Valiant Equestrian

A horse can’t give the right answer if the rider hasn’t asked a clear question.

Before correcting the horse, we must first evaluate our own communication.
Were the aids/ask clear, consistent, and well timed?
Did we allow enough time for a response?

Horses learn through the application and release of pressure. The release not the pressure is what tells the horse they found the correct answer. Unclear or inconsistent aids create confusion, not learning.

Once the question is clear, the rider must hold the horse accountable for the response.

If the horse makes an honest mistake, lacks understanding, or loses confidence, the answer is education. Simplify the exercise, support the horse, and reward every correct effort. Ensure to only reward true correct effort. We want the reward to mean something.

If the horse understands the aid but chooses not to respond, whether that’s falling behind the leg, drifting through the outside aids, leaning on the rider, or evading the work…the horse needs a timely correction. The correction should change the behaviour, not punish the horse. The moment the horse responds correctly, the pressure disappears or correction disappears and a reward is given.

If the horse is unsafe or deliberately disobedient, the boundary must still be clear, immediate, and unemotional. Correct the behaviour, then return to neutral as soon as the horse makes the right choice.

The best horsemen aren’t the ones who never correct their horses. They’re the ones whose horses always know the difference between:

“Yes. That’s exactly what I wanted.”

and

“No. That’s not the answer or No. That’s not appropriate behaviour.”

Moving from the 2’9” Hunters to the .80m Jumpers

One of the biggest misconceptions is that moving into the jumper ring requires a completely different skill set. It doesn’t.

The fundamentals remain the same. An effective position, a quality canter, rhythm, balance, straightness, adjustability, and accurate tracks are the same skills developed through the Equestrian Canada Learn to Ride program and rewarded in the hunter ring.

What changes is the objective.
Hunters reward style, consistency, expression and the overall quality of the round. Jumpers reward the efficient ex*****on ot the course while leaving the rails up without any other faults such as time fault or a refusal.

At the .80m level, success doesn’t come from galloping around the ring. It comes from riding the correct canter, executing the planned track (the flat), and allowing the distances to develop from a balanced rhythm.

The pace, balance and straightness should already be established before the turn to the fence...not created in the last three strides.

In many ways, a rider with a strong hunter or derby foundation is well prepared for the jumper ring. Derby riders, in particular, already understand how to maintain impulsion, can have a hand gallop and collect right up again, execute tidy turns, and stay organized while answering more technical questions.

For a first .80m class, don’t chase the clock.

Ride the track, trust your fundamentals, and let efficiency create your time. A balanced, organized round will always outperform a rushed galloping round.

It’s not about jumping bigger, it’s about applying the same fundamentals to a different test.

Hillary Wybrow & “VE Steddy Neddy” schooling some of the new fences ! 🔹

Talent can open the door, but grit and being coachable are what keep it open.
The riders who improve the fastest aren’t always the most naturally gifted-they’re the ones who show up every day ready to learn.
They ask questions, accept feedback without taking it personally or coming up with 101 excuses, and go back to work, even when it’s hard.
Being coachable means trusting the process, embracing corrections, and understanding that every piece of feedback is meant to help you become a better horseman. Grit is choosing to keep going after a missed distance, a tough round, or a disappointing result or learning something tricky.
Success in this sport isn’t built on perfect rides. It’s built on resilience, humility, consistency, and the willingness to learn.
Ride with arit. Listen with purpose. Grow every day.

Kayla Mill and Caroline putting the time in for their derby round tomorrow Meadowlarke North !

Julia 💗 and Cal have been training hard 💪🏻

Amazing job coach EGM !!

Coach Hillary Wybrow & Nelson lessoning with lan Roberts preparing for the next silver 3 show.

゚ ❤️❤️

Coach EGM & Cal Lessing putting in the work with lan Roberts as they prepare for Silver 3 at West! *
Erin has done an incredible job rebuilding Cal’s confidence and helping him rediscover his love for the job. They’re now in a place where he’s ready for that next step, and we’re excited to see what this partnership accomplishes next! Currently they are in fourth in the 18+.70 jumper division.

Today was all about celebrating our incredible assistant coaches! 💛

Thank you for everything you do for our riders, horses, and team. Your patience, positivity, hard work, and willingness to jump in wherever needed never go unnoticed.

You are such an important part of what makes our program so special.

We hope you enjoyed your appreciation day—a riding lesson, a relaxing trail ride, pizza dinner, and of course, a candy bar to finish it all off! 🍕🍬🐴

Thank you for your dedication, your smiles, and for inspiring our riders every single day. We are so grateful to have each of you on our team and can’t wait for another amazing season together!

With appreciation,
The Coaches, Emily & Mike 💛