Did you hear about that course where the gate was at most 15' off the wall, from the approach side? And it didn't get corrected!
Or how about the 8 minute speed trial runs?
Have you felt like you'd need a much higher level horse to ride some of the crazy approaches and lines between obstacles? Like an angle jump, facing a wall?
Do you worry that YOU might design a course that people still talk about, for all the wrong reasons?
Or, even worse, makes your horse hate obstacles?
Designing a Working Equitation course is easy, Right?
The obstacles are heavy and this is the third time you’ve moved the Reinback L,
because you’re Not going to move the Bridge, or the Pen that's in the wrong place.
You think, “that’s pretty close, it should be fine.”
You walk it, you shift some more things, your set-up crew is getting a little punchy.
And finally it’s time for the first riders.
Intro level, “hmm, probably could have used a little more space between the Drums and the wall for the ones who trotted, but a good challenge.”
Novice A “managed it better. The horses are more used to trotting smaller circles.”
Novice B, “Oh no, I didn’t leave room for the Novice B who have to canter those circles and make lead changes through trot...”
Actually, designing a course can be easy,
When you have the right tools!
Imagine how you would feel setting your course up correctly the first time.
Saving time, energy and frazzled nerves.
Imagine watching horses and riders successfully ride a course, that’s ‘just’ challenging enough.
Whether you’re riding, or watching others ride a course you’ve designed, you'll feel proud when horses and riders rise to the challenge, that’s within their grasp, and overcome it.
A well ridden course is a pleasure to watch.
Even at Intro level where the looks on the rider’s faces says it all
And your courses can make it or break it!
But what if part of the problem was the lines between obstacles.
What if they are riding lines that don’t set the horse up for success,
and are practising wrong?
Unfortunately you also see this when you go to some shows.
A course, or maybe just one or two lines, for various reasons
(that we cover in the course), don’t ride well for the horses at that level.
Perhaps you’ve seen this. Or perhaps it’s happened to you.
Whether with your own horse, or in a course you designed.
You are not alone. This is quite common.
There is a lot to learn to design courses.
But it doesn't have to be just trial and error.
Course Design Camp is:
A place to give you the tools you need to understand the elements of good course design, and a system to make producing your course maps easier.
Giving the Judge a variety of skills to evaluate.
And horses progressive levels of difficulty,
that build their skills and confidence.
Christy Reich
El Campeon Farms
Thousand Oaks, California
Christy Reich said...
"The timing of the offering of this course was perfect as I was about to put on a schooling show and was worried about the courses. Coming from the jumper and equitation world I've often been disappointed in the courses in WE that we have shown on and with the maps that are used that are not to scale.
Trish has pulled together information and technology in a way that makes it incredibly useful for show managers, riders, trainers, judges, etc.
As a trainer or rider, the methods and practice of 'running' through your course on paper and working out different tracks is critical to gaining points in EOH and shaving time in Speed.
As a show manager, the maps to scale saves major amounts of time when setting especially if you have a team of volunteers.
Lastly, the formulas in the course time spread sheet can help avoid timing disasters if you inadvertently make a course too long and you have limited daylight at the beginning of the season."
- Learn the rules and requirements of the different levels in a practical way so they are easier to remember.
- Practice ‘Riding’ your maps and get a feel for what works. And what doesn't.
- Learn to ‘See’ your ride on paper and know if it will work in real life, or where the problems are.
- Learn to create maps that make set-up a breeze, so your crew stays much happier.
- Learn to create maps with software and a grid that makes map adjusting easier.
Laurie Wilson
Georgia, USA.
Laurie Wilson said...
"I came into this course expecting my previous knowledge setting up and competing in many obstacle challenges to make it a pretty simple task. Although my previous experience helped, I definitely struggled at first. The course is extremely "comprehensive", and needs to be with all of the levels and rules that go into designing a course for Working Equitation.
Learning the software program was definitely worth the effort and I believe will be a huge asset for me in designing and riding my own courses. By the end of the class, I loved the program and could easily navigate building each course.
Trish is extremely responsive to each homework assignment and challenges you to "think" your way through solutions rather than just give you the quick way out.
Looking at the group forum, other folks maps and comments helped me make more sense of what was going on.
If you're willing to put in the time, effort, are not afraid of digging in to learn a new software tool, you will come out with a wealth of knowledge to help you in your Working Equitation course riding and designing goals.
I'm happy I did."
Here's what you'll get at Course Design Camp
Curriculum Below
- Full access to all the lessons from day one so you can work at your own speed through the 8 week live (online) class.
