Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre in Bangholme, Victoria | Horse riding school

Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre

Locality: Bangholme, Victoria

Phone: +61 414 868 984

Address: 88 Pillars Road 3175 Bangholme, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.blinkbonnie.com.au/

Likes: 906

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Sport & recreation
• Sports & fitness instruction
• Horse riding school

25.01.2022 Merry Christmas Everyone! This lovely picture of baby Popsie was taken by Samantha who worked here as a stablehand and made into this gorgeous card which I re-discovered the other day when I was re-organising my office. It is very cute

25.01.2022 This gorgeous filly by Bailey is looking for a new home. Beautiful colour plus white Sox and a Star! She would be a perfect candidate to join the Blinkbonnie young horse program

25.01.2022 EOI - whole paddock available for lease at Blinkbonnie (88 Pillars Rd Bangholme) With reducing horse numbers I have a spare 2.5 acre paddock which is no longer required for Blinkbonnie horses. Ideally I would like to find a single person with up to 4 horses (or 5 ponies). I am also open to people with equine business ideas who might want to include facilities use. This large paddock can easily be split into up to smaller paddocks.... Don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss if you are interested.

24.01.2022 For all my fellow EdL crew :) This was on late last night!

24.01.2022 Erica's Blog - Charlotte and Straightness Charlotte is an interesting horse to ride because she is so sensitive in the mouth and it makes it tricky as a rider to make corrections without making her ‘out of hand,’ or doing corrections that make her not want to regain contact on the bit. I’ve been working on the straightness of her body by moving the shoulders around, but I’m now working on "Flechi Droit". Flechi Droit is lateral bend with a straight body, which Charlotte finds... difficult, when she bends laterally past a certain point she tends to overweight her inside shoulder (particularly on one rein) making it very hard to keep her body straight. Christine suggested doing counter - fleche droit, or bend with a straight body to the outside, and this helped enormously, as the wall helped stop her from falling out of lateral balance. Once she got her balance, I could change direction and continue in the same bend with a better balance. It’s important to start and finish with a straight neck and body too, developing her capacity to change her balance. Charlotte also tends to compensate for her difficulty with lateral bending in balance by head tilting. If as a rider I can focus on stabilizing the poll, then we can work to improve her balance both laterally (from one side to the other, in her case the shoulder control) and longitudinally (gradually shifting her balance towards the hindlegs.) After we achieve flechi droit in a good balance, I then ask for neck extension with action - reaction and repeat the combination of fleche droit then neck extension. These two exercises work well together, as the high neck position in flechi droit helps set her up for being balanced in the neck extension, so she is less likely to come too far onto the forehand, and the bend stretches the outside muscles of the neck, creating a longer neck extension. These exercises helped Charlotte's shoulder control and longitudinal balance which are needed for neck rein turns. Erica Hosking - Instructor, Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre

22.01.2022 I had a ride today on my big beautiful Suzie, it’s been a while. Suzie was the horse I was riding very early in my trip down the EdL path. To cut a very long story short it didn’t go so well and Suzie got put into my too hard basket around the time that I had a big break from riding with a pelvic floor reconstruction. I am determined now with a far better understanding of the EdL training priorities and with the help of Erica (who has no emotional hang up with Suzie) to bri...ng this gorgeous, talented mare back into work. We are prioritising relaxation and establishing a good contact, by good I mean one that Suzie can work with. We have removed her noseband and she will be free to express her opinions with mouth, tongue and twisted poll .

21.01.2022 More Good News.....Welcome back Erica! Very sadly Alex O'Sullivan is no longer be working at Blinkbonnie due to some personal circumstances. We miss her and wish her all the best! However I am very happy to say that Erica, who is a fellow Ecole de Legerete teacher trainee, will now be helping me with some of the horse training and will be available to teach lessons each Friday.... Erica did some teaching at Blinkbonnie about 5 years ago so some of you might remember her from those days. Since then she has continued her teaching, riding and on-going Legerete training. I am excited to have Erica helping to achieve my goal of training up our young horses to be Ecole de Legerete School Masters. Pic is Erica looking very serious about her lateral work! Don't hesitate to contact me on 0414868984 if you are interested in having a lesson with Erica at Blinkbonnie.

