J Blakehill Equitation

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J Blakehill Equitation Combining Horse Behaviour & Natural Biomechanics into a horse friendly, ethical training methodology What is Natural Horse Training?

Communication, Foundation, Harmony…
Natural Horse Training is similar in many ways to all Horse Training when excellence is at the heart of the method. Great Horsemen and women have a gift, a natural talent to communicate with and understand horses. When we watch an international rider perform we see sophisticated communication, the language is so refined true Harmony is seen, and this Harmony has been built with a strong training foundation. Fundamental this is a people training method, if we as people want success through willingness and partnership we can succeed without force to gain harmony. Communication – we build a simple language
• Horses are sensitive to Body Language, this is how horses understand each other, as individuals and herd groups
• Horses understand leadership - herd dynamics at work
• Horses communicate with pressure and release – all horse training is based on this principle
• Natural Horse Training promotes the use of as little pressure as needed and quick release with the swift refinement of the pressure or ‘aid’. Foundation – from the language we build our training program
• Horses need a solid foundation for whatever the chosen specialisation
• A horses foundation starts on the ground – stable manners and ground work are the building blocks, with riding and refinement as the later steps
• Natural Horse Training promotes the gradual building of a foundation in a structured manner that does not cut corners, and goes as quickly as horse and human are capable. Harmony – with an established foundation, anything is possible
• A horse that has an excellent foundation can be Calm, Smart and Brave
• Horses seek harmony, their natural tendency is to do what is easy, if we build harmony the horse and human relationship becomes naturally easy.
• Natural Horse Training establish the horse as a Happy Athlete; calm, responsive, mentally and physically fit
• Harmony can lead to excellence is any specialty…
o Hacking and leisure riding – a pleasure not a chore
o Showing – beautiful manners, expressive paces, stillness as needed
o Hunting – cross any country, jump/cross any obstacle, stand when asked
o Dressage – develop light sensitive contact, true impulsion and engagement
o Showjumping – jump any obstacle with speed and power in balance
o Eventing – calm and sensitive for dressage, power and willingness for showjumping, speed and agility across country.

‘Problem Horses’ - my horse doesn’t…..
• Tie-up – he pulls back / panics / digs / he will only stand with a hay net
• Lead – he drags me around / won’t walk / won’t stand / doesn’t wait / goes at his pace
• Hack – he prefers the arena / won’t leave the yard / runs home / spooks too much
• Load – he hates the trailer or lorry / he gets stressed / won’t load / won’t travel alone
• School – my horse doesn’t like schooling he is too naughty / lazy / difficult / impulsive
• Jump – coloured fences / fillers / water trays / ditches / banks / drops / lazy with showjumps / scared of fixed fences

There are many many more…. We make excuses for our horses, create limitations until our world and theirs gets smaller but all these things are ‘holes’ in the foundation, if a horse has been started quickly, trained with assumptions made then problems can quickly develop. ‘Problem Horses’ can be re-training using natural methods, once the foundation is re-established any horse can have a happy fulfilled life. Natural Horse Training can prepare your horse for life… all horses from the weekend happy hack to the international event horse can benefit.

🐴 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER WORKING EQUITATION CLINICS 🍂Here are the dates — and clinic groups are now bookable by level, so yo...
07/10/2026

🐴 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER WORKING EQUITATION CLINICS 🍂

Here are the dates — and clinic groups are now bookable by level, so you can choose the group that best suits you and your horse.

📍 10th October – Heywood Equestrian, Wiltshire
📍 17th October – Soley Stud, West Berkshire 📍 7th November – Stretcholt Equestrian, Somerset
📍 14th November – Heywood Equestrian, Wiltshire

Choose your group:

🌱 NEWCOMERS
Open to anyone completely new to Working Equitation. We introduce the obstacles step by step in a relaxed, supportive environment. Also suitable for young or inexperienced horses who need a little more time and confidence.

🐴 WALK/TROT
Great for those who have attended clinics before and are ready to progress, or combinations working towards competing at Walk/Trot level. We’ll start linking obstacles together and developing accuracy, transitions and course riding.

