Auditing a GM Clinic: Impressions of a Novice

[Inverness]

After everything I’ve heard/read about GM, I had to audit the clinic he recently gave in Middleburg.

1. He made no comments about any of the riders’ weight. In fact, the rider whose skills I heard him compliment repeatedly was quite overweight.

2. He was never abusive. He delivered pointed, constructive criticism, and showed remarkable patience with all of the riders who made an effort. He was justifyably impatient only with a couple of young riders who clearly were not focused on what they were doing.

3. The couple of times he did get his ire up, he made self-deprecating comments afterwards.

4. He did not ignore anyone.

Apparently, he’s mellowed with age.

At any rate, the experience was invaluable. To say that I learned a lot would be a monumental understatement. I may never be an accomplished enough rider to participate in a GM clinic, but I’d audit another one in a heartbeat.

[ponymom138]

Trooper and JRG

I will have the black mare and the ratty orange and red plaid blanket. Since girl and horse are getting new clothes does that mean I need a color coordinated blankie?!Or maybe I’ll just use my traditional barn warm-up.Wrap myself in the horse cooler til they are done ( and that way it’s all warmed up for Brit so she doesn’t have to put a cold blanket on…god forbid)!

[BeeLu]

I have the utmost respect for GM. (In fact, I have the Crosby Hunterdon!) First, I have a few questions. It happens (this is fate) that I am going in SO Cal when it looks like he will be at the Oaks. Do you know how I could audit? I would love to see him teach. Second, does he have a website?

[Duffy]

That’s great, Inverness! I wish I had been able to attend as well. . .(and no, not just for the liquid refreshments that Inverness and I would have been sure to partake afterwards ).

Sorry we missed each other at WIHS!!

[Jaded]

Does anyone know if when/ever again he’ll come to Ontario? I’d love to participate or even watch a clinic with him because I must say he interests me. From only what I’ve read on BB’s like this one I find it, so I guess, mysterious to see what HE is actually like! I’ve seen/read/heard lots of bashing and lots of praise and I’m a person who needs to find our for myself before I comment/judge, I want to find out! lol!

I’ve experienced the whole Ian Miller thing (no comments on that) and have a whole list of people I’d love to clinic with and now that I have a trailer and a job (with little money) maybe I can start crossing off the list

[satin]

Glad to hear you had a good experience, Inverness. I rode in a George Morris clinic back in my junior years and it was great- one of my all-timefavorite rides.

The only “offensive” comment he made was that a very short rider mounted on a very tall horse didn’t make a very pleasing picture. She looked a bit upset by that- but had a much more size appropriate horse the next time I saw her.

[JRG]

I would love the chance to ride in the clinic, however horse and I are not quite there yet so I will be auditing at Hunterdon.

[Trooper]

Aaaaw - PonyMom - you’re so sweet! Just as long as you bring something else to wear once the horse/daughter steal the cooler … hope you get to get in on the clothing upgrade (I always find it easiest to add just one more thing to the pile when its already a big one!)

[Inverness]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by aubreyuga:
[B]That’s really neat. What kind of self-deprecating comments did he make?

[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I paraphrase, but here goes:

“I’m too old to be a General anymore - it now is my job to make Generals out of other people.”

“He LIKES being yelled at - he told me.”

I’m sorry we missed each other too, Duffy. Jaleo was (surprisingly) packed. It hadn’t occurred to me that the crowd from the afternoon session would hussle down there for dinner before the evening performance. We had to wait a while for a table, but the food was great (as usual).

Where were you guys sitting?

[DMK]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Inverness:
[B] I’m sorry we missed each other too, Duffy. Jaleo was (surprisingly) packed. It hadn’t occurred to me that the crowd from the afternoon session would hussle down there for dinner before the evening performance. We had to wait a while for a table, but the food was great (as usual).

Where were you guys sitting?[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmmmmph… At Ruth Chris’ in Crystal City… Hattie and Duffy TOTALLY bailed on DMK and her partner in crime on Friday night, and missed out on that evening’s performance (sheesh… just because they had been there all day, and hadn’t partaken of the $7.75 chicken fingers and were starving… I mean you KNOW she had plenty of fudge ). On the other hand, I think the puissance was just about the highlight of the show - can you imagine two more different styles than Aaron and McLain?

(Oh, BTW, if she had come with us, we were sitting about 3 rows behind Anyplace and her party, so we were pretty close!)

[Trooper]

Ponymom - I would love to audit the clinic - do you have any of the contact info?

Thanks
Sarah

[Bethe_Mounce]

The man is a gem.

I won’t ever have the chance to ride for him; not too likely he will be coming to Texas any time soon. I have the utmost respect for him and keep his books in my barn which I read aloud to my horses as they eat dinner! I am sure they understand!!!

