For distance education students of the Diploma of Equitation Science, ESI has a select few ‘ESI Nominated Coaches’ who we trust and endorse to train our students in the practical application of Equitation Science worldwide. Here are a list of trainers who can train and assess you for the practical component of the Diploma of Equitation Science.
Kevin Ovenstone, Africa
ESI Nominated Coach
BA, Dip ES
In establishing a predictable and controllable environment for horses it is vital we provide a world that is clear and consistent without blurry language and inconsistent training. Using evidence-based knowledge and techniques based on learning theory, behaviour science, ethology and biomechanics one can improve safety, performance and horse welfare. This is the basis of Equitation Science, which measures and studies the horse-human interaction in all equestrian areas with goals of improving horse-human interaction, training, handling and care practices to be ethical and sustainable.
Equitation Science Africa provides horse and rider training using the principles of learning theory to enhance performance, safety and welfare.
SERVICES:
Kevin’s experience and expertise includes foundation training, retraining horses with behavioural issues and general training for dressage, show jumping and eventing. After spending the last few years training with Dr. Andrew McLean while living and working as one of the senior trainers at the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre, Kevin has recently moved back to South Africa and is now the founder and director of Equitation Science Africa. He is excited to train horses and coach people to improve their horse’s performance and welfare, as well as the horse-human interaction and the safety of riders. He accomplishes this using his knowledge of the emerging and progressive discipline of Equitation Science, which includes the evidence-based principles and techniques of learning theory, behaviour science, ethology and biomechanics.
E: kevin@equitationscienceafrica.com
W: www.facebook.com/equitationscienceafrica
P: +27 (0)82 4445442
Lisa Ashton, Stone
ESI Nominated Coach
BA (Hons), PGCE, MBA, BHS II, Dip ES
Lisa is founder of EquiSci and Equicoach.life delivering clinics, workshops, lectures, articles and bespoke coaching & training throughout the UK and Europe. Lisa loves training people to train horses, with a real passion for coaching people in how to train horses, so you can be the best trainer & owner or your horse. Graded 1 by OFSTED, Lisa uses simple explanations, demonstrations, constant feedback and practice of Equitation Science International ‘tools’ to gets the results you’ve dreamed about. Lisa loves learning, updating her skills and knowledge with Dr Andrew McLean every year, as well as being a British Dressage Trainer, competitor, evented to BE Novice and awarded British Horse Society II and Pony Club A’Test.
Fully qualified, insured and accredited, Lisa’s clients include professional riders, vets, charities, colleges, studs, amateur competitors and leisure horse owners including the team at Mount St. John stud, XL Vets, Hartpury College, Circolo Ippico Grand Prix, Blue Cross, Bishop Burton College, Redwings, Coleg Cambria Northop, and The Horse Trust.
If your looking for someone to solve your problems – safely, effectively and ethically – from loading to spooking to achieving over 70% in your dressage test or simply enjoying once again hacking, find out what Lisa’s clients have achieved on Facebook page EquiSci or websites. Enjoy your next chapter of your equestrian journey with bespoke coaching, in the latest science of equitation.
Orla Doherty, Co. Meath
ESI Nominated Coach
MVB, MSc, PhD MRCVS, Dip ES
Orla began riding as a child, competing on her own and other people’s ponies, exercising racehorses and generally spending as much of her life as possible around horses. Continuing this passion, Orla competed in showjumping, dressage and eventing as an adult, and continues to ride on a regular basis. Her fascination with the mind of the horse led to exciting opportunities to assist with research projects at Auburn University, Alabama (equine learning) and Cornell University, New York (equine transport).
In 1992, Orla qualified as a veterinary surgeon from University College Dublin (UCD) before completing a Masters Degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at Edinburgh University. This was Orla’s first exposure to Learning Theory, the study of how the animal learns, and led to Orla setting up a veterinary referral behaviour clinic (the Animal Behaviour Clinic) treating problem behaviours in horses, dogs and cats, while initially also working in general practice. The application of learning theory to understanding horse-rider interactions, and behaviour problems in the ridden horse is a recent development, and on coming across the work of Andrew McLean in 2007, Orla travelled to Australia in 2008 to study his research and work, and was very excited to discover that his work advances the understanding of many common behaviour problems both in-hand and under saddle, and provides ethical and evidence-based methods of addressing problems, methods which work because they align with how the horse learns rather than through the use of fear or coercion. Orla has visited the AEBC on several occasions to further her knowledge and complete the Diploma in Equitation Science.
Alongside working to complete the Diploma in Equitation Science, Orla completed a PhD in 2016 studying the pressures applied by commonly used tack, in particular the noseband, and has published her findings in international scientific journals. Orla is currently associate lecturer at UCD and guest lecturer at the University of Limerick, lecturing on behaviour, welfare and behaviour problems, as well as lecturing internationally on tack related issues. Orla runs and organizes lectures, workshops and clinics on equine learning and training and treatment of behaviour problems for owners and riders in Ireland. Orla also carries out consultancy work in Dublin zoo, carrying out research projects and assessing and advising on the welfare and behaviour of elephants and other species.
P. +353 87 2641762
Jody Hartstone, Raglan
ESI Nominated Coach
Dip ES
Jody Hartstone is a Grand Prix dressage rider who specialises in coaching and lecturing in Equitation Science both in New Zealand and globally in countries that include the UK, Ireland, Canada, Europe and Asia. As a rider Jody has won several national titles at GP level in New Zealand and has won Prix St Georges International Derby competitions in NZL, Australia and South Africa. Jody is one of the first coaches worldwide to graduate from the Associate Diploma course. Her particular interests are in foundation training, retraining problem horses and in dressage.
P +64 27 2803369