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Training the Trainer
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West Briton, Thurs May 27th 2004Popular Four Burrow pony instructors Fiona Jones and Emily Scholfield have recently returned from two days of top class training with international rider Pammy Hutton at the renowned Talland Training Centre due to funding from The Dick Micklem Trust.
Set up in 1992, the trust aims to provide stimulation and education for teachers and riders based in the South West and in previous years top equestrian names such as Pat Burgess, Ferdi Eilbert, Capt Mark Phillips and Gill Watson have instructed at Dick Micklem Days.
This year the Dick Micklem trustees Iris Dunstan, of Redruth, Sarita Perkins, of Mylor, and David Micklem, of Constantine, made a decision to assist local instructors by funding training at a higher level.
Fiona Jones, who is based on the Roseland, and Emily Scholfield, from Hendra Park near Newquay, instruct a wide range of disciplines to up and coming young riders at the Four Burrow Pony Club.
"We are very grateful to the trustees for giving us this fantastic opportunity," commented Fiona and Emily.
Fiona, a well known local event rider, said: "Pammy was an inspiration in her laid back but positive style of teaching. As well as riding some stunning horses at Talland including one who went to the Sydney Olympics, she gave us some great ideas and exercises for pony club training. I'm sure we will be able to pass on this knowledge to our young pupils who will benefit from our experience."
Emily Scholfield agreed, saying: "This was a fantastic opportunity which incorporated teaching, flatwork and show jump instruction. We gained an immense amount of experience riding Grand Prix dressage horses, advanced eventers and grade A show jumpers.
"Just watching and listening to Pammy teaching was an inspiration and we both came away with lots of new ideas and exercises. I'm busy producing and breaking youngsters, so on a personal level it was invaluable to ride experienced, well schooled top class horses.
"I'm currently working towards completing my intermediate examination and this trip has certainly helped me in my preparation. I'm very grateful to the trustees for choosing us for this opportunity."
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Breaking horses is easy if you are fearless like Fiona
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Western Morning News, Fri Oct 10 2003Lucy Johnstone talks to Fiona Jones whose reputation for breaking horses and ponies is burgeoning Fiona Jones' reputation for breaking horses and ponies has never been questioned. Fearless and a natural horsewoman, she's been known to jump on anything, but even the most brave sometimes question their own safety.
Now Fiona, 31, who is based at Tregony, has installed a new 20m round pen - like Monty Roberts' but bigger - which will not only make the whole breaking process safer for the horses and ponies, but will probably save her own bones too.
She said: "I have broken just about every bone in my body, although it's better now. It was probably ignorance before. I do have very little fear but the round pen will certainly help as far as safety is concerned. In an ordinary sand school, horses can easily jump out and injure themselves but in the pen they can't. We have had it four months and it has made a huge difference and I've had a lot of horses come here on the back of it. It does make the job safer for me and the horse."
Fiona is just 5ft 4ins, which means her yard is often full of ponies waiting to be broken. This summer she took on the rides for Suzannah Hext after she broke her pelvis in a fall at Lanhydrock Horse Trials in May. With both Rifeside Voyager, 14.2hh, and Benson's Royal Gold, 14hh, she attained excellent results in horse trials and the pair are now set to return to their owner. Fiona said: "They have both done really well at all their events and Suzannah has been great. She has smiled throughout."
Fiona also takes in racehorses for pre-training from Venetia Williams and is hoping to expand this side of her business. Animals in need of help are also on the agenda and tricks of the trade learnt whilst she has been working with horses are often applied.
She said: "If a horse has gone slightly wrong we can usually sort them out. If a horse naps we usually take them hunting. We get them doing a lot of different things, helping to enjoy life again. A horse that bucks again needs to be kept busy once they get over the fear of someone riding them. We do tend to cover milestones. I'm not a stick person. I think horses have problems for reasons and it is very rare I'd pick up a stick. You have to ask why they are behaving as they are. Every horse will teach you something but there are no rules. You just listen to what the horse needs, although you do have to be disciplined and they have to know how far they can go."
With 14 full boxes and a long waiting list, Fiona, who rents a farm and land from Cornwall County Council, is considering expanding although she says she would not want to lose her ability of working one-to-one with horses - she employs just one full time member of staff, Kizzy Chipman, who is described as "brilliant."
"I do work seven days a week but if you don't love it there is no point in doing it. The thing with our job is that it is so interesting. There are always different types of horses to ride," she said.
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Fiona's good form at Four Burrow event
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West Briton, Thurs Oct 2 2003FIONA Jones found the right form at the Four Burrow Hunt Supporters' Club One-Day Event, where she headed two hotly contested sections at the popular Ladock fixture.
Based on the Roseland, Fiona is a well-known trainer and producer of young horses and confirming her prowess at this event she piloted two promising young prospects to wins in the novice and potential event horse catagories.
Fiona partnered Sally Hext's outstanding six-year-old pony Rifeside Voyager to the top of the leaderboard in the Potential Event section substituting for talented young rider Suzannah Hext who has been out of action for four months due to injury.
"This pony has enormous potential," said Fiona. "I've been involved in Suzannah's training for many years and was happy to step into the breach and take the ride on her pony until she was fit to come back in the saddle.
"This is only his second event but he showed his promise by winning on his debut at Hatherleigh. We've since gone on to finish fifth in this first pre-novice and now looking forward to Wiltshire next week for our second affiliated event.
"That will be my final competitive ride on him. I'm absolutely delighted that Suzannah has recently started riding again and I know they have an excellent future in front of them."
Fiona also made a memorable winning debut on Marilyn Stead's five-year-old mare Polsue Bridie who topped the novice section A ahead of Emily Schofield and Brown Sugar.
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