Polocrosse joins ‘Jump UP!’ HOOF - Olympic Legacy coaching day

A polocrosse demonstration is to captivate the audience at the latest London Horse Network coaching day being supported by HOOF, the Olympic Legacy project of the British Equestrian Federation.


Polocrosse joins ‘Jump UP!’ at Reigate’s Littleton Manor Equestrian Centre on Monday 18th April with David Gadsby, London Representative of the BEF explaining, “The focus of the day is to inspire centres to maximize the facilities they have available to encourage new participants and enthuse existing riders.”

With Britain hosting the 2011 Polocrosse World Cup from 8-17th July in Warwickshire, CEO of the United Kingdom Polocrosse Association, Iain Heaton says, “Once they’ve witnessed the game from the sidelines, we are aware of players taking up the polocrosse without ever having shown an interest in horses before and so we hope our demonstration at ‘Jump UP!’ will show the potential of introducing polocrosse to more London centres to increase participation in equestrianism.”

The main focus of the day will be on the Olympic discipline of eventing with renowned BE accredited trainer and former Open European three-day-eventing champion, Lucy Thompson delivering coaching techniques to teach both show jumping and cross-country skills in the confines of an arena, making this Olympic sport relevant to city centres.

Volunteer chair of the London Horse Network, Jodie Maile concludes, “The day promises to be a great way of developing the sharing of resources and expertise within the Network and we’re very grateful to Littleton Manor, Lucy Thompson, and the UKPA for their generosity along with Sound Riding who is to provide the PA system for the day.”

BEF Legacy supports London Business

On 28th March 2011, the day David Cameron launched his Start Up Britain campaign to encourage entrepreneurs, the British Equestrian Federation’s London Olympic Legacy project, HOOF, was supporting a ‘Business Essentials Day’ for members of the London Horse Network.


Delivered by Mike Lynch of GBSport, the day, that was generously hosted by Maggie Cox at the fantastic facilities at Newham Riding School, gave delegates and insight into their responsibilities as seen through the eyes of the taxman.

Warning that ignorance is not bliss and that the costs for unintentional errors are immense – bankrupting a business or an individual, Mike impressed where responsibilities lie, what provisions should be in place and the importance of having a good accountant and tax inspection insurance.

Mike said, “Unfortunately sports are nicknamed ‘Del-Boy trades’ by tax inspectors and they are therefore an easy target to finding lost revenue.”

After an interactive test demonstrated how guidelines can be easily misinterpreted, leaving delegates having a slightly reduced appetite at lunch, Mike progressed to offering tools to build ones confidence and improve business practices.

One such element was to use the HMRC’s ‘Employment Status Indicator’, answering questions from the client’s point of view to give a good indication as to whether you, or your staff member truly is self-employed – with any queries then being directed to your accountant.

Repeating the test, delegates showed improved understanding though the competition winners included a former tax inspector turned riding instructor.

Sharon Edwards, a self-employed freelance instructor and employer of staff said, “The course was really useful and clarified that I wasn’t up to date on the guidelines but I now know how to handle staff if they request to become self-employed”, adding, “I’d have travelled a lot further to attend a course like this!”

Other delegates confirmed they would now be spending many days in the office getting things in order and with a free CD containing the course content to remind them of the various pitfalls and a specially produced sport-specific employment contract, they have some help in doing so.

Mike said, “A frequent problem we find in sport is that coaches are trained to coach but have very little business support and so it is great to see equestrianism embracing the challenge. We have information on the GBSport website and also recommend people look to resources like Business Link, the Sports Partnership network and to other sports web sites such as the excellent Rugby Union NGB and Sport Scotland Help for Clubs online resources.”

Jodie Maile, chair of the London Horse Network, concluded, “The London Horse Network is really determined to drive up standards and professionalism, not just within coaching but for the business element too and we are very grateful to HOOF to helping to fund this excellent day”, adding, “We also hope to have GBSport return for a marketing essentials day later in the year.”

