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JUNE 2003 GAITED HORSE ISSUE |
CONTENTS Montana
Regional Tennesee Walking Horse Rendezvous
& Versatility Show UPCOMING ISSUES  January Wishing Star February Paint March Quarterhorse April Arabian May Reining Horse June Gaited Horse July Fjord Horse August Trail & Recreational Riding September Ride the West October Miniature Horse November Open Breed December Open Breed Don't forget the deadline! "15th of each month for the next month's publication." |
"The Horse Is My Teacher" Van Hargis Clinic Van Hargis presented "The Horse is My Teacher" 3 day clinic at the Spokane Sport Horse Farm May 3-5 and was hosted by Corkscrew Willow Ranch. I was given the opportunity to write about this clinic and I would just like to start off by saying this clinic was a breath of fresh air compared to previous clinics I have been to in the past. Van is really an exceptional horseman with the verbal skills to get even the most novice riders to understand what they are trying to accomplish and why. His humor and life stories were more than just entertaining they were very educational in giving insight to a better relationship with our horses. The clinic started out with a 3 year old Morgan gelding owned by Kathy Simpson to be put under saddle for the first time in the round pen. Van began by demonstrating the basics of communication between horse and rider and once mounted and going well, the colt moved a little too close to the side of the round pen and bumped the stirrup, spooking himself and bolted and bucked while Van gripped the saddle and started laughing. Van's hat fell off and he was more worried about his hat getting stepped on than getting bucked off. Once the colt settled down and Van quit laughing, Van concentrated on getting the colt to move out and stay relaxed. In his very noticeable southern accent, Van said, "This colt is by no means broke, but was just a short demonstration to show the communication steps needed to get a colt under saddle". The rest of the morning, with our own horses we practiced the basic ground skills necessary in all phases of horsemanship, took a break for lunch then mounted for the rest of the clinic. We began with basic reining and riding fundamentals, the concept of pressure and release for the horse to give to the bit and lateral flexion. We moved on to hip and shoulder control with correct rein and hand placement and leg pressure. Over the course of the three days we covered the steps to spins and roll backs, walking, trotting, loping, getting the correct lead and lead changes, forward movement, steps to stopping, backing....you name it, I think we did it...well at least we tried! Van also covered the steps to overcoming spooky obstacles, ground tying, and trailer loading. We all had a great time, learned a lot, made some new friends and regretted it ending. I thought I would be exhausted by the end of the three days and be more than ready to quit, but it was just the opposite and I wanted to keep riding, learn more, do more, be more! Van's passion for horses and riding is definitely addicting. Van's humor wasn't the only thing keeping us all entertained during the clinic.While we watched Ed loping his horse, we came to the conclusion he may have beat the Guinness World Book of Records for a person holding his breathe and not passing out. We're still trying to decide if Sara's trick bareback riding dismount was for show or just an accident, but since she landed on her feet, we'll just say it was planned and all for show. And if Mike would have shown a little more leg while trying to lope his horse in the round pen, we might have thought he wasn't just there for the clinic. Sorry ladies, Mike's married. The clinic was a great success, not only because of Van's horsemanship but because of all those who participated. We had a great and I mean "great" group. I want to give the following people a very big "Thank You!" for participating: Sara Morrow, Shirley Anderson, Ed Ross, Cathy Johnson, Debbie Strauss, Mike Cameron, Kathy Simpson, and all those who audited the clinic. This clinic would have never happened without your enthusiasm and love of horses. Looking forward to seeing Van again in September at "Ride The West" horse expo here in Spokane, WA! Shelley Kerr
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