by Lindores Cross Country | May 12, 2017 | Camps
Author: Equiteam Instructor Liz Daniels UKCC Level 2
Wobbleberries Camp Day Three – Event Day!
Day three is our final day of camp and it’s a busy day again for the campers. The day starts with a bacon and egg bap (thanks Lou – you rock) and of course endless cups of tea!
As this camp is for Wobbleberries who are aiming at BE80 we carried on our eventing camp theme and today our campers rode all three disciplines (a dressage test, show jumping course and cross country) in one day. Day three is about consolidating what has been learnt during camp and gaining extra confidence / self belief to then go and recreate it on their own.
After wolfing down breakfast I went out with some campers to walk the grid distances that were still out from yesterday, so that they can practice at home. After that it was down to the dressage field where I had a quiet half an hour with one lady who is dyslexic and struggles to learn her dressage tests.
I always love working with people, finding out what makes them tick and ways which I can maybe help a little. It doesn’t matter what someone’s own challenges are I’m a great believer that many roads lead to Rome and it’s just about finding out what works for the individual.
We soon had a plan in place of what we were going to do and how we were going to approach the dressage test riding together.
Dressage tests and show jumping…
We invited instructor Dossie Wang to judge the dressage tests and Lou did the writing. Its such a huge bonus having an actual dressage arena set out in a separate field for our use, and is so good for test practice. Each camper is allocated extra time so that Dossie could give extra feedback.
As the first couple of campers rode their dressage tests I built a show jumping course so that following their dressage they could come and pop around the show jumps, with the dreaded F word. For those of you unsure of the F word.. its fillers!
All of the campers jumped amazingly and proved that fillers are not as scary as some thought! What was really nice to see this morning was the new found confidence in both the campers and also in the horses. One camper had never jumped a course before today and went straight in and happily popped over an 85cm course like she had been doing it all of her life.
Three of the very inexperienced horses, (one had never jumped at all prior to camp), came in brimming with confidence and really wanted to do the job. The ground being so hard due to lack of rain at the moment has of course been a real consideration throughout camp and coupled with tired ponies everyone just jumped one round.
After 11 horses had jumped round I went to help the lovely lady with her dressage test. She did an absolutely brilliant job, I was super proud, and she bagged herself a lovely 65% test!
An afternoon of achievements…
After a super quick lunch it was time to climb up Lindores for my favourite office view and we were back up the hill for the cross country. Today I wanted to simulate course riding so after a warm up we walked the course discussing the varied fences and terrain and then each rider rode a course to suit the level they are currently riding at. Again Lindores Cross Country is so great for this as there is a big variety of fences.
One lady had a fall warming up cross country. As we all know this is something which happens, but it’s never nice for the rider (or instructor – believe it or not we dislike this as much as you!). She was soon back on her feet and dug really deep to carry on. This can often be the hardest part – getting back on after a fall and jumping the same fence again and then pushing yourself some more. The lady did absolutely brilliantly, rode amazingly and finished the session grinning from ear to ear having added many more achievements to her belt.
Everyone jumped brilliantly and some riders bagged the Lindores Boat in the water complex for the first time – lots more grins from horses and riders and a huge well done to you all.
After the last group walk back down the hill Lou and I had a mini de-brief about camp and we sat for 10 minutes in the glorious sunshine among the coconut smell of the gorse. Simply amazing! I always feel a mixture of emotions after the lessons have finished, so genuinely happy for people’s individual achievements, but sad that’s its almost over.
The final presentation…
Back at the hub of camp life (The Bothy) we did a final presentation, shared some big achievements, recounted a few highs and lows and of course thank our campers. We always ask our campers for feedback and ways of improving our camps in the future but once again we were totally humbled by comments and feedback – thank you so much. Watch first hand how our campers felt at the end of the experience here
This camp was dedicated Wobbleberries, inspired by Hannah Francis, and so Equiteam (Lou and I) and Lindores Cross Country will be donating a % of the camp profits to this fabulous cause.
As another camp has come to a close there are two tired but very happy camp hosts looking forward to an early night! A massive thank you to everyone who came to another brilliant camp and once again to the Black family at Lindores. Without this facility we would be unable to host anything like that in this area and I feel so very lucky to have it. We are always made to feel so welcome, nothing is ever too much trouble and I joke that Lou and I will be moving in soon!
For anyone thinking of hosting a camp I couldn’t recommend it enough. Thank you Anna and family – you guys are awesome.
