
The River Tiger Podcast from Dynamics Coaching
Our mission is to bring evidence-based research, theory, and practice to life in an engaging, enjoyable, and practical manner. We aim to foster a vibrant community where knowledge meets application in the realms of adventure, lifestyle, and equestrian sports.Join us as we delve into spontaneous and insightful conversations with practitioners and researchers across the fields of learning, skill acquisition, movement sciences, ethics, and philosophy, particularly in relation to adventure and equestrian sports. Our focus is on sports that embrace fluidity and lack rigid boundaries or rules, inherently involving risks that cannot be completely eliminated. We believe that these sports present unique challenges and opportunities that differ from those found in many traditional sports. However, we aspire for our podcasts to resonate with coaches and participants across a diverse spectrum of sports and activities.Become part of our passionate community, nurture your skills, forge connections, uphold ethical standards, and revolutionise your approach to acquiring movement skills.
Latest episodes

Aug 18, 2024 • 1h 15min
Breaking Flow! A conversation with Joe Kelly about skill acquisition and coaching in high risk activities.
This episode with Joe Kelly, widely known as the Barefoot Athlete, was a treat to record, and equally fascinating to re-listen to before publishing.With over 25 years in movement coaching, Jo's journey spans fitness, rehabilitation, and adventure sports, leading to profound insights into skill acquisition and the importance of embodiment in athletic performance.Jo emphasises "thinking with your feet," highlighting the intelligence present in our bodies, which allows us to make real-time decisions based on tactile feedback from our environments. He advocates for training environments that embrace variability and the possibility of error, asserting that such conditions promote resilience and adaptability, qualities essential for effective coaching and performance.A key theme in our conversation was the relationship between confidence and competence. Jo argues that confidence stems from navigating challenging situations successfully, so creating safe training conditions where individuals can experiment without fear of catastrophic failure is vital. Ultimately, Jo's philosophy encourages athletes to engage dynamically with their surroundings and to appreciate the learning journey. By fostering a culture that celebrates curiosity and resilience, while accepting mistakes as part of growth, coaches can help individuals cultivate a lifelong love for movement. As Jo embarks on a master's in performance psychology, he aims to enhance his understanding of these concepts, inspiring others to explore their movement experiences creatively and fearlessly.My guest is Joe Kelly and you can find him on X (Twitter) @BarefootAthlete and on Instagram: @barefootathleteI will be adding more detailed show notes and lots of links to books, film clips and other resources. Here is the film of the paraglider with the tangled wing that Joe talks about in the podcast https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzITu4ZoJz7/?igsh=MWRwaHFlYzRxNHN2And some videos of the catch game that Joe mentions from the sessions he runs: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvT8nUQHSav/?igsh=MXhqb2I4dzNmZm40eQ%3D%3Dhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BtQrzKLHQAC/?igsh=MTc5Nmk1cDhsY2RyeA%3D%3D

Aug 13, 2024 • 30min
Let's talk about menopause! A conversation with Steph Bradley about supporting women to stay active.
In this episode, my guest, Steph Bradley shares her research into the impact of menopause and peri-menopause on women in equestrian sports. In this refreshingly candid and open conversation, Steph delves into the challenges faced by women and the importance of sustaining women's participation in equestrian and other sports. She examines the various symptoms that may lead some women to step away from the sport, while also highlighting the necessity to become more informed and the value of establishing strong support networks for female equestrians. The discussion focusses on the impact of menopause on women in the equestrian community, addressing the physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms that a high proportion of women experience. Steph shares examples of the many challenges that arise when striving to stay engaged and/or maintain peak performance during menopause. Finally, she reflects on the significance of adapting coaching strategies to better support older riders and emphasises the importance of decision-making and agency in different contexts. This conversation aims to inspire and empower women to remain active and engaged in the equestrian world and any other physical sport or activity.My guest on this episode is Steph Bradley from Freedom Saddlery and Whitegate Farm. "Steph offers a fully qualified, independent professional saddle fitting consultation service. She is an S.M.S. Qualified Master Saddle Fitter & Approved Retailer, qualified Master Saddle Fitting Consultant, she has an MSc in Professional Coaching Practice, is a qualified UKCC Level 3 coach/ BHS Accredited Professional Coach, British Equestrian Level 4 Coach, and a member of B.E.T.A."Website: https://www.freedomsaddlery.co.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitegatefarmliveryandtrainingcentre

Aug 3, 2024 • 1h 12min
Training your horse using contemporary movement science. Kathy Sierra shares practical tips for helping your horse become a skilful and motivated mover.
Kathy Sierra, an expert in movement science and learning theory, shares her insights on training horses without force. She discusses innovative strategies that respect a horse's agency, emphasizing the importance of motivation and trust. Kathy explores contemporary movement science principles, advocating for variability in training to enhance performance and engagement. She reflects on her paddleboarding adventure, illustrating how embracing diverse movements can benefit both horses and humans. The conversation promotes a shift towards non-violent training methods, fostering autonomy and joy in movement.