⭐ NOVICE
For those who have attended clinics before and are looking for more advanced work, as well as combinations already competing at Novice level. We’ll work on more technical lines, improving the quality of your flatwork between obstacles and developing your course riding.

✨ Small groups
✨ A full selection of Working Equitation obstacles
✨ Friendly, supportive and low-pressure training
✨ Classical, horse-centred and welfare-focused approach
✨ No particular breed or type of horse required!

Working Equitation is a fantastic way to improve your horse’s confidence, responsiveness and flatwork while giving everything a purpose — and, most importantly, having fun.

🐴 J Blakehill Equitation
Working Equitation Coach & Level 1 Accredited Instructor

📩 Message me to book your November space and let me know which level you’d like to join.

Amazing to be back The Horsemanship Event of The Year - Horsemanship Showcase Hope to see you there
25/09/2026

Amazing to be back The Horsemanship Event of The Year - Horsemanship Showcase

Hope to see you there

Nick Hill’s book has arrived at the The Horsemanship Event of The Year - Horsemanship Showcase

Looks and feels awesome.

21/09/2026

Last chance to do a training competition this year 😍

October dates for Working Equitation Clinics -
21/09/2026

October dates for Working Equitation Clinics -

🐴 OCTOBER WORKING EQUITATION CLINICS 🍂

October dates are here! Three clinics, three fantastic venues and plenty of opportunities to come and have a go at Working Equitation.

📍 3rd October – Stretcholt Equestrian, Somerset
📍 10th October – Heywood Equestrian, Wiltshire
📍 17th October – Soley Stud, West Berkshire

Whether you’re completely new to Working Equitation or looking to develop your skills, the clinics are designed to be friendly, supportive and low pressure.

✨ Small groups of 3–4 riders
✨ A full selection of Working Equitation obstacles
✨ We work through the obstacles individually before putting them together into a course
✨ Suitable for newcomers through to more experienced combinations
✨ Focus on confidence, accuracy, good horsemanship and having fun!

You don’t need a particular breed or type of horse, and your horse doesn’t need to have seen Working Equitation obstacles before. We introduce everything step by step and work at a level that suits each combination.

My approach is always classical, horse-centred and welfare focused, using the obstacles to improve communication, confidence and your flatwork along the way.

🐴 J Blakehill Equitation
Working Equitation Coach & Level 1 Accredited Instructor

📩 Message me to book your space or for more information.

Come and give Working Equitation a go this autumn! 🍂🐴

🐴 OCTOBER WORKING EQUITATION CLINICS 🍂October dates are here! Three clinics, three fantastic venues and plenty of opport...
21/09/2026

🐴 OCTOBER WORKING EQUITATION CLINICS 🍂

October dates are here! Three clinics, three fantastic venues and plenty of opportunities to come and have a go at Working Equitation.

📍 3rd October – Stretcholt Equestrian, Somerset
📍 10th October – Heywood Equestrian, Wiltshire
📍 17th October – Soley Stud, West Berkshire

Whether you’re completely new to Working Equitation or looking to develop your skills, the clinics are designed to be friendly, supportive and low pressure.

✨ Small groups of 3–4 riders
✨ A full selection of Working Equitation obstacles
✨ We work through the obstacles individually before putting them together into a course
✨ Suitable for newcomers through to more experienced combinations
✨ Focus on confidence, accuracy, good horsemanship and having fun!

You don’t need a particular breed or type of horse, and your horse doesn’t need to have seen Working Equitation obstacles before. We introduce everything step by step and work at a level that suits each combination.

My approach is always classical, horse-centred and welfare focused, using the obstacles to improve communication, confidence and your flatwork along the way.

🐴 J Blakehill Equitation
Working Equitation Coach & Level 1 Accredited Instructor

📩 Message me to book your space or for more information.

