
The day before we left was a mix of trying to get everything done both work and house wise to minimise input whilst I was away. I’m a bit disorganised in terms of lists, but a glance at the EquiTeam packing list helped to focus me and reminded me to pack a few extra things (thank goodness for Lou once again!).
Aside from the practical aspects I was excited as I wondered what the lessons and coaching would be like – something I have been wondering since writing the last blog and being monogamous with your trainer!
I got everything as ready as I could, and, after washing her tail, popped Cianti back out for the night. I’m a big believer in minimising change in routine and I’m also aware that she will have two days in a temporary stable, instead of her oversized 5* accommodation to which she is accustomed, so the more time out to be a horse – the better!
Day 1
It was an early start but I don’t mind as early starts involving ponies never seem quite so bad for some reason!
We arrived at Netherton Equestrian at 8am, a few minutes behind EquiTeam’s other Liz who had already found us two stables next to each other. We get organised super quickly as I am first on at 9am.
My first lesson is with Scott McLennan, a dressage coach based in Aryshire. This was the session I’m most curious about – mostly because I’ve never trained with Scott, or even heard any feedback about him.
I went in with an open mind (as always) and really enjoyed his style of coaching. I like someone who is comfortable enough to ask riders questions and challenge them in a nice way as it gets you thinking about what you are doing, what you should be doing and what you need to do to improve.
After some really awesome canter work we had our first go at introducing half pass. Let’s just say we are work in progress – but how much fun trying something new.
We were worked hard and left with some homework and tips for both my medium trot and my lateral work – which again I LOVE. Riding is a journey of learning, making mistakes and striving to be better but I love being able to work hard between sessions to feel that progress.
Next up is Liz who is also riding with Scott. Liz and Splash have come so far on their dressage journey and it is a pleasure to watch.
Growing up I wasn’t able to afford as many lessons as I liked and so instead I used to go and watch, absorbing what the coaches were saying and noting the improvements when the riders changed what they were doing. It was a very different style of teaching back then – everyone was slightly scared of their instructors and you were barked at, rather than coached – but nevertheless, I learnt a lot and it’s something I still enjoy doing.
You never stop learning and so for me camp was an opportunity to get some CPD as well and what better than with Liz and Splash. They are now very established and working at Medium/Advanced Medium so there was a lot to take on board.
As I watched them float around the arena making their lateral work and medium trot look like something I can only aspire to, I beamed with pride at my friend, but also felt slight envy of the partnership that they now have together. Is this what Equiteam campers feel like I wonder?
At our camps I always encourage people to watch other lessons as you can take a huge amount away and get a different perspective from the ground.
By lunch we were starving and wanted to eat our body weight in carbs – being at camp makes you hungry – no wonder Lou never stops cooking and baking for us all!
The afternoon session came and I was really looking forward to it – pole work with Jo Wilkie. Liz and I were riding together which made it more exciting than being a child at Christmas. Not that I wanted to be ‘compared’ to Liz and Splash – but it’s rare that we ever get to ride together – never mind in a shared lesson!
As you will all know I am a huge fan of pole work but occasionally Cianti finds the concept quite fun which only adds to the excitement! But I was delighted to say that Cianti more than held her own in our session and any worries that we wouldn’t be as good as Liz and Splash vanished as Splash’s toes were not quite as coordinated over poles. We had great fun and the poles really highlighted some basic things that we still need to work on, whilst working the ponies hard.
We gave the horses a good stretch along the lane and back before tucking them up for the night, cleaning tack and going for dinner and a quiz with some lovely friends. Camps are officially awesome!
Day 2
There are a lot of tired looking ponies and riders this morning as I smile thinking about our three day camps – it’s a lot of work and brain food and no wonder the riders are knackered when they leave!
We take the ponies for a leg stretch in hand and let them get their heads down and graze. I always notice at camp the people who do this and those who can’t be bothered.
Most of the horses are used having access to grass and a sudden change in diet isn’t good – not to mention a walk in hand is great for them to stretch and loosen off their aching muscles as well.
Liz and I are in separate lessons this morning, but both with Jo once again to look at test movements. Unfortunately as we were directly after each other I didn’t get to watch a huge amount of Liz’s lesson, but then bits I saw Splash looked really awesome as always.
In our session we worked a lot on leg yield, which was so helpful and really focussed us; and then boom… we got the most amazing trot. I get so much from taking small steps forwards and the trot felt amazing. Jo was great and gave me some really useful pointers to help with straightness – which now I wish I had written it all down at the time!
Our last lesson of the day was once again shared with Liz, and it was test riding with Harry Payne. I’ve trained with Harry before and really like him, his method, and we always learn loads, so I was excited to go through my test for the BD Petplan Area’s next weekend.
We warmed up pretty well and Harry was kind in saying what a big difference in Cianti since the last time that he saw her, alongside giving me more homework to help us progress. Cianti was tired, I was tired and by the time we got to our test she was ‘done’.
I can honestly say it was the worst test I’ve ridden in a while. Like REALLY bad! Shoot the jockey!
Not the confidence boost we needed – but a kick up the arse at least!
Liz and Splash did their test and looked mega. I can’t put into words how proud I am of them and it’s so lovely being able to share a camp together. We packed up dodging the rain and left tired and happy.
The dreaded drive home
My last lesson and test riding was in my head on the drive home, and when you are tired it is even easier to focus on the rubbish parts, rather than the other amazing sessions, comments and useful homework. I dart back to the crappy comments mentioned in a previous blog as my brain tells me that I’m not that good anyway.
But by the time I had gotten home I had given myself a much-needed kick up the bum. There is no point in focussing on the negatives, it doesn’t change anything and in perspective no one died! Also what better a place than to mess up a test than in training?
At least it wasn’t at the BD Nationals this time… (yes really I did that!).
So instead of worrying, I made a positive plan that night. I messaged my regular coach, Sarah from Team Oakden, have hired Howe on Monday as they have their long arena out, and asked Sarah to come and run through the tests to give me the self belief and boost we need ahead of the Petplan Areas. Another reason why having a regular coach is so important.
In addition this week, we also took some pressure off, we haven’t been near the dressage saddle, and after Cianti had a well-deserved day off we have been hacking, cantering around the fields, jumping and having fun!
Watch this space,
Liz x