20.01.2022 Eachan today before his schooling ride. Gorgeous mane and tail Love Fjord Horses!

20.01.2022 Lead Rein Lease Handsome Banner has just finished his lease and is available again to a lucky person! As a well trained and responsive horse Banner is perfect for someone who is unable to ride but wants to continue their equestrian journey through ground work. He is super affectionate with a loving personality.... A Lead rein lease with Banner, including a private groundwork lesson every second week, is available for a very reasonable $95 per week. This includes all costs. Please contact Christine on 0414868984 or email [email protected] for more information.

19.01.2022 If you are interested in understanding more about the principals of the Ecole de Legerete: https://legereteatblinkbonnie.blogspot.com//what-is-ecole-

18.01.2022 Erica's Blog - Relaxation (Each Horse is Unique) The main goal of all the horses I’m riding is to train them so they understand the Ecole de Legerete system. For some of them, that means training them from the very beginning, keeping the training scale in mind every step of the way. In discussion with Christine, we decided that above all else, relaxation is the priority for the horse's at Blinkbonnie, this will help them do their job well. ... In the Legerete training scale, relaxation is part of initial Legetrete, which means that the horse cannot or should not progress without it, and to return to relaxation when it is lost. I’m finding it difficult to maintain relaxation with all the horses at the moment, as we’re getting used to each other and I’m figuring out what works best with each horse. This is especially true of Charlotte who has a sensitive mouth, and I have a tendency to act backward on the mouth rather that upwards, and she is much less forgiving than someone like Eachan, who would prefer to ignore the hand! The difficulty in riding a few horses in one day is sitting on a different horse and riding the horse underneath me, not the previous horse. If I ride Eachan first, sometimes my hand can be more exaggerated (and if I’m being honest, far too strong) and if I take this to Charlotte, she loses relaxation and closes the gullet. My goal for next week is to spend a few minutes at the start of each ride to sit and reset before gathering up the reins and starting work. If I become automatic and not present with each horse, then each horse isn’t working to their potential because I’m still riding the previous horses’ problems. I wonder how the professionals do it! ("says the girl being paid to ride horses" - Christine Comment) Erica Hosking - Instructor, Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre Note: Picture is Christine riding her 3 main horses Hamish, Bailey and Tucker, who are all very different. Each one can lose relaxation and show that in very different ways

18.01.2022 Interesting article about Horses and their propensity to mirror. Very worth reading! Sharing for all the students I mentioned this to :)

17.01.2022 For all you horse riding warrior princesses. You. Can. Do. This! Next time you are riding and the doubt or fear overwhelms you, just try humming or singing along to your inner Helen Reddy:... I am woman, hear me roar In numbers too big to ignore And I know too much to go back an' pretend 'Cause I've heard it all before And I've been down there on the floor No one's ever gonna keep me down again Oh yes, I am wise But it's wisdom born of pain Yes, I've paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to, I can do anything I am strong (Strong) I am invincible (Invincible) I am woman You can bend but never break me 'Cause it only serves to make me More determined to achieve my final goal And I come back even stronger Not a novice any longer 'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul Oh yes, I am wise But it's wisdom born of pain Yes, I've paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to, I can do anything I am strong (Strong) I am invincible

17.01.2022 RIP Blinkbonnie Joules My heart is a bit broken after my lovely 5yo mare Joules (Linbil White Russian x Stellar) was PTS after a terrible paddock accident overnight. She was a beautiful girl, so pretty with a playful and unique personality. Riding her on Sunday I was so happy with how she was going, with her calm and obliging demeanour.... I held her mare for her conception, saw her take her first breath and nurtured her through her education, she was supposed to still be with me in 20 years as I gently rode into the sunset with her and her brother Tucker. I’m so very sad today.

16.01.2022 If you are a fan of the "Legerete at Blinkbonnie" blog posts please head here to have a look for future blogs. I will also gradually add our historical ones too :) https://legereteatblinkbonnie.blogspot.com/

15.01.2022 Outside Lessons - 4th Sunday of the Month Yesterday I gave two lovely riders and their mares an introduction to the Ecole de Legerete in Beaconsfield. Both riders did really well taking on some new techniques and we saw some excellent changes in both horses. My plan is to add to my outside teaching on the 4th Sunday of each month. The next teaching day will be on Sunday 28th March. ... Lessons cost $85 each with a small fee for travel depending on location. So if you live in the area around Beaconsfield (or anywhere between Bangholme and Beaconsfield) and you are interested in lessons on your horse at your property don't hesitate to message the page or phone me on 0414868984.

