by Lindores Cross Country | May 9, 2017 | Camps
Author: Equiteam Instructor Liz Daniels UKCC Level 2
Event: Wobbleberries Camp May 2017 – Day 1:
Lou and I arrived at Lindores this morning at 8am to lots of slightly petrified looking faces!
We did our camp introduction to mostly silence! This is not uncommon for day one when people are sitting there wondering what an earth they have let themselves in for! Of course we always try and make people feel at home and the Lindores experience and the fabulous atmosphere is all part of that.
As an instructor and host it’s really interesting seeing the personal journeys people go on and I love remembering the transition from introduction to the final presentation on day three.
After the Wobbleberry rider introductions we started our day with flatwork. We have 12 horses at camp (and 11 riders!) and on day one I split them into three groups of four riders.
As the campers do their first lessons you can see them starting to take a breath and realise that maybe they might enjoy it! We ride in the front field, which is a great space to work in. It’s enclosed but big enough for riders to have plenty of room.
In the morning session I often go right back to basics and this morning there were definitely some eureka moments for riders resulting in some fabulous flatwork.
During the morning we also had a visit from Sarah Cruikshank, who is the Bailey’s Horse Feeds Scottish Rep. Sarah came with the weight bridge and all the campers got their horses weighed and given nutritional advice.
At lunchtime you might be forgiven for thinking we let the camps sit down and have a chill in the sunshine.. Not likely! It was time to get the trainers on and David from Culture Health and Fitness came and put us through our paces with some circuit training.. Cue achey legs and lots of sweaty ladies!!
I feel really strongly that you need to be fit enough to do the job that you are asking your horse to do. You wouldn’t expect a horse to do XC without being fit, but we often forget our own fitness levels.
After a lovely lunch, provided by Lou, the sunshine really started to break through, the sunglasses came out and our busy afternoon sessions got underway.
The afternoon was pole work which progressed to some jumping. A couple of campers jumped their PB height wise and everyone did really fantastically and came out smiling – alongside safety I see this is as one of the most important parts of my job – after all that’s why we do it!
Once the sessions had finished it was back to the Bothy where Lou had an amazing tea on the go. We had ran out of drinking water and within minutes fresh water appeared -The Black family really are the most fabulous hosts and we really couldn’t ask for them to be any more accommodating.
As some people went for a sneaky dip in the hot tub, the hardcore campers got showered and ready for dinner.
No sooner is dinner finished Jane Brindley from Horse Riding with Confidence Scotland arrived to chat about the mental impact on riding and mental toughness.
We had another great talk from Jane, followed by yummy brownies! The people staying in Lindores Lodge went back for a glass of wine and to soak their muscles in the hot tub, while the hardcore campers all relaxed in the bothy, making life long friends!
It’s been a really good day one and we can’t wait for day two which is based around grid work and cross country!
More tomorrow, Liz
EquiTEAM Confidence Camps
Baileys Horse Feeds
Culture Health and Fitness
Wobbleberries Challenge
Horse Riding with Confidence Scotland
Lindores Lodge
by Lindores Cross Country | Apr 1, 2017 | Camps
Camp Date: 17-19th March 2017 Location: Lindores Cross Country
Thank you Anna & Team Lindores for an amazing inaugural Kick ON Camp!
A year ago I had a wee idea of pooling 25 years of trainings and skill sets, roping in my 2 favourite trainers and finding a camp venue for some special clients to get their mojo back for eventing. When I heard about The Bothy at Lindores and the vast 85 acre xc I knew that HAD to be it. Getting Avril Johnston, Jen Burnett, Lindores & I to find a mutual weekend took some doing but we did it!
The Camp filled in under 22 mins and we had a wait list of 25. Some last
minute horse injuries meant a couple of very special riders had a life changing weekend.
We had 27 riders spanning 4 decades in age and making come backs from horse injury, rider neck or spinal fracture, post baby, post meltdown or just a decade off! I assembled a legendary A Team of Top trainers Avril Johnston & Jen Burnett, epic Stable Manager Kirsty Morton of Epona Animal Services & 1st Aider Amanda Kilgour (thankfully not required!).
