LIVE ONLINE LESSONS started for me during covid lockdowns so that clients could continue their training with me, all thanks to modern apps such as WhatsApp Video, FaceTime etc and the very brilliant Pivo Live Lesson.
As the UK returned to ‘normal’ my regular clients asked me to keep it going, as I can’t always get to them as often as they would like. My diary is getting constantly busier with online training as it saves you time and money not having to travel out to train and it’s so much easier to book in with me as I can normally fit you in within a week of a request.
Whilst it may seem daunting at first, it is actually very easy to do and works brilliantly! All of my clients are making so much progress training online and tell me it feels just like I’m there with them, teaching with my speakers.
Interested? You will need …
- Good phone signal/internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data). Some of my clients use a portable signal booster at their yard eg Starlink Mini.
- Fully charged mobile device e.g. smart phone or iPad capable of making video calls.
- Fully charged Bluetooth headphones connected to your device so we can hear and speak to each other.
WhatsApp Video/FaceTime - these work best if you have a helper to hold your phone or ipad so that I can get different viewpoints e.g. front/side, or following you down the track in a lateral step, just like I would if I was there with you. Your device camera is my eyes and a giant version of you and your horse are dancing live on my computer screen. We speak to each through your earphones. It has proven possible to have a successful lesson without a second person holding the device e.g with device in a tripod or on the fence, but obviously it can’t move or zoom in, so it is definitely better if you have a helper (otherwise it’s just like one of those lessons where the trainer just sits in the corner of the arena in a chair for the entire time, better than nothing but …. ). We pop one of the earphones in the riders ear and one in the helpers ear then everybody can hear me and enjoy the fun of learning how to improve your dressage!
Pivo Live Lessons - no one else needed, just the Pivo pod - a motorized, AI-powered smart mount that rotates 360 degrees to automatically track your horse. It acts like an automated robotic cameraman, using an app on your phone to keep you in the frame while you move. It’s incredible brilliant and I personally think inexpensive to buy for how fabulous and useful it is for your every day training and your live lessons. You connect your phone to your Pivo and then send me a live lessons link. I connect to this link on my computer and then I can see you as if I’m there. The Pivo follows you, zooming in and out automatically. I also have guest control over the Pivo so can further zoom in if I want to capture something even closer. It’s absolutely bloody brilliant!
PIXEM is another fantastic (but more expensive) robot for videoing your riding. No second person required.
With all the options, as well as a potential 75 minutes of time with me, I will send you videos of parts of the lesson and a written report to remind you of your progress and your homework.
Before booking in, check your signal in the arena or field where you plan to have your lesson. Make a video call to a friend, walk around to ensure you maintain a stable connection throughout. To check your earphones, leave your device at one end of the area and walk to the other end to check your range.
After you’re own checks, I like to have a free practice run with you. Then we both know you will be more relaxed about it all on the day of our actual lesson and can therefore gain the most from our time together.
TIME - I allow 1 hour and 15 minutes for these sessions so we can just completely relax, no rush, no stress. I ensure the horse still only ever works for 45 minutes. We then have time to chat about future goals, theory/principles, or any other subjects I can help you with.
PRICE - £60 for 1 hour 15 minutes, videos and written report.
Pivo live lesson link - https://youtu.be/kSI38pYlPNs?is=Dje3V7EoQ7i8BksR
Pixem lesson link -https://shop.movensee.com/en/use-cases/sports/horse-riding-dressage.html
