6/ JULY 2012 THE RIDER Natural Horsemanship & Body Control Foundation Reining Training
most renowned clinicians in the world was not easy. The history behind Clinton Anderson and Downunder Horsemanship is inspiring. It chronicles the jour- ney of a man who never lost sight of this dream: helping peo- ple have a better relationship with their horses.”
My Walkabout
The first time I had seen Clinton was 10 years ago when he was a featured clinician at Can-Am in London. That start- ed my journey on improving my horsemanship skills using natu- ral horsemanship methods. So, naturally part of the reason for this trip was as a professional update for me.
Since it was my friend Lynda’s 60th year, we wanted to do something special. Various ideas were bantered about like seeing the Kentucky CRI, the Calgary Stampede, & Equine Affair. I had mentioned that I wanted to go see Clinton Ander- son again – my mentor for natu- ral horsemanship, colt starting & now reining. We decided to go see The Clinton Anderson Walkabout Tour 2012 in Des Moines, Iowa. I’d never been there before and it seemed like a nice place to visit or walkabout. It would take us 2700km and 4 days round trip. It was certainly well worth the entry on my bucket list.
The weather in Des Moines was lovely as Lynda and I stood in the long No Worries Club member line up on Satur- day morning being entertained by Teeny Tiny, the miniature. Teeny’s job is to hold the bundle of programs that are for sale. Over $9,000 worth of prizes are
years ago, were able to get their seating first. One of the impres- sive things you will notice when you go to one of his tours is that Clinton personally shakes every- one’s hand as they enter the door.
given away based on a number written on the back of the pro- gram. Lynda and I had program #s 8 & 9.
To quote his walkabout tour program: “The journey from being an unknown horse trainer in Australia to one of the
Whoever is on Clinton’s marketing team has done a fan- tastic job of organizing and planning his tours. Starting with a mere 200 people in his first Walkabout Tour, today there are over 3,000 people who attend. No Worries Club members – Clintons’ club that he started 5
Saturday’s schedule start- ed with Clinton talking about his philosophy and horse behaviour. “Your roadmap to achieving success, Clinton will explain the philosophy behind his Method. Prepare to see your horse in a whole new light as Clinton teaches you how to get inside its mind! Once you understand how your horse thinks, the communi- cation lines between yourself and your horse will be clearer than ever before. Lucid and compelling, Clinton’s philoso- phy sets the foundation for even his most advanced training tech- niques”.
The 1st horse is intro- duced, Gus, a paint with disre- spectful issues and being pushy. Here, Clinton then shows the crowd his round penning tech- niques to make the horse respectful again. Clinton uses local problem horses that he has
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never seen before to show how his Method works. There is always a disrespectful, pushy, lazy horse, a crazy, fearful horse and a horse with bad trailer loading issues.
To end the Saturday, Clin- ton gives an advanced riding demonstration on his famous horse Diez.
Sunday, Lynda and I are again in the line up. We decided to get in the line up _ hour earli- er, yet we are further down the line than the day before. I guess everyone had the same idea! One privilege of being a No Worries Club member is the Q&A session early Sunday morning just for members. One of the questions I remember most is a veterinarian asking about how to do deal with hors- es that don’t like needles. Clin- ton is always entertaining the crowd.
Clinton starts off the 2nd day being introduced to Anna Belle, a Tennessee Walker, who is very frightened of most things. Clinton spends the morning showing how to desen- sitize a horse to scary objects to make them calmer and more cooperative. To quote the pro- gram: “Clinton continues with the Method as he increases the horse’s confidence, trust and respect. Watch as he gains con- trol of the horse’s mind by mov- ing his feet. You’ll be amazed to see the dramatic change a horse can make after only 1 day of practicing the Method. The transformation of this problem horse will give you the encour- agement; inspiration and
instruction you need to go home and immediately get positive results from your horse.” Sunday afternoon is the riding portion of the weekend – Gaining Respect Under Saddle. Clinton, using the same horse as in the groundwork demonstra- tions, uses his training tech- niques called The Method to transform a horse from stiff, heavy and unwilling to soft, supple and cooperative.
Lynda and I had decided to leave just after lunch on Sun- day. It was going to be a long drive back and it was! 20 hours. As we were about to make our way out, the MC made an announce- ment that Clinton will have a new colt starting training series out in November. Well! I guess I know what I’m getting for Christmas!
“Putting my spin on education and natu- ral horsemanship.” Reinersue
@KISS Reiners
Standardbred Showcase & Oxer Stables Present
a Riding and Carriage Driving Clinic with
• Help your Non-horsey friends & family shop without confusion • Great for Birthdays, Christmas, Congratulations Gifts • English & Western tack, bits & accessories • Professionals Choice • Herbs for Horses • Omega Alpha
• Grooming & Bathing Supplies • New & Consignment items
ROBYN CUFFEY
International Clinician and co-author of “ReTraining the Harness Racehorse” & “The Essential Guide to Carriage Driving”
Monday, Aug. 6th & Tuesday, Aug. 7th, 2012
Private lessons can be under saddle or in harness, as desired
ALL BREEDS, riders, drivers & auditors welcome. Special reduced rates for Standardbreds
Registration forms, waivers and directions at
www.oxerstables.com
PLUS!!! Help your barn & local horse charity earn free stuff. We donate 1% of your purchase to your barn owner & 1% to a local Equine Non-Profit Organization Register today & receive a FREE GIFT-No Purchase Necessary! 11233 Second Line Nassagaweya, Campbellville L0P 1B0 905 854-6300 •
www.fivestarranch.ca • Facebook: Five Star Tack Depot
or contact Janet Zizian:
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OXER STABLES, 6250 Walkers Line, Burlington, Ontario Canada L7M 0R3
The final part of the week- end is the “Trailer Troubles” section. This is always a very hilarious, entertaining piece where Clinton shows what not to do when loading your horse. The horse is actually taught to crave going into the trailer to get a break from rigorous train- ing. It really works.
Susan Dahl, celebrating 20 years in reining, 10 years in natural horsemanship & 5 year writing for The Rider. Proudly a member of Toklat’s Myler (Bit) Ride Team and now Myler technical bit certi- fied. She is a certified profession- al horse trainer, NCCP coaching theory certified, competitor, clini- cian and owner/operator of Foun- dation Reining Training Centre in Durham. She specializes in mod- ern horsemanship, western per- formance horse development & reining training for horse & rider. She has trained & won numerous ORHA, NRHA, & Rein- ing Canada Top 10 awards. For more information on her very innovative & fun approach to training, clinics, lessons, or coaching, please visit her on face- book, her website
www.reinersue-
horsemanship.com or Reiner-
sue@hotmail.com.
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