Some background information

Coralie Smyth is an EA NCAS Intro Coach, specialising in dressage.

After leaving school she studied Arts (Psychology, Music, English and Philosophy) at Sydney University, at the same time achieving Honours in Music at the Conservatorium of Sydney. Sporting accomplishments included recognition in gymnastics, springboard diving, and trampoline, both as competitor and coach. The skills gained in these activities gave an awareness of the body in space, which has been very relevant to riding.

In her early twenties Coralie went to the Far East as a professional entertainer, eventually marrying in Hong Kong and living there for eight more years running a chain of nightclubs and restaurants. It was there that she learned about acupuncture, Taekwondo and Oriental philosophy. These interests also had a strong effect on her approach to the psychological aspects of riding, and the necessity for mental flexibility and relaxation.

On her return to Australia she became involved with teaching and was astonished to find that riding instruction in the late eighties was very authoritarian, with little understanding of the principles of learning. This revelation led her to begin writing Ride Smarter, which then grew into a book based on equestrian sport psychology, published by Half Halt Press, USA.

After becoming a qualified trainer of teachers, she was finding herself more and more involved with business, lecturing and consulting on Marketing/Promotion, Website Development and Small Business Management. .

For many years Coralie has been an advocate of riding and training without damaging the horse. To this end, she has completed her second book, A Different Arena. This is a novel about a dressage rider with a debilitating disease that prevents her from having sufficient strength to control her horse, and how she overcomes this despite shonky instructors, pushy dealers and nasty competitors.

Professional qualifications include training teachers to teach (VETAB), lecturer in Horse Management (TAFE), and Remedial Massage practitioner (Catherine Bird, Sharon May-Davis and TTEAM). A few years ago she graduated from Charles Sturt University with an Applied Science degree in Equine Studies, including Performance Horse Management, Stud Management, Conditioning and Training, Nutrition and Pasture Management. Her experience goes back more than twenty years with horses of all ages, breeds and temperaments and includes dressage, judging, jumping and event organisation.

Presently Coralie is instructing at Il Cadore (a large equestrian centre at Somersby, NSW, Australia) and presenting 2-day seminar clinics.

As the Australian Representative of Allege-Ideal (International Dressage and Equitation Association for Lightness) her goal and passion is to promote the concept of riding and training without using fear or force. Whatever the discipline or riding level her aim is to make it easier for riders to train and ride intelligently.

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