Jane Armour BHSI (T & SM)

Jane grew up in a small rural town in Scotland, and was lucky enough to have her own ponies. The pleasure and passion she discovered during these early childhood years has remained with her. The desire to learn all that she could, led her to train for the British Horse Society Examinations under Robert Hall FBHS, Olympic Dressage Trainer.

Jane learnt that a systematic training program create horses that remain sound and last.  She has not deviated from these principles in over thirty-five years of teaching and training. Jane competed successfully in Scotland, England and Ireland in dressage, eventing and show hunter classes with numerous horses. Wins included hunter classes at the Royal Highland Show in Scotland and light-weight hunter championship at the Royal Ulster Show, Northern Ireland. After relocating to Ireland in she became a Ridden and In-hand Hunter Judge for the Irish Horse Shows Association. Jane came to the USA in 1997 on an Extraordinary Ability Visa as a 'Trainer of Trainers.

  Woodstock taken when he was twenty-six years old.

Photo taken by Chrissy Rochford

2003 - Present Date
Development of books, DVD’s and educational hand-outs 
Completed two books and three DVD’s. 
Clinics and Workshops at private and commercial barns
Clinician at Equifest of Kansas and North West Horse Fair Expos 2008

1999 - 2002
Promoted and developed the British Horse Society Examination System.  Traveled primarily on the East coast, Texas and California lecturing/teaching in colleges and commercial barns.  Business Consultant to commercial barns. 

1997 - 1999
Employed by Millbrook Equestrian Center, Millbrook, New York as the Chief Instructor to develop the necessary training for staff and students to host British Horse Society Exams for Stage III (Groom’s Diploma) and Preliminary Teaching Test. 

Responsible for all staff/student training programs up to the Stage IV and Intermediate Teaching Examinations.

1994 - 1997
Developed a horse stud and training facility in the West of Ireland at Tulira Castle, Co. Galway. Employed as an Examiner in Ireland and Scotland for the British Horse Society.  Organized many shows, pony club, riding club rallies and camps.  Registered Judge with the Irish Shows Association for Ridden Hunters, Young Stock and Brood-mares. Competed in dressage, showing and eventing classes.

1982 - 1994
Owned, developed and ran Dunvegan Equestrian Center, Newburgh, Scotland.  Internal Verifier for the Joint National Education and Training Committee (JNHETC) as well as staff training and student development with government enterprise companies.  Competed in dressage, showing and eventing on a variety of horses. 

1976 - 1982

Trainer, Clinician, Examiner, Hunter and Dressage Judge. 

1976
Lectured first year veterinary students in horse health and management at Edinburgh University.    

1972 - 1976 
While training with the British Olympic Dressage Trainer Mr. Robert Hall FBHS, managed his barn in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Taught competition riders and trained professional students.

By taking the time to study the horse’s physical conformation, his/her way of going and learning the language of equis, one creates a bond with our equine partner - 'a bond as strong as armour'.  

With a systematic training/fitness program every horse can improve, will last longer and be more succssful at the job his/her rider wants.   

Be patient, understanding is developed one step at a time. 

Confidence is fragile and can be destroyed in a few thoughtless moments.

Regular evaluations give the rider greater clarity and understanding.

There is always something new that one can learn. 

Stay open to alternative training methods.  Observe how the horse reacts to assess whether you like the exercises, methods or tools used.

Never bully or frighten a horse into doing something.  The end result will be an unhappy, resentful and often more difficult, unsafe horse.

Listen to your horse.

Don't do anything you don't feel ready to do.  It's perfectly alright to say, "NO." or "NO, NOT YET."  

Enjoy your horse and your riding.  Have fun while you are learning. 

"Our horses are our teachers"

Quote from Alios Podhajsky, Former Director of thre Spanish Riding School

"Instruction begins when you, the teacher, learn from the learner; put yourself in his place so that you may understand what he learns and the way he understands it."

Quote from Soren Kierkegaard