By Pamela Fowler From CIEF

Three Caymanian members of the Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation have just returned from Trinidad and Tobago after participating in a regional coaching course.

The FEI Level 1 Coaching Course was run by the Trinidad and Tobago Equestrian Association and the global equestrian governing body, the Federation Equestre Internationale or ‘FEI’. A total of fifteen coaches from Trinidad, Cayman and Jamaica came together to take part in the course taught by Javier Jeri Leigh of Venezuela.

Over the course of four days, participants reviewed teaching methods for coaching riders at preliminary and elementary dressage levels and up to 1.15m in the discipline of jumping. The course included classroom based theory sessions mixed with practical outdoor sessions coaching riders and their horses.

Michelle Boucher, who attended the course, said, “The FEI coaching system is a structured and measurable program developed for countries that are growing and developing equestrian sport. It equips coaches with world standard techniques to not only develop the rider and horse’s physical skills but also their mental fitness to progress them towards their goals and prepare them for international competition. It was very exciting and rewarding to be a part of the Level 1 Coach training program in Trinidad this week and to be working together with our Caribbean partners in developing expertise in equestrian sport in our region.”

Regina Nowak, a coach at the Equestrian Center, said, “The course was really great. It was a very intense, challenging four days. The instructor was so good I could easily have done a longer course. The people were so welcoming, warm, friendly and organized. “

Tracey Surrey, owner and operator of Cayman Riding School, already has her British Horse Society AI qualification but took advantage of the FEI course on offer to refresh and update her coaching skills. “I am a firm believer that coaches should never stop learning and should take every opportunity to brush up on, and refresh their coaching skills. This benefits not only my riders but it keeps things fresh and up to date for me. Spending time and money on educating local coaches means that the skills remain here to benefit local riders for many years to come. We can also pass on what we have learnt to developing riders who may have an interest in being the coaches of the future. I’d like to thank the FEI and the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee for supporting the training of local coaches. ”

The Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation will pass a new milestone at the end of the month when it hosts its first ever FEI training course in Cayman. Between 20th and 25th June, CIEF will host an FEI Level 2 Coach Course for nine coaches from across the Caribbean region. FEI tutor, Cesar Tevard, arrives from the Dominican Republic on 20th June to begin teaching the 6 day course which will train coaches how to coach their riders to 1.3m in jumping and medium/advanced level in dressage. CIEF members participating in the course include Mary Alberga, owner and operator of the Equestrian Center, and her manager, Jessica McTaggart-Giuzio, Regina Nowak and Michelle Boucher. CIEF is delighted to host this course and thanks the FEI for their help in the continued development of equestrian sport in Cayman and the region of the Caribbean.

IMAGES:

Photo 1:
15 Course participants on FEI Level 1 Coach Course in Trinidad plus tutor

Photo 2
Cayman Level 1 Coach Course attendees (L to R) : Tracey Surrey, Regina Nowack, Michelle Boucher and tutor Javier Jeri Leigh (VEN)

Photo 3
Cayman coaches receiving training this month (L to R) :
Michelle Boucher, Tracey Surrey, Regina Nowak, Jessica McTaggart-Giuzio and Mary Alberga