Trail Obstacle Training Clinic

Equine trail competitions are growing in popularity throughout the nation and even more specifically in the southeast. Many equestrians are looking for new avenues to interact with their horses beyond the confines of the arena. While many are leaving the show ring to engage in trail obstacle competitions, others simply want to build a stronger relationship with their horse as they go out to enjoy trail riding. This clinic series is designed to help riders build competence and confidence as they learn various methods and techniques to help them, more safely, navigate obstacles in a competition or on the trail.

Participants can choose to engage in this series by enrolling in all four classes, or choose a specific clinic that will enable them to focus on an area where they desire to sharpen their skills. Each day will build skills systematically and address the fundamental aspects that riders can expect should they choose to compete, or simply enjoy trail riding.

In this series, riders can expect to be educated in the following areas:

March 5 - BUILDING TRUST AND CONFIDENCE: Our time together will cover the following principles. First is the ability to lead our horse confidently thru obstacles. This will be accomplished with our horse in hand while we proceed through obstacles. Next riders will navigate a course under saddle. Obstacles this week 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 degree of difficulty that require proper equitation, communication, and added pressure.
March 26 - DESENSITIZATION, MOVING AND ELEVATED OBSTACLES: We will explore what desensitization means and does it actually exist. In this session we will raise the bar on the degree of difficulty and provide obstacles 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. This session will also address side passing, back-up and how to open and close the gate. All of these skills are important whether competing or simply out enjoying a trail ride.
April 2 - ENGAGE CONFIDENTLY: This week a combination of high and low obstacles along with several moving obstacles will be incorporated. Side-passing over obstacles, backing up thru obstacles and obstacles that require hand/eye coordination drills will be incorporated. We will address the issue of ‘buddy sour’ horses and how to keep our cool in an area where multiple horses are moving around a variety of obstacles. The goal is to see improvement on how riders flow confidently while under control in a more complicated environment.
April 23 - MOCK TRAIL OBSTACLE COMPETITION: Our final session is where we put it all together. We will meet during the first hour to review foundational principles and allow our horses to warm-up on pre-set obstacles in the arena. Our second hour will be spent navigating a course out on the trail. We plan to have several ‘guest judges’ on hand to give you feedback on the obstacles. This course will not be judged, but will allow riders to experience riding with ‘eyes on by the judge’ and then receive feedback on how they performed on a specific obstacle. Finally we will have time available for riders to revisit obstacles they struggled on and get some coaching on how they might navigate more effectively in the future.

COST: For those riders who purchase the complete series, $200.00 due at the time of sign-up. For riders who do not wish to purchase the entire series, cost is $75 for each topic selected. Again all fees are due when you register.

Format: Clinics are open to 12 riders only. This group will be split between 2 clinicians each working with 6 riders. Groups will be divided and split their time between an outdoor and covered arena. In addition we will use a ‘natural’ arena that is fenced on all four sides for our trail work.

TIME: Clinics are held from 12 noon - 3pm

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 for APRIL 30.

Be sure to check your dates and make them secure on your calendar. Do to the limited size of these clinics we will not offer a refund for missed sessions. Please note that you are in charge of your own schedule - no refunds, no transfers, and definitely no whining!!

Clinics will be conducted at R&M Stables, 1060 Goshentown Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075

www.randmstableshendersonville.com

TO REGISTER: Call Ron at 615-712-3513

Clinicians

Jeff Duren
Jeff is the Trainer for the Hendersonville Police Mounted Patrol Unit. Jeff was born into a ranching family in Texas and was already sitting in the saddle before he could even walk! His formative years were spent doing ranch work where he learned from some of the best cowboys in Texas how to work hard and get the most from his equine partner. During college Jeff had a ‘side hustle’ starting colts to earn extra income. By his own admission, he actually enjoyed this experience and felt the education from on the job training was as valuable as his academic work in the classroom. His expertise in training Quarter Horses for ranch work led him eventually to the race track where he was able to train racing Thoroughbreds with his uncle.
Jeff believes that one of life’s greatest blessings occurred when he was able to merge his 15 year career in law enforcement with his equestrian affinity in 2011. Jeff is a certified instructor by National Mounted Police Training and loves training service horses and officers for police work. Jeff has amassed countless hours of ongoing education thru local, regional and national clinics with instructors from some of the world’s finest mounted units. He continues to be fascinated by what he has learned from some outstanding horses during the past ten years. Jeff strongly believes that when a horse trusts his rider, the horse will do anything the rider asks. While he has hours of credentialing in the service horse world, Jeff still feels he learns the most from the horse , especially when he takes the time to listen.

Ron Chlasta

Ron has 14 years of experience riding and training his horses to work as service horses. He was introduced to the service horse world by fellow clinician Jeff Duren and the two have been riding and training together for over a decade. He is a certified trainer thru the County Mounty agency, an organization who oversees the training of horses for civic duty and search and rescue efforts. Ron rides as an auxiliary volunteer with the Hendersonville Mounted Police and his facility at R&M Stables is also a training venue for several different police departments throughout Middle Tennessee. In 2021 Ron and Jeff competed in the dual tandem obstacle challenge at the annual Mounted Police Colloquium held at the KHP in Lexington. They placed 7th in the nation in this division. Individually Ron took top honors in equitation, placed second in individual obstacle challenge, and 2nd overall rider combining equitation and obstacle scores. In addition, Ron and Sargent Kevin Hooper of Metro Nashville Parks department placed first in the unit division where they combine the top two individual obstacle scores from each unit to determine the national champion. A firm believer in making a connection with the horse through the use of obstacles, Ron introduced the concept of an open trail challenge by hosting the State Line Trail Obstacle Challenge in Westmoreland, TN and then partnering with Jeff Duren to provide the Mid-Tenn trail obstacle competition through ETS held as a fundraiser for Hendersonville’s mounted unit at the Hendersonville Mounted Police training facility