Myself and my husband Mark arrived in Denver Colorado on Sunday 6th September to attend two back to back clinics with good friends and world renowend horse trainers Mark Rashid and Crissi McDonald.
Coming from Scotland we were puzzled by the blue sky that did not seem to have any rain clouds whatsoever and a strange glowing disc that beat down with heat and bright light!!!! We were later informed that this was in fact the sun! Mark and Crissi very kindly agreed to pick us up at the airport and even volunteered to take care of us for the two weeks we were there, they obviously had no idea what they had let themselves in for and in fact they probably both now need counselling or therapy of some kind!!
The clinic format was very informal with an equal amount of time being spent on each student and each individual was given a chance to work on their own issues or problems at their own pace. There was no pressure put on anyone and this really helped us nervous students build our confidence and achieve our goals. Mark and Crissi would start off each day with groundwork exercises for humans! Because, as we all know, the horses were not the ones with the problems!!
Fascinating exercises were given which really enlightened all of the students on how the horse feels about their relationship with us and how we can make things simpler for them to understand and make their lives much easier. It was a reall eye opener for all and great fun to work with a human partner who was more than able to let you know exactly how they felt when too much force was applied! We all listened intently and worked on what was being taught. Mark demonstrated how very little energy can achieve a great deal
. It was a great opportunity to feel how subtle we can be with our communication if we really set our minds to it. It can also be a bit of an eye opener when we realise how loud we are actually being with our horses.
After our exercises we were invited to tack up our horses and put into practise what we had learned. I had the privilage of riding Mark and Crissi’s horses and they were absolutely fantastic. My first mount was Tuff a stunning little dun quarter horse who was light and sensitive and eager to please.
It was very, very hot (even for the Colorado natives!) so lots of water was required as well as frequent breaks for both horses and riders. I have never drank so much water in my life! I have been thoroughly detoxed!! Tuff was exceptional and a real gentleman, he helped me fine tune my riding and apply all that I had hoped I had taken in from the groundwork exercises.
Tuff and I worked together for the next two days and he really helped me develop my feel.
On the third day we had a go at working with cattle. That was great fun! I have worked with cattle in Scotland (always on the ground and with lots of “hoosh calvie, hoosh calvie, hoosh, hoosh, hoosh” which usually works (especially if you are armed with a bucket of feed)! The cattle were very good quality Aberdeen Angus so they understood my accent straight away! They were poised ready for action, not really enjoying the heat of the day! I decided on a master plan to encourage them to work for us. Crissi and I bribed them
with cabbage leaves and other tasty bovine treats, not only did this wake them up but definitely put us on their good side which is always the best side to be when dealing with Aberdeen Angus! Once all the bribes were gone we mounted up and worked those cows. It was great fun, the horses really enjoyed themselves and we learned so much about pressure and pressure release as cattle will let you know very quickly when you have applied just a bit too much! The sight of five Angus galloping down the arena is quite impressive and we thankfully did not do this too often!
Just when we thought we were doing rather well Mark and Crissi decided to put us up to a challenge, they gave us an obstacle course to drive the cattle around! What was super about the whole experience was the fact that we were so focused on working the cattle we were giving our horses soft cues, doing half pass, full pass, half pirouette etc without even thinking. It was a real eye opener when we realised as riders we truly lacked focus, but give us a bunch of cows and the focus was there!
Having moved cattle around on horseback there is something to be said about how easy it can be. I don’t know why it is not done more often in this country although I do know that many hill farmers use ponies and dogs to work sheep. I truly enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about myself, my horse and my riding.
It was not all work, work, work, the food was absolutely out of this world and we certainly had plenty of it. After lunch I would retire to a cool spot under a tree and prop myself up with a bottle of water!
I also had the privilege of riding another of Mark’s horses, a Mustang called Zuni. Zuni was named after a Native American tribe and was perhaps one of the best horses I have ever ridden. I took to him straight away and he was such a patient and willing teacher that I simply cannot thank him enough for what he taught me.
All of the students were asked what they would like to achieve/work on during the week and I wanted to work on piaffe and canter half pass. Crissi had been teaching me how to achieve piaffe without the use of a schooling stick and we had been practising on my own horse Brogan. Zuni and I worked through most of the week on lightening the trot and maintaining the impulsion. We achieved canter half pass and almost at the end of the week he gave me a beautiful light, soft, feathery piaffe. It felt fantastic as he almost disappeared beneath me, his feet barely touching the ground. What a fabulous guy.
I was delighted with what we had achieved in our ridden work and he taught me so much, thank you Zuni.
Not all the work was ridden, we were all given the choice of doing ‘homework’ each day as thought provoking exercises were given to the class. 
Some of us became really lost in thought and when we presented our homework the next day there was some really fascinating ideas and concepts brought up by the group as each of us viewed the homework from a different perspective.
This sort of exercise was really helpful to all of the students by encouraging them to ‘think outside the box’ and with such a friendly relaxed atmosphere no one was afraid of ‘looking silly’ and spoke honestly from their hearts.
At the end of the day it was time for the horses to go back to their corall for a well earned rest, Zuni like to have a short drink from his favourite trough before retiring for the night!
One of the highlights of this fantastic trip was the honour and privilege of being allowed to ride Crissi’s own horse, her beloved Jack. A fabulous ‘Foxtrotter’ one of the gaited breeds of horses. I had never ridden a gaited horse before and was absolutely blown away by this little guy, he was fantastic, so smooth and sharp and responsive, not an incling of his 20 something plus years!
What a great little horse, really fast and easy going. I know all you guys out there now shouting at me because I don’t have a hat on! It was an impromptu opportunity and when in Rome so to speak! (Please note that we did not break the speed limit of 40mph as we flitted round the arena)!
This has been an absolutely fantastic opportunity for me to study and learn from two of the best trainers in the world. I am so grateful for having this opportunity and to be able to pass on to my students a little something more than I could before. I will continue to train and study with both Mark and Crissi’s guidance and hopefully I will be able to achieve the absolute harmony that comes so naturally to both these fantastic horsepeople.
Thoroughly enjoyed your website. Got link through WES looking for a Western instructor. I am Senior Instructor at Bannockburn RDA. We are in very early stages of introducing reining. I have always had huge interest in Western and indeed gentle methods. Have had a few lessons a long time ago at Ardfern Appaloosas. Would like to learn more. Do you still teach Western riding?
Very sincerely
Dee
Hi Dee
Yes I do, in fact I used to come out to your centre to teach a lady who would hire your indoor school and I really liked the yard. Perhaps we can chat to see what we can do for you.