About Me
A difficult first horse taught me early on that it would not be plain sailing to achieve my dreams, and this set me on an academic path to find out what I needed to know to get it right for that horse - and to survive the journey! Because of this I developed an interest in classical schooling, work in hand and seat training. My tendency was towards positive reinforcement methods and clicker training. But I still craved knowledge, theory and understanding. Delighted to discover all this and more in Straightness Training I started studying with Marijke de Jong in 2010, attended many clinics, joined the ST Academy and qualified as an instructor at the end of 2015. I am now a fully licensed Straightness Training Instructor, Academy Coach, Evaluator and Mentor to the trainee Basic ST Instructors.
About Straightness Training
With Marijke de Jong and her advanced horse Romanesque at the ST Mastery Event in Amsterdam 2014.
Marijke de Jong's Straightness Training consists of a series of gymnastic exercises for the horse in which it learns to stretch, to tense and to relax its muscles. This makes the horse fit, supple, strong and muscular so it can carry the rider more easily.
Straightness training during dressage makes the horse symmetrical in body and limbs. It also develops the horse’s balance and divides the weight equally over all four legs. By straightening the horse, we enable it to carry the rider in balance. The 5 training components of groundwork, longeing, work in hand, riding and liberty keep the horse fit as a riding horse until old age.
Straightness training during dressage makes the horse symmetrical in body and limbs. It also develops the horse’s balance and divides the weight equally over all four legs. By straightening the horse, we enable it to carry the rider in balance. The 5 training components of groundwork, longeing, work in hand, riding and liberty keep the horse fit as a riding horse until old age.
History |
When Marijke's promotional email landed in my inbox it was a revelation to me! I had been stuck in a rut with my horses. I wanted to learn how to train them as the old masters did, to find an ethical way, to enjoy the time I spend with them. I had studied different books on how to train horses in hand and to teach them to carry me in balance but every trainer only offered part of the story and almost all advice was contrary to the other trainers! Without the benefit of an apprenticeship with an expert trainer I was left out in the cold looking for straight answers. Marijke's online course completely inspired me. I could finally learn how to do this stuff properly, on my own, and at clinics with my own horse - and yes it is the real deal!
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