Duchy College Holds First Para Dressage Qualifiers
Following the amazing success of the British Para Dressage Team at London 2012, Duchy College was very excited at being allocated their first ever Para dressage qualifying competition that ran on Saturday 6th
October
and included classes for all grades and standards including qualifiers for various championships.
For more information about equine courses at Duchy College and to find out more about the Para dressage qualifying
competition
please call us on 01579 372233 or visit
www.duchy.ac.uk
Pictured: Curriculum Area Manager for Equine at the College, Nicky du Plessis competing at the British
Dressage Winter
Championships and students at the college.
Fall training’ from Olympic coach
Equine students from Duchy College Stoke Climsland have benefited from human performance sessions delivered by Olympic
Para dressage riders in the South West include Edward Chanin, Ann Denham and the very successful Debbie Criddle, who won two indi- vidual silvers and team gold at this year’s Paralympics.
Nick Rodgers, International Para Dressage Judge kindly agreed to judge at this inaugural competition. Curriculum Area Manager for Equine at the College, Nicky du Plessis, had just qualified as a Para Dressage judge and was excited at the prospect of the qualifier at the College. She said: “This was a great opportunity for disabled riders of all grades and standards living in the South West. The nation was
blown away by the inspiring achievements of the riders in the Paralympics this summer, and to be able to host such a fantastic event is an honour.”
Head of Duchy College Andrew Counsell said: “It is fantastic to have been allocated the first ever Para dressage qualifying competition, and to have international judge Nick Rogers on board is brilliant. At Duchy we are constantly striving to increase our offering for both our students and the public within all our course areas. Equine plays a big part in what we do here at the College and we are looking forward to seeing it develop and grow.”
Trainer Jon Pitts, who works with some of the world›s leading athletes and teams across a broad spectrum of sports, including three timesWorld number One, William Fox-Pitt, and is currently responsible for the Australian Equestrian Team and worked with them during London 2012.
Jon has worked with numerous athletes in a number of different sports. Specialising in equestrian performance Jon has worked with the GB Equestrian Team, training and coaching them. The purpose of Jon’s sessions was to teach the students about ‘How to fall off a horse’. Using his renowned ‘fit balls’ Jon gave the students some valuable lessons about what happens if it all goes wrong.
The session focused on the importance of balance, and
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Jon expressed that “Riding horses is dangerous; horses are unpredictable, so we need to be as prepared as we can”. He explained that “on average a jump jockey will take a fall once every eleven rides.”
Speaking about his experiences, and the importance of rider balance and performance, Jon said: “Balance is the most important tool we have to stop us from falling. Flexibility is also vital; if you’re less flexible you’re
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