Candid Training Demonstration

Knowing from the side of the speaker/trainer, I know that most demostrations are planned, structured, well prepared for, and to an extent, scripted and choreographed to get the best value out of the audience's time. We have a point to make, a message to get across, and we make sure our horses are able to demonstrate the things we will talk about. 

Problem is, knowing from the side of the student, it's not always helpful to watch a talented and educated horse perform things for the crowd that the trainer has prepared for months behind closed barn doors. I used to always ask myself, "but how did you get from zero to here?". Every video I watched, every tutorial, all showed horses that have already established these things. 

I have had so many people express to me how valuable watching the basics unfold in real time is to their learning. Seeing a trainer work through the very same problems they have at home, watching the process from the very start to the finish. Where do you apply more pressure or release? What if that doesn't work? What does the whole process look like, and how do you become someone who can replicate these results at home?

These demonstrations are training sessions. We invite you to come and watch as I go through genuine schooling sessions with the horses that are here for training, for various reasons. Watch as I train the beautiful Yogi and work towards his passage (which he still doesn't quite understand haha), and clean up his tempi changes, we're comfortable with 4's, but lets move up to 2's and 1's! Watch as I work with a 5 year old off the track thoroughbred as he begins his reeducation from tense, rushing and high headed, to a calm, soft frame and even rhythm. Come and see how I play with the youngsters, and develop Eva, my 18 month old 2032 Olympic Dressage Winner :P, preparing her mind and body for her riding career by using strategic in hand exercises and games.

During these training sessions, I'll have a speaker system set up so I can talk through my thought process in real time. Nothing is planned, you'll get to see all the "oops" moments, and I'll explain how I address the feedback the horses give. During and after, I'll be open to answering questions. I love to share the process, so I look forward to seeing you there! Bring a chair and some snacks, and come play horses with me!

Most sessions will include 1-3 horses. The different lineup of horses will be visible in the Event Schedule for each individual event but may change. Even though this is a free event and walk ins are welcome, by actually getting a ticket we can inform you if the demonstration is changed, moved to a different location, or cancelled, and save you a wasted trip to an empty arena!