14.01.2022 Eachan and I made this little tutorial video yesterday about using the Demi-Arret rein aid. Hope you enjoy it. He is very cute! https://youtu.be/kVIp3os6Zhg

14.01.2022 And the good news is...... Riding Lessons are able to recommence! EV has confirmed that as of yesterday we can commence riding lessons again as long as you live or work within 25kms of Blinkbonnie. We will of course need to adhere to COVID safe coaching protocols and no more than 2 riders in a class.... Please dont hesitate to contact me via txt or phone on 0414868984 if you would like to book :)

14.01.2022 Erica's Blog - If in doubt return to something you know Relaxation (again!) Just a short one today, sharing a revelation. ... Relaxation is a continual priority for all horses ridden at Blinkbonnie, and often when I try something new, inevitably some tension occurs. For a long time, I was taught that tension is sometimes unavoidable and to just work through it, and I think occasionally that’s true (for, perhaps, piaffe, which comes from positive tension) but in general low level work this shouldn’t be the case. Christine suggests coming back to something the horse knows well that is related to the exercise you are trying to do, and then expose them to it again, and go back and forth between the two. I thought this meant coming back to walk, and for a few weeks I struggled, thinking ‘how can the horse learn, for example, to trot in shoulder in if we give up and walk?’ But what I realise now two things: 1. Coming back to something the horse knows is not ‘giving up. It’s clarifying and strengthening education 2. Relaxation does not always mean going slowly Just something I’ll try to keep in mind for next weeks’ rides. Erica Hosking - Instructor, Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre Christine Note: The first photo is Blinkbonnie Hamish, it was his first competition at the local Pony Club grounds, we were NOT relaxed. Erica's blog made me think about this special day in our training. Finding a way to relax Hamish while going any "work" on that day was hard but he was pretty happy to stand around on a loose rein talking to my son Jack.

13.01.2022 Julica is one of my favourite instructors, she has a great skill in helping the rider visualise what to do with their body. Here she shares a very important tip in this short presentation.

12.01.2022 Erica's Blog - Descente de Main vs Dropping the Contact Contact is one of the main things I focus on with Eachan. He braces through the mouth and leans through the chest. The feeling in my hands is extremely heavy. My first instinct is to address the mouth first according to the in-hand steps: jaw mobility then rebalance the horses’ centre of gravity towards the hindlegs. However, if the horse is leaning on the hand, they cannot physically relax the jaw. ... So this week I was working on Demi Arret first and swapping the two steps around. I also realized that when I increase the pressure in my hand, I was creating such a strong contact that it became impossible for him to relax the jaw, and instead he was just opening his mouth. Legerete is about being light in the aids and finding a way to get the desired response with lightness, instead of getting stronger. Once I realized I was being way too strong in the contact, I experimented with a lighter pressure and holding it for longer, and this gave a much better-quality relaxation. I also realized I was dropping my hand and giving him no contact, and he would then drop his head. Instead of dropping the contact I tried shortening the rein and keeping a light contact (Descente de Main). As a rider I find it difficult to relax my arms and contact after tension, so I tend to drop the contact instead. Eachan is definitely helping me with my feel! Erica Hosking - Instructor, Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre

11.01.2022 Equestrian Victoria updates recommended procedures for equestrian activities

11.01.2022 Junior Stable Hand Position Available Blinkbonnie are looking for a junior stable hand to work on Saturday mornings preparing horses for lessons. Duties mainly involve catching, brushing and preparing horses for lessons as well as other possible duties such as manure pick up, feeding and lunging. This position will suit someone who is 15yo, has some horse experience and is a hard worker who is happy to get a bit dirty.... Ideally you are confident with horses and people, have a love for horses and also an interest in classical dressage. You would need to have reliable transport and be available every Saturday morning. This is a paid position and you would need to have your tax file number. To apply please email your resume stating your experience as well as a brief explanation about why this would be the perfect job for you. [email protected]

07.01.2022 I really love this picture of Edit Kappel lunging. #goals

07.01.2022 Teddy was helping Jack pick up the manure today Clever Arab

07.01.2022 Equestrian Victoria are meeting with authorities to discuss horse activities this afternoon. So I am hoping to know whether we can get back to business soon! While I am enjoying doing lots of riding I’m also looking forward to welcoming riders back to lessons. Pictured is Blinkbonnie Friar Tuck and I enjoying the sunshine yesterday.

07.01.2022 Happy International Women’s Day. I love working in an industry full of strong, talented, determined women. My passion in life is enabling people (women) to participate in Equestrian activities! Horses don’t care about your gender. Riding is the only sport where women and men participate on an equal footing, enabled by our special equine partners! A sport where strength does not mean more than a well developed partnership.... Here I am with Alyssa, just one of the wonderful women I get to spend my working life with.

