My family has lived in the New Forest, near Southampton since 1972 which is a most beautiful part of England, where native ponies roam wild, but we have to go back to when I was 14 to discover what kindled my love of horses. We, as in my family moved from Portsmouth to the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, due to my father getting a posting in the prison service. My younger sister wanted to ride on the weekends at the local riding school, so my parents tasked me, as older brother to escort my sister to the stables so she could ride. Whilst my sister rode out, I would stay behind and help the gentleman who owned the establishment sort and train the other horses, and as a reward for my help he would privately teach me riding. He showed me a lot, and was of a very encouraging nature which planted the seed in me for my life's relationship with horses. If he knew what his encouragement has nurtured, I would like to think he would be proud.

I joined the Army as a mechanical engineer REME in 1972, and was subsequently attached to cavalry units where people owned polo ponies and eventers, so when time allowed I was down at the stables with them. I consider it was the army that instilled in me to approach training in a way that it must be understood. In 1981 I married Bobbie and after leaving the Army moved to the New Forest where our shared passion for horses soon had us back in the saddle. After several years competing, I was very lucky to meet and ride with the eminent Portuguese horse master Joao Oliveira, the son of the legendary Nuno Oliveira. This man turned on the light bulb for me and from this meeting I truly started to understand how training was structured; that riding was from the mind and body, not the hands and heels. The years of hard practice that followed, allowed me eventually to perform many entertaining displays throughout the UK. Through my performing and travels I have been very lucky to meet and ride with many of the greatest masters of European horsemanship; I hold their friendship most dear for they are today’s key holders of the art. I have spent considerable time discussing the finer points of equitation with these eminent horsemen, which has allowed me to appreciate how they approached training, and there personal techniques.

My passion for understanding, has led to many hours studying the great literary works of the past masters, I would not like to consider how much time I've spent with my head in a book. Appreciating the history and the development of horse training may not make a better rider, but it allows the rider when facing a problem to consider other routes, that may be easier for the horse to understand; correspondingly this has allowed me to assist others in how to approach their training and understanding. Being able to explain how movements developed through history, from where they originated and their purpose brings structure to movements, which then helps in creating clearer guidance towards training. I have been told that I have become renowned for my way of clearly explaining how training and riding works and progresses, coupling this with a logical process, linked with a psychological approach, allows all to understand. My calm nature shows how thought is the most powerful tool for the rider and education is imperative, which leads riders to see there is no magical processes or amazing quirky methods, and that basic tack is best, with no need for gadgetry.

The master’s books were written for others of a similar disposition to follow; these works are hugely relevant to today’s riders, but some find them too daunting and not easy to follow. Today’s masters are writing works to help the modern horse and rider. My books are well structured, allowing easy understanding so people can retain, or if necessary easily find the information needed. I have the philosophy that a book is better off in the tack room and used, than on the shelf at home gathering dust.

Riding

By Richard Chamberlin

Riding is the elegant display of structure.

We should only consider this an art, with poetic terms, which can reveal a moment of communion. How easy to strip bare with a few careless actions cast in anger, they ripple against that we love forever.

The mystery therefore is often quite simple.