Staff Shortages

I thought this might be a difficult week with staff shortages but it’s turned out better than I thought. Marina had booked this week off and as Marina teaches the half of the students all week and I teach the rest My first thought was to get someone in but then decided not too. The riding is not so difficult as they can all cope with riding together But with stage 1, 2 and 3 exams coming up in the next month I didn’t want to generalise in the theory Amelia suggested a self study week which worked really well. Each student researched they chosen topic preparing a presentation with handouts by Friday. I was very impressed with all of them. Freya gave a lecture with a handout that was on par with any lecture I have seen or attended. Nadine now has a full time position at Pencoed College and is finding it difficult to combine both so won’t be continuing teaching here. Which means I am on the look out for a freelance instructor again and they do seem to be thin on the ground at the moment. Leigh was also off on Tuesday last week but Ella did stand in for a couple of days and I did a few myself. Any good riding instructors out there please get in touch.

I started this blog several days ago and while I was sitting here typing away out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw smoke and a plastic burning smell only to find the BT home hub nearly catching on fire with smoke now pouring out of it. I pulled all the leads out much to the dismay of my kids as they then didn’t then have any internet connection anymore which causes severe withdrawal symptoms. BT were of no help, I could only manage to speak to someone of very limited english who thanked me for calling and wished me a very happy day, which I suppose it will be now as my house hasn’t burned down with all of us in it

Freya did her first cross country event on Sunday at Sunnybank, Phoebe was a bit naughty in the first class but redeemed herself in the pairs following Leigh on Fred and did a good round, Freya did a brilliant round and bought a fabulous picture from the photographer which she will be thrilled to show anyone who asks.

I am def thinking my horse Muppet (Magic) has the ability to jump well Amelia has been jumping him this week and we have been jumping grids of high cross poles to improve his technique over a fence. Amelia jumped him in the 2′6 class on Wednesday. Jumping fence 1 and 2 in canter Muppet got a little excited and bucked her off after fence 2. Amelia remounted and continued the rest of the course. I must say I think the exercises have done him good as he didn’t knock down a single fence. Pity the rider fell off . I have registered him BSJA and he is doing his first British Novice on Sunday.

Today has been a hectic day. I was impressed by the presentations put forward today by Anna, Lisa, Jo, Amelia and Freya for stage 1 and 2. Tonight I taught the level 2 and 3 they are great kids but I think a lot of improvement on position and effectiveness is required. I had hoped to use the cross country fields but as it rained and the fields were wet we did some jumping indoors. Amelia taught the Level 5 jumping lesson and I could not fault the structure and teaching

Posted on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 1:28 am You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.