- One years access to the lessons and community for review.
- Lessons, Videos and Quizzes to make sure you’re up to date on the rules.
- 12 Map Assignments with various challenges and feedback.
- A Private community to share your maps and feedback with each other.
- Feedback on your ‘Rides’ (drawn route) of your maps to help you understand the rules and abilities of horses at different levels.
- Want a better understanding of how the obstacles relate to each other and their surroundings so their courses ride better.
- Have tried to read the rule book and are confused or over overwhelmed.
- Can see the value in a practical understanding of the application of the rules.
- Want to understand how to build in level appropriate challenges.
- Understand the importance of participating in a community of their peers, and sharing different perspectives. This is a big part of the learning.
- Are not afraid to try new things, fail, and learn from their mistakes.
This is a very comprehensive program. Expect it to take you from 20-40 hours depending on your comfort level with computers (maps can be done by hand if you don’t like computers but this is an online program with both a lesson platform and a separate community).
This course is about learning by doing, it's not just theory or memorizing.
How Would You Feel If...
- You were more clear on the requirements of each level?
- You were more clear on what the horse is capable of at each level?
- You knew how to adjust your map, or your ride, before you had to?
- You got lots of design and/or 'riding' practice and feedback, before the big day?
- You could almost guarantee the course would be built as you had designed it on paper?
Eleanor Thomas
and Comandante
Eleanor Thomas said...
"As a WE competitor and licensed official candidate, I found Course Design Camp to be amazingly beneficial and fun!
I went into the camp thinking that I might not be any good at designing courses since there are SO many things to think about.
By the end, I was feeling much more confident in my ability to design rideable courses, adapt courses as needed based on restrictions that may come up, and very importantly: accurately GRID my courses so that I know what to expect when it comes time to set them!
Furthermore, from the perspective of a rider and future judge, I gained a lot from considering how the courses should change as we go up the levels, and how they might need to be ridden or judged differently.
Thanks so much Trish for putting this course together!! I highly recommend it to anyone involved with working equitation.
Whether you’re a competitor, a judge/TD, a course designer or a show manager. There is a lot to learn."
What Do You Think?
Are you ready to create course maps that people and horses love to ride?
Are you ready to spend less time moving obstacles and more time riding courses?
If I was to teach this individually it would take multiple lessons, a lot of repetition and be very expensive.
By putting it in a course, you get up to 8 weeks to submit maps and absorb the lessons and in a group setting we can spread out these costs making the Course Design Camp AMAZINGLY affordable for such a comprehensive program.
Participation in the 8 week course is just $197
and you retain access to the materials and community for 1 year.
Yup, you read that right!
You get an 8 week program, with feedback on 12 maps and rides.
I’m here to help.
I’ll give you the learning materials, support and feedback you need, to improve your course design (and riding), and we’ll all be there to cheer you on.
What are you waiting for? Are you in?
Kris Blacklock said...
"Whether your new to the sport, a seasoned active competitor or a licensed official, Trish Hyatt's online course 'Course Design & Rider Strategy Camps' offer valuable tips that will help you feel confident designing, setting up or riding Working Equitation courses.
The online training program helps participants understand the technical challenges for obstacles chosen and ensures balanced and challenging lines are mapped for the various performance levels.
Take the time to invest in yourself!"
Kris Blacklock
Wisconsin, USA
Join Today
Course Design Camp
$197 USD
One time payment
- All lessons available on
Course Design Camp - 2 payments
$99 USD
Per month x2
- First half available
Course design camp Curriculum
Welcome
Introduction to the Camp Community and Each Other
The Basics
Arena Basics
Obstacle Basics
Introduction to Riding a Course
Map Assignment 1 - Intro
Additional Considerations
Arena Markers
Approach & Departure
Gaits, Leads, Bends & Arcs
Map Assignment 2 - Novice A
First Map Creation Tutorial
Map 3 - Build a Map
RIDERS, RULES & LEVELS
Riding the Full Course
Identify Levels
Second Map Creation Tutorial
Map 4 - Minimal Map Modification
Modify Courses
Map 5 - Grid Someone Else's Course
Map 6 - Arena Size or Shape Difference
Map 7 - Missing Obstacles
Multi-level Map Project
& Speed Map
Maps 8-11 One Map, All Levels
Map 12 - Map a Speed Course
Shorten a Course
Trish Hyatt
International Coach and Clinician
National and International Top 10 Competitor
Technical Delegate and Judge of Working Equitation
For the fourth year in a row, I'm excited to be able to offer you this opportunity to advance your course riding and design skills so you always present maps that ride well.
