Clinic Content
The format for the three days was simple and effective - everyone worked together on the fundamental skills of horsemanship, regardless of their skill level and experience. Ricky would first of all explain what he was asking for and why, then demonstrate it and finally provide feedback as everyone worked on the manoeuvre. In the mornings the focus was on ground work, in the afternoons the lessons learned on the ground were applied from the saddle. Throughout all three days there was ample opportunity to ask questions and to listen to Ricky’s many enthralling anecdotes about Buck Brannaman and Ray Hunt. Over all three days Ricky’s focus was on teaching correct execution of fundamental horsemanship skills and having a purpose to our riding that the horse can relate to. He talked a lot about being efficient and effective in our riding, and making plans for executing every manoeuvre with finesse. In Ricky’s philosophy you pay attention to detail – if you’re riding a halt, you plan which hind foot you’re going to stop on and time your cue to achieve it. Ricky asked each rider in the group, ‘How does rein back fit in to what you do with your horse?’ Answers ranged from the endurance rider who might need to back out of a tight spot on difficult footing after taking the wrong path, to the lady wanting to improve her showing scores through
realise that I wasn’t providing him with the support he needed. I was too busy getting myself through difficult situations by expecting him to deal with them and carry me through, when I should have been saying, “follow me, its ok.” After three days working with Ricky my horse is different, I’m different, everything’s different. From now on I’ll be leading the dance!’ Sinead Day
accuracy. The point was, have a plan and communicate it properly and sensitively to the horse. Ricky’s great at helping you understand the pattern of the foot falls, explaining how to achieve effective transitions through correct timing of a signal to the feet. Time and time again he asked riders to ride in front of him and call out when this foot or that foot was about to leave the ground. This is where feel really begins. Feel combined with timing of an effective cue brings about the required response and allows the horse to be in balance.
Rider Quotes
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‘I learned so much about myself and my horse that I didn’t know before. I didn’t
After three days working with Ricky my horse is different, I’m different, everything’s different. From now on I’ll be leading the dance!
‘After thirty years of riding, with some of it spent working in the horse industry, I was weary. In the pressure of achieving results I had forgotten what horsemanship is about. Ricky opened a new door for me and I approach my horses differently now. Instead of wondering how to make my horses do something I wonder what it is they need from me. The prize isn’t a rosette it’s feeling my horses grow with me. They feel better in themselves and it shows in what we are achieving together.’ Jane Hedge
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