DRESSAGE COACHING
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Victoria Hamilton has over 30 years' experience training horses and riders right up to international level. She has worked with a vast range of horses of different breeding, temperament and conformation, adapting her training program to each individual. She makes training logical, easy and fun for both horse and rider, by using a variety of different exercises including ground work and in-hand work, incorporating her Equest Connect method into her coaching. This ensure the horse develops correctly physically and mentally, and helps to build a harmonious and almost telepathic relationship between horse and rider.
Victoria believes in the talent of every horse and rider and it is her goal is to help them reach their full potential. The horses and riders that Victoria trains develop partnerships built on trust and respect. She is exceptional in her attention to detail, ensuring riders have a deep understanding on what they are being asked to do and why, as well as how and when they should do it. This is essential so riders are able to effectively continue their horses' training between periods of tuition. |
Resistance comes out of misunderstanding, being asked something that is physically impossible at that moment or pain. Victoria can help riders identify the issues, develop understanding and learn to ride well so resistance is minimal and training becomes something both horse and rider enjoy.
Victoria has vast experience training with many of the most respected trainers from across the world, helping her to develop an amazing repertoire of exercises that can be adapted to any horse and rider combination. Her special interest lies in horse biomechanics, which means she also knows which exercises and movements should be done and in what order or perhaps avoided altogether in a horse recovering from injury or show signs of ageing. Being a veterinarian helps her to identify when sub-clinical pain may be involved, so the horses never lose trust in their riders by being asked to do movements they can't or that may cause them physical pain. If you are struggling with certain aspects of your training, or simply want to improve your riding, Victoria can help. |
LEARN YOUR WAY
Clinics and WorkshopsVictoria conducts clinics and workshops from her property in Sawyers Valley all throughout the year, giving equestrians the opportunity to learn from her vast knowledge whilst enjoying the company of likeminded people.
In addition to the incredible Equest Connect Program Victoria runs a number of themed workshops covering topics from test riding to flying changes, which include a talk or demonstration, and unmounted and/or mounted lessons. Occasionally Victoria is available to conduct clinics at riding clubs or on private properties. These clinics can either take the format of a standard full-day clinic, comprising of ten 45-minute lessons, or level/test specific clinics, with are ideal for clubs with a lot of riders at a particular level. |
Private LessonsPrivate lessons combine unmounted and/or mounted exercises tailored to address the needs of individual riders and horses. Victoria offers dressage coaching to assist riders in effectively communicating with their horse, training specific movements, and moving through the grades. She can assist riders with a wide range of positional challenges including asymmetry, uneven seat bones, unlevelled shoulders, difficult sitting trot or canter and issues associated with tension. By incorporating parts of the Equest Connect Program into private lessons, Victoria assists riders from across all disciplines to feel a deeper connection to their horse, more effectively apply aids and identify weaknesses in their position.
In-hand lessons are also available on extremely beneficial for horses of all ages and levels. |
Online CoachingThe majority of Victoria's private lessons are now given via live-stream video using Movensee, Skype and FB Messenger. This offers greater flexibility and is a great option for country, interstate and international riders. Private and group virtual classes can also cater for riders looking to improve their riding through unmounted exercises. Riders have the option to request online Equest Connect classes. These classes include simple and safe exercises designed to help riders reset neural pathways, engage their minds and feel their bodies for improved awareness in and out of the saddle and are suitable for riders of all levels across all disciplines. These exercises can be easily practiced at home using whatever tools the rider has at their disposal, to help significantly correct postural issues, asymmetry and tension. |
Victoria teaches from her property, Mungo Brae Equestrian Centre, most weekdays and on weekends when she is not competing or conducting clinics elsewhere.
Mungo Brae is situated in Mundaring and has excellent facilities including an undercover arena with mirrors, a huge round yard and easily accessible float and truck parking.
Individual 45 minute lessons are $100.00 with share lessons $60 per person. Online lessons are very easy to set up, with Victoria available to help choose the best platform for your situation.
Mungo Brae is situated in Mundaring and has excellent facilities including an undercover arena with mirrors, a huge round yard and easily accessible float and truck parking.
Individual 45 minute lessons are $100.00 with share lessons $60 per person. Online lessons are very easy to set up, with Victoria available to help choose the best platform for your situation.
DRESSAGE WORKSHOPS
Victoria conducts a number of dressage workshops from her property, Mungo Brae Equestrian Centre, throughout the year. These are a fun, sociable and relaxing way to learn more with your horse, and are suitable for all levels. MBEC has great facilities for these workshops with day yards for the horses to use between their work sessions, an undercover arena with mirrors and round-yard.
