All of Nicola's critique is so positive, it's always about analysing any mistakes but being kind to yourself and learning from it! A lesson with her would be incredible for building confidence omg

Nicola’s eye is incredible. The way she understands, analyzes and communicates the little tweaks made such a massive difference in how you approached the course. The groundwork really lended to a fantastic jumping session. Brilliant riding, Meg-was such a pleasure to watch!

I had an accident hacking nearly 12 years ago and been paralysed since. I am so grateful to you Meg and the ladies for showing this and bringing spinal research into the forefront again! 🎉

Nicola just reminds me how very very lucky I am, I am another Equestrian who unfortunately broke their back, also in 2022, I had surgery and back riding, but still have a bit of a fear around jumping and honestly so inspired by everyone who follows similar journeys. Keep up the amazing work both!!

Imagine being lucky enough to work with Nicola on a regular basis. She recognizes so much about the rider & the horse. Plus, she is very tactful when pointing out mistakes. That was probably the best lesson I've ever witnessed. Thanks, Megan, for sharing. You're amazing, too.

We are a tough breed but accidents can happen at any time. Nicola is a great inspiration to anyone who has had a life changing fall. A few weeks ago I fell over in the school while leading my horse and ended up fracturing the head of my femur. Hopefully I will back in the saddle in a few months. At 64 it made me reflect on the dangers of this sport and being around horses. I urge people to keep their hats up to date and wear a body protector or air vest whenever they are riding. Loads of love and support goes out to those who are dealing with injuries.

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Wishing you a speedy recovery, certainly an important message! X

@margauxnodvin7478

7 ай бұрын

I recently broke my 36 year streak of no broken bones (broke my left collarbone at age ten when my horse bucked me off on to my head and shoulder. And when I was ten, riding helmets weren’t much more than decoration!). I’ve fallen many times in the years between, but back in June I got pitched off my horse just the right way over a jump so that I landed flat on my back hard enough to fracture 2 vertebrae and 2 ribs on the posterior side. Talk about painful!!! Collarbones and ribs are the worst, bc you can’t put a cast on them. I had such a hard time breathing correctly with the pain from the broken ribs, I ended up with pneumonia. Luckily I healed relatively quickly, but now I protect my 46 year old body with an air vest EVERY time I ride! I’m positive that if I’d had one on when I fell, I would have escaped the broken bones. I had been on the fence about air vests due to the lack of scientific research regarding their efficacy (and even reading articles I which spine surgeons suggested that they could cause spinal injuries to be WORSE bc they hold the spine so rigid in a fall. But I feel sure that having an airbag between the ground and my back would have been immensely helpful. I also got terrible whiplash and a concussion in the fall. I now have a Hit Air air vest with the extra cervical support to hopefully avoid whiplash in the future. I ride show jumpers, but built a small cross country course on my farm just to play on. So I went ahead and got a regular body protector to wear under my air vest for when I jump those. Trying to keep this aging, more fragile body in one piece for as long as possible! 😂

@fionabarton2258

7 ай бұрын

​@@margauxnodvin7478I am totally with you! I 'double wrap' with both a Racemaster body protector and a Point 2 air vest. I don't feel comfortable if I don't have them. Ribs and collarbones can be especially painful. Wishing you well.

@Shade_Zer0

7 ай бұрын

​@margauxnodvin7478 I'm currently dealing with a broken collarbone, you're totally right about not being able to cast them, so irritating as its just a game of sitting still and waiting! I'm out of a sling and now have a frozen shoulder so it seems never ending 😅

Whilst it’s so lovely to see you on ponies and greener horses which you’re producing. To see you on a horse like this… wow. What a class act… and the perfect size for you. 😁

@pixie706

7 ай бұрын

We all grow out of ponies eventually .

@margauxnodvin7478

7 ай бұрын

I was thinking the same thing! That horse suited her so well. It was a perfect size for her, and she got on quite well with him! I wouldn’t have been able to do such a good job on a horse I’d never ridden before, especially doing those skinny brushes and the shoulder brush (obstacles I never see in show jumping!). She looked like she’d ridden that horse many times before!

the technique and quality skill level of vocabulary to effectively communicate from teacher to student was FANTASTIC and REMARKABLE! i grew up with a sibling ten years older than me and all she did for the most part was yell at me during riding lessons as if tone of voice and volume is going to replace effective words. quality teachers makes all the difference in the outcome of the student when the student truly is talented and definitely willing. well done as always ladies!!!

As someone who suffered from a broken back due to a horse accident and a full year off of all work, spinal research is so important for our equestrian community. I still ride now but how much life has changed and how my riding has changed is eye opening.

