JCS Equestrian Coach - Jodi Wilkinson BSc BHSAI

19/05/2026

🦵 “Knees over toes” isn’t just a skiing or skating concept — it’s really about balance, force absorption, and where your centre of mass sits over your base of support.

In skiing or skating, if the bodyweight gets left behind the feet, the skis or skates slide away underneath the athlete. The joints stop absorbing force effectively and stability is lost.

Exactly the same principle applies in a rider’s half seat.

In half seat, your balance point is not actually your heel — because your heel is not connected to a fixed surface. Your true base of support comes through the ball of the foot into the stirrup.

That means the rider’s bodyweight, joints, and centre of mass need to stay balanced over that point.

When riders get left behind the movement and the knee drifts too far back:
• the stirrup gets pushed forwards
• the lower leg swings ahead
• the rider braces or grips
• the ankle, knee, and hip lose their ability to absorb movement efficiently

Keeping the rider more balanced over the ball of the foot allows the joints to function like suspension — helping the rider move with the horse rather than against it.

Good half seat isn’t just about “getting out of the saddle.” It’s balance, biomechanics, and effective movement.

19/05/2026

I’m excited to tell you that I’ll be teaching at Normanby Park Riding School on Sunday mornings starting this weekend! Lessons can be booked on the EC Pro app 📲 or via the riding school website.

🐴 www.normanby-park.ecpro.co.uk 🐴

18/05/2026

There is a huge difference between confidence and ego in horse riding.

Confidence listens, learns, adapts, and puts the horse first. Ego believes it already knows everything.

The riders who improve the fastest are rarely the loudest, most forceful, or most defensive. They are the ones willing to step back, ask questions, admit mistakes, and keep learning — even after years in the saddle.

Horses have a very honest way of exposing ego. You cannot bully true softness, balance, feel, or partnership into existence. The more a rider fights to “win” against the horse, the more the horse loses trust.

A good rider is not somebody who never struggles.
A good rider is somebody who stays teachable through the struggle.

If you want to grow as a rider:
• Listen more than you argue
• Stay curious
• Accept constructive feedback
• Stop comparing yourself to others
• Put your horse’s welfare before your pride
• Remember that progress is never beneath you

No rider knows it all. The best riders and horse people in the world still learn every single day.

Leave the ego at the mounting block. Your horse will thank you for it.

16/05/2026

No lesson bookings means a free weekend for me! Remember, all bookings must be paid for in advance to confirm. No payment = no booking.

14/05/2026

Availability this weekend for lessons. Get in touch for times.

13/05/2026

22/04/2026

🐴 A little update reminder from me 🐴

I've moved to advance payment for all lessons, so bookings will need to be paid for at the time of booking to secure your slot.

This just helps me stay organised and manage my time a bit better so I can give you all my full focus during your sessions 😊

Thank you as always for your support — it really does mean a lot 💛

Jodi x

15/04/2026

I am coaching near Scotter and Messingham this weekend. Get in touch to book in.

13/04/2026

🔒 Booking Policy & Lesson Price Increase 🔒 effective immediately.

Hi everyone 👋 Rather than starting to charge all lessons for fuel on top of lesson prices, I have decided to factor it in with a little increase instead. I drive everywhere and fuel is a bit cheeky at present! 100%deposit is also now required for all lesson bookings going forward. Please see below. Thank you. 💜

🔒 Booking Policy & Lesson Price Increase 🔒 effective immediately.

All lessons to be paid for in advance with a minimum of 24 hours notice required for cancellations.

Less than 24hrs notice = deposit non-refundable

💰 Lesson Pricing (As of 1st April) 💰

🐎 Private Lesson (45–60 mins / 1 rider) – £40
🐎 Buddy Lesson (45–60 mins / 2 riders) – £30 each rider

📦 Special Package Offers 📦

⭐ Progress Sessions – 3 for 2 £80 total
👯‍♀️ Buddy Offer – 2 riders for £40 total
💪 Rider Performance Strength & Fitness Plan (8 Weeks) – £40
(includes printed plan + message support)

If you’re unsure what would suit you and your horse best, just drop me a message.

As always, thank you for your support - I love coaching you all and would do it for free if I could!! 💚🐎

03/02/2026

🐴 Is your horse ignoring your inside leg?
Before you squeeze harder… try this instead 👇

Teach inside leg to outside rein from the ground first.

Pop the reins gently over your horse’s head, walk them forward on a small circle, then use your knuckles where your inside leg would be to ask them to step sideways.

✨ Here’s the magic part:
From the ground, you can actually SEE the inside hind leg crossing under the body — no guessing, no hoping it’s happening.

That’s why this concept often clicks much faster on the ground than it does in the saddle.

This is how I introduce inside leg to outside rein with every horse I work with.

Clear. Effective. Kind. 🥰