Silversand Clinic

[intouch]

Just a quick "up" for the Silversand Clinic in Richhill next week, Wed 23rd June - we have a spare place for a participant and have been able to reduce the price - Steve Halfpenny is imo on a par with MR, one of the world's great horsemen. Great if you could come!

[intouch]

Wow, what a week! We had Steve here on Wednesday, there were 25 spectators and a full house of handler/riders. I love Steve's manner, he is seriously one of the world's best horsemen, but he has so much respect for the horse, his pupils and spectators, and his teachers including his wife - he gives credit wherever it is due, but mostly to the horse.
He is full of wee stories, so easy to understand - he keeps up a running commentary of what he is asking the horse to do and he is prepared for anything, nothing phases him.

It's funny, you think what he does with the horses is so easy, but get that rope in your own hand and it all goes pear shaped!

Stilll I learned an awful lot, and I think every one had fun - except the clicker trainers who were here to pick holes. I think clicker training has a lot to recommend it, it's a useful tool, but to me it's a bit like the kid who takes a pocket full of sweets to school to win friends. A horse who responds the way they do to Steve really wants to work for him.

Then on Thursday Tricia Day was doing an information day about Equine Assisted Learning and Steve was doing the demo for her, another full day of groundwork with both of them, Tricia is one of his associate teachers in UK.

Then for the next 3 days Tricia was doing facilitator training here, so 3more days of intensive groundwork training - the horses' heads are frazzled! My wee Shetland was able to walk sideways along a pole at a distance, and then walk along a pole with her right legs on one side and her left legs on the other. Bless her wee heart!

I know, I know - little amuses the innocent. But it was just a fabulous week.

[Tulla]

Sounds like a great week, your little shetland sounds cool, any pics?

[jennyh]

We have a few pics up, but hopefully we will get a few more up of the day before with steve.