Nicola is such a beautiful person. From a devastating accident she has had to adapt her career accordingly, but still so positive and encouraging. I remember seeing her at Bramham horse trials on Opposition Buzz, they were always so exciting to watch. I love her way of teaching. Meg you looked good on G, another fantastic vlog xxx

@nicolabowley8476

7 ай бұрын

Amazing lady. With a huge amount of love for horse and rider

@joeypotter6051

7 ай бұрын

Opposition Buzz was the most amazing horse to watch!

It's crazy how much i've learnt about riding by just watching your videos, I genuinely feel like I can ride so much better just by subconsciously following these small pieces of advice

@jemmaquinney4859

7 ай бұрын

Me too!!!

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

This is amazing to hear ♥️

This was a beautifully presented vlog Meg. It was wonderful to see such compassion and sensitivity being shown. I so enjoyed listening to Nicola and hearing her amazing career achievements. She seems a wonderful person and she gave you an absolutely brilliant masterclass. Gee was a Ferrari - and you rode so well. Believe in yourself - you are a fantastic rider ❤

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Awh thank you so much for the lovely comment 🤍

Oh my gosh, I had no idea Nicola's career was over...I hadn't been keeping myself updated. That is absolutely devastating, she is such a shining star, her determination is inspiring.

@MelBiggsMusic

7 ай бұрын

I remember watching live coverage of Badminton online and I saw the fall. It was horrendous. The jump ended up being cut from the course as several people had falls at it - it had a basket weave design going on and horses were catching their studs on it. Rotationals :-( very unlucky for Nicola

@staceydeboer5283

6 ай бұрын

Not over, just different - love this vlog, very inspiring 😊

Would love to see more videos with Nicola ♥🥰

What an absolutely awesome trainer Nicola is! She’s so good at explaining why something is right or wrong, builds up confidence, lets you think it through rather than just telling you, meaningful praise.

Turn the outside of the horse-pure gold. What a privilege to be coached by Nicola - aside from her wealth of knowledge and experience-what's even more impressive is her complete generosity and compassion. This was a beautiful vlog in so many ways 💜

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

She is such a kind soul, I’m very lucky indeed!

You matched the elegance and athleticism of that beautiful horse. I think that is the prettiest riding I’ve seen you do ♥️

I feel so much for Nicola, I’ve got a degenerative spine condition that has stopped me riding, nowhere near her level, but it was my love for nearly 50 years x

I watch a lot of your videos, and no matter the background of the instructor the fundamentals are the same. Loved this lesson

This is going to make me cry within the first 5 minutes! Nicola is an inspiration

I’m a retired RN in Canada and many years ago I worked with post op spinal injury patients. Great organization to support.

This was the best lesson I’ve seen in a very long time, how Nicole explained how you needed to ride should be taken as a note by all Instructors, if only they all taught us like this! Simple but so so relevant! Loved it! ❤

Not only a fantastic vlog but also spinal research related ! This has to be one of my all time favourites- thank you. What an inspirational woman Nic is.

Great to see occupational therapy mentioned as part of the rehab process. At the time I watched this there were 8070 ish views if everyone gave just a pound that's an awful lot of money already for a great cause. Thanks Meg for raising awareness and supporting such a great charity hope you get lots of donations 😊 xx

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Wouldn’t that be brilliant 🤞🏼

Nicola is a true pro in her field, that's for sure. What a pleasure to work with! Meg, thanks for sharing your horsey journey, really enjoyable.

I love the emphasis on the flatwork before jumping. It made such a difference. I admire Nicola for continuing with horses after her accident. I had to give up my horses after being diagnosed with a rare form of arthritis. I had competed up to inter 1 dressage. However after not being able to ride I can’t be involved with horses as it’s too hard not being able to ride. So Nicola being able to be involved is incredible to me

Such an awesome lesson! Nicola is so positive and nice, but also VERY helpful and she picked up on all your little flaws and did something to help them all. That's a good teacher! And LISTEN TO HER when she says to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. You're your own worst enemy, always!

This was such a brilliant, informative session! I own Opposition Buzz’s half sister so it was fabulous to see those clips of Nicola riding him ❤ what a super horse, my mare is nowhere near that level but she’s my pride & joy regardless ❤

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Oh wow, that’s so exciting!!

That horse really suited you! I’d love to see more lessons with Nicola with Jam and Wilma!

