The River Tiger Podcast from Dynamics Coaching

The out-take at the beginning is Snoopy (my border collie) helping me by highlighting play and exploration with his 'squeeky piggy' Christmas present.

The full blog post including the diagramme of the Ugly Curve can be found on the Dynamics Coaching website by following this link https://dynamics-coaching.com/articles/learning-in-the-ugly-zone/


Dynamics Learning (ugly) Curve (Davies and Davies, 2019)

The dynamics challenge-performance learning curve, adapted from Davies and Davies (2019) is an ecological dynamics model of optimal challenge for learning. It is based on the self-organising properties of movement dynamics (e.g. Kelso, 1984) the ‘cusp catastrophe model’ (Thom, 1923; Hardy & Fazey, 1987) the ‘challenge point framework’ (Guadagnoli & Lee, 2004) and Dave Alred’s (2015) concept of the ‘ugly zone’..

I met Martina when I attended the Athletic Skills Model (ASM) Advanced Instructor course earlier this year. The course was excellent and I have used the practical elements regularly in all of my coaching and own practice since.

I am exploring how to develop it for using with horses to help diminish the movement poverty that many horses suffer and to support healthy, happy and skilful movement in horses as well as humans.
 
For open courses in the UK in 2023 (London and Sheffield) or for bespoke courses with a focus on your own sport contact Dr Martina Navarro.

The Athletic Skills Model website (English overview). https://www.athleticskillsmodel.nl/en/about-asm/

An open access academic paper about the ASM theoretical underpinnings .
https://www.athleticskillsmodel.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Creating-adaptive-athletes-the-athletic-skills-model-for-enhancing-physical-literacy-as-a-foundation-for-expertise.pdf

Dynamics Coaching blog articles link https://dynamics-coaching.com/our-blog/

Martina Navarro
'I joined the Department in August 2017 from the University of Bern, Switzerland, where I was working as a post-doctoral research fellow. I hold a BSc degree in Sport Science from the School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Sao Paulo (EEFE-USP), Brazil. At the same institution (USP), I did my PhD in Human Physiology (Neuropsychology) focusing on the effects of training strategies and high levels of stress and anxiety in human cognition (eg. attention and decision making) and motor control. During my PhD I joined a Sandwich program and did part of my PhD research at the MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam at the VU University Amsterdam. In 2013 I worked at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, at the School of Medicine of the Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, as Post-Doctoral Fellow. In 2016, I was awarded an excellence post-doctoral research fellowship by the Swiss Government, and subsequently joined the Institute of Sport Science at the University of Bern. During my Fellowship, my research focused on testing Bayesian Decision Making Theory in sports and human performance. In addition, I have worked with sports consultancy companies and professional sports teams and international sport organisations, most notably, in Brazil and the Netherlands.

My research interests are focused on understanding the intricacies of the key elements (perception, action, cognition and emotion) in human performance psychology. Specifically, my work investigates how high levels of anxiety and stress and different skill acquisition strategies may affect attentional resources and consequently decision-making process.'
Academic contact [email protected]

This episode is a recording of a webinar. Nicky Fuller joined a number of experienced equestrian coaches (all previous guests of the podcast) to have a conversation about why we ask questions as coaches, how we can become more skilled at asking questions, and when asking questions may not be the most effective coaching tool.
There are some parts of this where the sound quality is not great, but hopefully it does not detract from the value or enjoyment of the conversation.

Nicky Fuller
Nicky set up Connected Equestrian Coaches with Showjumping coach Mandy Frost. She is a learning and development professional with 25 years’ experience of designing, developing, and facilitating learning and mentoring programmes.

 She has worked with coaches across many sports and over several decades, is continually curious to find more effective ways to serve coaches in their desire to improve. Nicky likes to integrate contemporary thinking and research into everyday practice, helping coaches to make sense of what they do and why they do it!

​Based in the UK, Nicky frequently works with national governing bodies of sport to help develop solutions to learning problems in the UK and overseas.

 Nicky holds a MPhil postgraduate degree and an advanced certificate in Adult Learning and Assessment. She is a former International netball player and now coaches junior players at club level.

Our other guests are Emma Slater, Mia Palles-Clark, Jane Randall and Warren Lampard.

Welcome to the first of three new podcasts for you to listen to over the festive season!

I am delighted to share this fascinating and informative conversation with @drgilliantaborphysio  about how you can keep your horses healthy and moving well, when to get help, and how to navigate the complexity of so much information online.

My guest on this episode is physiotherapist Dr Gillian Tabor. I have followed Gillian's research for many years, and more recently her social media channels.  In this conversation we cover many topics including;

• How to navigate some of the claims made on social media. 
• Neuroplasticity, pain and restoring your horse's confidence in moving.
• A deeper dive into understanding pain.
• What does the horse need movement-wise in order to carry a rider.
• Where to get support and advise - and links to Gillian's podcast and social media.

