For years I’ve coached riders of all levels. I loved the buzz of helping someone achieve more than they thought they could. While inspiring them to strive for things they didn’t think were possible. The lightbulb moments always stuck with me as such special moments. I was able to reframe situations in a way that meant my pupils ‘got it’. When ‘it’ had alluded them previously. Which was always so rewarding.
I always loved sharing my perspective as a Dressage judge. Also as a graduate, the insight I had from Psychology.
I can never stop learning and developing my skills, so I began to look for courses.
I came across Centre 10’s Advanced Psychology For Equine Coaches (APEC) course and took the plunge and applied.
At the same time I also applied to do a Masters in Performance Psychology.
Well… you can never have enough to do, right?!
There was no guarantee I would secure a place on either course.
To my surprise I secured a place on both!
At the end of September I headed to Bath for the Centre 10 Advanced Coach course. Anyone with children and animals knows how much of a mission it is to leave for any length of time.
When I’d sorted cover, I could focus on really enjoying the course.
There were 12 of us on the course, what a treat it was so great to spend time with so many likeminded people. We took part in some initial exercises, which immediately bonded us and we quickly all became friends.
The first day was ‘Focus on Self’, and Charlie started the training. Steffi then took us through the results of the personality test we’d completed before we went to Bath. I recently completed a similar test at work and this one echoed my work test in both design and the results.
I headed back to my room to chill out when all the training was over for the day. Read: shortlist applicants for a role at work! One thing I LOVE about going away is a hotel bedroom. I love the simple things in life – a big comfy bed, a TV, a cup of tea and I’m a happy camper (Yes, I am aware I sound like I’m a hundred years old, but I’m good with that 🤣 ).
We met in the onsite restaurant and got to know everyone a little better.
Day two was ‘Focus on Rider’ and it started with a trip to the Sports Centre at the University of Bath. So many Olympians have come out of that centre, it was very inspiring to look around and see the facilities. In the afternoon we practiced our coaching skills on some riders who had volunteered to help out.
After a little down time in the hotel room time, we all met again for dinner. Charlie and Steffi who run Centre 10 came too. With full bellies we retired to the bar. I tapped out at around 11pm, but reports were some of the others got to bed around 3am. I’m definitely too old for that!
On the final day, ‘Focus on Performance’, we had a surprise. Tokyo Olympic gold medalist (Modern Pentathlon) Kate French, joined us. She taught us how to shoot (lasers and targets). Then we saw the effects of performing under pressure first hand. We also got to hold her gold medal (it was so heavy!).
It really was so wonderful to meet everyone and we regularly chat in a WhatsApp group. We now have online content to work through. In 6 months time (April 2022) we’ll all join together again to deliver our final presentations. Then hopefully each of us will become certified Centre 10 Advanced Coach.
Oh and my Masters started on the same day as the Centre 10 course! Juggling both will be fun for a while!