8/ MARCH/APRIL 2014 THE RIDER SUSAN DAHL’s MY SPIN: Cold Cowboy: Craig Cameron Clinic in Clinton


Cameron, as he’s giving advice during the last question and answer period on Sunday. He repeatedly reinforces the idea of focusing on and improving horsemanship fun- damentals. He can’t stress it enough, he says. I’m the one thawing out with a bowl of chilli and taking photos. Being a dedicated learner


By Susan Dahl. “You can’t ride outside


‘cause you guys have 80 feet of snow here.”, jokes Craig


myself and veteran observer of all things Road to The Horse, I ventured over to see what Craig Cameron was like giv- ing a clinic. I’d been there last year to see an extreme cowboy clinic and thought it would be interesting to see Craig in action. I’ve seen him on web- casts of the Road to the Horse c o m p e t i t i o n (RTTH) where he was the 2010 champion and co- team USA mem- ber with Pat Par- elli


in 2012.


(Jonathan Fields is representing Canada in this year’s 2014 com- petition, March 13-16th.) C r a i g


Cameron’s assis- tant Stewart is seen in the photo helping a partici- pant with the water hazard. (photos of com-


petition courtesy: Roxanne Lashbrook). Craig’s Clinic in Clinton is a 3-day Ride Smart horsemanship and extreme cowboy clinic with an Ulti- mate Cowboy Challenge show on the Sat. night. 14 riders tried to ignore the cold as they learned Craig’s version of horsemanship doing exercises like riding squares for steer- ing, riding zig-zag patterns, and rollbacks using the wall. Craig Cameron from


Bluff Dale (www.craig- cameron.com), Texas runs his Craig Cameron University from his Double Horn ranch where riders learn about hors- es, and horsemanship - Craig believing that these lessons will serve someone into every aspect of their life. His RFD- TV show and book called Ride Smart by Western Horse-


man is how he got the name of his style of horsemanship. He’s been demonstrating his philosophy for over 23 years. With regards to horse-


manship, Craig states: “The tradition of horsemanship and its way of life is about an indi-


vidual’s work and the horse being a reflection of that individual. The horse is only as good as the trainer and seeks the level of the rider, be it good or bad. The best cowboys accept the challenge of horsemanship and rise to the occasion. Doing things right is not always the easy trail, but just like the old times it is the tough trail that teaches us the most.”


About his clinics: “Clin-


ic topics range from basic to advanced horsemanship, colt starting, ranch and cattle work, problem-solving, reining and trail obstacles.” The Extreme Cowboy Race™ was originally created by Craig Cameron (often called the ‘extreme cowboy’ himself) and Ryan Dohrn


HorseCity.com. Craig Cameron designed and hosted five races at his Double Horn Ranch since 2005.


Extreme Cowboy Association has an affiliate here Ontario.


in “The


ONTARIO XTREME COWBOY is an event that challenges both


Two Dreams Collide


self to helping those with mental, physical, brain injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and devel- opmental challenges. She does this through the use of horses with special pro- gram unlike any of its kind because Robyn understands Equine Assisted Learning from both sides of the horse. In 1991, Robyn was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in which she suffered a closed head injury. It destroyed her ability to do basic math, created problems with reading comprehension and memory loss and needed to re-learn basic life skills. She also began to experi- ence PTSD, panic and anx- iety. After many years of little progress, her father, author and cowboy, George Hewitt had an idea. He decided to attempt to reha- bilitate her with a horse,


author of a delightful chil- dren’s book, The Adven- tures Of Tuffy....A little Bay Horse. She holds degrees in Animal Sci- ences, Equine and Canine Behaviour plus Wildlife Foresty and Conservation. She’s also a very proud canine foster mom for http://adoptapet.lucknow.o n.ca. Her real passion though is Robyn’s Triple R Ranch Equine Assisted Learning Centre that she runs at her family ranch in Priceville, ON. Robyn devotes her-


by Kelly Bowers Robyn Hewitt is the


itation, Robyn started showing and competing in reining. Learning the pat- terns helped with her slug- gish memory and the fun of working with horses moti- vated her to keep at it, and she improved. Robyn even won the Canadian Pro/Am freestyle reining champi- onship and many other top awards in reining and per- formance horse shows. That’s why she decided to help people who had some of the same challenges she has, and she wanted to help them in the same way her dad had helped her, with horses.


expertise and the knowl- edge provided by mental health experts, brain injury specialists and doctors, she started Triple R ranch in 2007. It has been growing ever since and Robyn works with referrals from doctors, physiotherapists and mental health experts. Currently the horses assist CP clients with core build- ing, those needing physio, PTSD, depression, OCD, developmental, physical and emotional challenges. Plus they offer esteem, confidence and empathy building. The ranch is proud to be affiliated with Operation Free Ride pro-


