Communicating and Connecting
Richard and his wife, Cheryl, have operated Richard Winters Horsemanship for over 26 years. Hosting summer events at their home base at the prestigious Thacher School in Ojai, CA, along with training horses, conducting clinics, and presenting at horse expos around the country give the couple a reason to get out of bed each morning. Recently, their daughter Sarah returned home to become an integral part of the family business. We recently caught up with Richard Winters and his daughter Sarah to talk about horses.
~ Cheryl Caldwell, Honest Horses Magazine
Q: Do you consider yourselves “natural horsemanship” trainers?
Richard: Natural Horsemanship is a term that was coined by Pat Parelli many years ago, and now it has a broader definition to all those who are trying to communicate effectively to horses and present ideas to them in a way that they can understand. I think it is a pretty good term that people can use to identify this methodology. If I were striving to earn a title, I think I would be honored if people referred to me as simply a “horseman” and all that it embodies.
Sarah: It is my goal to have a relationship with my horse built on trust and respect, rather than fear and intimidation. I have
been raised around the terms “horseman” and “horsewomen,” but natural horseman- ship is universally known and accepted for these ideas.
Q: Beyond conducting clinics, starting colts, and working with problem horses,
you have also enjoyed success in the show arena. Was that a big leap?
Richard: I have always admired the Reined Cow Horses, with their traditions of vaquero horsemanship. In the last ten years, I have been able to dedicate more time to my personal horsemanship skills. Stepping out into the show pen is a good way to evaluate whether I am actually getting something done, or just blowing
22 March-April 2012 | Honest Horses Magazine
smoke. It has caused me to step up to the plate and really get my horses broke. When I enter the show pen, the judges don’t care who I am or how many clinics I have taught. My horse and I either perform or we don’t.
Sarah: It was a challenge. When com- petition is added, any holes I might have in my program are going to be exposed. Once I’m in the show pen, I can’t tell the judge, “Wait just a second while I fix this problem.” I have got to have my horse broke before stepping through that gate. Learning how to get a horse to this point has been a long journey. And what’s funny is the more I learn and the farther I get, I discover there is so much farther to go.
with Richard Winters and his daughter Sarah
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