Pepijn Ott, alumnus Equine Management
I am 31 years old. I was born in a little village in Noord-Holland, called Schagerbrug. But from age 17 onwards I lived in the Brabant city of Deurne. I attended an intermediate vocational education in equestrian sports and subsequently worked in that region as a show jumper for 9 years. The longest period was a 4-year-period at Stal Leo de Bruijn, and a 5-year-period at Hengstenhouderij van Bommel. I was responsible for training the young horses from Training Level to Third Level.
I have always tremendously enjoyed my work. Unfortunately it will never make you a rich man and you will never have two pennies to rub against each other. That's why one day I decided to get a solid education; and I found VHL.
After my stay in Writtle I became more and more interested in education and what the best ways are for people to learn something. This has my undivided attention, both inside and outside my study. Both in theory as in my show jump trainings I try out various teaching methods. Apart from my study my greatest hobby is the training of horses and riders.
My future will therefore definitely be in education. I particularly would like my mission to be the connection between the studies and the real field of work.
Study on rider self confidence in Sweden
After a teriffic work placement and a wonderful time at Writtle College in Great Britain I have finally reached the graduation phase.
During a twenty-week-period you independently work on a research project of your own choice. The subject of your choice is completely free; as long as there's a relation with horses. From a business plan for a riding hall to research into bacteria in the colon of the horse. Anything is possible.
"When I first heard about the study Equine Management (the precursor of Equine, Leisure and Sports at the time) at Van Hall Larenstein I became very enthusiastic."
A subject which has always intrigued me personally was the psychology of riders. What happens when someone enters a competition and becomes nervous? Does he perform better, or worse? To what extent does self confidence influence your horse's behaviour? Can you enhance self confidence? Questions that keep me occupied.
In collaboration with the National Equestrian Centre in Sweden we started a study in which we measure the self confidence of riders by means of a specially developed test. We let them show jump and observe how well they perform. Half of the group subsquently receives a training programme to enhance their self confidence. After 10 weeks of training we test all riders once more and observe whether those who gained more self confidence are actually performing better as well.
In the equestrian world sport psychology is only marginally developed, and many riders seem to be ashamed if they are nervous before a competition. By conducting these kinds of studies we hope to remove the shame and to develop a market for sport psychology. In short, a tremendously interesting study with great perspectives.
The most terrific part of this study may very well be that you combine practical experience with high-level theoretical knowledge.
My supervisor at Van Hall-Larenstein always says: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." Conducting this study gives me a tremendous feeling of enthusiasm, possibly even "the direction of my dreams".