IT’S unusual not to see Sarah Ennis in the saddle and on Saturday she haeld a workshop on cross-country riding at Killossery Lodge Stud. Ennis had the support of fellow five-star event rider Ciaran Glynn as co-host and demo rider for the afternoon.
The audience of over 65 people were treated to two ridden session coached by the WEG team silver medallist. In the first session, Ennis worked with two riders who were both confidently competing at EI110 and international two-star (formally one-star).
Ennis talked through her own training and development as a rider, particularly focusing on the importance of having a secure cross-country position. Her own position, and how she coaches others to ride, is very much based on her own training with renowned coach and rider Chris Bartle.
She described the correct cross country position as the rider sitting more upright, with their toe in front of their knee and their seat out behind them. “Three quarters of horse should be in front of the rider,” explained Ennis. She added that the rein should be longer to allow the horse to adjust themselves without unbalancing the rider and pulling them forwards.
Between the two coaching sessions, there was a Q&A session with Ennis and Glynn. Both riders told tales troublesome young horses who became some of their top four and five-star horses. “Amazing horses don’t always start out the bravest,” Ennis stated in relation to Horseware Stellor Rebound.
Ennis was extremely honest about her competition experiences as she recalled the good and the bad days which led up to her team silver medal-winning performance at the World Equestrian Games last year.
For the final session of the day, the audience were given a masterclass by Glynn riding his five star mare November Night with Ennis suggesting different lines and jumping exercises for Glynn to demonstrate.
Both riders emphasised the importance of training over a variety of obstacles and Ennis seemed to get great enjoyment suggesting the most techniqual lines and combination for Glynn to ride.