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2 DIY Livery Vacancies (Mar 08) Just 1 left now!

Small private yard on Boxhill, 12 X 12 looseboxes, all with rubber floors, Good turnout, outdoor manege, Tuition available if required, Good riding on Headley Heath and Box Hill.

please phone Mary on 01737 842131

            Trick Riding, a report from Alice and Bev Hilling

'Ainslie Daniels is an Australian friend of one of our members who has been trick riding for many years, we thought that for those of you who haven't come across this sport the following article may be of some interest, if not some inspiration for a boring Sunday afternoon!

Ainslie has been residing in the UK for the past year and has come and played with our horses, teaching them the first steps of trick riding which they seemed to really enjoy.

Bev & Alice Hilling'

Trick Riding originated from Russian Cossacks charging into battle hanging from their mounts. At the very last second they would suprise their attacker - who thought they were injured or dead - and ultimately end up winning the battle.
Today however, trick riding is seen around in the world in rodeo arenas, at county fairs and corporate entertainment functions. Highly trained horses gallop around an arena at full speed with their riders hanging, standing, vaulting and balancing in precarious positions.
 
Training a trick riding horse can take months. Not only must the horse be mentally fit for the discipline, he has to be physically fit as well. After a few weeks of learning the pattern, the horse is introduced to some tricks so he can learn to counter-balance himself. First at the walk, then gradually building up the canter, then eventually the performance gallop. Whilst a fully trained trick riding horse may need a tune up every now and again, the trick rider will forever be in training. Learning new tricks, maintaining cardio fitness and flexibility, and also ensuring they are a well rounded performer, not just performing the same trick each time.
 
There are two types of tricks a rider can become proficient in. Strap Tricks and Ground Tricks. A strap trick is a trick in which the rider remains connected to the saddle and does not touch the ground. A ground trick requires the rider to connect with the ground to execute the trick. A rider will naturally be stronger in one style of trick than the other, though with hard work and dedication can perform both with ease.
 
Trick Riding is a fast and extremely demanding sport - both on the horse and its rider. For the audience watching the show, fast running horses combined with great music and loud costumes makes for an experience they will never forget. For the riders and horses it is their chance to go as hard and as fast as they can and let the hours in the practice arena finally pay off.