Thanks for reading my blog
Liz
If you’re interested in attending an Equiteam Camp with Instructor Liz Daniels
If you’re interested in stable hire or training your 
horse at Lindores Cross Country
If you fancy a holiday with your horse
- Read about staying at Lindores Lodge and using all the equestrian facilities Liz mentioned at Lindores Lodge website
For Wobbleberries updates
by Lindores Cross Country | May 9, 2017 | Camps
Author: Equiteam Instructor Liz Daniels UKCC Level 2
Event: Wobbleberries Camp May 2017 – Day 1:
Lou and I arrived at Lindores this morning at 8am to lots of slightly petrified looking faces!
We did our camp introduction to mostly silence! This is not uncommon for day one when people are sitting there wondering what an earth they have let themselves in for! Of course we always try and make people feel at home and the Lindores experience and the fabulous atmosphere is all part of that.
As an instructor and host it’s really interesting seeing the personal journeys people go on and I love remembering the transition from introduction to the final presentation on day three.
After the Wobbleberry rider introductions we started our day with flatwork. We have 12 horses at camp (and 11 riders!) and on day one I split them into three groups of four riders.
As the campers do their first lessons you can see them starting to take a breath and realise that maybe they might enjoy it! We ride in the front field, which is a great space to work in. It’s enclosed but big enough for riders to have plenty of room.
In the morning session I often go right back to basics and this morning there were definitely some eureka moments for riders resulting in some fabulous flatwork.
During the morning we also had a visit from Sarah Cruikshank, who is the Bailey’s Horse Feeds Scottish Rep. Sarah came with the weight bridge and all the campers got their horses weighed and given nutritional advice.
At lunchtime you might be forgiven for thinking we let the camps sit down and have a chill in the sunshine.. Not likely! It was time to get the trainers on and David from Culture Health and Fitness came and put us through our paces with some circuit training.. Cue achey legs and lots of sweaty ladies!!
I feel really strongly that you need to be fit enough to do the job that you are asking your horse to do. You wouldn’t expect a horse to do XC without being fit, but we often forget our own fitness levels.
After a lovely lunch, provided by Lou, the sunshine really started to break through, the sunglasses came out and our busy afternoon sessions got underway.
The afternoon was pole work which progressed to some jumping. A couple of campers jumped their PB height wise and everyone did really fantastically and came out smiling – alongside safety I see this is as one of the most important parts of my job – after all that’s why we do it!
Once the sessions had finished it was back to the Bothy where Lou had an amazing tea on the go. We had ran out of drinking water and within minutes fresh water appeared -The Black family really are the most fabulous hosts and we really couldn’t ask for them to be any more accommodating.
As some people went for a sneaky dip in the hot tub, the hardcore campers got showered and ready for dinner.
No sooner is dinner finished Jane Brindley from Horse Riding with Confidence Scotland arrived to chat about the mental impact on riding and mental toughness.
We had another great talk from Jane, followed by yummy brownies! The people staying in Lindores Lodge went back for a glass of wine and to soak their muscles in the hot tub, while the hardcore campers all relaxed in the bothy, making life long friends!
It’s been a really good day one and we can’t wait for day two which is based around grid work and cross country!
More tomorrow, Liz
EquiTEAM Confidence Camps
Baileys Horse Feeds
Culture Health and Fitness
Wobbleberries Challenge
Horse Riding with Confidence Scotland
Lindores Lodge
by Lindores Cross Country | May 8, 2017 | Camps
Life at Camp – Day 0
Author: Equiteam Instructor Liz Daniels UKCC Level 2
Co-host Lou and I are no strangers to Lindores and have been hosting camps here since 2014. We love it at Lindores, which is why we keep coming back! Primarily our camps are confidence camps but this one is a little different as we are hosting on behalf of the lovely Wobbleberries.
The Wobbleberries have two end goals in mind, one is to complete a BE80 and the other is to raise money – inspired by Hannah Francis. So far Wobbleberries across the UK have raised a fabulous £150,000. For more information on the challenge click here.
Today is arrival day before the start of three intensive days work for
horses and riders! As camp hosts its important
to be there to welcome everyone and make sure both horses and riders are all settled in.
Lou and I arrived at Lindores at 4pm in glorious sunshine and it wasn’t long before Mr Black Snr and his lovely smile appeared to ask if we were OK X and needed anything. Anna, Richard and family are always so accommodating, which makes running camps a real pleasure. This is our 6th so far this year – and it’s only the beginning of May!
The first horses arrived, alongside their nervous riders and as always the stables are clean and tidy and ready for us to use. For many people simply coming to camp is a huge achievement and a big deal but we constantly remind everyone that is what we are here for. As people arrive Lou has got her homemade tomato and red pepper soup warming and once people are settled they come in to the bothy and have soup and baguettes.