This is the best lesson I’ve ever watched. Nicola is so talented. Crisp and clear in her communication and focus on the horse AND the rider. What an incredibly talented athlete she is. It’s not everyone at the top of their sphere who can coach to the same top level. Meg, you did AMAZING as a result. Beautiful to watch

Another extremely entertaining and helpful video! Thank you! 😊

I LOVED this video!! I can't believe what happened to her when she had her awful injury!! It has made me feel heartbroken and sad for her!!!! I have always loved watching Nicola Wilson riding her amazing horses for the british eventing team!!! She was amazing!! xxxx

I'm another rider with a broken back. Thankfully all came good and I'm healthy but it's so important to highlight spinal research

Impressive on every level. Coaching of the utmost quality, a horse with amazing ability, and a student that listens, engages in every challenge and pulls them off while improving with every stride. Well done ALL!!!

I saw her fall at Badminton and im so happy to see she is still "horseying" around! She is such an inspiration

This honestly was my favourite episode so far. Meg you looked like you really fit on G and rode him beautifully. I could listen to Nicola talk all day, whether it be talking about former mounts, talking about the mental aspect of riding/competition or how she is going through her current life right now...all fascinating.

Nicola is such a fab teacher, and the advice is the same as Piggy’s - trust the rhythm. I think you have been putting it into practice - Jam so much calmer and more forward (and you much less pully) at London.

Nic is great, concentrate on riding the horse, and the fence is almost irrelevant! Another super vlog Meg.

this video was easily one of my favorite videos you’ve ever made ❤ so positive, kind, and informative!

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

This makes me very happy!

What an amazing, positive person Nichola is and such a great teacher as well. You're one lucky person Meg, to have a lesson with her!

I really love what Spinal Research is doing! I have a back disease that affects how I stand and my every day life on top of also having scoliosis. Back in September, my gelding bucked me off and I landed in a full on sitting position right on my tailbone and broke my tailbone and got a compression fracture in my T12 vertebra. I've ridden for 20 years and have never had a fall like that before in my life and had never fallen off him before. Riding is such a fun sport to do but there are so many risks involved and I think it's incredible that they are trying to find ways to better these conditions that come along with riding horses among various other sports. I wish I had the funds to donate but unfortunately I am not in a place to do such a thing, but props to them. Also, excellent job with this lesson! I think Nicola did a fantastic job with her critiques and I love the positive voice. My favorite kind of constructive criticism is what I call the sandwich method. Say what you did properly, say what needs to be fixed, finish off with the positive once again. Excellent job all around!

Oh my, he is awesome! And the way she explained things just worked for me. You know how 3 people can explain things and it all sounds different, she just made sense to me. I could see in my mind exactly what she said. Yes to a week's training! Wouldn't that be an awesome Christmas present to yourself and I bet you could write it off as an expense somehow. Be sure to video it if you do.

@rutherose23

7 ай бұрын

Yes please do a week’s training vlog with your ponies

I am in awe of Nicola and how inspirational she is ❤ She is an amazing lady and have been lucky enough to watch her ride locally at Burleigh Horse Trials. This was such a great vlog and I'm going to say THE BEST one Meg ❤ You rode beautifully and what a gorgeous horse 💙 It was like you have always ridden him. I as I'm sure many, many viewers would love to see Nicola give you a lesson on Jam, Winnie, or Wilma. This would be an amazing 😊

An amazing video about two inspirational women who love horses so much that they refuse to allow a near fatal accident and a total loss of confidence to stop them from revealing their vulnerabilities for the benefit of other equestrians.

Omg love Nicola so much!! 🥹🥹 What a fab horse that was! You rode him so nicely and like I’ve said to you before I 100% understand the fog you were talking about so don’t be so hard on yourself! Well done xxx

Occupational Therapist and horsey person here! Wonderful to watch ❤

Meg you look totally at home on these bigger horses, well done. Nicola you are truly inspirational, as a North Yorkshire lass I am so proud at your determination and true Yorkshire grit ❤ xx

Meg your an amazing rider need to give yourself more credit! ❤

What a wonderful coach Nicola is! Devastating that her career has taken a different route but amazing that people get to benefit from all her knowledge. Great cause to support!

Meg you rode him like a dream. Stunning riding. It’s like he was trained by you the way you had him on the aids. You looked a very good fit with you. Very elegant picture xx

Love the horse! You did a great job on him and Nicola's teaching was so helpful and positive. I love these kind of videos. Thank you for sharing!

Wow! What a fantastic lesson! Nicola and you were brilliant and the lovely horse G.

@LindsayWoodward-ud1lv

7 ай бұрын

Nicola is such a natural teacher. Her positivity just radiates. Lucky you getting a lesson with her! Love the idea of ‘good mistakes to make’

Both ladies are inspirational. Nicola is such a positive person and so smiley with encouraging advice. What a absolutely lovely person Nicola is. Great vlog and the horse was gorgeous, well rode Meg. 💜

What amazing, brave, women they are!!!❤

Meggy moo, you’re so talented. Nicola is such an amazing trainer too, very knowledgeable and understanding !

