Elgin-born Scottish instructor Karon Carson teaches throughout Scotland and is a popular trainer in the north-east. Having just competed in the prestigious Mitshibushi Badminton Grassroots Final and achieved fourth place, she tells Annabel Sall about her teaching methods and how she got where she is today
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a BHSII SM registered freelance instructor UKCC2 working on level 3. I was brought up in a non-horsey background so had to work at stables to get rides and worked my way up through the YTS system and college gaining an HND in Equine Business Management. My first job was in a hunting point to point yard as a groom. I continued to groom and travel the world supporting riders up to 4* level as well as working in many big yards helping produce the young horses where I rode many of them at their first competitions to lay the foundations of their careers. I rode for many dealers and young horse producers and producing horses is my love. I’ve ridden up to Intermediate British Eventing, Advanced Medium Dressage and Foxhunter British Showjumping.
My teaching really took off when I was working in Ireland with young riders heading for the European Championships. I was yard manager where the young riders were based. I rode their horses while they were at university so I started to help them on the flat. That was in 2000 and I haven’t looked back since then.
What do you most enjoy about teaching?
The satisfaction you get from helping people is huge. I love it when all of a sudden the rider just “gets it” – the horse then softens and becomes in-tune then magic happens as they become one. Seeing the rider achieving their goals with a happy, relaxed horse is amazing.
What is your top piece of advice for your pupils?
Your horse must come first. Listen to your horse. They can’t tell you if something is wrong so always look for signs.
Do you use any methods when teaching?
Forward, straight and contact are the most basic and most important principles for producing and riding any horse, then move forward through the scales of training. If the foundation is built correctly into a structure the horse is confident with as he progresses up the grades, all problems can be solved by going back to the three principles as one of these done incorrectly will have a massive impact.
Remember to enjoy the journey with this sport because we love horses so try to have fun as well as doing the best you can to keep moving forward in your education. Study the subject, learn, watch and listen.
I am lucky to have been in this game from bottom level up and experience has given me the tools to help most horses and riders. I became more interested in Classical Principles of training when I met my coach, Andrew Murphy, and the TTT (teaching trainers of tomorrow trust). I didn’t realise until I worked with him that a lot of the principles I already had in place from working with the Old Irish boys who just seemed to have a special touch.
Work with the horse, not against, is my philosophy.
What are your future plans?
I recently took over a small yard near Dunbar in East Lothian and am producing young horses again. I have four to produce and I am very excited about all of them. My senior horse, Finding Nico, has just been placed fourth at Mitsubishi Motors Championships at Badminton and is the current BE90 Scottish champion. We have had a great start to the season and aim to go Novice soon aiming for International competition in 2017.