I was very fortunate to have the brilliant Bothy Wingman Karen Robertson by my side from 7am til 10pm each day serving meals, cheeky wee subliminal confidence NLP sessions and amazing rider support. If I’d squeezed in an Integrated Rider Session I’d’ve used my entire skill set- i did Active Stretch sessions in the Bothy, some magic fascial release on a few horses, some “band aid” Rolfing on some rider muscle pulls, a wee bit of cranial release and even a quick look at Anna’s knee.
My hobby is PK’s Positive Nutrition & I had a ball feeding 34 folk all weekend with Karen’s never ending help. All diets catered for! We had a fantastic Friday night Kick On Camp Bake Off with 20 entries – thank you Judges Emma Thompson, Anna Black & Nicola Ingram of Nicola’s Homebakes… or Clarissa, Mary Berry & Nigella! Saturday evening was a wee goal setting session and advice from the trainers on what’s next.
The Bothy fed confidence & switched anxiety to excitement, the XC brought back the BEST grins I’ve ever seen. Riders returning for the 1st time xc after a neck or spine fracture or horses being off for up to two years coming back to Karen & i in the Bothy was just magical. And for one very VERY special Wobbleberry… jumping her first EVER xc jump on the Saturday… to the middle barrels on the Sunday- Avril & Jen you are Simply The BEST!
Anna offered me a lift up to see the xc on Sunday and – in front of a room full of riders – I was heard to say, No … the first time I see the xc up there will be on my horse. Bring on 50 I say.
Thank you SO much to my A team – to see Facebook so full of so many happy posts made all the organising (& cooking!) worth it. Massive thanks to Sue Heard Photography for these pics!
Bring on Season ’17!
Kick ON Camp Host: Pauline Kidd
www.lindoresxc.co.uk
www.lindoreslodge.co.uk
www.paulinekidd.com
www.eponaequineservices.co.uk
Instructor Jennifer Burnett BHSII
A bit about Lindores Cross Country and Lindores Lodge…
Lindores Cross Country nominated as Equestrian Business of the Year 2017 is fast becoming Scotland’s leading camp venue. The facility has undergone significant investment and is able to offer stabling, accommodation and equestrian facilities for all levels of budget and ability.
The venue offers grass showjumping paddocks, an outdoor sand school and the jewel in the crown is the established and impressive cross country training facility over 85 acres with 125 fences of all heights and styles. The venue also has 30 safe and solid stables, locked tack-room, a campsite, hook ups, showers, toilets and a very sociable and friendly Bothy with kitchen, log burning stove, benches and sofas.
Lindores Lodge luxury accommodation is also on site and offers riders the opportunity to stay an architecturally designed and tasteful space. Its a relaxing rural retreat with hot tub and stunning countryside views. Hugely popular for horse holidays in Scotland.
For updates follow:
Lindores XC on Facebook and Twitter
Lindores Lodge on Facebook and Twitter.
by Lindores Cross Country | Mar 8, 2017 | Course design
Lindores Cross Country, nominated as Equestrian Business of the Year 2017 by HorseScotland is the location of Scotland’s newest and most iconic Danny MacAskill hay bale cross country fence.
It is a phenomenal and unique horse jump that was inspired by Danny MacAskills hay bale trick from Red Bull’s – ‘Wee Day Out’ filmed at Lindores, Fife.
In 2016 the globally recognised mountain biker attempted one of his most creative and hardest stunts ever. Danny cycled down a grass field, caught up with a rolling bale, mounted and dismounted it on his bike all while the bale was still gaining momentum rolling down the hill. The extremely dangerous and brave the stunt was branded ‘The hay bale‘ and has had over 7m hits online.
Anna Black who manages Lindores Cross Country where the filming took place was incredibly inspired by Danny’s 3 days of persistence, skill, and creativity. Anna regularly see’s such qualities in the horse riders that camp, train and holiday at Lindores. Danny however has taken his determination to another level – he would never give up until he got the stunt he so desperately visualised.
