May 25, 2012 - With the Olympics just around the corner and anticipation growing for the equestrian events, there is tendency to concentrate on the ultimate end performance, forgetting the endless hours of patient perseverance each Olympian must push through in order to conquer the basics. Getting caught up in the competition environment is a trap that engulfs many equestrians - but two clinicians at Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo (COEE) are going to address how riders can advance their skills by "Keeping It Simple!"
At COEE, Grant Field and Kim Kirton will work with Hunter and Jumper audiences in the massive 108,800 square foot Grand Prix Ring at Iron Horse Equestrian Complex in Burlington, Ontario as part of the 2012 COEE educational programming.
Grant Field, owner of Deerfield Farm, has had an extensive career in both the Hunter and Jumper rings. He has excelled as a coach, course designer and rider across Canada and internationally.
"A lot of people get caught up in the competition environment and don’t spend the time to do the simple technical exercises that make the competition environment less intimidating," says Field. "Keeping it simple means basic things like pole gymnastics focusing on the real life expectations of how these simple tasks and exercises contribute towards improved skills and techniques in competition."
In Field’s Jumper clinics presented by the Ontario Equestrian Federation Skills Development Program, he will work with rider and horse teams on Saturday June 9th and Sunday June 10th. Applications for riders are still being accepted and can be found on www.EquineExpo.ca.
Riders in the Hunter Derby clinics will also be in the Grand Prix Ring with acclaimed Canadian equestrian athlete and judge, Kim Kirton. Kirton will help demonstrate what judges look for in Hunter Derby rings, sharing her practical experiences with mounted riders while the audience learns too.
"The clinics are not just for those in competition mode," explains Kirton. "It is useful for those just getting started or thinking about getting started to understand the vision of the Hunter discipline and why courses are designed the way they are. Even if they never compete a day in their lives, they can learn the skills acquired and the elements required to define the equine discipline we call Hunter."
Kirton will also run a Hunter clinic, schooling riders on what to look for and how to impress the judges. Kim Kirton’s clinics are also presented by the Ontario Equestrian Federation Skills Development Program. Any Hunter riders are welcome to register for the Hunter or Hunter Derby clinics which will be held on Friday June 8th and Sunday June 10th. All clinics are free to audit without pre-registration.
"Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo is being held at the Iron Horse Equestrian Complex again this year and we are so excited to be able to use their Grand Prix ring – the largest in Eastern Canada - as part of the 2012 expanded programming," says Coral Defayette, COEE Team Lead. "This 340’ by 320’ beautiful grass ring is equipped with a Devil’s Dyke, Hickstead Hill and two Liverpools – it will be the ideal venue for our riders!"
Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo will be held June 8, 9 and 10, 2012 at the Iron Horse Equestrian Complex in Burlington, Ontario. For more information, please visit www.EquineExpo.ca.
