Frequently Asked Questions
What is so special about Heather Moffett?
Tell me about the special Pony Club offers
What sort of riding or schooling problems can Heather solve?
Why are you holding it out at Horsley Park?
Can you put me in touch with other participants for car pooling?
Can I learn if I am not actually riding?
Will I be able to hear everything?
I am a pretty good rider, is there much Heather can teach me?
What if I’m at the complete other end of the scale, an absolute beginner?
How can she teach such a wide range all at once?
What age range is it suitable for?
Will it conflict with what my instructor has taught me?
I have already booked, what happens now?
Can I think about it and book at the last minute?
Who do I talk to if I still have questions?
When and where is it?
The seminar is on Saturday 18th March at 9.30-5.00 in the comfort of the Indoor Arena at Horsley Park.
Bookable separately to immerse yourself in her teaching for a whole weekend, on Sunday 19th, Heather will continue with a series of lessons, solving schooling and riding problems which she will explain in detail to the audience.
What is so special about Heather Moffett?
Heather is simply, incredibly good! She enlightens, she demonstrates and she entertains, sees the problem straight away, fixes it and shows you how to fix it for ever. You won't come away thinking - "yes she's clever but I could never do that". You come away thinking "yes, how come nobody ever explained it like that before, I can do it"
Heather focuses on the way we ride and how it affects our horse, achieving a more secure seat and more empathetic way of riding. Through this the horse, becomes more comfortable, responsive to our aids and performs better. Heather will ride a horse and demonstrate the effect of riding correctly and incorrectly so we can recognise it in our own horse.
Heather's book has sold many thousands of copies worldwide and it is on the strength of reading the book, that two ladies are driving up from Melbourne, just for the weekend. Quite a few of the committee have heard of her and we are so enthusiastic it is unreal.
Read some reviews of Heather’s book, Enlightened Equitation, on amazon.com or go onto her forum on and read feedback about her seminars.
People say things like “this is the best book I have ever read” and “one day could change your riding for ever”.
“This seminar improved my understanding and riding skills beyond recognition. After attending the seminar and having the opportunity to experience the Equisimulator it became apparent there was a more effective way of riding. My horse is so light and responsive to my aids now, which is a feeling I had not experienced in the past” - Jenny Buckle
You won't regret it if you go, but you will if you don't.
Is there a detailed agenda?
Tell me about the special Pony Club offers
We are really keen for Pony Club members, their parents and instructors to attend. So you can book at the special Northside Members rate of $70 for the whole day. Just write which Pony Club you belong to on the booking form.
When a number of instructors or members from a Pony Club attend, Enlightened Equitation Australia will offer you a free Equisimulator Training Day. Contact Jose Diacono for more details.
What sort of riding or schooling problems can Heather solve?
Any, but here are some examples
Unbalanced rising trot
Bouncing in sitting trot
'Polishing the seat' in canter
Incorrect weight distribution
Horse won't go on the bit
Difficult to bend
Won't move off the leg
Difficulty with good transitions or problems with lateral work
“In approximately 3 minutes flat on the simulator, Sue (Heathers assistant) sorted out exactly where I'd been going wrong in my rising trot. I'd been riding for about 40 years at this point!"
Why are you holding it out at Horsley Park?
We chose the indoor school at SIEC because this is not an event we cannot postpone. Heather is here for a limited time and since this is an audience focused event you need to be seated in comfort, protected from sun and rain.
With the new M7 it couldn’t be easier to get to. Horsley Park even has its own Motorway exit. Heather is coming twelve thousand kilometers to share her knowledge, our interstaters are coming thousands of kilometers to improve their riding. 60mins of driving time is not really that long if it is going to have a profound effect on the improvement of your riding.
Can you put me in touch with other members for car pooling?
Yes of course. Just email Jose Diacono
Can I learn if I am not actually riding?