I loved this conversation and I hope you do too. Please share your thoughts and reflections with myself and Gillian.

Hartpury University Profile.
Dr Gillian Tabor is a Chartered Physiotherapist who has been working as an ACPAT Veterinary Physiotherapist for 20 years. Experience as a guest lecturer led to a part time role, teaching Rider Performance, at Duchy College in Cornwall. Gillian then joined Hartpury as a lecturer in Veterinary Physiotherapy in 2013. Having progressed to a Senior Lecturer position and becoming the Programme Manager for the MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy course at Hartpury University, Gillian now has additional roles within Hartpury's research community. In 2020 she completed her doctorate, the first for Hartpury entitled 'The use of objective measurement in Veterinary Physiotherapy'. As well as teaching students Gillian, continues to undertake research in this thematic area both in her own equine projects and via supervising students.

Social media links
Gillian's podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-equine-physio-rehab-podcast/id1603299526
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drgilliantaborphysio/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drgilliantaborphysio

"If we could start again and design sport around the needs of children, would the sports still look the same as they do now?" Mark O'Sullivan asked this question at a conference a few years ago, and I keep revisiting it, thinking about it from the perspective of the needs of horses.

With the continuing issues of abuse in sports,  this episode explores what the issues are and whether there are cultural aspects to the way sports have emerged that may make abuse easier to perpetrate and harder to eradicate. Does a historical focus of developing obedience and compliance undermine agency and consent. And if so, how can we move forward and have youth and equestrian sports that are safe, ethical, and meet the needs of those partaking?

Thank you to this weeks guests, authors Dr Jennifer Fraser and Julie Taylor, for joining me for a conversation about abuse and bullying, the impact that it has on individuals and how sports are perceived by those outside of the current systems. This was a difficult but important conversation for me. I am passionate about not losing equestrian sports, but equally passionate that much needs to change moving forward or we will lose them and with good reason.

My guests on this episode are:
Julie Taylor is a journalist and author of 'I Can't Watch Anymore': The Case for Dropping Equestrian from the Olympic Games.'  'Catalogues what happens to sport horses in plain sight ... should be compulsory reading for all of us who care about horses.' - Professor Paul McGreevy BVSc, PhD, FRCVS; author, Equine Behaviour

Passionate, yet rigorous and meticulously researched, this eye-opening book holds equestrian sport up to Olympic standards and finds it sadly wanting.'

Find Julie on Twitter @eponatv Facebook https://www.facebook.com/eponatv and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/eponatv

Dr Jennifer Fraser is the author of 'The Bullied Brain: Heal Your Scars and Restore Your Health.' 'Bullying and abuse are at the source of much misery in our lives. Because we are not taught about our brains, let alone how much they are impacted by bullying and abuse, we do not have a way to avoid this misery, heal our scars, or restore our health.'

Find Jenniferon Twitter @bulliedbrain 

In part 2 of this episode I am joined again by my two more fabulous guests from part 1 to explore a topic that has fascinated me since I came across it in my research into haptic perception. Biotensegrity.

To give you an overview of biotensegrity check out this short Youtube video
https://youtu.be/MfBuDci3GlM

The paper that is referenced in the podcast is my PhD concept paper https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/17479541221107379

This was such a wonderful conversation and went on for two hours so I have decided to split this episode into two parts. I would like to thank both my guests for joining me in this conversation from different parts of the world.

In part 2 we delve further into understanding the practical implications of tensegrity (including the humble pop-up tent) and biotensegrity are before going on a journey around many topics including;

• Biotensegrity, expansion, contraction and our understanding of functional movement.
• Shear forces.
• How training can actually prevent horses using their bodies in a tensegrity way.
• When to start a horse under saddle.
• Behavioural and emotional regulation.
• Weak ankles, lameness and movement compensations.

About my guests.
Susan Lowell de Solorzano has an MA in Human Development and Education with a focus on kinesthetic learning and is a certified level  III T-ai Chi instructor.

Resources & Links
Book 'Everything Moves: How Biotensegrity Informs Human Movement'

My  instructions for making a collapsible tensegrity using common household materials:  https://youtu.be/RuEjQ228sy0
I can best be reached through: BiotensegrityArchive.org or my twitter account: @1Biotensegrity

TensegrityInBiology.co.uk

Colloquy on Biotensegrity and Equine Health

BiotensegriTea Party w Veterinary Pathologist Dr. Elizabeth Uhl

The North Face Tent Design innovations, Bruce Hamilton & Buckminster Fuller

Maren Diehl is sort of a field researcher in biotensegrity since 2015, probably the first one in equitation and for sure the first one without any ties to riding styles and training systems.

