Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2016 | Page 73

Equestrian

TRAINING HORSES
with Robert Booth BHSI

Having known Emily Thompson and her
horse Dom Perginon (or ‘Dino’ as I know
him) since they were both youngsters,
it was a pleasure to see them qualifying
and competing in the Sunshine Tour
Championships at Hickstead recently.
The Sunshine Tour is a championship series for
novice, amateur and unaffiliated riders and horses,
and they have to be placed 1st to 4th in a qualifier
competition.
Dino - a homebred horse by Treliver Decanter and
bred by Emily’s mum Mandy Steen - is a strikinglooking creature, a lovely colour, with loads of
presence, nice paces, and he can also jump.
He came to us as a three year-old for breaking,
and I have been helping Emily with him since. He
is now eight years old and the pair have formed a
good understanding and partnership. They mostly
compete in dressage and are progressing well, as
they work towards elementary level at home.
Emily works hard with her riding, has regular
lessons and joins in with our regular VEC training
evenings at Froghill and Little Rodgebrook

Farm. Getting to the championships was a big
achievement for her. The event was certainly a big
challenge, as they had to compete over two days,
and it was Dinos first stay-away show.
They had some good results by getting 15th in the
prelim test, out of a class of 32. In their novice test,
they managed to finish 9th out of a class of 27. Keep
up the good work and well done Emily and Dino!
Robert Booth is an Equine trainer for Rodgebrook
Horses. Telephone: [phone] or visit www.
rodgebrookhorses.co.uk.

Useful tips on training
your horse: Contact
The way you carry and hold the reins has an effect on the
way the horse goes. Too high with your hands gives a lifting
effect and holds the horse’s head up not allowing the hind
legs to come under his body for balance, whilst thumbs
down and elbows out breaks the line of contact, and has a
pulling backwards effect. 
The correct straight line from elbow to the bit with thumbs
on top gives a soft contact with a ‘give and take’ action
allowing the horse freedom to move his head for balance
and comfort.

www.visitilife.com

Oct/Nov 2016_MASTER NEW.indd 73

73

14/10/2016 14:38