Tried and True methodology

Chinook Winds believes in an individualized progress based program.  This means that horses and riders will master one set (or group) of skills before moving on to the next.  While this is more difficult for the coach, since riders will progress at different rates, it ensures that there are no key concepts missed and every horse and rider gets the attention they need and deserve.  This is important for the safety and success of horses and riders - nobody is pushed beyond their capability just because everyone else is, or because 'that's just the way it's done'!  That does not mean horses and riders are not challenged, it just means that although they are, they are capable of doing so.  

Over the past 15-20 years, the show jumping world has come to appreciate the value of the Training Pyramid or Training Scale that has been used extensively in dressage.  While we have made some adjustments in the degree of movements, the basic fundamentals still apply.  Without the fundamentals at the base of the pyramid established, the upper levels simply cannot be achieved.  The prerequisites required in dressage for collection can be translated to the same prerequisites for jumping at the Grand Prix level.

For The Rider

Coach Tina Wagner applies the Equine Canada Long-Term Equestrian Development model which was designed to teach athletes according to their physiological and mental stage of development.  With her years of teaching, this model makes sense to Tina because it draws from established research in child and athlete development.

The training pyramid allows for the physical development of the rider, both in strength and coordination.  To be successful beyond Novice/Developmental Rider level, the skills required go beyond rhythm, suppleness and the introduction of contact and connection.  Riders now need to be able to include impulsion and straightness as well.  By this point, rhythm, suppleness and connection should be subconscious with conscious thought going to developing new skills.  By the time riders reach FEI levels, they should also have a good understanding of collection as well, and at the 1.40m+, collection is considered the culmination of all the previous building blocks and is as necessary as breathing. 

Just as in school, very few individuals excel at everything.  Some riders will struggle with different exercises more than others.  The key to a good coach, is that they can find ways to help the riders achieve success.  That may involve other modalities of learning (visual, kinesthetic etc.) or just allowing time for guided practice.  That is why lesson groups are small -  it is valuable to see the exercise being done by others,  but attention to each individual and their needs is critical.

For The Horse

Using the training pyramid correctly will ensure that the horse is physically able to do the work required without undue, and possibly permanent, damage to joints and tissues.  It also offers excellent training exercises building muscle without causing the severe impact on joints that constant, repetitive jumping can.  

The value of flat work for a hunter or jumper is huge.  The fundamental skills and development gained through various flat exercises make the horse a much better jumper.  Almost all faults on a showjumping course can be addressed with appropriate flat work.  If a horse gets flat and has rails, bulges or drops a shoulder on a turn, or swaps leads inappropriately, it all comes down to flat work.  Tina's program helps horses and their riders achieve the skills required to give them the best chance at a clear round.