Jul 14, 2024 • 45min
Meeting the demands of your sport; increasing fitness and performance, reducing injury and pain. A conversation with The Equestrian Physio, Katie Wood.
Staying fit, healthy and injury free is so important to all riders and horses, regardless of age or level of activity.This conversation covers a wide range of topics around how we can improve both horse and human performance and longevity by improving movement ability, fitness, resilience (or anti-fragility), and rehab.Katie Wood is a Reg. Physiotherapist, MSc in Equine Science, eventer, gaited horse trainer, and equestrian performance expert. Katie describes her role as "Empowering equestrian athletes of all levels and disciplines with evidence-informed rehab, strength & conditioning, care and education." Her multi disciplinary approach is refreshing and powerful.Katie finishes this episode with some great ideas about what we can all do to improve our own, and our equines, performance and health.My guest Katie Wood"I work with horses, riders, athletes, and anyone with a body. I understand how important it is to have a rehab professional in your corner that understands the demands of your sport. Whether you’re struggling with an injury, pain, performance issue, or just looking for ways to empower your role in the rider-horse relationship, I’ve got solutions for you."Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/theequestrianphysio/Websitehttps://www.theequestrianphysio.ca/

May 26, 2024 • 45min
How equipment design impacts motivation and skill acquisition. A conversation with adventure sport athlete and designer, Corran Addison.
This is a great conversation for coaches and participants of all sports. Kit and equipment design has always fascinated me. Since my early days of learning to kayak in boats, wearing clothing and using paddles that were designed for men (not people shaped like me), I have been intrigued by how much our kit and equipment can impact skill development and motivation. Nowadays company's are designing equipment scaled for children, and designed for women. Many coaches understand how important scaled equipment is to support perception-action coupling and skill development. Corran Addison has always combined designing kit with using it. I wanted to find out more about his understanding of how his kit and equipment design was rooted in his unique perspectives on movement within his performance environments and of how design could support or thwart the development of skill by highlighting or dampening perception action coupling. We also talked about motivation, play and the importance of safe environments for developing confident, competent and happily active and adaptive youngsters.About my guest:Corran Addison runs the Soul Adrenaline Factory. "A boutique brand focused squarely on innovation: in design, execution and overall appearance is our company philosophy. We have capitalized on the illustrious design career of Corran Addison, who throughout his years as paddler, surfer, snowboarder, designer and manufacturer, has been known for his innovative work."At Soul, everything we do is about making our products the very best. We cut no corners, and spare no expense. Our designs are forward thinking and fill specific niches, our kayak outfitting is second to none, and we use the best plastic that money can buy. Our snowboard designs and construction materials are as unique as our kayaks, as are our paddle boards. Everything about our products says “you’re getting the very best” - all backed with a LIFETIME warranty. For more about Corran check out what SOUL is to him, and who it is for here:https://www.soulwaterman.com/pages/about-usSOUL Waterman Websitehttps://www.soulwaterman.com/

May 13, 2024 • 49min
Leading change: paradigm shifts and the importance of being evidence informed. A conversation with climbing coach Pete Edwards.
My guest this episode is Pete Edwards of Prowess Coaching. Firstly I need to say a huge thank you to Pete for taking some time out a few days before his wedding to talk to me. As with most of my conversations, this is (I hope) of interest to all coaches of all sports.I have always loved my conversations with Pete so I was delighted that he agreed to let me record one of them. In this conversation we explored many topics around coaching including the evolution of different sports, developing a personal philosophy, ethics in sports, sports with socially constructed rules, and designing practice. The golden threads through the conversation were evidence informed practice and coach learning.Here are some of the articles and films we recommended in the conversation.Games climber play, by Lito Tejada-flores, Alpine Journal, 1968. https://www.alpinejournal.org.uk/Contents/Contents_1968_files/AJ%201968%2046-52%20Tejada-Flores%20Games.pdfRotpunkt, Alex Megos and the Advent, the Agony and the Art of the Redpoint | Patagonia UTube 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbWvFjUIt5kValley Uprising, Yosemite's Rock Climbing Revolution, 2014 (film). Riding Giants, 2004 documentary about the evolution of big wave surfing.Pete EdwardsPete Edwards is a professional climbing coach, running his own business, Prowess Climbing Coaching. He runs private sessions with climbers of all ages and abilities, as well as nationally recognised coach-education courses. He recently completed the Mountain Training Performance Coach Training - the top level of coaching award for climbing coaches in the UK - as one of only 24 coaches to have currently been trained, and is currently working towards assessment. Pete also has a Master's degree in Elite Performance from the University of Central Lancashire and is building towards starting a PhD next year. Prowess Climbing Coachinghttps://prowesscoaching.co.uk/+44 7792 854 863On FacebookOn LinkedIn

