This November, the River Valley Pony Club will present Daniel Stewart clinics for riders. The clinics include three separate workshops for the rider: a video analysis while riding on the flat or jumping a cross-training session and an informational session on equestrian sport psychology. The Daniel Stewart clinics are designed to improve the rider both physically and mentally thereby improving their performance. Riders of all ages are welcome and the clinics are open to pony club members and non-RVPC members.

Two mounted clinics (flat or jumping) will help riders identify and solve imperfections that affect their performance and success by letting them watch and analyze themselves on videotape (frame-by-frame). When an imperfection is identified, Coach Stewart will explain the causes and the many possible solutions.

Immediately after the analysis the riders start improving their position by riding in a 45-minute follow-up lesson. The riders cross training workshop offers an opportunity for riders to experience cross training exercises to help identify and solve imperfections with their balance, symmetry, suppleness, posture, core strength (etc.) by using exercises and a unique balance board designed especially for riders. Valuable and informative, equestrian sport psychology seminar teaches stress management, goal setting positive thinking and visualization techniques to help riders maximize stress, fear and performance anxiety while riding.

Daniel Stewart has been a highly successful International competitor and trainer for over 20 years. From 1999 – 2007 he coached riders on several U.S. teams to success at many world championships and Olympics. Prior to becoming a U.S. coach he earned a degree in exercise science and psychology and worked as a consultant to other national riding teams including Portugal and Canada.

In 2008 he left the U.S. equestrian team to share his knowledge and experience with the U.S. riding community and is now considered one of the worlds leading authorities on equestrian sport psychology, biomechanics and performance. He currently divides his time between Andalusia, Spain and Santa Barbara, Ca., and is the author of the internationally acclaimed book Ride Right.

Pony Club is one of the leading junior equestrian organizations in the world, represented throughout 30 countries. The United States has over 600 individual clubs spread throughout 48 states and the Virgin Islands, with more than 12,000 members. River Valley Pony Club (RVPC) is a local (Spartanburg Co., S.C., and Polk Co., N.C.) chapter of the United States Pony Club (USPC) and part of USPCs Carolina Region.

For more information about the Daniel Stewart clinic or to receive an official clinic brochure with pricing, contact Helen Firby at mfirby@windstream.net. For more information regarding the local River Valley Pony Club, possible membership or sponsorship opportunities, contact Tracey Daniels at tracey@mmpublicity.com and put pony club in the subject line. River Valley Pony Club can also be found on facebook.