Definitely. What about all those magazines you read, videos you have watched, or the seminars at Equitana? Heather is a tremendous communicator; she explains everything so simply and logically. We will have practical exercises to do during the seminar and you will get a set of notes to take away. Her sense of humour will keep you amused and enjoying yourself throughout the whole programme.
During the seminar, as well as three mounted demonstrators and Heather herself, some riders will have the chance to use the Equisimulator. This is an amazing machine that simulates the movement of the horse. Great for sitting trot and demonstrating the impact our riding has on our horse’s movement.
All Northside members attending the seminar will receive free attendance at an Equisimulator workshop to be held at a later date at Northside.
If you are currently horseless or your horse is out of action, this is a perfect opportunity to keep yourself motivated.
Is it value for money?
That depends totally on how much value you think you will gain. At $70 for Northside and Pony Club members or groups you are being immersed in Heather’s teaching for a whole day, in a comfortable, top quality venue with excellent acoustics, easy access and free parking. It is less than the cost of a set of horse shoes. What price do you put on a happy horse, a ribbon, moving up through the grades or freedom from lower back pain? In the UK riders are paying three times as much to attend Heather's seminars.
Will I be able to hear everything?
At a recent Dressage event at SIEC there was a lot of feedback through the audio system. Some people have told us that they have been to seminars with foreign riders and couldn’t understand them very well.
The audio is fixed. We will test the system the day before and have a SIEC person on site in case of problems. Heather uses a headset microphone so you will hear every word in clear English.
You will also receive a set of seminar notes to help you put Heather's teaching straight into effect.
I am a pretty good rider, Is there much Heather can teach me?
Well, Alex Schebesta is an advanced level dressage rider. She is going AND having a lesson on Sunday as well. Soo Broster came second to Stuart Tinney at Sydney one day event a couple of weeks ago. She was our first booking. Dressage judges and experienced event riders, experienced showjumpers and professional instructors are going as well.
Heather has taught Olympic Eventers and Grand Prix Dressage riders.
What if I’m at the complete other end of the scale, an absolute beginner?
Heather believes in getting the basics right. She says "If the right foundations are not laid at the very beginning just like a home, the whole edifice is likely to fall down at a later date" .She welcomes questions and if you are a bit shy to ask in public, talk to her in the breaks. She is very approachable. This seminar is also going to be excellent for parents who aren’t riders themselves but want to know more about what their child is trying to achieve.
How can she teach such a wide range all at once?
It’s back to getting the basics right again. Also Heather is an excellent rider herself and will be demonstrating. Her explanations are simple, but extremely detailed.
What age range is it suitable for?
High school students up to any age. You need to be able to focus on Heather's teaching for a full day, but this is easy since it is so varied - from examples and stories, to demonstrating on and off the horse, fun exercises, the equisimulator and demonstration riders.
Will it conflict with what my instructor has taught me?
It shouldn’t. Heather’s teaching methods are based on Classical Dressage Techniques. She has the comfort of horse and rider uppermost in her mind and aims for true harmony between horse and rider. Your instructor should have the same goal.
If you learn to take more accountability for your riding position and have your horse going that much better as a result, imagine the new heights your instructor can now take you to.
I have already booked, what happens now?
Pat yourself on the back. Sue Baker will confirm your booking by email. When you arrive on the day, come to the pre-paid registration desk and collect your badge. Tell your friends all about it. Have a look at Heather's forum We look forward to seeing you on the 18th.
Can I think about it and book at the last minute?
Yes you can. But then most likely something else will come up and you won’t make it. You will be kicking yourself when you find out what you missed. Heather won’t be back for at least another year. If you book for Saturday and enjoy it so much you want to come back on Sunday you can do that.
What is the Equisimulator?
This is an amazing machine that simulates the movement of the horse. Great for sitting trot and demonstrating the impact our riding has on our horse’s movement. Watch a video
Visit "One Day that Could Change your Riding Forever!” for a workshop review.
Who do I talk to if I still have questions?
Call Jose Diacono on 0418 224 081 or 02 9997 2590