Horsemanship trainer Jodie Kelvy teaches the value of communication

“IT’S all about the relationship, it starts there first,” says horse guru Jodie Kelvy.

Key to success: Horsemanship trainer Jodie Kelvy will run demonstrations and children’s pony rides at the field days.

“IT’S all about the relationship, it starts there first,” says horse guru Jodie Kelvy.

Ms Kelvy is the owner-operator of HorseHand in Echuca, an equestrian centre that offers riding clinics, horsemanship training and education classes for beginners through to advanced riders.

She and her team will be running children’s pony rides at the field days as well as demonstrations on how to get the best out of your horse.

“Communication with your horse is the most important thing, and we’ll show you how to do that,” Ms Kelvy said.

“You’ve got to build a connection and trust and understanding and respect with your horse so you’re working as a team rather than an ‘I’m bullying you or you’re bullying me’ scenario.

“If you can get to that point on the ground, then it makes anything on the horse much easier.”

Ms Kelvy’s first paid job in the equestrian industry was as a horse trainer at the age of 11 and she has since travelled Australia plying her trade.

“I got my first horse when I was seven and it just started from there,” she said.

“I started a horsemanship school in Port Hedland about 20 years ago and started HorseHand in 2007.

“We now have about 60 horses — half owned by us and half owned by others who house them here.”

Ms Kelvy’s will share her experience at several daily demonstrations in the Elmore Equestrian Park pavilion throughout the three-day exhibition.

“Horse riding includes a lot of disciplines like jumping, dressage and western, and what we do is a combination of all of that,” she said.

“I’ll be able to show them a western style of riding, then transform the horse into an English structure.

“We’ll also be showing liberty training, where horses follow commands without lead control, and that’s where a good relationship with your horse really comes into it.

“Ultimately, my main aim is to show people good horsemanship is about the connection and communication with the horse, not just the technical training.”