If you are interested to find out more, visit http://www.hoof-in-town.com/ or contact Jodie Maile at Jodievm@aol.com

Banana skins to Best Practice – equestrian business benefits from BEF Olympic Legacy project

Elite riders may be the main focus for many in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games yet equestrianism at large is also able to benefit from the HOOF Ride London Olympic Legacy project of the BEF.


Responding to requests from members of the London Horse Network, the latest HOOF-supported day enabled delegates to attend a complimentary ‘Health and Safety and Employment Law’ interactive workshop on 28th February, with experts able to specifically utilize their experience of equestrianism.

Martine Dawlings, of Trent Park Equestrian Centre, the largest training and examinations centre in London said, “I was really impressed by the fact that HOOF had listened to what our needs were and had pitched the presentations at exactly the right level”, adding, “I was also impressed by the speakers who were not only of a high calibre, but also were hands-on, practical and approachable people”, concluding, “I learnt a lot and went back to the yard feeling much more confident and educated.”

The day began with Ray Hipkin, a Chartered Safety Practitioner delivering an unexpectedly fun and factual talk discussing the sense - and nonsense - of ‘Health and Safety’, to enable centres to prioritise their Health and Safety policies in order to avoid ‘banana skins’ and costly practices.

After a welcome lunch break at the Hilton Olympia hotel, delegates returned to hear from Lucy Katan, Chief Executive of the British Grooms’ Association - a recent addition to the British Equestrian Federation.

Lucy explained the role of the British Grooms Association, highlighting how it can help both grooms as a collective, and their employers.

Courtesy of a grant received from the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, the British Grooms Association, has produced an ‘Equine Employers Handbook’, in conjunction with Morrish LLP Solicitors and delegates were able to submit their own questions and hear answers to some of the frequently asked questions from Nicole Seaman, Assistant Solicitor from Warner Goodman LLP and a keen rider and former yard staff member herself.

The meeting then developed to an enlightening workshop that demonstrated the potential disparity of opinion between employers and their employees when discussing their specific role.

Linda Hinds, Equestrian Centre Manager at Vauxhall City Farm generously offered to be questioned regarding ‘best practice’, and indeed she was able to report from having done a similar study with her own staff, and her interview offered an example at to how she handles employing staff; from advertising vacancies to interviewing and selecting staff, to maintaining motivation with targets, assessments and opportunities and how to deal with a real life disciplinary procedure to avoid pitfalls.

Concluding the day with some final questions from the floor, Volunteer Chair of the London Horse Network, Jodie Maile wrapped up the meeting and invited delegates to take a complimentary copy of the Equine Employers Handbook home with them for reference purposes.

Jodie then reminded delegates to sign up for the ‘Business Essentials Workshop’ to be run by GB Sport at Newham Riding School on 28th March 2011, and again to be heavily subsidized by HOOF, by sending their cheque for £15.00 to David Gadsby at the BEF.

Did you know International Polo is coming to London this week!

Did you know International Polo is coming to London this week...?

Book your tickets via http://www.theo2polo.com/  and support equestrianism in the capital.  The Have A Go Polo and 'Cycle Polo' sounds somewhat unique... the only question is, what to wear for a glamorous event, surrounded by polo players, champagne and celebrities, shopping and sweaty horses.....!

HOOF supports Legal Advice Seminar for LONDON HORSE NETWORK

HOOF, the British Equestrian Federation’s Olympic Legacy Project is supporting a free Health and Safety and Employment Law seminar for the London Horse Network.

The London Horse Network which consists of riding school managers, livery yard owners and freelance and retained instructors and grooms will benefit from the workshop being held at the Hilton Olympia Hotel on Monday 28th February.

“These subjects may seem rather dry on paper but have sparked some serious debate during previous London Horse Network meetings”, explained Volunteer Chair of the London Horse Network, Jodie Maile, adding, “We are very grateful to HOOF Ride London for offering to support a day where the Network can learn from the experts.”

The British Grooms Association, recently appointed as a member body of the BEF, will be introducing its role within the industry and presenting the ‘Equine Employer’s Handbook’, produced by the BGA to the audience.

Regarded as a ‘must have’ for all equestrian establishments, 30 copies of the £39.95 Equine Employer’s Handbook are generously being donated to the Network by HOOF Ride London.