Lindores Cross Country now have a horse jump to remind all sportspersons that when you put your mind to a challenge anything is possible.
The creator behind this iconic horse jump is British Eventing Course Builder David Wilson. David designed and built the phenomenal 6metre high structure. It is a double sided palisade jump with keyhole which allows horses to jump the fence in both directions. The jump is 60cm downhill and 95cm uphill. At 3m width it makes it suitable for most levels of riders.
The ring of wood that creates the surround is made up from 72 pieces of 200mm x 45mm, these are cut at 7.5 degrees on either end. They were then glued and screwed, half lapping the 3 layers to create a strong laminating effect. It had to be left in 2 parts for transport and handling reasons.
The base sits on recycled telegraph poles, which have been treated with creosote which will help to protect against the wood rotting in the future. The rest of the frame is for solid stability to hold the large 4m circle.
The bike and rider are also made from wood and painted to recreate the effect of the original picture.
Once on site the 2 parts of the circle could be reunited. The completed jump was then dug into the hill side to leave it standing level, and fixed to the ground, thus it is ready to jump.
Set overlooking stunning countryside views of Perthshire, Angus and Fife it really is breathtaking.
On the 8th of March Danny MacAskill and one of Scotlands top eventing riders Louisa Milne Home will officially open the fence and spend the day filming stunts over many of the 125 British Eventing standard fences and water complex at Lindores Cross Country. Louisa has been training at Lindores since it opened in 1989 and her training has been key to her success. Louisa has been long listed for the British Europeans. She and her horse King Eider were one of only 6 horses that completed Badminton and Burghley in 2014 and the aforementioned famous horse King Eider who started learning cross country at Lindores is aiming for Badminton again this year.
During the filming on the 8th March – Danny isn’t getting an easy ride he will be challenged to ride Scotland’s first pace and fitness training facility which has been designed to aid horses for events but we’ll soon see if Danny can keep the pace of a horse!
At the end of the day Danny will replicate the experience the horse riders get – and he will stay in luxurious Lindores Lodge for a well deserved soak in the hot tub!
www.lindoreslodge.co.uk
We look forward to releasing the footage which is sure to be entertaining!
by Lindores Cross Country | Feb 19, 2017 | Award
Scottish Field EQy Magazine
In 2015, Scottish Field EQy Magazine voted Lindores Cross Country the 9th best hack in Scotland. That’s quite a claim considering the breathtaking landscapes and scenery we have in this fine country of ours.
Hacking is one of the most relaxing past times for both rider and horse and its a great way to capture fresh air, get outdoors and experience some of Scotland.
Scottish Field’s article about the best hacks in Scotland came with a warning that it will have you ‘longing to saddle up and head for the hills, forest and beach’. Its safe to say it did just that!
Riding clubs, livery yards and private owners of horses that hack have a great advantage in life. Horses and riders that hack get to see parts of Scotland that are off the beaten track. They witness wildlife that wouldn’t normally be seen and wildlife in its natural habitat. They bear victim to changes in weather that can often leaving you singing hits from The Sound of Music but alternatively leave you screaming in pain because you’re so numb you can’t feel your jelly legs.
Hacking is a chance to ride with friends and catch up on their news. It’s a moment in time for ponies to be together because they are ‘best friends’ – according to their riders! Hacking is almost an untapped relaxation resource. To all the busy mums and dads and all the kids desperate to compete just remember the value a hack can add in your mental state and connection with the land.
Lindores Lodge Horse Holidays understand the value of a good hack and offer customers hacking off road from the doorstep. Lindores like anywhere has the good weather, it has the bad weather, it has the muddy puddles and it has the dry scorching summers. Regardless of the changing elements one thing doesn’t change – and that is the 360 degree views of breathtaking Fife, Angus and Perthshire countryside. Thank you for the award Scottish Field!