Test riding
Test Riding Workshops are fantastic for riders either preparing to or actively competing in Dressage. Victoria starts with either a talk or demonstration to discuss the aims of each particular level of dressage and then of the specific tests that the riders have opted to ride that day. She also details her warm-up plan and goes through the test explaining and/or demonstrating how to ride each movement, what can go wrong and where to pick up extra marks. Riders then have a lesson with Victoria before running through their test. Victoria can either provide feedback throughout the ride or discuss it at the end, with an opportunity to repeat certain movements as required.
Gymnasticise your horse
Gymnasticise Your Horse Workshops will benefit horses of all ages and levels. Victoria assesses each horse and rider at the start of the day and works with the rider to develop a program involving a range of in-hand and under saddle exercises. These help to correctly develop the horse, ensuring it becomes more supple and stronger. Victoria will help riders to understand exactly how and why each exercise should be executed, as well as help you introduce them to your horse. These workshops include a demonstration, an in-hand session and a ridden session.
Flying changes Demystified
Flying Changes Demystified was introduced in 2019, to help rider's learn by fully immersing themselves in the subject. These days are perfect for riders working towards changes and for those wanted to improve the quality of their sequences.
Video Analysis
Video Analysis Workshops were designed by Victoria, to help the rider learn by showing them what is happening under saddle. All riders are required to pre-tape a test or work session to watch with Victoria. She discusses improvements for both horse and rider, develop a work program for them. This is followed by an individual private lesson, to help put the changes into practise right away.
Equest connect
Experience the full benefits of the Equest Connect Development Program and be on your way to discovering a deeper connection with your horse with our Three Part Clinic Series. Check out the Equest Connect page for more information.
ABOUT EQUEST CONNECT
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Equest Connect is an innovative three-step program developed by Victoria Hamilton, which allows riders to truly connect with their horses through the use of alternative and modern techniques designed to open neural pathways through the nervous system. By harnessing the power of mind-body control, gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between rider and horse movement, and using this knowledge and control it to positively influence your horse, you can achieve perfect harmony.
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WHAT VICKY'S STUDENTS SAY
LISA RILEYI have been lucky enough to train with Victoria Hamilton with many different horses since 1998. Each horse has had its own strengths and weaknesses, but Victoria possesses an uncanny ability to understand each horse on their own merit and works closely with me to bring out their best. Victoria is calm, patient, and generous with her never-ending knowledge. Her attention to detail and empathy with the horse and riding is amazing. I believe it is these qualities that have helped me train my horses from freshly backed 3-year old’s right through to winning the state championships at Grand Prix level. Throughout all training Victoria always has the welfare of the horse as her foremost concern and works hard to help me and my horse understand what is being asked and why. If something is not working, Victoria changes tact and finds a way we can both understand. I hope to continue to train with Victoria for many more years as I value her opinion, her knowledge and her friendship.
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OneEyedFrog Photography
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SHANNON BROOKESI have been receiving coaching from Victoria Hamilton since 2012, when I first got back into riding after having kids and losing my confidence. Victoria took me and my no-frills older thoroughbred on when I my ambition was to “ride a bit nicer” but not to do anything “serious.” I have since made it into the WA Para Equestrian High Performance Dressage Squad on my warmbloods, competing in the Tokyo Paralympic selection events in Victoria in 2019. Along the way we also competed in show horse and breed classes, improving and achieving high levels every year. Victoria has worked with me to find what works best for me in terms of my health limitations, as well as taking into consideration my life circumstances of living rurally and having a family. I have found Vicky to be a wealth of knowledge in regard to riding, equestrian health and biomechanics, and as a highly skilled rider herself, which gives me someone to aspire to emulate. I highly recommend Vicky for anyone who wants to improve their riding and their horse’s health and longevity, as she is able to improve the fundamental basics which are required in every discipline.
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Jordyn Colleran Photography
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ANDREW FORBESI have been a pupil of Dr Victoria Hamilton for a few years now. After recovering from extensive spinal surgery in 2017 I began with Vicky and myself and horses have not looked back. Vicky has a very dynamic and positive forward thinking style of coaching, setting positive and achievable goals. Vicky very much looks at the partnership between horse and rider and the bond between both. Vicky has also been a mentor for me in my dressage journey, going from not being able to ride for some years to gaining FEI Grade V para classification within 12 months of working together. I cannot recommend Vicky as coach highly enough.
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KAHLI ROSEI have been attending lessons with Vicky since the beginning of the year and immediately felt an improvement in my riding and the willingness of my green horse. As a rider with a back injury, I have always been wary of engaging new instructors, as many have not been understanding of my body’s limits. Vicky and I discussed these limitations at the beginning of my first lesson, and we have been able to find new ways to apply aids without causing my back more stress. Vicky’s wealth of knowledge is second to none. She is always able to provide me with a kind, simple and gentle way of moving through any hurdles I’ve encountered in training. Vicky’s advice has allowed me to move through every moment, both good and bad, with confidence and positivity.
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