That was beautiful. It's so much easier to see the finer points when the horse is that responsive to the details the rider's aids. Thank you both for both the experiences and the discussions.

How lovely was she?! Such a wonderful demeanor and the way she encouraged you and had a bit of banter in the school with you - Meg, I hope you're starting to realise just what a great rider you are! What a great video - and can I also just say how much I enjoy your editing style - you've certainly leveled up recently (thinking of the Justine & Luce video 😂) and I'm here for it 🤌

Omg Meg I cannot thank you enough for always sharing these lessons. I found this sooo helpful! I’m guilty of turning with my inside hand and not my body, and I always look at the fence when I get there. We always go over, but we’ll drop a leg a lot and it won’t be super pretty. Her instructions were SO clear and she is such a kind and patient instructor. She never yelled when you did it wrong, she analyzed and broke down your mistakes with a smile. Ugh. I wish my instructor was this good 😂 (Hello from the US!)

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

She was amazing wasn’t she, so glad you found it helpful ♥️

Such a touching video! Could listen to Nicola all day, so interesting and what an inspirational woman. You rode beautifully Meg, what a gorgoeus boy he is 🥹❤️

Hi Meg, I really enjoyed this video. What a lovely lady Nichola is. She is so gentle and tells it like it is. Her way of teaching is fantastic and I applaud her. I hope that she has given you more confidence and that you will ride to the fences and not at them, if that makes sense. Well done you rode G beautifully and he is certainly a star. Love to all. Jill, Birmingham U.K. XXXXXXX

omg so enjoyed this video an amazing cause but i literally studied this instruction and feel like i can take alot of this back to my own horse. Such a lovely calm and sympethetic instruction. ❤

I can’t get over how ground breaking this episode was. It’s made it into Horse and Hound. The conversation was so natural and meaningful Meg. I have come back a day later to tell you to persuade her to join SUKO as a guest trainer, or get the VE team up there. Another video idea for you…. Film a fan/follower doing your role for a day/week etc.

Another fantastic vlog. Nicola is truly a beautiful person. Her instruction is clear, understandable and humorous. What a fantastic opportunity Meg. I think I would be rewatching this once a week, just to remind me about rhythm, balance and looking up.

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Will certainly be one I revisit, she is an amazing instructor!!

You are so blossoming in yourself Meg and in your riding ❤

Great conversation, I know a few people with spinal cord injuries and I have my own nerve issues. It's such a devastating and usually sudden injury, I appreciate any awareness and work for this!

My goodness i love watching you ride with these amazing instructors that seem to be enjoying your lessons as much as you are. So wonderful!

What a brilliant lesson. The horse was so well schooled. Nicola has such attention to every tiny detail, she misses nothing. How helpful her advice was. How she explained things made so much sense. She was also so encouraging to you. She's an inspiration to all. ❤

This was a fantastic lesson for you and me , Meg! Well done. I have also donated x

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!

Hi megan that must have been an amazing day .And it's benafishell to all having different instrukters .And that was brilliant having a lesson with Nicola .👍👍😊😊😊💖

Loved this video so much, what a wonderful teaching style and worthy case. Donated!

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

I absolutely love her way of teaching, she is brilliant. You did amazingly well Meg. You should be really proud of yourself. Xx❤

I love how Meg keeps it so real, it’s very easy to see snippets of all the successful attempts and then compare, with Meg she shows her nervousness and fear which a lot of riders experience, I have a lot of anxiety jumping but seeing someone who has such a big influence and great riding skills also experiencing the same thing is comforting and supporting, keep it up Meg! ❤️

The way Nicola explains everything in your lesson was so clear and positive. What a lovely lady ❤

Nicola's teaching is so positive and uplifting, so lovely to hear and watch!!

What a sweet person she is. Such a positive lesson!

Nicola is so lovely, she’s made to teach ❤️

Thank you for this! I had a fall breaking my back and sustaining a spinal cord injury in May this year (in fact I think you met my horse Captain George during your Talland takeover!) and the effects of this type of injury are lifelong. Glad to see spinal research being supported ❤️

Omg absolutely fabulous vlog Meg ! What an incredible instructor & person one in a million, gold all the way ⭐️⭐️🏆🏆

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!! She is a legend!!

I love her so much Nicola is amazing!!!

