This years annual 3 Day Academy at The Unicorn Trust took place from the 14th - 16th of April and was a huge success!
23 horses and riders took part in the rider workshop enjoying 3 full days of training with team riders Holly Barber and Lynne Macleod, and British team trainer, Paulo Santos. As well as their group training sessions they had the opportunity to practise both an Ease of Handling test and a Dressage test in a competition environment, judged by one of our National judges, Sue Barber. For those who have not competed before, we hope this gave everyone the confidence to come away and enter their first competition!
The Instructors course, taught by Caroline Clinkard was well attended with 15 instructors coming forward to gain ABWE approval to teach Working Equitation under the association’s umbrella. An intense couple of days jam packed with information and learning which inspired a whole new group of enthusiastic individuals from various different parts of the UK to spread the word and introduce new people to our sport.
Four new judge candidates began on their journey to becoming Working Equitation judges, 3 existing candidates (judges in training) continued with 2 gaining qualification to begin judging this year - a fantastic achievement!!
Thank you to Fiona Price-Jones for teaching this year's judge course which involved both theory and practical learning and assessment.
Everyone left buzzing to get started this season!
Next year's dates are booked........ we'll be back at the Unicorn Trust for the 2024 Academy on the 5th, 6th and 7th of April.
Also, be sure to keep an eye out for our winter training camp taking place there on the 3rd and 4th of November this year - More news on this coming soon!