HORSE TALK

Press, 3 February 1979, Page 10

HORSE TALK

Major Monty Mortimer Canterbury was fortunate in being the venue for the first two-day equestrian seminar held by Major Monty Mortimer, who lives at the National Equestrian Centre at Stoneleigh, the permanent venue of the Royal Agriculture Society in Britain. Major Mortimer is the British Horse Society national instructor, responsible for riding and training on a national basis, and the training and examining of the various riding instructors. Before taking his position at Stoneleigh, Major Mortimer ran the Fulmer School of Equitation for four years. He took this position after being in the Army for 22 years where he was mostly associated with mounted units and pack transport in countries such as Kenya, North Africa, Cyprus and Germany. It was as a pentathalon competitor that his great aptitude for horses became apparent. He represented England at two Olympics — Mexico and Munich — and six world championships, being responsible for training the British

team as well as being captain and a competitor. Every instructor needs refresher courses and from time to time Major Mortimer travels round to the major schools in England in order to gain a broader outlook on how other people are thinking and working. He also goes to the Vienna Riding School to study. Commenting on the seminar, Major Mortimer felt it was very encouraging that so many attended. He was relieved and impressed to see that our instructors were thinking on the right lines, and he felt that many were trying to do the job in a basically correct manner. Equestrian seminar Instructing riders in all disciplines of equitation can sometimes become rather tedious for both the instructor and the rider, but after attending the two-day seminar held by the British Horse Society’s senior coach, Major Mortimer at the Canterbury A. and P. Showgrounds, both instructors and riders were rejuvenated in the methods and art of instructing.

In his final lecture on what makes a good riding instructor Major Mortimer outlined the importance of a thorough knowledge of one’s subject, the ability to listen to other schools of thought, confidence, enthusiasm for the subject, manner and appearance, stressing the importance of being properly dressed, and use of voice obtaining clarity of diction and projection. Patience and understanding was very important said Major Mortimer, with the ability to understand both problems of pupils and horses, physical and mental, and having a flexible approach to the pupil. A sense of humour was also very essential as long as it was used to compliment rather than ridicule. It was important to remember that most people ride for enjoyment so a good instructor must make it fun, said Major Mortimer. Throughout the two days, Major Mortimer’s sense of humour was always in evidence, at times directed against himself, such as when he said: “Now that I am old and cowardly, I lead my horse out of the stable and if he is all eyeballs and nostrils, 1 lunge him before getting on his back.” Another memorable remark came from the i.ew National Horse Society instructor, Miss Jennifer Stobart, who quoted in her lecture: “The bigger the base the better the balance. Sit on a horse thinking I am gorgeous.” At an evening function an excellent film on “Training the Young Horse” was shown. This film dealt with the handling of a foal right through until the riding stage, with the emphasis being on having the horse’s trust throughout. To maintain our level of horsemanship and to raise the standard further, it is essential that New Zealand has more visiting instructors of Major Mortimer’s calibre at regular intervals. For instance the next such seminar could aim at helping those instructors who take riders working for

their B and A certificates and the new horsemastership test. Breeders’ Show Once again the Canterbury Horse and Pony Breeders’ show promises to be a spectacle of the South Island’s top stock in all breeds of ponies and horses. Record entries, 750 as compared with last year’s total of 533, will pose a mammoth task for the judges of different sections. AU sections have increased entries except for the Welsh which have remained the same. The section to have received the greatest boost is the Clydesdales which has 18 entries compared with five last year. Stallion classes have been included in each section for the first time and 32 have been entered.

A number of judges have been imported from Australia. They are J. S. Wyatt (Arabs), Mrs Owen (Welsh), Mr and Mrs Wilson (Pony Breeders) and Miss A. Fenton (Shetlands). New Zealand judges will be Mr H. W. Beatson (to be confirmed, thoroughbreds, hacks and hunters), Mr G. Anderson (Hackneys), Mr W. P. Ireland (Standardbreds). Miss S. Butterick (Clydesdales) and Mr A. Des Tombe (Quarter horses). The morning’s programme will involve judging of all sections, followed after lunch by the Prince Phillip Games final for pony clubs, the judging of the progeny groups and the grand parade. Again the number of entries far exceeds the number of boxes that have been ordered by exhibitors, there being only 299 boxes.