The bothy is one of the most amazing things about Lindores,so rustic, yet so welcoming and you can’t help but feel at home here (I do keep joking that I am moving in soon!). Mr Black had kindly lit the wood burner so when it started getting chilly there is a nice warm place to congregate. It really is the hub of the camps.
Some of our campers have opted to stay in Lindores Lodge, which is stunning inside, the view is to die for and it has a hot tub. No more selling required! The remaining campers are staying in trailers or in tents (hard
core!), but again it’s great that Lindores cater for all.
For me tonight is really a time when I try and get to know a little but more
about our campers, hopefully give some reassurance to those that need it and
then go and plan my teaching groups, which start tomorrow. It’s another late
night, but Lou and I can’t wait until tomorrow and are keeping everything
crossed that this wonderful weather continues for camp (even though the
ground desperately needs rain!).
More to follow tomorrow,
Liz
EquiTEAM Instructor
Equiteam Facebook
Wobbleberries Challenge – Ride for Hannah 2017
Lindores Lodge
by Lindores Cross Country | Apr 28, 2017 | News
Scottish Rider Magazine April 2017.
We’re delighted that the front cover is a fabulous photo of British Eventer Louisa Milne Home riding Future Plans at Lindores Cross Country.
Scottish Rider Magazine ran a feature page covering the recent developments at training facility Lindores Cross Country and they loved the photograph (taken by professional Dave Mackison) so much they used it for the front cover of their mag.
Here is what Scottish Rider had to say about us:
Full speed ahead at Lindores Cross Country
Equestrian Business of the Year nominee 2017
Anna Black, manager of Lindores Cross Country, and the team at Lindores Cross Country were delighted to be nominated for Equestrian Business of the Year in the HorseScotland Awards 2017. Lindores Cross Country, which has expanded heavily in the last few years since it was established in 1989, now operates as a full equestrian training centre. The growth and expansion of the business has been based on their customer feedback and a desire to always do better.
On course for success
Lindores now have 30 stables, show jumping paddocks, a sand school, luxury accommodation, campsite and living space to offer customers so their offering is more than simply cross country training.
The well established course boasts 125 fences built to British Eventing standards, ranging in height from tiny open ditches up to 1.2m so riders from beginners up to two star eventers will benefit from training at the facility. Fences are built by BE accredited course builder, David Wilson, who has been designing and building bespoke fences at Lindores since 2014, ensuring the centre’s standards are upheld.
A lot of hard work was put into the development of the cross country course in 2016, and the centre’s hard work is paying off. The course is rapidly becoming one of the best facilities around, not only boasting fence heights and styles to suit all levels, 26 riding camps have been booked in so far for 2017 – an astonishing growth compared to just two camps held in 2013. Independent hosts and instructors frequent the centre to hold clinics, some of which sell out in minutes.
As well as hosting more camps in the future, Anna and the team are hoping to provide further opportunities for horse holidays with their 30 stable capacity, and the expansion of the luxury holiday lodges with hot tubs to provide more dwellings.
Danny MacAskill’s Wee Day Out
Recently Lindores Cross Country became the setting for a hay bale stunt in Danny MacAskill’s Red Bull film “Wee Day Out”. This inspired the recent creation of the unique six metre high keyhole fence, the Danny MacAskill Hay Bale fence.
“Danny receives thousands of offer to perform stunts at various locations across UK, so for him to take us up on our offer to film at Lindores was an honour,” Anna explained.
Scotlands most iconic hay bale fence was officially opened on 8th March, by Danny himself and one of Britain’s top event riders, Louisa Milne Home riding Future Plans. They spent the day filming stunts over many other fences on the farm and completed a race across stunning countryside and horse jumps requiring bravery, skill and determination. They jumped pheasant feeders, whisky barrels, steps and cottages, finishing with the iconic Danny MacAskill-inspired fence.
Danny then made the most of the facilities on-site and stayed in Lindores Lodge, the relaxing rural retreat. He chilled out in the hot tub like many horse riders do after spending the day outdoors. In fact Lindores Lodge has been so popular the team are building a couples luxury retreat and a two bedroomed lodge in 2017.
Like Clockwork
New addition to the facilities at Lindores in 2017 is Scotland’s first fitness and pace training facility. With BE regulations allowing riders to compete with stopwatches from BE80 and above. It is now more important than ever before that riders practice using a stopwatch and get a feel for the correct pace. Many riders don’t know or have the facilities to practice pace and control over authentic cross country ground, so Lindores have introduced the facility which can be used with or without its brand new fences. And for those not sure whether to invest in a stop watch if you hire one at Lindores you can try before you buy.
