“IT’S one of my passions, getting small children hunting,” says Sarah Austen, teacher of Latin and all-things-hunting at The Elms School near Ledbury.
“It gives them something to look forward to, and, if it’s handled well and is a positive experience, it gives children a lot of confidence.”
‘Mrs A’, as she is affectionately known at school, is notorious for her ability to nurture talent on the hunting field. Anyone from the age of five to 13 is welcome to tag along on a Ledbury Monday at second horses so long as their school report is up to scratch, and they have mastered the rising trot — a vital prerequisite.
“Having the rising trot is important before I can lead them off a horse because it is very tiring bumping around otherwise,” says Sarah. “They have a few lessons in the arena first, and once they can do rising trot, I’ll take them out. They’re put in groups of similar age and ability, so they’ve always got a friend to make it fun.”
Sarah took no fewer than 60 children hunting last season.
“It’s very useful at school because children who don’t behave don’t get to go hunting,” she says. “We get boys learning to ride simply to go hunting, and from there, they’ll go on to do tetrathlon or eventing. Many of them are now fl ying Ledbury hedges, but they all started being led off my cobs a few years ago. They learn more in one afternoon’s hunting than they do in weeks of going round an arena.”
RECYCLED PONIES
WHEN considering taking a small child hunting on the lead-rein, it’s vital that the horse from which you intend to lead your child is 110% reliable.
“I have two lovely cobs who I know are not going to do anything stupid, leaving me to concentrate on the children,” says Sarah. “You’ve got to be able to lead little ponies without your horse biting or kicking them. And just as importantly, the pony that the child rides has to be incredibly reliable with little people.”
Denne historien er fra October 05, 2017-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra October 05, 2017-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
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Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions