Una Clancy Classical Riding Instruction and Training.

06/06/2026

As a student of classical Dressage and natural horsemanship I have been following the growing interest in equine events where riders compete without a bridle.
Would love to see more information on what each horses previous training was before their riders got them to the competitive stage.
Nuno Oliviera would train a horse to a high level and ensure the horse had a strong back to carry the rider with an engaged hind end which would lead to true self carriage.
His horses would start in a snaffle then double, in this photo in Piaffe on a beautiful lusitano stallion with only a piece of string.
How does it affect,
Flexions of the jaw?
Engagement of hind end?
Will we still be able to keep the horse in the best physical condition to carry the rider with as little impact on a horses joints etc.

I would have safety concerns when riding stallions or possibly well intentioned riders not having the control required when in public.
Like many others I have ridden my horses in a halter on occasion and in various bitless bridles and love the idea of no bridle as an ultimate goal.
But for now will continue to be impressed and watch the development of “no bridle competitions”.

05/03/2026

So sorry to learn of Endo’s passing, but what an amazing horse, 2000 - 2026. I was so privileged to have met Morgan and Endo at an international WE competition over 10 years ago in Magnolia TX. A life well lived.

16/02/2026

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1451534146675110&id=100054556144361

‼️ OUR CLINIC WITH UNA CLANCY HAS UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO BE CANCELLED - THIS WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR LATER IN THE SPRING/SUMMER‼️

**All links have been taken down**

** WORKING EQUITATION IS BACK!! **

We are delighted to welcome Una Clancy for our Working Equitation Clinic!

🦄 Working Equitation Clinic
📅 Sunday 22nd February
📍 Necarne Indoor Arena
🕚 Slots from 11am to 7pm

**OPEN TO BRC RIDERS ONLY**

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Keep reading to find out more about what Working Equitation is⬇️

•• What is Working Equitation (WE)? ••

Working Equitation is based on classical and traditional training. It judges how well a horse and rider work together to calmly and willingly complete a set of obstacles.

Dressage in WE is different from competitive dressage. The aim is lightness, forward movement, and harmony rather than strong contact.
Movements are practical and directly linked to the Ease of Handling (EOH) phase.
Whatever movements appear in the WE dressage test are expected to be shown again through obstacles at the same level.

This is a very interesting clinic and the spaces are filling up already!

📲 Message Sam with any questions on 07532760645

04/02/2026

Laurel View Equestrian will be hosting Working Equitation clinics and shows in the next few months.
I will be instructing at Laurel View Sunday 1st March 2026.
“Give Working Equitation A Go Training Show Dates”
29th March, 19th April, 10th May.

I have a few dates left for lessons between March and June.

29/01/2026

An open letter to influencers in the equestrian world

I’ll be blunt……

“Only her 5th time sat on.”
“My 4yo first jump.”
“So pleased with her.”

This influencers own words on the post.

That isn’t impressive. It’s alarming.

A horse that has only been sat on five times is still trying to work out how to carry a rider, balance itself, steer, stop, and process pressure. Jumping at that stage isn’t training, it’s overload. Calling it progress doesn’t change what it is.

A 4 year old horse is not physically mature. The spine and pelvis are still developing. Growth plates are still open. Jumping under saddle sends concussion through structures that aren’t ready to absorb it. You won’t see the damage today, you’ll see it in a few years when the horse is lame, sore, “difficult”, or quietly disappearing from work.

A “first jump” is not a milestone to brag about. It should be dull, small and unremarkable, poles, raised poles, tiny cross poles, loose schooling, no pressure, no rider expectation, no camera. If it looks exciting on social media, you’ve probably gone too far.

This also isn’t just physical. Mentally, this is unfair. Young horses need time to understand, not adrenaline to survive. Rushing them creates horses that try hard because they’re brave, not because they’re ready. That bravery gets used up very quickly.

If you choose to call yourself an influencer, you don’t get to shrug this off as “my horse, my choice”. People copy what you do. Kids copy it. Owners copy it. Riding schools kids copy it. And horses pay for it with shortened careers and broken bodies.

This isn’t being soft. It isn’t oh follow the animal rights movement . It’s basic, evidence based welfare, start later, go slower, protect longevity.

The industry keeps talking about horse welfare and social licence while applauding posts like this. You can’t have it both ways.

A horse’s value is not how early it jumps.
It’s how long it stays sound, willing and comfortable.

If that makes people uncomfortable, good….👍🏽

24/12/2025

Back from USA, great to catch up with some past pupils. Olliff and his wonderful ranch horse Cottager who qualified for ‘century’ a few years ago. Luigi best all round Lippizaner you will find well into his 20’s having fun on the tetter totter with Karen H.