So with her dad’s


which he had been doing since the 50’s. Over nearly a decade later, she had relearned everything she needed, including how to ride again. As part of her rehabil-


called. Even the youngest foals show a remarkable ability to trust and bond with their caregivers and visitors. Pat believes that their inner qualities and extraordinary bond with humans is a Gypsy’s most important characteristic and feels these horse should be utilized accord- ingly.


require the trust and care of every person they make contact with and the student needs the same. Robyn allows no one in the arena during the “One on One” except one of her well qualified staff


ONE” program working with each individual stu- dent was designed and developed into a complete equine educational experi- ence consisting of care, handling, riding, educa- tion and bonding between student and horses/animals. The students soon learn that the animals are real living


beings who


gram and is Canada’s first and only HORSES FOR HEROES program, treating all service personal and their families - police, fire- men, and first responders suffering from service related injuries, and spe- cializing in PTSD. Robyn’s “ONE on


members who have had a one


training period with Robyn. This assistant must have proved exceptional under- standing on safety and horse handling to be allowed in the ring, provid- ing a positive experience and the safest way to work.


Assisted Learning program though, is no way to get rich and Robyn does not receive government fund- ing. So, with many large animals that seem to eat money, the costs of run- ning a ranch, and clients who are often unable to work and thereby don’t have an income, it has to be a labour of love. And that’s what it is for her. Robyn has always thought though, it would be nice to have a gypsy vanner horse in her program, but the high price of such a rare


Running an Equine year minimum


gypsy horse, Midgie, Pat knew the gypsy horse was much more than flying feather and fantasy. Pat Van Biesbrouck’s first impression when she saw a gypsy horse was that it was stunningly beautiful. Her first realization was that a gypsy horse is way more than just a pretty face. What makes them truly a gift is their kind and gentle personality and uncanny ability to connect with peo- ple, from adults to even the smallest child. Most are outstanding family horses. Their affection for people is crystal clear as they walk purposefully from the far end of their pasture simply to greet the humans who peer curiously over a fence, almost like they were being


horse put that in the “dream” category - until the day she connected with Pat on Facebook. When she met her first


home to several Gypsy horses but her dream is for people in need to benefit from a connection with these unique horses. She was familiar with Equine Assisted Learning and was certain a gypsy would excel as a therapy horse - so she began to search for programs in her area. She wanted to find one that was selfless, proven and a labour of love. When she connected with Robyn on Facebook, Pat had a feeling that maybe their two dreams were about to col- lide.


enjoyed and looked for- ward to by their students. After meeting the pair


long conversations getting to know each other and then in February, Robyn and eight year old nephew, Austin made a visit to Pat’s farm in Strathroy, ON to see her Gypsy Horses. Austin is a real horse lover, and when not in school, he helps Robyn with her EAL program. He performs a hand puppet show that is especially


relatable, Pat and Robyn shared Pat’s farm is now


those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.“ Eleanor Roosevelt. Pat agrees and adds, “It takes a very special horse to be a therapy horse and I am happy and excited for Robyn and Splash. Togeth- er they will heal, teach and assist others.” To learn more, visit the FB pages below, and be sure to “like” Robyn’s page.


https://www.facebook.com/ Triplerranchrobynhewitt https://www.facebook.com/ keepsakegypsyvanners, www.keepsakegypsyvan- ners.com


and seeing them with the horses, Pat was convinced this was who she was look- ing for and surprised Robyn by generously offer- ing her 8 month old Gypsy gelding, Splash O’Drum- lish, to join Robyn’s EAL program at no cost to her. He will be trained as an EAL horse and to Pat’s knowledge, Splash is the ONLY Gypsy horse in Canada to be in such a pro- gram. Robyn was shocked and excited at the offer. She writes, “I’m trying to digest it all and it feels like a dream, but it’s real. Splash is really coming here to learn to be an EAL horse for Triple R Ranch.” Next, Robyn will be visit- ing the farm a couple more times to get to know Splash and plans to pick him up on April 13th - And here, two dreams collide. “The future belongs to


horse and rider to maneuver through a series of trail and farm-based obstacles demon- strating both horsemanship and speed.” Putting another spin on horse- manship. Reinersue @KISS Reiners


About Susan Dahl of The


Susan Dahl, Certified Profes- sional horse trainer, writer, author & clinician. Owner of Foundation Reining Training Centre in Durham, ON. She specializes in effective horse- manship, western performance horse development and rein- ing. She has trained and shown numerous ORHA/ NRHA champions. For more information on her training, bitting, clinics or resale hors- es, please contact her on Face- book, her website: www.rein- ersuehorsemanship.com or reinersue@hotmail.com .


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