After many years as a rider, trainer and instructor with more questions than answers, Maren Diehl found biotensegrity to be a good explanatory model for living beings in motion, and things started to make sense. In her online courses she teaches what biotensegrity is all about, what it is good for and how it differs from what we know as biomechanics.

For her biotensegrity gives a new insight into perceived problems and solutions in the world of horses and equitation and provides a theoretical foundation on which to build, a new way of looking at things - a paradigm shift.

Homepage

https://www.die-pferde-sind-nicht-das-problem.de/
YouTube channel
https://youtube.com/channel/UCL7K6Wlbi33X3kSR74414eA

Book "Beyond Biomechanics - Biotensegrity"
English (choose your country bottom right)
https://shop.tredition.com/booktitle/Beyond_Biomechanics_-_Biotensegrity/W-85_1495

In this episode I am joined by two more fabulous guests to explore a topic that has fascinated me since I came across it in my research into haptic perception. Biotensegrity.

The paper that is referenced in the podcast is my PhD concept paper https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/17479541221107379

To give you an overview of biotensegrity check out this short Youtube video
https://youtu.be/MfBuDci3GlM

This was such a wonderful conversation and went on for two hours so I have decided to split this episode into two parts. I would like to thank both my guests for joining me in this conversation from different parts of the world.

In part 1 we start with an exploration of what both tensegrity (including the humble pop-up tent) and biotensegrity are before going on a journey around many topics including;

• What biotensegrity means to our understanding of functional movement.
• How this can inform our horse training and equestrian coaching. 
• Haptic perception (sense of touch, pressure, including the ability to actively perceive surfaces and grasp objects).
• Positive and negative moment patterns.
• We touch on many subjects from previous episodes including flow and anti-fragility.
• The links to a constraints led approach to coaching.

About my guests.
Susan Lowell de Solorzano has an MA in Human Development and Education with a focus on kinesthetic learning and is a certified level  III T-ai Chi instructor. 

Resources & Links
Book 'Everything Moves: How Biotensegrity Informs Human Movement'

My  instructions for making a collapsible tensegrity using common household materials:  https://youtu.be/RuEjQ228sy0
I can best be reached through: BiotensegrityArchive.org or my twitter account: @1Biotensegrity

TensegrityInBiology.co.uk

Colloquy on Biotensegrity and Equine Health

BiotensegriTea Party w Veterinary Pathologist Dr. Elizabeth Uhl

The North Face Tent Design innovations, Bruce Hamilton & Buckminster Fuller

Maren Diehl is sort of a field researcher in biotensegrity since 2015, probably the first one in equitation and for sure the first one without any ties to riding styles and training systems.

After many years as a rider, trainer and instructor with more questions than answers, Maren Diehl found biotensegrity to be a good explanatory model for living beings in motion, and things started to make sense. In her online courses she teaches what biotensegrity is all about, what it is good for and how it differs from what we know as biomechanics.

For her biotensegrity gives a new insight into perceived problems and solutions in the world of horses and equitation and provides a theoretical foundation on which to build, a new way of looking at things - a paradigm shift.

Homepage

https://www.die-pferde-sind-nicht-das-problem.de/
YouTube channel
https://youtube.com/channel/UCL7K6Wlbi33X3kSR74414eA

Book "Beyond Biomechanics - Biotensegrity"
English (choose your country bottom right)
https://shop.tredition.com/booktitle/Beyond_Biomechanics_-_Biotensegrity/W-85_1495

Flow State is described as being fully immersed and absorbed in an activity in a way that leads to optimal positive states of experience.

In this conversation we cover the background of flow states, including why we would want to seek flow, how it is defined and how it could be measured. The term flow was named by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who identified six factors that encompass an experience of flow.
1. Intense concentration in the moment.
2. Merging of action and awareness.
3. A loss of reflective self-consciousness.
4. A sense of personal control or agency.
5. A change in how time is experienced.
6. Experience of the activity as intrinsically rewarding.

Among the flow themes of this conversation we discuss:
- The role of intrinsic and extrinsic reward.
- The interaction of perceiving and moving and the link to perception-action coupling.
- Flow in relationships, including horses and competitive sports.
- How humility, trust and curiosity link to the experiences of flow.
- Finding our 'edges' and the importance of adaptive competence.
- Nested anticipation.
- The long term benefits of flow states.
 

More about my guests on this episode.
David Farrokh is a PhD candidate at Sheffield Hallam University (with Prof Keith Davids, Dr Joe Stone, and Dr James Rumbold) researching flow from an ecological dynamics perspective.

Find David on FaceBook and Twitter @bigpicsoccer

Maddi Burchell is a British Dressage and British Horse Society Accredited Coach who trains all levels of horse and rider. She is also a British Dressage Youth Coach and Assessor. 