06.01.2022 Very interesting talk about laterality in horses. Very worth watching. Janet, the discussion about left and right eye and brain hemisphere is exactly what we were discussing on Saturday

06.01.2022 Welcome to Erica's Training Blog, replacing the one Alex was writing. FB has stopped the Notes function and so we will be publishing as posts while I try to work out a good way of publishing the "Legerete at Blinkbonnie" blogs so they are easy to look back on later. Clarity in the Canter Transition - Legerete at Blinkbonnie (Erica Week 1) This weeks’ work was a reminder about clarity of the aids. As I ride alone the vast majority of the time, I can get a little careless and f...orget to really criticize my own riding. Today I rode Charlotte and Eachan. Charlotte’s in hand work is so light, I really enjoyed working with another horse who knew the aids so well. The ridden work was also light, and I started working on shoulder mobility, as Charlotte tends to travel on her left shoulder. When I started the canter, things went downhill - where previously Charlotte was doing exactly as I asked, now her quarters were swinging to the inside and I couldn’t get one stride of canter. After doing the exact same thing on Eachan I realized I had lost clarity of the aids. Within the Ecole de Legerete canter aids a canter transition starts with the riders’ weight transferring to the outside, with the outside leg behind the girth and the inside leg on the girth. I was confusing things - using an active outside leg and leaning forward and to the inside, a position I usually take when I’m nervous. Both horses swung their quarters to the inside, doing exactly what I had unintentionally asked them to do - travers. (And doing it very well!) Today was a good reminder to pause and reflect on my own riding when things don’t seem to be going quite right and to not panic when a moment feel a little wild. Riding an unknown horse can feel uncomfortable, but it was a good reminder that it doesn’t mean basics fly out the window!!

06.01.2022 This is my teacher Sylvia Stoessel riding. These are my Hamish goals. Beautiful!

05.01.2022 Sharing a patch of shade and some green grass with my favourite guy (don’t tell all the other horses). A ride then a bath, perfect Summertime Sunday afternoon.

05.01.2022 Yesterday was the Christmas Rally for the adult riders club I belong to. We had a trail ride up in Main Ridge finishing with a lovely lunch at thePig and Whistle pub where there was space to tie up the horses safely. PJ was a good boy, his last outing was in December 2019! Looking forward to getting out and about more in 2021, I love Blinkbonnie but is nice to ride in other places too! Thunder is the other pinto horse with Suzanne my friend from childhood who by co-incident belongs to the same club as me and loves Legerete too!

04.01.2022 RIP my beautiful Teddy Today as a result of the thunder and hail storm I lost my beautiful Teddy. He was bright like a diamond, such a sweet and sparkling personality, always making me feel like he wanted me in his life and I will miss him terribly.

02.01.2022 Erica's Blog - Challenges with a heavy contact. This week, after being introduced to the horses last week, I had a better idea of how to approach their challenges. Eachan's challenge is about contact - when met with any kind of contact, he tends to brace his jaw and neck and pull down. My focus this week was on ‘Cession de Machoire,’ or ‘Jaw Mobility.’ This is when the horse relaxes the mouth and jaw to the rider's hand, unlocking tension in the rest of their body so they ar...e available for any type of position or movement. My challenge as a rider is, when met with a heavy contact, I will also pull, and it becomes a bit of a tug of war between me and the horse. The first thing I had to be aware of was only ever having a light contact - note, not NO contact. When Eachan pulls down, rather than pulling up, I lightened my own contact and did upwards vibrations with the rein, this demi arret rein aid asks him to lighten the contact and so lift his neck up without pulling - this is the first step in Cession de Machoire: the horse cannot relax his jaw if he is heavy on the bit. When I felt he was lighter in the hand I lifted my hands and gradually increased the pressure to ask relaxation of the jaw, when he didn’t respond, I lifted the inside hand upwards and towards the mouth/ear. Eachan took this as an aid to pull down again, but after many repetitions of vibrating and asking for jaw mobility, he did very well in the walk, but found it more difficult in the trot; or maybe I found it difficult to see his mouth move past his magnificent mane! My goal for Eachan for the coming weeks is simple: get a soft yielding of his mouth with jaw mobility when I take up a contact, then progress to the walk and trot, before working towards helping the balance in his shoulders to enable him to canter well. Erica Hosking - Instructor, Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre