This is an innovative book where the authors have comprehensively combined their expertise, to produce a thought-provoking approach to coaching. Merging the knowledge of equestrian sport with commercial business management and coaching, the book invites the coach and learner to consider the joint responsibility involved in creating a secure learning experience. Exploring such subjects as: self awareness, emotional resilience, mindset affecting performance and self reflection, the authors encourage the reader to constantly move forward, adapt and be tenacious. Learning from the best and worst experiences to further self confidence and skill ability. The relationship with the horse being pivotal, the book invites the coach and learner to be the ‘best they can be.’ Components are discussed that ensure facilitation and achievement of your goals – whatever they might be. Innovative and inspirational guide for riders and coaches Easy to dip in and out of with checklists, hints and tips Illustrated throughout with colour diagrams and artistic images Includes case studies teaching the reader to learn from the best and worst experiences Foreword by Carl Hester MBE, winner of Team Gold @ 2012 London Olympics

Bind: paperback

Pages: 208

Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm

Publication Date: 20-07-2016

HEARD ISLAND, an improbably remote speck in the far Southern Ocean, lies four thousand kilometres to the south-west of Australia—with Antarctica its nearest continent. By 1964 it had been the object of a number of expeditions, but none reaching the summit of its 9000-foot volcanic peak ‘Big Ben’. In that year Warwick Deacock resolved to rectify this omission, and as-sembled a party of nine with impressive credentials embracing mountaineering, exploration, science and medicine, plus his own organisation and leadership skills as a former Major in the British Army. But first they had to get there. Heard had no airstrip and was on no steamer route; the only way was by sea in their own vessel. Approached from Australia, the island lay in the teeth of the prevailing westerlies of the ‘Roar-ing Forties’and ‘Furious Fifties’. One name, only, came to mind as the skipper to navigate them safely to their destination, and safely home—the veteran mountaineer turned high-latitude sailor H. W. ‘Bill’ Tilman, already renowned for his ‘sailing to climb’ expeditions to Patagonia, Greenland and Arctic Canada, and the sub-Antarctic archipelagos of Crozet and Kerguelen, to the north-west of Heard Island. He readily ‘signed on’ to Warwick Deacock’s team of proven individuals and their well-found sailing vessel Patanela. In this first-hand account, as fresh today as on its first publication fifty years ago, Philip Temple invites us all on this superbly conducted, happy and successful expedition, aided by many previously unpublished photographs by Warwick Deacock. ‘The Skipper’—a man not free with his praise—described the enterprise as ‘a complete thing’. PHILIP TEMPLE was born in Yorkshire in 1939, educated in London, and emigrated to New Zealand in 1957. Prior to this expedition he had climbed extensively in New Zealand and West New Guinea. Since 1972 he has followed a career as an author of both fiction and non-fiction, often writing books about mountains and exploration. He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005 for ‘services to literature’ and gained a LittD degree in 2007. He lives in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 232

Dimensions: 216 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 01-08-2016

Sport can bring out the best in us...and the worst. The high-pressure world of competitive sport has been shaken over the years by a series of major scandals. Involving drugs, sex, violence, money or pure and simple cheating, these incidents have ruined reputations, fuelled suspicions and shocked loyal supporters. Highlighting some of the most memorable cases from around the world, Norman Ferguson explores both recent and historic instances of dishonesty, betrayal and outrageous unsporting behaviour. Over 35 scandals, including: * How cancer-survivor Lance Armstrong deceived his fans and cheated his way to seven Tour de France victories * The World Cup bidding processes that brought the FBI to FIFA's door * Figure skater Tonya Harding's sinister plot to break the leg of her rival, Nancy Kerrigan.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 320

Dimensions: 129 x 198 mm

Publication Date: 10-10-2016

Rally the troops - it's time for adventure! Ex-Commando and dad of three Neil Sinclair follows his best-selling parenting manual Commando Dad: Basic Training with this guide bursting with ideas for getting active with your kids. This fully illustrated field manual is packed with dozens of missions for you and your troops to enjoy - from creative projects at home in Base Camp, to full-blown outdoor adventures, all with expert advice and carefully drafted mission briefs to make sure you get the most out of your time together. Discover the tried and tested Commando Dad approach to parenting and teach your young troopers to be the best they can be!

Bind: paperback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 210 x 248 mm

Publication Date: 11-07-2016

Approaching dressage from a newcomer’s perspective can be a little daunting. There seems to be so much to learn, so much to understand and some confusion surrounding what judges are looking for in tests. Even experienced riders find it difficult to break out of the 65–70% range in their test marks. Using the steps of Accuracy, Fluidity, Understanding, Practice and Review this book gives readers a clear framework on which they can build confidence in their approach to dressage training and test riding. These steps reveal where readers could be losing valuable marks and arms them with the understanding needed to achieve much higher scores. Published privately, the first edition of this book was a great success, garnering over five-star reviews and being placed in the top best-selling books on Amazon. Its popularity owed much to the ‘easy to understand language’, the clear diagrams and photographs and the overall philosophy of communication, empathy and skill development. These aspects are all retained in this revised edition, which has been expanded to include chapters on groundwork, and rider fitness. After reading this book you will be able to have a better relationship with your horse, ride more beautiful tests and get higher marks. 'Read this book to help you understand and develop the skills that good trainers often take for granted. Students and teachers all benefit when these are made explicit, giving a road map that can take us from point A to point B. This is a journey of increasing skills and scores, designed to bring more satisfaction to your riding.’ – From the Foreword by Mary Wanless BHSI BSc

Bind: paperback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 20-11-2015

Learn how to paddle more safely and with more confidence. Whether you're interest is in paddling in more challenging conditions or in learning new skills and concepts that will boost your confidence for sheltered paddling, Sea Kayaking Rough Waters will take you there. With stunning photography, fun illustrations and a gold mine of knowledge passed on by expert sea kayaker, Alex Matthews, Sea Kayaking Rough Waters is a must-have for all sea kayakers.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 126

Dimensions: 230 x 205 mm

"Touring and Sea Kayaking" provides beginner and experienced kayakers with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and comfortably enjoy sea kayaking. Whether you're interested in touring around inland waterways, or exploring coastal waters, the stunning photography, fun illustrations, and concise descriptions drawn from expert sea kayaker, Alex Matthews, and World Champion Kayaker and best-selling author, Ken Whiting, make this book the most valuable on the sport.

Pages: 124

Dimensions: 153 x 228 mm

In this clear and attractive book are all the essential skills you need to be a competent all-round flyfisher. With John Symonds you will learn how to fish for trout and salmon in stillwaters from both bank and boat; in rivers; dry fly and wet fly. You will know how to tie reliable and easy knots, to construct the right leaders, learn where the fish are most likely to lie, how to cast to them and which flies to use. How to Flyfish will bring you up-to-date with all the latest on leader construction and knots, boat control with the paradrogue, traditional nymphing methods to the popular tenkara style. Packed with useful tips and clear diagrams.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 96

Dimensions: 189 x 246 mm

Publication Date: 01-08-2014

In 1951, an 18-year-old Kiwi lad named Tony Armit decided to build a 28-foot wooden yacht. Three years later, he christened her Marco Polo, then with a former school rugby mate, Brian ‘Tig’ Loe, set sail from Auckland on an epic voyage... and whatever adventure may await. In the process, Tony and Tig became the first New Zealanders to circumnavigate the globe. Tony always intended to write a book, and now – about 70 years later – he has, telling the story here for the first time in full – a vital addition to New Zealand’s proud sailing heritage. Through near disaster, good fortune, storm and calm, it's a yarn full of humour, drama, can-do Kiwism, romance and adventure, as Tig, Tony and Marco experience the world as it was in the 1950s. First heading to Australia, then across the Indian Ocean to South Africa, round the Cape, across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, North America, the Panama Canal, the Galápagos, the Pacific Islands – and points between – encountering a host of colourful and unique characters along the way. A must-read for lovers of sailing and true-life adventure, and a perfect book for the boat or bach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUtwHyz9Otc

Bind: paperback

Pages: 592

Dimensions: 148 x 210 mm

Publication Date: 21-10-2022

Following on from the highly acclaimed Kottas on Dressage, this new book by one of the foremost exponents of Classical dressage offers advice on the correct way to introduce work on the paces, exercises and movements, together with in-depth analysis of common problems and ways to correct them. The author makes the point that many errors are rooted in faulty posture or aiding on the rider’s part, and emphasises throughout the importance of focusing on these issues at all stages of training. Constant emphasis is also placed on the need to be mindful of the horse’s mental and physical ability to cope with what is being asked of him – there are reminders throughout that, often, the best way to achieve progress is to take a step back and ensure that the building blocks are in place that will facilitate the next step forward. The need to consider various aspects of conformation is also stressed – not all horses are perfect specimens, and the overall training of any horse will be enhanced if due consideration is given to individual characteristics. Dressage Solutions takes the reader through many stages of training, from ensuring that the basic paces are correct, through introducing the lateral exercises, developing the canter, rein-back, piaffe and passage, to a final chapter that explains some of the long-established movements of the High School. This is a journey that will provide much food for thought, and a great deal of invaluable advice, for all riders who have progress and their horse’s well-being at heart.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 176

Dimensions: 189 x 246 mm

Publication Date: 31-05-2014