Announcements

Thursday 9 February 2012 at 7.30 pm 

Olympic performance psychology coach, Charlie Unwin, is to give an evening talk to equine enthusiasts at Nottingham Trent University's Brackenhurst campus. Having worked with riders from novice to advanced level, Charlie has built a reputation for his specialist experience in helping equestrians perform more consistently in competition and thrive under pressure.

During the course of the lecture, Charlie will explain how - in a sport where the subtleties of a rider’s behaviour is often mirrored and reinforced by the horse - the best riders are not necessarily the most talented but those who can perform time after time when it counts.

This they achieve by developing the mental skills to help them – before, during and after competitions. Skills include goal-setting, confidence building, improving concentration and dealing with adversity/success. By deliberately focusing on these skills - especially at a young age - riders can fast-track their experience and maximise their results.

Charlie comments: “As a performance psychology coach, my job is to show competitors how they can adapt to the pressures of the sport. When I have done my job well it is this pressure that brings out the best in them.....and winning becomes a habit that is difficult to break."

Head of the University’s Animal and Equine Sciences, Heather Owen said: “We are delighted that Charlie is visiting Brackenhurst to enable students and those in the equestrian community to benefit from his deep knowledge and wide experience. Sports Psychology is a particular point of focus for the School’s Equine Sports Science provision and we recognise the many factors that can influence the mental state of riders and play a part in improving performance. We are keenly anticipating what promises to be a most interesting lecture.”

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Inter-College Equestrian Competition

An Inter-College Competition will be held on Wednesday 21st March at Warwickshire College.  This is open to Further Education students only and the Equine staff will be sending a team of four riders –two for the dressage element (Prelim 18) and two for the show jumping element (course of 2’9ft fences). To complete the competition there will be a quiz (general knowledge) after the riding.  

We wish those students who represent us the best of luck!

Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre - Indoor School

Work is completed on our indoor riding school! We now have a brand new surface as well as new mirrors and all the metalwork is freshly painted. Staff and students have been commenting on the improvements;

"The indoor school's facelift is like a breath of fresh air! I know students and staff are really pleased with the revamp and it has opened up a lot of new possibilities. I feel very proud of our equine facilities." Liz Taylor, Programme Leader Extended Diploma Horse Management and Chief Instructor.

"The refurbishment of the indoor school has brought a new feel to our riding sessions, making training feel a lot more professional. In my own experience I now feel the need to ride as well as the environment looks." Ellysleigh Garbutt, 2nd year student, BSc Equine Sports Science.

"The new surface rides beautifully and is a lot nicer for jumping as well as flat work. The mirrors are very useful for training purposes, especially for analysing rider position and lateral work. The new- look indoor seems to be a great success" Nichola Glaser, second year student, BSc Equine Sports Science second year student.

New yard at Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre

In addition to the refurbishment of the indoor riding school, we have also replaced our Farmhouse yard which was in need of an upgrade and so the decision was made to invest in a new facility. The Equestrian Centre now has modern stabling for 20 horses in two adjoining American barns which includes an area for bathing and treatment of horses. The stables are spacious and light and will support both teaching and research.