Meet Riba Stables instructor Willie Koch
KYALAMI – Local horse riding instructor believes it is all about having a good approach to the sport.
Willie Koch has been instructing horse riders for more than 30 years and still loves every minute of it.
He has been working at Riba Stables since January but first made a name for himself at Chinta Park Equitation Centre, where we worked for two decades.
“I have produced a lot of riders but I have also ridden. I used to jump A grade,” Koch said with a smile.
“I did dressage and eventing too. Here at Riba they teach all disciplines so I get to jump on a horse and show the children what to do.”
He said the best part of his job is seeing the growth in his students, both in skill and confidence. “Sometimes youngsters can be scared of horses and because they are young they will tell you everything they are thinking. I get to help them overcome that and taking them to shows and seeing them do well is a great reward for it.”
He said one of the greatest challenges in his job is communicating with smaller children and also making sure they enjoy the sport.
These can be overcome by having the right approach as an instructor, Koch said.