Apr 28, 2024 • 1h 16min
The importance of agency and relationships: A conversation about enhancing the wellbeing of our horses with Bonny Mealand and Emily Kieson.
I love all of my podcast episodes, but every now and again I get to record and be part of a conversation that I could have a profound influence on both me and other equestrians. This is one of those conversations.For the full length introduction and links to research papers, go to the Dynamics Coaching website page - https://wp.me/paOEAX-sgMy guests on this episode are Bonny Mealand and Emily Kieson:Bonny Mealand DEP MEPABonny’s niche is trimming the hooves of wild horses, combining her extensive experience as an Equine Podiatrist , fascination with equine behaviour, and her skill as a trainer of the “untrainable”.Web site - https://www.touchingwild.com/ Online Course - https://community-touchingwild.mn.co/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/touching_wildFacebook (Learning Wild) - https://m.facebook.com/learning.wild.global/Facebook (Touching Wild) - https://m.facebook.com/TouchingWild/Emily Kieson PhD, MS, PgDipEmily Kieson serves as Executive Director at Equine International, a US-based nonprofit focused on research, education, and outreach in the fields of equine behavior, welfare, and equine-human interactions. Emily holds a PhD in Comparative Psychology, a MS in Psychology, and a graduate degree in Equine Science. She also holds multiple certifications in various models of equine-assisted activities and recently served as Chair of the Equine Welfare Committee with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH).

Mar 14, 2024 • 53min
Evolving Trends in Equestrian Journalism. A conversation with Sara Bref and Dr Petra Andersson.
I reached out to Sara Bref after reading a translation of one of her articles for the Swedish equestrian magazine Hippson. After a brief exchange of emails, I invited Sara to be a guest and Sara asked if she could bring Petra with her. I know I always say that my guests are awesome (they are), but this was a very special and rich conversation that also left me feeling more hopeful and thoughtful about the future of equestrianism and equestrian sports. I hope that you enjoy listening to the conversation and please do follow my guests and their wonderful journalism (mot of it is in Swedish so google-translate might be a good companion and well worth the effort to translate).Sara wrote an article about my concept paper 'Can’t jump, won’t jump: Affordances of the horse-rider dyad underpin skill adaptation in showjumping using a constraints-led approach. (Davies, M., Stone, J. A., Davids, K., Williams, J., & O’Sullivan, M. (2023). Can’t jump, won’t jump: Affordances of the horse-rider dyad underpin skill adaptation in showjumping using a constraints-led approach. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 18(4), 1313-1319). Research article -https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221107379Hippson article -https://www.hippson.se/artikelarkivet/forskning/forskare-belyser-var-syn-pa-hasten.htm?fbclid=IwAR2wse5e49Wj0TyqADTsRq_wH7QwzqHQBev9VPteV5yokoT4Dtc7JiliafM My guests on this episode were: Sara Bref Sara has a degree in Animal Science and is also a journalist. Sara currently works at the Swedish Farmers Association, before that she worked with science communication at a Swedish university. Sara has also been writing popular science for horse magazines (mostly hippson.se) for 15 years. Sara can be reached on her LinkedIn, though she only posts in Swedish: Sara Bref | LinkedInPetra AnderssonPetra has a PhD in practical philosophy and has a position as a researcher and teacher in practical philosophy at The University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Most of Petra's teaching is in environmental ethics and animal ethics. Most of her research is about horse welfare.Petra is on Facebook and can be contacted through her university email at petra.andersson@filosofi.gu.se

Feb 27, 2024 • 34min
If movement behaviour is a problem-solving activity, is there such a thing as "correct" biomechanics? A conversation with skill acquisition specialist, Tyler Yearby.
In this episode I caught up with my good friend Tyler Yearby from Emergence and US Ski and Snowboard to discuss his work in strength and conditioning, movement technique, biomechanics, and coaching.I hope that you enjoy this episode. Please get in touch with your reflections and feedback. Research Papers(Re)conceptualizing movement behavior in sport as a problem-solving activity - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1130131/fullReserachGate Proflie https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tyler-YearbyContactingTylerX - @TylerYearbyLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-yearby-59b89b5a/

Jan 27, 2024 • 55min
Welfare, safety, and training. Exploring a systems view of equestrianism with PhD candidate Karen Luke.
I came across Karen's research while reading up for the discussion section of one of my PhD study papers. In this conversation we explore systems thinking, how it applies to horses and equestrianism, welfare, training and lots more. I hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.My guest on this episode is PhD candidate, Karen Luke.Karen Luke researches rider motivation and safety as well as horse welfare and welfare assessment at Central Queensland University. Her work includes developing a new approach to horse welfare based on systems thinking and a new ridden horse welfare assessment tool that she used to show a connection between horse welfare and rider safety. She has also investigated equestrians’ understanding of horse welfare and most recently, why equestrians make the choices they do when it comes to horse keeping and training. Karen lives in Melbourne, Australia and when not researching, enjoys riding and training her own horses.Recommended books:The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision. Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi.Ways of Being. James Bridle.Karen's ReserachGate profile:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen-Luke-2Twitter/ X@K_L_LukeJust Equestrian Solutions Website:https://justequestriansolutions.com/index.htmlThe research on rats, motivation, welfare, and learning (lego cars and fruit loops):https://urnow.richmond.edu/video/article/-/19727/rats-who-ride-see-the-latest-from-urs-motoring-rodents-.html?utm_source=www&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=video-story