LESSONS WITH LYNN
We all start our journey by learning to ride somewhere, then maybe we lease a horse, perhaps you have bought a horse or maybe you have started going to shows. You have lessons and you really try hard, but somehow success evades you. Others seem to come home with rosettes. So you call the saddle fitter, buy the best tack, read a book on riding and wonder if perhaps you bought the wrong horse, or perhaps you are just a limited rider. Your self esteem is dented and a shadow is cast over your vision of yourself.
Well, you deserve an honest answer and it is seldom that a horse or rider cannot be helped to improve. Riders need more than riding lessons to make the grade of personal excellence. The same goes for horses.
As a competitive rider myself l know how easily scores slip and trophies are missed, and just how hard it is to stay on top of both the scoreboard and in my personal self. Also, as a qualified personal coach l know how to adjust body balance, posture and symmetry, and how much the rider needs to find body awareness and stability. I encourage developing all aspects of strength in the rider holistically, addressing physical, mental and emotional health.
As a coach l look to be a trainer to the horse as well as a coach to the rider. We are a team of three and l regard myself as part of the effort to reach the rider’s ambitions. I cannot just tell the rider how to ride. I aim to participate in the dream and explore all avenues to bring out the best in the horse and rider.
As an NLP Practitioner I delve into how to most effectively enhance mental confidence and harmony for rider and horse.
No dream is not worth reaching for, and riders perform so much better when they are not reaching alone!
- Contact me on lynn@chikara.co.za or call +27 63 692 1357 to book your assessment lesson!
What Lynn’s students have to say
“Lynn understands the horse-rider interaction and dynamics extremely well. She is extremely resourceful and knowledgeable about the physiology of horses. She is a confident coach and she inspires me to improve my riding and own confidence in the saddle. Lynn never hesitates to share her knowledge freely. Lessons with Lynn aspires me to ride with honesty, when I do so it is extremely gratifying to see my horse responds so positively to correct schooling. My horse gets stabled in a relaxed, but professional atmosphere at Chikara. My highly strung Thoroughbred became a calm horse, this is the first yard where he boxes with ease and no intensity. The grooms are knowledgeable and reliable. My stable and livery experience is enormously pleasant and I highly recommend Chikara to anyone looking for a hands-on stable yard, where owner and grooms alike conduct themselves with integrity” – Marlize
“Lynn is an absolutely amazing instructor with an immense amount of knowledge which she applies during coaching. But results only show with hard work. As amazing as Lynn is she is not there to mess around so if you are willing to put in 100% Lynn will put in 110% in return. I love the Chikara environment. The grooms are awesome with the horses. I love going to the yard as being a pupil going to the yard is a break from the stress of school” – Mañana
“When I watch Lynn teach people younger than me I sometimes think “If only I had Lynn teach me when I was younger, my riding would probably have taken a whole different road”. When I arrived at Chikara, I had been riding for a fair portion of my life, Lynn needed to undo many old habits I had acquired along the way but she did this patiently and I have grown in my riding, in leaps and bounds. If I look back, even just 2 years ago, to where I am now it is a big difference – and the growing is now coming quicker and quicker. Lynn not only teaches you to ride, she teaches you about the horses movement and why they do what they do in the movement you are working on, she also works on the rider as well, for example, your posture. We all learn differently as well, so if you need to be shown visually, that’s okay – she will draw it out in the sand for you! ” – Leanne
“Lynn has refined everything I know as a competitive rider, every lesson with her builds my mindset, my horse’s way of going and my riding up.
My dressage scores show it and the way my horse respond in the showjumping ring is just proof that she helps us understand each other.
It’s not always easy especially when working on habits or changing patterns. but it’s worth every minute I have spent.
I can recommend Lynn to any Rider” – Duane Deysel
“Chikara is the best of both worlds. The farm is family oriented and rustic. The coaching is next level. I trust Lynn with my life in the sadle. I have had numerous equine coaches in my lifetime. However, I feel that I learn and respond faster and better with Lynn. She is incredibly knowledgeable, accredited, awarded, and experienced but her approach is what matters most to me. She is kind, direct, affirmative, very observant, and encouraging towards making her riders become equestrians with integrity and tenacity. The grooms are so friendly and helpful, their smiles often light up my day. There is also a range of exquisite schooled horses that can take each rider up in competitions. I was lucky to find a gelding that stole my heart but also have access to the other horses. A good round of brushing and carrots makes me feel connected to all of them. The pricing is competitive and reasonable, but you get more than what you pay for. I look forward to my years ahead as member of the Chikara family.” – Jessica H
“I just want to thank you,
I am learning so much.
I managed to get my horse to slow down in the trot by rising slower and less action through the reins.
I used the “half-halt” the way you showed me and there is lots of progress, He is starting to understand.” – JD vd Walt
“I found Lynn’s knowledge of biomechanics, combined with her coaching approach, has changed my riding significantly. When I started at Chikara, I was struggling with ongoing hip problems and had seen multiple medical professionals. At one point, surgery was even suggested. Lynn introduced me to simple stretching and strengthening exercises specifically designed for riders, and since then I’ve had no further hip problems.
Lynn has a very natural coaching style. Every ride offers a new insight, and she gives you the space to reflect so the learning truly integrates into your riding. She works at a pace that feels comfortable, yet still stretches you appropriately at each stage of your journey. With her NLP training and experience, she is particularly skilled at supporting anxious riders and helping them rebuild confidence.
If you are looking to challenge yourself, ride more kindly and correctly, and get the best out of your horse, I highly recommend being coached by Lynn.” – Zia Attlee
- Contact me on lynn@chikara.co.za or call +27 63 692 1357 to book your assessment lesson!
