Excelsior Equestrian

14/06/2026

LONG-TERM TRAINING & AGISTMENT OPPORTUNITY: Excelsior Equestrian 🐎
​I am currently opening one position at Excelsior Equestrian for a rider truly committed to the long-term development of themselves and their horse.
​My foundation in this sport began 50 years ago, when I traveled to Europe to train with four world-renowned masters. While those formative years provided an elite technical base, my most profound lessons have come from the horses themselves—the greatest teachers I have ever known.
​The photo below shows me riding Lutz, a wonderful horse I was privileged to train and compete myself all the way to Grand Prix. This partnership not only qualified for the Olympics but was one of just five selected for the elite national squad.
​What level are you reaching for? 🌟
​Whether you are aiming for your very first test or have your sights set on FEI, I offer more than a weekly lesson. I provide long-term mentorship, individualized training programs, and direct feedback in a safe, encouraging environment where good horsemanship and sound foundations are paramount.
​Are you ready to invest in your journey?
​If you are looking for a serious long-term training base for you and your horse, I would love to hear from you.
​📍 Located at Excelsior Equestrian
📞 Please call Sally-Leigh Woods on 0400 059 032 to discuss if this position is the right fit for your goals.
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13/06/2026

Independent Aids: When your core is stable, your limbs become "independent." You can use your hands for subtle rein cues and your legs for precise signals without losing your balance or unintentionally shifting your weight.

12/06/2026

While I'm away enjoying a short holiday, I've found myself looking back through photos from previous clinics.
They remind me that no matter our discipline or level, we're all trying to become better horsemen and horsewomen for the horses we have.
I'm looking forward to getting home, catching up with everyone, and doing it all again soon at Excelsior Equestrian.

31/05/2026

DRESSAGE FOR THE THINKING RIDER

True Bend Begins with the Ribcage
Many riders think bend comes from the horse's neck. In reality, the horse's spine has only a limited ability to bend laterally through the ribcage. What we often feel as bend is the horse yielding its ribcage away from the inside leg and connecting to the outside rein.
As the ribcage becomes more supple, the horse becomes easier to balance, easier to straighten, and more capable of changing direction without losing rhythm or connection.
The following photos illustrate some of the concepts we explored through changes of direction, curved lines, and exercises designed to improve communication between horse and rider.

31/05/2026

31/05/2026

Just before the storms rolled in... ⛈️🍂

A beautiful day of horses, learning, laughter, and poles. The arena looked stunning, the horses tried their hearts out, and we managed to finish just in time before Mother Nature had other plans!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a wonderful clinic.

28/05/2026

Ran across a quote about not building your dreams on other people's opinions, and it really made me think about how much noise we have to filter out in the horse world. A little reminder to protect your peace, stay locked into your own journey, and enjoy your horse this week! (Full thoughts below 👇)

​The Invisible Anchor: Why Chasing Approval Kills Your Horsemanship
​There is an old saying that rings incredibly true in the horse world: “If you build your dreams on the opinions of others, you will run out of steam.”
​In a sport that is heavily judged, scrutinized, and watched from the rail, it is dangerously easy to let outside noise dictate how you feel about your riding. We look for validation in the color of a ribbon, the comments on a scorecard, or the opinions of bystanders at the arena fence.
​But if external approval is the only fuel keeping your passion alive, you are bound to burn out. Here is why—and how we can shift our focus back to what actually matters.
​The Moving Target of Public Opinion
​Opinions are cheap, and in the horse world, everybody has one. If you change your riding, your tack, your goals, or your timeline every time someone offers unsolicited advice, you will end up chasing a moving target.
​Worse, your horse pays the price for that inconsistency. Horses don't understand the concept of a "reputation," and they certainly don't care about social media likes. They only understand clarity, consistency, and trust. When we ride to impress the rail birds rather than to connect with the animal underneath us, we lose the very partnership we started this journey for.
​Redefining the "Prize"
​It’s easy to get caught up in the impatience of progress. We want the perfect lead change today. We want the blue ribbon this weekend. We want to prove that the time, money, and sweat we put into this sport are paying off.
​But the real "prize" in horsemanship isn't something you can hang on a wall.
​The real prize is the moment a hot horse finally relaxes and sighs under your seat.
​The real prize is executing a transition with total invisible harmony.
​The real prize is the trust a 1,200-pound animal places in your hands when they encounter something terrifying, but choose to move forward anyway because you asked.
​Those moments don’t always come with a round of applause or a trophy, but they are the actual foundation of great riding.
​Keep Your Focus Inside the Arena
​The next time you feel the weight of expectation—whether it’s frustration over a tough training plateau or anxiety before entering the show ring—take a deep breath and close your eyes to the crowd.
​Filter out the noise. Trust the system, trust your coach, and most importantly, listen to your horse. Treat every ride as a private conversation between the two of you.
​The crowd’s opinions change with the wind. But the quiet breakthrough on a Tuesday morning at the stable? That is yours to keep, and that is the only steam you need to keep the dream alive.

28/05/2026

Stories from a Lifetime with Horses ....

In the quiet moments, learning and growing - every ride a step closer to my dream.

After leaving Herbert Rehbein, which was an extraordinary experience, I returned to England to stay with Jenny Loriston-Clarke. I lived in her home, where I kept Unkenruf, Mazagran, and another horse called Blueberry. My time with Jenny was magical—I learned so much, not just from riding, but from everything that surrounded the stable. I spent hours learning how to handle horses, turn them out, and develop a keen eye for a show hunter or hack as we visited competitions.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth. As I said, Mazagran reached a point where we realized he wouldn’t progress as far as we hoped. One funny memory sticks out—I answered the phone one day in Jenny’s office, and a woman from Belgium inquired about a black Arab stallion for dressage. I explained that Arabs weren’t really suited, but we had a black Trakehner stallion we were considering. Long story short, they flew over with their entourage in a private jet. When they came, I wasn’t well, so Jenny rode him. I warned her about his buck, and sure enough, he tried it—right in front of them. But the lady, impressed, said, “Oh, I like him—he’s got spirit.” And despite his buck, they bought him. Later, they flew me over to Belgium to teach her, and from that, she eventually became an international rider—not on Mazagran, but it gave her a huge leap forward.
Another time at Jenny’s, she invited Ferdie Eilberg—her trainer—to come from Germany to help prepare Dutch Courage, her first warmblood, for the World Championships. And it was there, with Ferdie's guidance, that Jenny won the bronze medal at Goodwood in Great Britain—a dream come true. It was an incredible time, and it was Ferdie who, seeing my dedication, offered me a chance to return to Germany with Unkenruf. And so, that next step took me back to Germany, where a whole new chapter of my dressage journey began.

25/05/2026

This longweekend : Saturday and Monday morning sessions available.

​Pole work isn’t just about trotting over lines; it’s about biomechanics, core engagement, and teaching a horse how to carry themselves. Whether you’re working with a green horse or refining a seasoned partner, these structured progressions focusing on loops, curves, and corners are designed to develop true suppleness.
​It’s a win-win: these exercises promote longitudinal and lateral balance in the horse, while simultaneously helping the rider improve their own stability, independent seat, and timing.
​Why prioritize this approach?
✅ Respects the integrity of tendons & ligaments.
✅ Improves core strength and self-carriage.
✅ Replaces rushing with consistent rhythm.
✅ Sharpens rider precision and core control.
​It’s all about quality over quantity. Watching a horse learn to “find their feet” through these curves is the most rewarding part of the process.
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