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George Morris Coaches Clinic a huge success!

Horseworld at Maraylya was once again on Saturday 23^rd January, the perfect location for the George Morris Coaches Clinic.  

While temperatures soared in Sydney to 43 degrees the spacious indoor arena and seating offered welcome relief. It would be terrific to see showjumping competitions return again to this fantastic purpose built facility.

Described as the single most influential teacher of jumping riders in the world since the 1950s, George Morris’ credentials as a coach and rider are inimitable.

Now into his seventies George has served as the Chef d’Equipe and coach of the US show jumpers since 2005, but his commitment to the sport has spanned decades. He has been named US Coach of the year for the previous two years and his services are much sought after. It is thanks to Vicki Roycroft that we have been able to entice him to visit Australia two years in a row. 

Over 90 people attended to watch as  George taught three demonstration lessons to three different levels of riders. The Novice group was Brandon Beneke  from PittTown & Todd Dewberry from Maraylya, Intermediate group George Johnson from Nelson, Jessica Brown from Kulnura, James Mooney from Kulnura, Advanced group Vicki Roycroft from Mt White, Julia Hargreaves from Wilberforce, and Jono Berry from Wilberforce. 

Many prominent coaches came to listen to the man who has become a legend in his own lifetime. Michelle Strapp came  from Melbourne, Jon & Jaquie Cottle came from New Zealand and Trish Braithwait came from Queensland to name but a few. Former Olympian and National Coach Rod  Brown was a keen observer. 

George told the coaches to believe in the  system, to add bits from other trainers but to stick to the system. He described his system as a forward, with the movement system, not a seat based system, that was more French than Anglo Germanic in its derivation. He urged everyone to rally against hyperflexion and overbending , labelling this type of training as horse abuse! Adding that he abhorred the use of draw reins and wouldn’t have them in his stable.

The Sydney Showjumping Club together with Vicki Roycroft were responsible the organization of this clinic and would like to thank   NSW EA for their financial contribution, and Horseworld for their well prepared facility.

It is hoped the same clinic will be run in 2011 and all those who attended and described the day as inspirational, will I am sure guarantee its even bigger success next year.

 Text & photographs supplied by Christine Johnson SSJC Publicity Officer

 Email christine@teamj.com.au   ph 0412 405079