Omg u look so right on this horse!!.I havent seen you on amything this far that suits you so well!!!!❤❤❤❤🎉❤❤❤ I LOVE how she got your but tucked more under you and sitting more straight up! It makes the seat aid so much more effective and abke to influence!!! Did you feel that difference?❤❤❤ LOVE this horse for you!!

What an inspiring and brilliant video. How I love Nicola. Well done Meg. Just super all round. And what a gorgeous horse! Thank you!

What a fabulous teacher Nicola is. She is both positive and corrective without Molly coddling or focusing only on the mistakes. All the reasons I love my trainer.

Six years ago, I had a bad fall off a large pony where I could have broken my back. I was nursed for the next three weeks by my brother who was visiting, inbetween few hours daily at work (had two big functions I was organising, so no chance of me resting). Scared him silly, he ended up doing everything from helping me out of bed in the mornings, breakfast, checking my back-brace before work, et al. In reality, I should've gone to hospital but I was just too stubborn plus has family issues at the time... So a blog like this reeeeally is exceptional for me to see! Thank you for this one Meg, I love how you've gotten such a wide range of vlogs in this series

Such incredibly inspirational women, thank you for bringing organizations like this to a wider audience and let's all hope we can look forward to a future full of advancements in treatments such as the once currently being worked on by Spinal Research and other organizations worldwide.

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for the lovely comment ♥️

Meg you are innately a super talented rider -let’s be very clear on that!!! But man when you lift yourself, meaning your eyes especially, your shoulders naturally open ,you become so incredibly centered on top of your horse and naturally your lower leg really is able to stretch down and around connecting and allowing you to really effectively use the aids also so noticeable was when you focused on your hands being even and not dropping or possibly pulling down YOU ABSOLUTELY NAILED IT!!!!. Good on you!!!! Your are lovely lovely rider . And the opportunities you have clearly worked so hard to get -lessoning with these FABULOUS riders /trainers are magical to watch Keep it up your Mega !!!!

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Awh thanks so much for this ♥️

What a brilliant and encouraging instructor…..and all round amazing woman!

What an amazing episode Meg. You definitely need to get some time with Nicola and ride your ponies. ❤

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Yeh I want to take a lorry load there now 😍

@theresashelton7063

7 ай бұрын

@@elphick.event.ponies I would love to watch that vlog. I say go for it!

It's Nicola Wilson!!! So buzzed for this video!!! Nicola Wilson is so epic!!! Edited to add that he's an awesome horse but one day, Wilma will also be an awesome horse. To my eyes, Wilma might be a possible future FEI horse. Two star for you and Wilma.

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

Wouldn’t that be amazing!!

This was magnificent, and really, REALLY made me miss taking lessons from a true professional.

the business of hand issues is large! Stenosis, cancer treatment, wrist injuries, accidents....Thanks for sharing the food issue, has been a problem for me....Daily living skills so important!! Lovely video...I am too old to ride, but love the teaching and learning and using the brain/body connection. Get on and do it!!! Go get it!!

One of my favorite episodes. Hope you train with her more. One of the most thought, positive lessons

Loving all of your vlogmas videos, but this is my absolute favorite, even before you got to the tack room chat with Nicola and Tara. Loved Nicola’s style of teaching, so positive and easy to understand, and what a superstar G is. I could have listened to an entire hour or two of your tack room chat.

@elphick.event.ponies

7 ай бұрын

So kind of you, maybe I need a podcast with them 😂

@emmadm826

7 ай бұрын

I would listen to that!

Wow such a nice vlog! Loved learning about her and her journey ❤

I loveeed the vlogmas this year I'm so sad it's nearly over 😂😢

@Dusty1Charlie2

7 ай бұрын

Hi

What a very interesting vlog Meg, Nicola and Tara are two beautiful souls and the stories that were told were fabulous too. You rode that beautiful horse very well what a great jumper he is you lucky girl. Tfs Merry Christmas to you and your family and a happy new year 🎆🎈🎊 🎆😎🎆😎

Meg we have opposite problems, I rush the fences because I can’t see a distance. Hahaha. I love this video, so informational!

Beautiful lesson! Thank you for sharing your information and training! Wonderful ride 😊

AHH GL MEG! Also I almost came into your live event on Saturday(London horse show) but I didn’t make it in time! Still sad abt that but I did see you! Jst so jel of the ppl who met you ❤❤❤

What a great video. Fantastic riding Meg, and love your honesty in how you are feeling (fog), so relatable. What an inspirational lady Nicola is, the piece on spinal research was so informative and well put together that I have donated! xx

Nicola is such a great teacher! And you looked amazing on this horse, more horses in the future for you? 🤞🤞