Association Cheval Cassius.
ReMote Training (RMT) is a technique that has been developed by the members of the Association Cheval Cassius (ACC) to help members improve their basic riding skills and at the same time be inspired to do more with their horse at home.
It came about because many members, and would-be members, own horses but find themselves in glorious rural France somewhat isolated from other horse-owners and general equine stimulation. And, whilst many people own a horse, relatively few have a horse trailer and a vehicle to tow it with. This increases the isolation unless hacking to a horse community is an option.
There are no special requirements involved, beyond having a horse or pony to ride (with the basic equipment of saddle, bridle, hard hat etc!) and a dose of enthusiasm and determination.
How it works: from time to time, more frequently in the autumn, winter and spring when everyone has more time for their horses and the weather is more conducive, there is a gathering of horse owners, with or without their horse, at a member's home/yard. There one of the members of ACC who has teaching experience (although this isn't always a requirement), and who is running the session, will chose a theme...... for example "Straight and Bent". The lesson/discussion, preferably with a demo "lesson" with the site owner and friends as guinea pigs, will focus on this.... riding straight and turning corners correctly and in balance etc etc. Everyone present has the chance to have an imput and the idea is that everyone benefits, and enjoys, the session. At the end everyone returns home and spends the next one/two/three weeks practising this "homework" until the next session. The next session would ideally be at a different location allowing other people to get there with their horses and after a quick re-cap on the previous "lesson" the next theme (Half-halts?) is chosen, discussed and practised.
There is no limitation to the level or type of horse that can be involved.... even the level or type of rider, come to that!! All horses and riders benefit from the discipline of the basics in equitation. The more advanced members will be able to help the more novice members or continue their advancement as they wish. Essentially this is (almost) free quality instruction ( we may charge up to €5 for the event...or something similar to remunerate for coffee/tea/biscuits etc)...... why would anyone not want to benefit from this exceptional deal!!
From time to time the ACC will arrange clinics to be held at an ideal location (hopefully a covered school where the weather isn't an issue) and at these we will ask a well-known instructor, sometimes internationally re-knowned, to come and take a clinic. These necessarily cost money. In addition to that it limits the people who can come to those who have, or can arrange, transport for their horse. There is absolutely no restriction on the level of competence of riding or the type of horse. No instructor of any esteem discriminates between enthusiastic riders. However, from the few that we have already held, we have seen the all the participants benefit greatly and have a really good time. There is no preference to the discipline involved.... if there is a demand for pure dressage we can arrange a specialist instructor in that discipline. Equally we can ask a well-known show jumper to come and pass on pearls of wisdom.
So far there has been no demand for instruction in driving, or in Cross Country (as a discipline).... but who knows what the future holds?
Some of the RMT sessions can be geared towards the "Galops" that are required to enter most of the events in France run by their Equestrian Federation (FFE). The ACC has an instructor (bi-lingual) who will help those wishing to do their galops and sessions aimed at completing them are arranged in accordance with demand. The ACC is affiliated to the FFE and as such can issue the "licence" required.
This is the framework that ACC offers it's members in respect of collaborated riding/training sessions. The Association is there for it's members. It depends entirely on the imput from it's members for it's very existence. Those of us currently running the Association are keen to keep costs as low as possible.... the more members the Association has the more economic events will be. We have a basic requirement to pay the subscription to the FFE and a small monthly bank fee and for this we need membership subscription and small fund-raising events like Fun-days and themed hacks help a lot for us to keep the subs down. But without support the Association will struggle.... so the message to everyone is:
Use it or Lose it!
Please come along to the RMT sessions and get involved. It will be fun for all concerned...... not forgetting all those lovely horses/ponies as well.
Those inspired may contact the Association at: