Five Minutes With... Jacqui van Montfrans

Jacqui teaching at a Dressage Clinic - pictured here with Tammy Stevens

Jacqui van Montfrans has always had a passion for horses and with dedication, plus plenty of hard work, she has expanded on that love for all things equine to become one of Australia's top Dressage Coaches.

Jacqui’s success as a Dressage Coach and Coach Mentor is borne from her ability to communicate on many levels with both horse and rider, developing a philosophy around the importance of developing a connection with the Horse, as well as increasing Rider awareness.

Her students in the Dressage, Showjumping, Show Horse and Eventing Arenas have attained National success, Squad selection, and Overseas experience. Others have also continued on to become successful Coaches in their own right, or have simply grown to enjoy the personal challenges and satisfaction derived from gaining better insights into the horse and an understanding of their own riding.

More than a Dressage Coach, Jacqui has taught riders from many corners of the Equine Industry including Polo, Polocrosse, Western, Stock Horse, Pleasure Riders, Stuntmen and Movie extras!

Having studied Business and On-Line Marketing and attained a Diploma in Performance Coaching, Jacqui, with her business Forward Coaching, is focused on developing on-line Education Programs for Coaches and StartUp businesses, Professional Development opportunities, and of course generating Fan Club status for the wonderful animal we interact and work with... The Horse!

Jo Johnson caught up with Jacqui to find out more!

How did you first become involved with horses?

I first became involved with horses when living on a farm in NZ. I started doing weekend work at the local riding school and caught the bug.  When I moved to Australia, it was over two years before I rode again, after knocking on every door to properties with a horse in the backyard asking if I could ride their horse.  Can’ imagine having a 12 year old girl turning up at my door and asking that!  I hit paydirt though and did get a YES (and lived to tell the tale!!)

Seminar conducted at the Horseland Qld Festival of Dressage

When did you decide to focus on dressage?
My decision to focus on Dressage didn’t happen until after I completed my Level 1 General Coaching.  While training at the NSW  Equestrian Centre, with a 17hh thoroughbred who was meant to be my Eventer, I also managed the ride on a Dressage stallion. On top of my Coach training I also rode with Rozzie Ryan. My Eventer kept tying up and I rode other ‘old style’ eventers, the result being a strong leaning to Dressage. The horses you have in your earlier riding years definitely play a role in how you shape your riding career.  Or maybe I just wasn’t made of the right stuff for eventing!

Who influenced and trained you as a young dressage rider, both in Australia and overseas?

There are always soooo many who influence your riding. I think my first Dressage instructor, Leonie Galbraith, who saw through the U-necked, iron deficient, underweight stockhorse I was riding at Pony Club ,in a lovely ill fitting Indian leather ‘saddle’,  definitely tapped into my passion for horses and gave me great direction and the belief that I could ride despite knowing nothing.

Overseas I trained with Miriam Henschke, at the PSI stables, and then with Jurgen Koschel.  Each gave me different insights.

The trainer who really instilled in me the importance of a sound training philosophy, the importance of being true to yourself and maintaining a complete respect for the horse, and shared very classical training techniques, which allowed an insight into the mysterious world of the Horse, was Edgar Lichtwark.  One of his gems was to paraphrase the quote – where knowledge ends, violence begins.

Jacqui was the Arena Spectacular Horse and Rider Choreographer

Name three people that you most admire as a riders

I think a rider I admire greatly and one who seems to take a very classical yet multi–faceted approach to training and competition is Ingrid Klimke.  It is important to recognise in Australia that we are not as advanced in our knowledge and training, and there are riders who have really put the sport on the map, and managed to evolve despite missing out on a more classical introduction. (I don’t believe I need to name names!)  We really have a pool of wonderfully committed athletes, and the wheels of education and training are turning.

On the coaching front, you are great at developing effective rider positions and at explaining how a rider’s position influences their horse’s way of going.  What are your thoughts on rider position generally?

As a Coach I’m passionate about developing a greater awareness in Riders about the way they influence a horse.  This includes how they reduce wear and tear on both the horse and themselves, how they can become efficient and effective, how they can enhance a horses paces, how they can become asking riders who elicit a response from the horse rather than forceful riders who train the horse to react rather than respond.

So much of our training seems to be focused on ‘making’ the horse do something... we forget about the other half in the relationship.  Kind of like Ginger and Fred, without the Ginger!

NEWS FLASH!! NEWS FLASH!!

Jacqui will be conducting a Passion for Position - Debunking 7 Myths About Rider Position Seminar - at the CPEC Seminar Room at 7.30pm on 22 August. See the PDF below for more information and CLICK HERE to book your attendance at the 7 Myths Seminar.

Horseland Qld Festival of Dressage Arena Presentation

What are the highlights of your riding and coaching career so far?

There have been so many highlights... without sounding too Pollyanna, it really is about acknowledging achievements every day, looking for the gifts all the time, rather than waiting for Christmas only to find the present you thought you wanted isn’t really the thing you needed.

What prompted you to start online coaching and develop  'Forward Coaching' ?

Forward Coaching has evolved from the need to provide a broader range of services for riders everywhere.  It’s an answer to the questions and complaints I have heard over my 20 plus years as a Coach, as well as those I encountered myself as a rider.  Things such as lack of regular access to a Coach, developing clear training programs, techniques for successful riding when on your own, overcoming performance anxiety, riding with awareness, improving riding fitness, rehabilitating horses, undoing old habits, mentoring and educating... the list goes on.

If improving and achieving success were as simple as just riding more/trying harder, we’d all be Champions. The art of riding is a life-time sport, and cannot simply be measured by a competition result.

What are the major benefits that you see for riders from utilising 'Forward Coaching'

The benefit to riders and coaches is that they can now access the things that many other sports already enjoy - the use of video analysis, online training and mentoring (yes, it is possible to make changes when not on the horse!), developing training programs for competition, visualisation and mental training techniques, business and marketing guidance, as well as coach educating, seminars, clinics and presentations both on-line and face to face.

Within the next month we are offering an A-List membership option, providing video, MP3, on-line Webinars, Interviews and other information on a broad range of topics from Equine BioMechanics and Effective Riding Position, to Functional Exercise and The Business of Coaching.

With EA Coach renewals not too far away, how can 'Forward Coaching' help?

The response to the Online approach has been somewhat of a slow burn, largely because it is a new concept over here.  Momentum is gaining, however, as even the most technically challenged are overwhelmingly spruiking the benefits of having access to a high level of information and training, all from the comfort of home.  This has been most evidenced with the compulsory Coach Updating required for Insurance renewals.  One attendee summed it up this way

 “I was pleasantly suprised at how effective this type of seminar is…and at how actively everybody was discussing issues. The topics and materials gave me new ideas on how things can be done safer and what I need to improve on my facility. It also gave me a good idea on my rights and responsibilities as a coach.”

Now there’s no reason for Coaches to allow their renewals to lapse! CLICK HERE to book for the 24 September Online Coach Updating Seminar

Jacqui likes to enjoy being a mum whenever time permits!

What gives you the most satisfaction when you are coaching - online and face to face?

I’m still amazed that the ‘buzz’ still happens when I see or hear the proverbial penny drop, as a rider or coach has the 'ah-ha' moment.  Feel and insight are difficult things to teach, so knowing how that can be done is really quite exciting.

What are a couple of the biggest issues that you see repeatedly when you’re coaching?

Generally issues come from a lack of choice – where choices are given and more options are made available, the issues become quality problems instead!

What are some of your plans for the future?

High on my agenda is to develop more Seminars and Education programs, which can be delivered both online and face to face to a broader audience.  Everyone should be allowed in on the secrets.

Name one of your favourite Aussie bands/singers

I guess like everyone, music is mood dependant, but I always love switching on Angus and Julia Stone.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I think the term spare time is probably an oxymoron in my world... the order of things would be family, business, my own education and then spare time would definitely include catching up with friends.

Which country that you haven’t been to would you love to visit?

I’m so Oliver Twist... Please can I have more (than one choice!)  Definitely Italy is high on the list, as well as the South Americas.

Thank you so much for your time Jacqui!

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