Career Grooms, sponsors of the BGA will also conduct a workshop to aid understanding of the problems and solutions when recruiting, training and retaining staff, and Nicole Seaman LLP, an Employment Law solicitor from Warner Goodman will be on hand to answer any specific questions from the London Horse Network.

London Representative of the BEF, David Gadsby said, “Between HOOF and the London Horse Network, we have a comprehensive line up of professionals that will aim to introduce their expertise, answer specific questions on the day and indicate various channels through which Network members can access continued support.”

The day will also include a workshop with Ray Hipkin CMIOSH, MEWI.

Health and Safety Officer for British Eventing, Ray manages safety issues at Blenheim, Bramham and Weston Park International Horse Trials, he is also Chairman of the National Farm Attractions Network and an independent advisor on Health and Safety Issues to a wide range of commercial clients.

Jodie concludes, “It’ll be great to have an industry expert on hand who understands the challenges faced in equestrianism especially the demands placed on centres and instructors when dealing with young, old, nervous and otherwise vulnerable, disadvantaged or disabled people in a high risk environment.”

To find out more about the London Horse Network or to register a question for the experts to answer, email jodievm@aol.com . For more details on the BEF Olympic Legacy Project, HOOF Ride London, visit www.hoof-in-town.com.

The LHN Health & Safety and Employment Law Seminar, 10am-3pm, Monday 28th February 2011, Hilton Olympia Hotel, London. Contact jodievm@aol.com for more details.

Inspirational speakers give the London Horse Network coaching insights

A training forum supported by the British Equestrian Federation’s HOOF Ride London Olympic Legacy project, gave the London Horse Network an opportunity to understand the complex and powerful role of the riding instructor as coach, trainer and mentor.


Andrew MacFarlane offered a unique view, having experience of many different teaching styles as he learns to ride himself and in his experiences as a coach, particularly when using horses at liberty to encourage team building, harmony and leadership in the corporate workplace through his company Lead Change.

Inviting participants who ranged from newly qualified instructors to equestrian centre managers to first identify the perceptions and pressures, motivations and challenges faced by riders of all levels and to identifying their different learning styles, Andrew then moved on to applying this understanding to help coaches become more effective.

After considering the psychological aspects behind coaching, Minette Rice Edwards, trainer at the ABRS-approved Ham House Stables, Richmond, offered an insight into coaching from a more physiological standpoint.

Taking the seat, the torso, alignment, feel and awareness as five indicators in riding effectively, she also ran through a physical ‘imagery’ checklist to encourage a balanced position.

The combination of these two excellent speakers, identifying how the coach can influence the rider and how the rider can influence the horse, was inspiring.

Although the main feature of the day kindly hosted by Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, volunteer chair of the London Horse Network, Jodie Maile, also used the occasion to canvas opinion from members as to their priorities for the Network and encouraged feedback as to how the Network could come together to improve training provision and standards.

Vice-Chairman of the Greater London region of the British Horse Society, Janet Coe, outlined the anticipated provision of amateur and professional training awards to be made available from the British Horse Society to riders at London equestrian centres.

Jodie Maile, who took over the chair in the summer of 2010 said, “It was great to have the BHS able to give the London Centres the heads up on these awards and an example of how these Network meetings can get people together. Already existing members who have found freelance instructors to hay suppliers through the network and it is exciting to see the Network develop to suit the aims of those involved.”

In line with the concerns raised during this latest workshop with regard to employment law, health and safety and child protection considerations, HOOF Ride London has also offered to help support a legal workshop.

London Representative of the BEF, David Gadsby explained, “The Network is very much run by its members, for its members and it was great that Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre volunteered to act as host for the training day”, adding, “Supporting the London Horse Network fits well with our Olympic legacy project aims, HOOF Ride London, as the tools and skills developed by the Network members today can be shared among them and spread.”

If you are a rider, horse owner, trainer, equestrian centre or other equestrian enthusiast and would like to join the London Horse Network, or offer your expertise towards developing equestrianism in London, please contact Jodie Maile on jodievm@aol.co.uk or 07815670035.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from HOOF Ride London