Riding for pleasure is simple and uncomplicated, but when you start riding competitively it can become rather technical at times. So, when Mirella Vroljik, the Dutch eventing rider and champion for both 2006 and 2007 pops in for her yearly visit to South Africa you definitely do not want to miss a chance to attend one of her cross country clinics. Mirella has participated in many CIC** and CCI*** events, as well as, the World championship for young event horses in 2004 and 2009 and she specializes in educating the young horse.
There were 2 clinics schedule, 1 in George and 1 in Plettenberg Bay. The clinics were divided into three groups of different levels, ranging from the green horse to the more advanced horse. Each group posed its range of obstacles, over and above the actual obstacles needed to be cleared, i.e. jumped. Mirella’s extensive experience proved to benefit each participant.
We take for granted that these magnificent beings also do get scared and nervous, no matter how big they are. In their hearts they so want to please us, but in their minds they fail to understand the need to have to jump obstacles they fear, when you can just simply go around them. If your horse becomes scared or nervous of a jump it is important to attend clinics such as Mirella’s to be able to learn from her experience in order to regain your horse’s trust in you as well as you in them.
It takes a great deal of courage to go galloping around a cross country track, there is really not much room for any errors, but it takes even greater courage to ask for help and let someone else take the reins in order for you to move on.
