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Claire Gallimore is a UKCC accredited international dressage rider & coach from Sussex, who trains competition riders at FEI and grand prix level, coaching clients online and in person in the south east of England and Florida, New York and Connecticut in the UK.

 

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bella’s story

When we bought Bella, she had just won the GB International 6yr old finals class at Hickstead UK and I knew that she had the potential to be a top International Grand Prix Dressage horse. It soon became obvious however that I didn’t have enough knowledge to enable her to reach her full potential. Going into a competition environment proved repeatedly challenging as she was distracted and spooky and our marks reflected this tense, anxious behaviour. It was very frustrating.

Moving to The Netherlands allowed the development of my technical knowledge and high level competition experience however my results continued to show that we were rarely able to produce the quality of work in front of the judges that we were doing at home. Tense. Tight in the back. Spooky. How could I ever ride the movements to the high level I knew we were capable of?

I then moved my horses to Tristan Tucker and began to understand the importance of combining the training of both the mind as well as the body of the horse. I learnt the role of groundwork as an essential area of training and how this could be taken from the ground into ridden work. In the two and a half years I was based with Tristan I learnt how to give Bella the knowledge to handle herself on the International stage, first from the ground and then under saddle.

Even at the age of 11, she was able to acquire this knowledge, make positive changes and go on to win Team Bronze for Great Britain at the U25’s European Championships followed by riding the Senior Grand Prix.

Having the knowledge and tools to train Bella’s mind as well as her body so  she could reach her full potential and perform on the international stage, totally transformed our partnership. I now fully understand the vital importance of training both the body and the mind of the horse so that they can achieve high level performance not only at home but also in the competition arena. I approach all my coaching with this knowledge and mindset. Forever grateful to this wonderful horse who was my very best teacher.