In 2021, Maddi was given a space on the British Equestrian National Development Programme for Coaching Excellence, which she has successfully completed. Maddie is also a Centre 10 Advanced Coach, holds an applied psychology certificate, and qualifications in both Rider Biomechanics and the correct use of Franklin Balls.

 This means that Maddi can support riders to develop both from a psychological and movement skills perspective. With her friendly, encouraging, and motivational style, Maddi’s has a skill for finding just the right way to coach the rider in front of her! Throughout her career, Maddi has helped riders successfully overcome a whole host of challenges, problems, and confidence. Having been trained by Classical Masters abroad and by Olympic Gold Medallist’s here in the UK, you can be sure you are receiving the very best coaching.

Maddi is on Facebook, and has her own website Maddi Burchell Dressage.

In this episode, I catch up with someone who is very much a practitioner for a wonderful conversation about his thoughts and reflections on the history and future of dressage. Georges shares his incredible experience, philosophy and opinions with candour, warmth, humour, and a great love of horses shining through the conversation.

This episode is filled with a wonderful mix of personal stories and practical advise for improving your riding and relationship with your horses.  All of this is underpinned by  a passion for ensuring that equestrianism seriously tackles the current issues facing horse welfare.

This is the link to the research paper about conflict behaviours in dressage https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787822000843?fbclid=IwAR2S3rt9_0CnpuMoU2um2_pJ4ZwLPCHXTWa-k3k_1LidixPQB2YuJkLS7B4

About Georges and Carreg Dressage.
"HORSE & RIDER IMPROVEMENT
With over 35 years of experience of successfully progressing many horses and riders, Georges Dewez has a tremendous depth of both practical and academic knowledge – enabling you to take your riding to the next level.

LIGHT, FORWARD & BALANCED
The proof of our approach is the trademark of Carreg Dressage –  happy horses with an ability to show expressive and gymnastic paces whilst moving correctly over the back.

IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
We are fortunate to be based in the UNESCO recognised Dyfi Biosphere in mid-Wales.  Our ethical and organic principles ensure that we minimise our impact on this land, and provide a sustainable resource for our equestrian business."

Find Georges on Facebook
The Carreg Dressage Website at https://www.carregdressage.co.uk/

In this conversation we explore the performance demands of sports where each competition course is unique and is viewed from a position other than by practicing.  By walking the course in Showjumping or walking along the banks to view the course in Canoe Slalom. 

Other than identifying the best route through the course, what other information could be attended to that would support a successful performance? Craig and Richard discuss and compare the performance demands of the two sports.
These include:

• The need to have a plan to reduce the number possible actions and identify the best routes or lines though a course. This is an education of 'intention.'
• Having a plan that helps to constrain the focus of attention of the performer. Guiding their attention toward the information that will support them to realise their performance goals. This could be described as an education of 'attention.'
• Flexible enough to allow them to remain open to what is happening in the performance and be adaptive. Ongoing calibration of perception and action.

I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I did!

About my guests:
Richard Seals is a Professional Show Jumper and like many others in this sport he continues to compete as well as coach and bring on horses. Richard is a British Show Jumping UKCC level 3 coach and has just started his Level 4 at Gloucester University. He has also completed National development program for coaching excellence and a Pony Club Accredited Coach.

Richard has also been active as a representative on many committees including British Show Jumping Area 21 (Derbyshire), the Rider representative on the British Show Jumping National Sport committee, and a representative/ consultant on the Sport Horse Research Foundation.

Richard can be contacted via facebook or his website.

Craig Morris is an Olympic Canoe Slalom Coach and High Performance Coach consultant with over 17 years of experience in performance coaching.

A person-centred, inspirational leader, Craig has gained recognition both nationally and internationally for his ability to develop individual athletes and teams through a trans-disciplinary approach to development transcending pathway to podium.  

Personal coach to 1 individual senior Olympic, World and European podiums and over 30 World Cup podiums, across multiple athletes and 4 Olympic disciplines, Craig is regarded as one of the World’s leading Canoe Slalom coaches and skill acquisition specialists.

More recently Craig has become a Director and Performance Coach for Cultured Coaching Ltd, offering high performance bespoke development and executive coaching and mentoring to individuals and teams across a myriad of domains.

Wherever Craig goes he aims to be innovative in his coaching practice and is increasingly engaged worldwide in fields including leadership, coach development, skill acquisition, mentoring and ecological approaches to performance coaching. 

Committed to facilitating others to shine, he is well known for being highly skilled in building and evolving relationships across performance teams.

Recognised for committing significant time to building a coaching chain, both within Canoeing and across other sports, Craig’s passion and skill to support other coaches and engage on a mutual learning journey through dyadic mentoring is growing rapidly.

Craig can be contacted via 
email at [email protected]

 On Twitter @MorrisCraig_

 LinkedIn  Craig Morris