Adult Clinic Series for 2024
To enroll or for more information, call Ron Chlasta at 615-712-3513.
Just like people, horses are athletes. As we enter the spring riding season, many equestrians are looking for new opportunities to interact with their horses and give them that ‘spring tune up’ necessary for the 2024 riding season. Riders are taking advantage of trail obstacle competitions that have gained popularity over the past several years. Leaving the formal show ring, they are looking for ways to build a stronger relationship with their horse whether competing or simply going out to enjoy a trail ride.
At the same time, it is important to have solid equitation skills that remain as a foundation for centered riding. Our adult clinics are designed to help riders build competence and confidence as they learn various methods and techniques to help them with equitation and to safely navigate obstacles in a trail competition or off the beaten path while trail riding.
Each clinic will build skills systematically and address the fundamental aspects that riders can expect should they choose to compete, work cows, or simply enjoy the trail.
March 9 & April 27 (Please note this clinic will be repeated again on APRIL 27; it is NOT a two day clinic.)
Register here for March 9th Clinic
Register here for April 27th Clinic
Equitation, Building Trust, and Desensitization. Our arena time together will cover the following principles. First, riders will learn to understand and ride a basic equitation pattern. Depending on the level of competence we will also introduce working equitation. We will follow up with a series of obstacles that are set at ground level. Attention will be placed on emotional management, approach, breathing, where to set gaze or ‘sight line’, and relaxing. Riders will encounter obstacles of varying degrees of difficulty that combine proper equitation, communication, and added pressure.
Outside the arena we will work in the field and on the trail. The bar will be raised incorporating obstacles that are higher off the ground, and some that actually move. Consideration will be given to why a horse who confidently moves thru obstacles in the arena may see it differently in a natural setting, and how we as the rider respond and build confidence in our horse. We will consider side passing ,backing up, and how to open and close the gate. All of these skills are important whether competing or simply out enjoying a trail ride.
This clinic will begin at 10 am and conclude at 3pm. Size is limited to 12 riders who will be divided into two groups. We will have two clinicians who will work with 6 riders each.
NOTE: Be sure to check your dates and make them secure on your calendar. Due to the limited size of these clinics, we will not offer a refund for last minute cancellations. Please note … you are in charge of your own schedule - no refunds, no transfers, and definitely no whining!!
Working Cow Clinic: April 13
Register here for April 13 Clinic
Our working cow clinic will begin at 9 am and conclude at 12 noon. Riders can arrive on site by 7:30 am and plan to be tacked up and ready to attend a riders meeting at 8:30 am.
Time in the saddle will be spent on the basic techniques of working cows. Attention will be placed on equitation and how it applies to yielding forequarters and hindquarters, stopping and turning properly all of which are important ingredients to working cows properly.
Our initial time together will focus on introducing our horses to cows and teaching them how to work in close quarters with each other. We will practice teamwork and communication as we work a herd.
Consideration will be given to working gates, sorting, penning and working along the rail. In our natural arena, we will work on moving cows from pasture to pasture, cutting a cow from the herd and also penning in a wide open natural setting.
Cost is $150 and can be paid by cash, check, or Venmo. Contact Ron Chlasta 615-712-3513 to enroll.
At the same time, it is important to have solid equitation skills that remain as a foundation for centered riding. Our adult clinics are designed to help riders build competence and confidence as they learn various methods and techniques to help them with equitation and to safely navigate obstacles in a trail competition or off the beaten path while trail riding.
Each clinic will build skills systematically and address the fundamental aspects that riders can expect should they choose to compete, work cows, or simply enjoy the trail.
March 9 & April 27 (Please note this clinic will be repeated again on APRIL 27; it is NOT a two day clinic.)
Register here for March 9th Clinic
Register here for April 27th Clinic
Equitation, Building Trust, and Desensitization. Our arena time together will cover the following principles. First, riders will learn to understand and ride a basic equitation pattern. Depending on the level of competence we will also introduce working equitation. We will follow up with a series of obstacles that are set at ground level. Attention will be placed on emotional management, approach, breathing, where to set gaze or ‘sight line’, and relaxing. Riders will encounter obstacles of varying degrees of difficulty that combine proper equitation, communication, and added pressure.
Outside the arena we will work in the field and on the trail. The bar will be raised incorporating obstacles that are higher off the ground, and some that actually move. Consideration will be given to why a horse who confidently moves thru obstacles in the arena may see it differently in a natural setting, and how we as the rider respond and build confidence in our horse. We will consider side passing ,backing up, and how to open and close the gate. All of these skills are important whether competing or simply out enjoying a trail ride.
This clinic will begin at 10 am and conclude at 3pm. Size is limited to 12 riders who will be divided into two groups. We will have two clinicians who will work with 6 riders each.
- Cost $200.00 due at the time of sign-up.
- Format: Clinics are open to 12 riders only. Groups will be split between 2 clinicians each working with 6 riders. Time will be split between an outdoor arena and a covered arena. On the trail all riders will proceed to our ‘natural arena’ and will continue working obstacles on the trail and in the open field.
- Time: Clinic will be conducted from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Plan to arrive early enough to have your horse tacked up by 9:30. We will have an organizational riders' meeting prior to breaking into our groups.
- Inclement Weather: Please note we WILL ride if it is raining. The only reason for cancellation is if lightning is sighted in the area. Should we have to cancel a makeup session will be rescheduled.
NOTE: Be sure to check your dates and make them secure on your calendar. Due to the limited size of these clinics, we will not offer a refund for last minute cancellations. Please note … you are in charge of your own schedule - no refunds, no transfers, and definitely no whining!!
Working Cow Clinic: April 13
Register here for April 13 Clinic
Our working cow clinic will begin at 9 am and conclude at 12 noon. Riders can arrive on site by 7:30 am and plan to be tacked up and ready to attend a riders meeting at 8:30 am.
Time in the saddle will be spent on the basic techniques of working cows. Attention will be placed on equitation and how it applies to yielding forequarters and hindquarters, stopping and turning properly all of which are important ingredients to working cows properly.
Our initial time together will focus on introducing our horses to cows and teaching them how to work in close quarters with each other. We will practice teamwork and communication as we work a herd.
Consideration will be given to working gates, sorting, penning and working along the rail. In our natural arena, we will work on moving cows from pasture to pasture, cutting a cow from the herd and also penning in a wide open natural setting.
Cost is $150 and can be paid by cash, check, or Venmo. Contact Ron Chlasta 615-712-3513 to enroll.