WORCESTERSHIRE followers of the new equestrian skill horse agility will be delighted to hear that a special training day is planned in the county later this month.

Participants will be able to play with their horse in the paddock, with lots of obstacles to negotiate and an hour’s training session in a small group to develop their skills. The event – which is ideal for beginners – will include an afternoon starter and open level competition.

Melanie Garner, who is a horse agility trainer, has organised the event at Crookbarrow Farmhouse, Whittington, Worcester.

She said: “Summer is finally here and the horse agility summer of sport is back with some great courses to have a go at.

“The event at Worcester on Sunday will be great fun and is ideal for all abilities, with newcomers very welcome.

“The morning session includes a training hour and unlimited play with like-minded people between 10am and 1pm. This will be followed by a competition in the afternoon. I would advise people to book well in advance as we think this event will be very popular.”

Enthusiasts of the sport have been attending clinics at Bromsgrove-based horsemanship academy Kingdom Horse since the sport was introduced by Vanessa Bee, founder of the International Horse Agility Clubs.

Nick and Hilary Rands, who own Kingdom Horse at Lower Bentley, teach international students from all over the world and run horse agility training clinics alongside their horsemanship clinics with expert Victoria Johnson.

“horse agility offers riding and nonriding horse lovers a completely new way of being involved in a competitive sport that is active and exciting and that has never been available to them before,” said Vanessa.

Vanessa developed a style of teaching that she calls positive horsemanship after years of studying and working with some of the greatest horsemen of the age, including “horse whisperer” Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks.

The horse has to overcome a number of challenging obstacles, sometimes against the clock, while being guided by a handler who moves along with him.

“The speed, drama and tension and excitement of the competition makes this a great spectator sport,” said Melanie. “The problem-solving required to complete the obstacles keeps the horse’s mind working constructively and is a lot of fun for the handlers as they find ways to help the horse understand the request.”

Obstacles comprise bending poles, crossing tarpaulins to tunnels, seesaws and A-frames. Top athletes can move on to wild agility in which horse and handler travel at least 5km across country against the clock.

Other horse agility events planned this summer include a weekend camp and team competition at Lincomb Equestrian, near Ombersley, and there’s another horse agility training and competition day due to take place at Whittington on September 8.

To attend the event on Sunday, it will cost adult members £25 and juniors £15. Non-members pay an extra £5 day admin fee. E-mail mel@heartfelthorse.

com or call 07805 986631 to book.