Introduction to the Classical Seat workshops

[ChrissieW]

I don't have a sound enough horse at the moment, but would be very interested in spectating if anything is arranged in Sussex, or Surry/west Kent/Hampshire.

[Simon]

Well if I do one, it will be in the North West, between Ashton and Oldham so easily accesible via the motorway as the venue is near M60 J 22. Heather has done a demo here all ready a few years ago and the proprieters are very much into EE. They have a riding school, indoor school and a simulator so everything we could possibly need. Hopefully I will be seeing them soon so will discuss this with them. I am however going away for 5 months in November so it might not be till May at the earliest.

Simon

[Greybaby]

I'd be interested in attending the north-west one if you do that Simon. I don't think I can drum up enough people to organise one of my own, but would certainly be grateful to see Heather up here! 

[Emma]

Heather - we had already talked (and I nagged you !) about this last year for the north west and you did promise to put me, my clients and this area first (along with Lisa in Scotland) if you were ever going to do anything here - the offer still stands for accommodation for the night as well !  

As a dismounted workshop I am sure it would be better to find somewhere on the M6 corridor that everyone can get to so we can fulfill the dreams of Lancs, Cheshire, Staffs and Shropshire peops.

And Heather (thegaffer!) I don't know about EE but there is no shortage of people interested in classical riding in the midlands - it's just such a vast area that it takes me quite a while to get round you all !  


Em x

[ClaireW]

Heather

Sorry for delay in response but only just got membership and forum access to post.

Did a lovely long introduction message earlier but PC crashed before I hit send so need to start again....

After attending simulator workshop last week and discussing this with a few folks round here, I certainly have some interest, need to run cost past them, and planned to talk to folks at Tiptree EC on Saturday  - so will revert as soon as I can speak to them. If they are not interested then have other places to try....

I am sure there are others in Essex/Suffolk area who would come...

Warm regards

Claire

[newhallfarm]

Would love to come to one and let you get your hands on my horse! - will have to see how funds go with paying for the teacher training though....but Simon's north west one if it wasn't till May could be near my birthday...

Thinking aloud here - but have you thought about doing two one day workshops rather than one two day one?  Even if you charged more for one day than half of two days (if that makes sense  ) - people wouldn't have to worry about overnight livery for ther horse/themselves or maybe arranging cover at home for family/other horses/animals and/or would only have one travel stint if they were close enough to travel. I can think of a few people who would probably commit to one day but who would struggle to do two consecutive days for various reasons.

I appreciate you won't make as much progress/cover as many things in just one day - and you essentially have to get twice as many people to come... and perhaps you've been down that route before to no avail - but just an idea.   

[Heather]

Hi Claire,

Great to see you here!! I taught Claire more years ago than either of us care to remember, so it was lovely to see her again after all these years. And as for Tiptree EC- my late husband and I built it from scratch, so quite poignant to be back there possibly to teach, in the indoor school I used to own!

Heather

[Heather]

Emma,

Have emailed you. Lisa is definitely organising a clinic in Scotland. We are also hoping to do a lecture demo in Hampshire, probably February, so if anyone is interested in organising a workshop, let me know.

I am happy if not too far afield, to do a one day version- dismounted workshop in morning, mounted 1.5 hour sessions in the afternoon.

Heather

[Pikku Karhu]

Lisa is definitely organising a clinic in Scotland.

     

I cannot wait!!!!!!!

[Heather]

Steady on Johanna!!!


Heather

[TashaKat]

Will Damian be running one at Smeltings?

I couldn't afford to participate unfortunately (it would cost about £350+ with transport  ) but I would definitely like to spectate and, if needed, help out.

If not (and I get the job) the college has 2 outdoor manèges and 1 indoor plus a simulator (not sure which type and whether or not it would be useful).  Once (if) I'm in I can see if they rent out the facilities and, importantly, how much they cost.

[Peaches]

Heather - it sounds as though your plan is to work with one group of people for a few lessons over a weekend? This puts the clinics out of financial reach for a lot of people, particularly those of a lower level... I wonder if this might be why you aren't getting enough interest? Would you consider running clinics with people on a 'one-off' basis: so you will work with more people (in either a one on one or group situation, your call) over the clinic, but each of them only for a single lesson (unless they decided to sign up for more)? I'd have thought this would be more feesible for a lot of people as I suspect you'd get more interest from a wider range of people if they only had the one lesson but at a lower cost: I know even reasonably competitive amatuers up here can usually afford a single group lesson of this calibre, but simply can't splash out £200 odd for one set of training, plus the hire fees of facilities which is usually to pay as well. I'm not saying it's not worth that amount - but what something is worth and what somebody can afford doesn't always tally up 

It's just a though because whilst people here might be willing to pay £200+ for a weekend, to have enough people in one area all interested enough to fork out for it, and do one weekend: well that's tough! A wider audience, who maybe aren't so clued up on 'classical' or the EE way, probably wouldn't be willing to pay so high, but you probably could get more of them. I'm getting jumbled in what I'm saying here but I hope the point is fathomable somewhere 

[samboc77]

Well I am up for trying to get something organised in the Cambridgeshire area. I'm going to have a word with Sam J and see what we might be able to come up with I know I would love to bring either one of my 2 ... don't think I can afford both though 

[happy-horses]

Peaches I dont think its anymore then what a lot of others charge , I think the 2 day format is ideal to allow people to put in to practice what was learnt on the 1st day   Some trainers charge 50+ 30 mins whereas Heather is offering several hours of ridden coaching + a demonstration. I actually think thats good value considering your getting a best selling author and an international guest lecturer . Now I by no means have money to burn but recognise this is a rare opportunity.

[jenb]

If samboc & Sam J are interested, I'd be happy to organise one at Sheepgate.  I'd need a hand getting bodies though, I can probably rustle up a few but not sure I'd fill a clinic on my own!  In rural Lincs, the off-putting thing is not the organisation, it's motivating people to part with their cash and actually book a place!!