Coaches and participants give new look Ready Set Trot the thumbs up

Changes to the Ready Set Trot program are offering greater flexibility for coaches and more options for participants. 

Since launching to the public two years ago, Ready Set Trot has exposed 3,000 more young people to equestrian sport and improvements to the Stable Skills program mark the beginning of a new era in the program.

Coaches will welcome a more flexible delivery method which will allow them to set their own lesson prices. And rather than provide set lesson plans, the program now centres on participants achieving specific skill outcomes, giving coaches the freedom to run the program to suit their business, or even integrate it into their existing beginner programs. The changes also enable greater integration into Pony Club and EA Club activities, providing the introductions into ongoing involvement in equestrian sport.  

So whether it is one-on-one lessons, a school holiday group program, club introduction program, or regular weekend sessions, Ready Set Trot Stable Skills now gives coaches the flexibility to run the program how they like.  

For participants, the expansion of the program offers more opportunities for young people to progress their riding skills and horse knowledge. Replacing the 16 hour program is a new four level program, graded by colour, which participants can work through at their own pace. Participants must graduate from a level before progressing to the next, with each level containing a series of skills that participants must achieve.

The changes reflect feedback received from coaches, delivery providers, parents and participants during the first two years of the program. And while Ready Set Trot has given more than 3,000 young people an introduction to equestrian sport, some aspects of the Stable Skills program provided challenges for coaches to fully integrate the program into their usual services.

“The past two years have been an important period for Ready Set Trot and we’ve been guided by those accredited centres and coaches as well as participants who have been involved in the program since its inception,” said Equestrian Australia CEO, Grant Baldock.

“Coaches and delivery providers are at the core of this program and their feedback has been crucial in the redevelopment. They have played a key role in shaping the future Stable Skills program and we look forward to working with our existing centres as well as new providers on the program moving forward.

“In response to feedback, we’ve worked to increase flexibility in the delivery of the program but we've also listened to parents and the new Stable Skills provides more offerings for children who want to continue their journey with horses. 

“We now have an additional three riding programs to offer. This will allow young people to remain in the program for longer and further develop their riding skills and horse knowledge, which will make it easier for them to transition into existing equestrian programs such as Interschools or Pony Club.

“We want to foster in young people a life-long love of horses and the changes to the Ready Set Trot program will keep young people engaged for longer.”

The first participants to start in the program since changes came into effect on 1 July have given it the thumbs up at a school holidays clinic in Melbourne. 

Under the supervision of Level 2 NCAS Coach Murray Lamperd, some participants this week took their first step on their Ready Set Trot journey.

Speaking from the Werribee National Equestrian Centre, Lamperd welcomed the changes and encouraged coaches to take a look at what Ready Set Trot now offers.

“I’m really pleased to see the evolution of the Ready Set Trot Stable Skills program,” said Lamperd.

“I’ve been a strong supporter of this program from the beginning, but with the changes to the delivery processes I’m really excited to get involved and offer the program at my riding school.

“I particularly like the flexibility to set my own prices and being able to integrate the program into my existing programs as this will make it much easier for me and other accredited coaches to target beginner riders,” he said

To find out more about the changes to the Ready Set Trot stable skills program, visit the website www.ReadySetTrot.com    

Ready Set Trot is a joint initiative of Equestrian Australia, Pony Club Australia and the Australian Sports Commission.