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California Riding Magazine • May, 2010 UK Equestrian: Graeme Dixon |
The financial crisis had a silver lining for long-time amateur equestrian Graeme Dixon. “I realized I was burned out on the corporate world and I decided to do something other than complain about it.” The long-time amateur jumper rider turned his passion into a profession and opened UK Equestrian one year ago. He started out small with a riding school-focused program, but things went so well he has outgrown his original digs at El Camino Equestrian Center in San Diego and has moved to Ride America, where he’ll be open for business as of May 1. Starting any new business in a bad economy is a dicey venture, but Dixon, in just one year, has already attained what he’d hoped to in five. He credits that success to a unique combination of horsemanship and confidence-building coaching savvy and the conviction that riding should be fun. A regular on the San Diego hunter/jumper circuit for 15-plus years, Dixon grew up in the United Kingdom. He learned to ride and care for horses in the thorough and structured Pony Club method and has drawn on that as a trainer. “In Pony Club, students progress by going through different levels of evaluations,” he explains. “I’ve applied that in the form of setting very specific goals for my students and creating individually tailored programs for each rider. I keep a file on each rider in which we’ve detailed their goals and the steps we’ll take to achieve them.” The systematic approach is a great confidence builder for riders, Dixon notes. “Choosing manageable goals and taking a step-by-step path to achieving them is the best way to build confidence.” Another key to Dixon’s successful start is that he used his own show mounts as lesson horses and has been able to do most of his instruction one-on-one. Equally important is Dixon’s emphasis on having a good time. “As a former amateur, I recognize that this is a hobby and an expensive one. It should be fun.” The trick, he adds, is finding a balance between working to attain goals and maintaining a positive environment. Dixon is thrilled to be starting his expansion with a move to Ride America. The San Diego boarding, training and show facility has been closed for refurbishing for the past two years. Freshly fixed up jumping and flat arenas await, along with the top amenities for horse and rider comfort, safety and enjoyment. The new setting will allow Dixon to fulfill UK Equestrian goals of having a full scale training barn, along with a busy riding school and summer and holiday camps. He’ll target the thriving San Diego County show circuit so long as that suits his clientele’s needs and go beyond that when appropriate. He welcomes adults and kids and offers coaching and training geared for success in Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation divisions. In addition to his training and lesson business, Dixon is handling boarding arrangements at Ride America.
For more information on Graeme Dixon’s UK Equestrian, visit www.theukequestrian.com or call 858-405-6409. |
