Training at Esther's

Esther’s base offers fantastic facilities for the endurance rider so bring your horse to her, on your own or with a friend, for a day’s practical training, or even a full weekend, and experience all that Esther Groen Endurance has to offer.

Practical endurance focus day in Worcestershire

We will start the day with a cup of tea or coffee after your arrival to discuss what you want to work on. The day will look something like this unless otherwise agreed:

  • assessment of conformation, presenting and trotting up. 
  • a session on SIM to help the rider or a flat lesson with your horse
  • lunch break
  • a  2-hour ride (accompanied by Esther on one of her horses) to the needs of the combination (slow hill work or some canter work or a combination of both) in the area.

A summary of the lessons learned and a cup of tea or coffee will finish the day.

We offer the practical endurance focus day for all riders at every level. If there are specific things you want to work on, please let us know. The program is flexible, and so is Esther!

Do you want to come with a friend? No problem and more fun for everyone. There will be a £10 discount on the day price for both of you if you book together. And you can help each other on your next training sessions with the pointers you have been given on this day!

Maximum of 2 combinations can come together on a focus day.

The price for the endurance focus day is £85

This will include the coaching and

  • tea or coffee
  • a paddock with water and grass/hay for your horse
  • It excludes lunch, we can go to the pub up the road or just get some sandwiches in the local village shop.

When you come together there is a £10 discount (so instead of £85 it will be £75 each)

It is possible to have a test ride in the BUA saddle on your practical endurance day (only if the saddle fits your horse of course!)

Practical endurance focus weekends/weekdays in Worcestershire

A unique coaching weekend (weekdays are also possible!)

One-on-one, you, your horse and Esther (and all the questions you want to ask!) It is also possible to come with a friend to do the weekend together.

 We can do 2 weekend options:

  • power weekend: Saturday-Sunday (1 night)
  • long weekend: Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon (2 nights)

OR 1 or 2 nights during the week with the same program

The horse can stay in a paddock at my yard.

We can organise your accommodation and meals in the lovely country inn nearby or a more basic pub down the road.

  • Power weekend

Program:

You arrive Saturday morning. We will start the day with a cup of tea or coffee after your arrival to discuss what you want to work on. The day will look something like this unless otherwise agreed:

  • assessment of conformation, presenting and trotting up.
  • A quick bite of simple lunch (included, please let me know of any dietary requirements in advance)
  • a 1.5-hour ride (accompanied by Esther on one of her horses) in the Worcestershire countryside
  • A cup of tea or coffee to finish the day and discuss the primary focus for the next day
  • Evening meal and sleeping arrangements are at the rider’s expense, but Esther can help find suitable accommodation (camping at the yard is an option)

Sunday will start with another trot up to see how the horse feels. The rest of the Sunday will be spent on:

  • a flat lesson  or a session on SIM to help the rider
  • a  2-hour ride (accompanied by Esther on one of her horses) to the needs of the combination (slow hill work or some canter work or a combination of both) either in the area or the nearby Wyre Forest (by lorry/trailer)

A summary of the lessons learned and a cup of tea or coffee will finish the day

The price for the endurance focus power weekend is £140

This will include the coaching and

  • tea or coffee, simple lunch on Saturday
  • a paddock with water and grass/hay for your horse for 2 days and a night
  • It excludes food (besides lunch) and accommodation for the rider

When you come together with a friend, there is a £20 discount each for the power weekend.

  • Long weekend

Program:

You arrive Friday early afternoon. We will start the day with a cup of tea or coffee after your arrival to discuss what you want to work on. The day will look something like this unless otherwise agreed: 

  • assessment of conformation, presenting and trotting up.
  • a 1.5-hour ride (accompanied by Esther on one of her horses) in the area
  • A cup of tea or coffee to finish the day and discuss the primary focus for the next day
  • Evening meal and sleeping arrangements are the riders expense, but Esther can help find suitable accommodation (camping at the yard is an option)

Saturday will start with another trot up to see how the horse feels. The rest of the Saturday will be spent on:

  • a flat work lesson or a session on SIM to help the rider
  • discussing aims and goals for this season. Working on the competition plan and/or training schedule
  • Lunch break
  • a  2-hour ride (accompanied by Esther on one of her horses) to the needs of the combination (slow hill work or some canter work or a combination of both) either in the area or the nearby Wyre Forest (by lorry/trailer)

The Sunday will again start with the trot up, after that you can choose between:

  • a short ride or canter session
  • working some more on the competition plan and the training schedule
  • a 2nd session on SIM
  • tack fitting
  • any other issues that might crop up.

A summary of the lessons learned and a cup of tea or coffee will finish the morning so you can be home in time. (Option of another long ride is possible for a small extra cost)

The price for the endurance focus long weekend is £195

This will include the coaching and

  • tea or coffee on all days
  • a paddock with water and grass/hay for your horse for  3 days and 2 nights
  • It excludes food and accommodation for the rider

When you come together with a friend, there is a £30 discount each for the long weekend.

Test ride the BUA saddle

It is possible to have a test ride in the BUA saddle on your practical endurance weekend (only if the saddle fits your horse of course!)