Comments for The Arena

Comment on Looking Online for Lessons by Susie Blackmon

Susie Blackmon — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:50:33 +0000

While I loved my years of riding lessons, and the trainers I worked with during the years I was showing and raising a few Quarter horses, how I wish I could have studied with the likes of Al Dunning, both in person and also on-line, to add to my knowledge. I would have done things a lot differently (and better!).

Comment on Looking Online for Lessons by Kristin Ginn

Kristin Ginn — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:38:47 +0000

Susan, I can certainly relate to you! I got my first horse at age of 12, and since then, it’s all been trial and error….until recently when I got back into horses after a 4-year hiatus that I took to start a career and come up with a way to fund my passion. The difference now is definitely all the access to online tools for learning like this website, Facebook, YouTube. Now I can catch a lesson via my iPhone on my lunch break, then hit the arena after 5:00 to try it out!

Comment on Continuing Education by Gerri Lundergan

Gerri Lundergan — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:33:37 +0000

I started with Pat Parelli back in 85 when he actually worked with you & your horse. Learned alot & since he was my neighbor, I put on some of his first clinics. Been to a lot of Ray Hunt clinics. Learned even more. best was a Ray Hunt clinic at Pat Parelli’s.
Been thru the Monty Roberts scandal in Calif, have watched a lot of clinicians come & go. Ray & Tom still have it right. It is not about being a Circus Act, Egos or Marketing.
As Ray said” Some folks feel they need to buy a $29.99+ colored stick, I just go to the feed store, buy a stock whip & tie a rag on the end. Same thing. Works for me, but you know, it may not work for you.”
We need to work more on the Rider. Fix the Rider- Fix the Horse. That is why Ray said he was the “Horse’s Advocate”
We need to set our Egos aside, admit we need to be Better Riders. Get Equitation Lessons & understand that Everything we do affects these noble yet patient animals.
The Western World could take a tip from George Morris in this department. Learn How To Ride Well.

Comment on Continuing Education by Melanie Bourgoin

Melanie Bourgoin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:26:06 +0000

first of all I would like to say, I think the late Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt were the forerunners. I think Buck Branaman and Curt Pate are great also, Clinton Anderson is too as is Chris Cox, but if you ask me Pat Parelli and his little levels and expensive sticks suck! Don’t like Monte Roberts either., that is my commments, been to them all except Tom Dorrance and Monte Roberts.

Comment on Age Does Count by Brittany Oracheski

Brittany Oracheski — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:56:48 +0000

This is GREAT news! With the added money, this will do nothing but good for the reputations of trainers who train for longevity and the breeders who breed for it.