Review - Enjoying Showjumping With Tim Stockdale

Abbey Wass, Editor of Essex Equestrian Magazine Hooked on Horses recently reviewed Enjoying Showjumping With Tim Stockdale:

"After seeing one of Tim Stockdale's lecture demos in person at Brook Farm Training Centre in Essex last March; I was really looking forward to watching this DVD as I know how entertaining and informative Tim is when teaching."

"Tim begins by promising some useful AND fun showjumping exercises for both horse and rider, he remembers something Harvey Smith once told him "you make your rosettes at home - you only go to shows to collect them." Tim then highlighted the importance of good basic flatwork: The foundation of any showjumper, and some of the exercises he rode were specific flatwork exercises that would help when jumping a course later on. Using training of a repetitive nature Tim shows how you can help improve the consistency of your showjumping and regularity of stride - and makes it look very easy.

Throughout the DVD Tim shares many of his tips to help with any level of showjumping. One was that "you don't change the course to fit your horse - you change the horse to fit the course!" He emphasised the need to jump courses at home set out with the correct distances, whether your horse is long or short strided, or you may get stuck when at a competition.

I found that a lot of the exercises concentrated on using your body to help the horse and improve the way the horse was going. When riding courses or fences on an angle or curving line, Tim explained "that your body has to sell it to the horse" and when he rode down a line of S-shaped fences it was obvious what he meant as his line was so smooth and he made it look very easy!

Throughout the film, the exercises progressed to become more complex - from poles on the ground to lines of fences to fences on a curling line to a "clockface" - which means that whatever your level of training there will definitely be an exercise to help you.

Another plus, as with all DVDs by professional riders, is that you get a real insight of their top horses in training. Tim's advice throughout is invaluable, making this DVD a must for any budding showjumper, or if you want to improve your showjumping technique."

This superb training DVD is now available from http://www.equestrianvision.co.uk/ RRP £19.95, duration approx 105 mins. An EV Production.