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Looking beyond the fence is no different from thinking ahead to what you are going to be doing later in the day whilst trying to undertake an important task. Concentrate on the job in hand.

One of the greatest gifts that life offers is the opportunity to continue learning. Wisdom can only be achieved by not only accepting, but more importantly, embracing this gift.

It is never too late to make an adjustment to your horse’s stride in front of a fence. If you do not, when it is clearly needed, he will have to do so by himself, and he will probably leave it until the last stride making it uncomfortable for both horse and rider. Take on the responsibility and respond (don’t react) to what you see when you see it.

A ‘natural’ is able to use all of the senses without thinking about it. In order that all the senses can work together in harmony, they must not be interrupted by unnecessary and complicated conscious thought.

When considering jumping, if balance and rhythm really were all that is needed, there would be fewer errors. Balance and rhythm, relative to the stage of training, should be ‘a given’ at all times, for without it nothing can be correctly achieved.

The great thing about riding is that you only need to learn two things – the ability to maintain an acceptable contact, and to see a stride. Once you can do these you are already doing everything that is required.

You are taking a step in the right direction if, when you cannot see what the problem is, you can close your eyes and feel it.

Instead of constantly looking for an easier way to do things, search for a better way – they are not often one and the same

It takes years to become an old friend, so maintain contact until he becomes one.