Come and give Working Equitation a go this autumn! 🍂🐴

Here’s a sneak peek at Nick Hill’s memoir
07/09/2026

Here’s a sneak peek at Nick Hill’s memoir

In my other life, when I’m not teaching and playing with horses I help authors develop and publish their books. Now laun...
04/09/2026

In my other life, when I’m not teaching and playing with horses I help authors develop and publish their books.

Now launching Nick Hill’s new book this September.

📖 COMING THIS SEPTEMBER — I’m A Little Unbalanced by Nick Hill

Launching at The Horsemanship Event of The Year - Horsemanship Showcase, 25th–27th September 2026.

This is the story of Nick Hill, and the extraordinary journey that led him to become the renowned barefoot specialist he is today.

But this is far more than a story about hooves.

I’m A Little Unbalanced is a deeply personal, honest and often unexpected account of Nick’s life: his love of horses, the experiences that shaped him, the unconventional path he followed, and his lifelong struggles with anxiety along the way.

From the horses that taught him the most, to the challenges that nearly derailed him, Nick tells the story behind the knowledge, the ideas and the man that so many people in the equestrian world know today.

Funny, candid, moving and unmistakably Nick.

🐴 The must-read equestrian autobiography of 2026.

📚 I’m Little Unbalanced - how about you?
by Nick Hill

Officially launching at The Showcase, 25th–27th September, where you’ll be able to get your hands on one of the very first copies.

More details — and a few sneak peeks — coming very soon…

V&T Hoof Wear Patterns and Flow

🐴 NEW WEEKLY AVAILABILITY – CIRENCESTER AREA 🐴With my little one starting nursery this September, I now have some extra ...
04/09/2026

🐴 NEW WEEKLY AVAILABILITY – CIRENCESTER AREA 🐴

With my little one starting nursery this September, I now have some extra regular hours available on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.

I’m available for:

✨ Teaching – Groundwork, In-hand & Ridden
✨ Training – Groundwork, In-hand & Ridden

As always, my approach is classical, horse-centred and welfare-focused, working with each individual horse and rider to build confidence, understanding and a better partnership.

Whether you’re looking for help with your own riding, groundwork and in-hand work, or would like me to work directly with your horse, I’m happy to tailor sessions to what you need.

📍 Available within approximately 30 minutes of Cirencester

📩 Please message me to discuss what you’re looking for and availability.

J Blakehill Equitation

🐴 Learning to ride one-handed 🐴Even at the lower levels of Working Equitation, it’s really useful to teach your horse to...
03/09/2026

🐴 Learning to ride one-handed 🐴

Even at the lower levels of Working Equitation, it’s really useful to teach your horse to listen to your seat and leg aids, rather than relying too much on your hands.

Every WE course includes the Vara — the long pole carried by the rider. You pick it up, collect a ring from the Bull and then return it to the drop-off point, all while riding one-handed.

At its most basic, this can be a simple straight line, which is how I introduce it in most of my clinics. But as you progress, there can be all sorts of variations — bending lines, changes of direction and even other obstacles or transitions to negotiate while you’re still carrying the Vara.

That’s why I think it’s a great idea to practise riding lots of different obstacles one-handed. You never quite know what might come up in a course!

This year I’ve ridden pretty much every obstacle that can be ridden one-handed with one hand — some at home, and plenty in competition. It’s been a really useful exercise for both of us and definitely highlights how much communication you can have without relying on the reins.

Here are a few examples of obstacles ridden while carrying the Vara 👇

✨Last few September Working Equitation Clinic spaces ✨🍂 5th September Soley Stud Farm, West Berks - inhand/young horse g...
03/09/2026

✨Last few September Working Equitation Clinic spaces ✨

🍂 5th September Soley Stud Farm, West Berks - inhand/young horse group

🍂 12th September Stretcholt, Somerset - newcomers and novice groups

🍂 19th September Heywood Equestrian, mid Wiltshire - one space, mixed group

All dates in October have availability at the moment.

PM me to book on or follow this link to my booking page.

https://JBlakehill-Equitation.as.me/?template=class

Address

Pound Farm
Cricklade
SN66RD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447876742361

Website

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