Moving forward
Anna makes sure she listens to customer and industry figurehead feedback when expanding Lindores’ offerings, meaning that customers are at the heart of all of her decisions. The team offer something for everyone, for those looking to bring their non-horsey friends or other half, the sporting venue is also able to offer clay pigeon shooting, as well as walks and spa treatments, with a great range of other attractions nearby.
Anna Black, Danny MacAskill and David Wilson
END
Scottish Rider Magazine Website
Lindores Cross Country Facebook
Lindores Lodge Website
Lindores Lodge Facebook
British Event Rider Louisa Milne Home Eventing
Danny MacAskill’s ‘Wee Day Out’ Red Bull film and the Hay Bale Trick behind the scenes footage
Photographer Dave Mackison
by Lindores Cross Country | Apr 1, 2017 | Camps
Camp Date: 17-19th March 2017 Location: Lindores Cross Country
Thank you Anna & Team Lindores for an amazing inaugural Kick ON Camp!
A year ago I had a wee idea of pooling 25 years of trainings and skill sets, roping in my 2 favourite trainers and finding a camp venue for some special clients to get their mojo back for eventing. When I heard about The Bothy at Lindores and the vast 85 acre xc I knew that HAD to be it. Getting Avril Johnston, Jen Burnett, Lindores & I to find a mutual weekend took some doing but we did it!
The Camp filled in under 22 mins and we had a wait list of 25. Some last
minute horse injuries meant a couple of very special riders had a life changing weekend.
We had 27 riders spanning 4 decades in age and making come backs from horse injury, rider neck or spinal fracture, post baby, post meltdown or just a decade off! I assembled a legendary A Team of Top trainers Avril Johnston & Jen Burnett, epic Stable Manager Kirsty Morton of Epona Animal Services & 1st Aider Amanda Kilgour (thankfully not required!).
I was very fortunate to have the brilliant Bothy Wingman Karen Robertson by my side from 7am til 10pm each day serving meals, cheeky wee subliminal confidence NLP sessions and amazing rider support. If I’d squeezed in an Integrated Rider Session I’d’ve used my entire skill set- i did Active Stretch sessions in the Bothy, some magic fascial release on a few horses, some “band aid” Rolfing on some rider muscle pulls, a wee bit of cranial release and even a quick look at Anna’s knee.
My hobby is PK’s Positive Nutrition & I had a ball feeding 34 folk all weekend with Karen’s never ending help. All diets catered for! We had a fantastic Friday night Kick On Camp Bake Off with 20 entries – thank you Judges Emma Thompson, Anna Black & Nicola Ingram of Nicola’s Homebakes… or Clarissa, Mary Berry & Nigella! Saturday evening was a wee goal setting session and advice from the trainers on what’s next.
The Bothy fed confidence & switched anxiety to excitement, the XC brought back the BEST grins I’ve ever seen. Riders returning for the 1st time xc after a neck or spine fracture or horses being off for up to two years coming back to Karen & i in the Bothy was just magical. And for one very VERY special Wobbleberry… jumping her first EVER xc jump on the Saturday… to the middle barrels on the Sunday- Avril & Jen you are Simply The BEST!
Anna offered me a lift up to see the xc on Sunday and – in front of a room full of riders – I was heard to say, No … the first time I see the xc up there will be on my horse. Bring on 50 I say.
Thank you SO much to my A team – to see Facebook so full of so many happy posts made all the organising (& cooking!) worth it. Massive thanks to Sue Heard Photography for these pics!
Bring on Season ’17!
Kick ON Camp Host: Pauline Kidd
www.lindoresxc.co.uk
www.lindoreslodge.co.uk
www.paulinekidd.com
www.eponaequineservices.co.uk
Instructor Jennifer Burnett BHSII
A bit about Lindores Cross Country and Lindores Lodge…
Lindores Cross Country nominated as Equestrian Business of the Year 2017 is fast becoming Scotland’s leading camp venue. The facility has undergone significant investment and is able to offer stabling, accommodation and equestrian facilities for all levels of budget and ability.
The venue offers grass showjumping paddocks, an outdoor sand school and the jewel in the crown is the established and impressive cross country training facility over 85 acres with 125 fences of all heights and styles. The venue also has 30 safe and solid stables, locked tack-room, a campsite, hook ups, showers, toilets and a very sociable and friendly Bothy with kitchen, log burning stove, benches and sofas.
Lindores Lodge luxury accommodation is also on site and offers riders the opportunity to stay an architecturally designed and tasteful space. Its a relaxing rural retreat with hot tub and stunning countryside views. Hugely popular for horse holidays in Scotland.
For updates follow:
Lindores XC on Facebook and Twitter
Lindores Lodge on Facebook and Twitter.