[Pony_Fan]

Pony Mom…just a bit of advice. My daughter rides with George on a fairly regular basis and in terms of getting new clothes for the kid - actually you might want to avoid anything too new/nice/fashionable etc. You absolutely DO NOT want your daughter to stand out for her wardrobe but for her riding skills. Clean, tailored, workmanlike… that he can see her posture in (nothing puffy or baggy). In the Fall, my daughter usually wears her regular Tailored Sportsmans w/ a plain leather belt, a show shirt without the choker and a VERY plain, conservative dark colored sweater (if it’s really cold, she also has a very fitted navy polarfleece vest). Nothing trendy!! Oh, and your daughter should plan on wearing gloves. Also, she should wear spurs and carry a crop - George considers these the tools of the trade and will respect her for being prepared. (If she doesn’t usually use them, she can practice with them in the next week or two. And if he thinks it’s too much for the horse, he’ll tell your daughter to lower the spurs or drop the crop. Also, she should stay ABSOLUTELY focussed - no yawning, giggling, socializing etc. And speak in a loud, clear voice ONLY when asked a direct question as briefly and intelligently as possible (Big Hint - READ THE BOOK -he’ll expect that she has.)

If you have any other specific questions, please feel free to ask. You’re daughter is in for a wonderful, intense, demanding experience. I have found George (and yes, it’s taken me a few tears to bring myself to call him that!!!) is a remarkable teacher, able to raise a rider to levels they had not known they were capable of IF they are willing to listen and WORK!

[Canter]

I rode in a George Morris clinic years ago when I was a Junior. I guess that would have been in George’s “Man & women eating years”

Sorry, but I found him to be extremely professional, informative, funny, sarcastic, dry, entertaining and above all else, I learned so much.

Yes, he commented on weight back then. But only to let us know how hunter judges assess the “whole package.” It was never presented to us in a mean or demeaning way, just as his opinion based on his experience. It was very take it or leave it…but it was just another fact along with many, many other facts he was able to give us an insight into.

Maybe it’s because I’m Canadian, and my skin’s a little thicker because of the cold, but I’ve always been surprised at the amount of Morris-bashing that takes place on this BB.

I’m so glad to see a thread that refutes the gossipy, mean-spirited comments that I’ve been keeping quiet about for so long.

I’m glad to see that Inverness found the experience to be invaluable. I sure did.

Why is it when someone becomes successful we have a need to tear them down? Is it because we want to elevate them to the status of a god but then we’re surprised to find that they’re only human afterall?

I find it hard to believe that my experience with George has differed so greatly from what I’m led to believe are the experiences of the vast majority. It’s almost as if we haven’t all been riding with the same man.

[Twister]

I attended one of George’s teacher’s clinics a million or so years ago and it was superb. He got on a little school horse-type mare, who stopped with him at a pole on the ground. He slid off, right over her head. He said, ‘Horses are a great leveler.’

[ponymom138]

Trooper…
Dates:Nov 17,18,19
Location:Hunterdon in Pittstown,NJ
Cost: $50/day or $125 for all 3
Contact: Jenny Bates,908-782-0126

if you do go we will be the mom and daughter with the little black mare named British Lass.Say hello. We can huddle together for warmth. Jenny said dress warm and bring a blanket! Maybe we’ll hit an unseasonable warm spell!

Hope to see you there.

[Gayle]

In response to the question “how can you not be good enough to ride in a George Morris clinic?” I think I have an explanation/answer that applies to ANY professional clinic. It is not a question of good enough but CONFIDENT enough. I for one would love to go to one but my confidence needs to be more solid in myself. I believe that it wouldn’t be fair to the others in my group to hold them back if I required too much extra attention for something like that. It can be distracting and frustrating in a group situation. Every time Fox Chase has a clinic with him they clearly say that you should be jumping 2’6 with CONFIDENCE to attend.

Maybe that helps.

[ponymom138]

ponyfan:
well actually the only clothes the daughter got were tailored sportsmans(I had been saying “$160 for breeches, what are you crazy”) and 2 new sweaters. It was actually the horse that got more new stuff!We are notorious at the barn for taking hand-me-downs and buying mismatched sale stuff. Fortunately(!?) our horse has gotten bigger since we got her last year …no not fat… BUFF, and she needed some new stuff.Might as well make it color coordinated. I don’t think she appreciated wearing the pony’s purple hand me downs anyway. Daughter was thinking of wearing a knit turtleneck under her sweater if it is very cold should she wear a show shirt instead (with lots of long underwear underneath???).She is very thin and gets cold easily.Thanks for the advice, wonder if I will ever feel comfortable calling him “George”?

[Wicky]

I’ve been meaning to post this for a while, and this is a great place to do it.

My junior stepdaughter (skinny) and I (not skinny) both rode in the Myopia show this past August, where GM was judging.

I thought he was completely fair, and although I’m at least 20 pounds away from his ideal (and carry it in the worst place - hips and thighs) no one - me included - thought he penalized me for it.

I wish he would do a clinic near Boston.

[Inverness]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Twister:
I attended one of George’s teacher’s clinics a million or so years ago and it was superb. He got on a little school horse-type mare, who stopped with him at a pole on the ground. He slid off, right over her head. He said, ‘Horses are a great leveler.’ <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOLOL! Reminds me of something he said last week: “Riding is the art of keeping the horse between yourself and the ground.”

I was so impressed w/GM’s riding. He has the most incredible hands! I was sitting next to a woman whose green horse was being ridden in the clinic. It happened to be one the horses GM chose to ride. He rode this “opinionated” gelding for 20 minutes w/o stirrups, and in that short time taught him flying changes and a beautiful collected canter.

GM had such patience with that young horse - he was insistent but never harsh. It really was something to watch - even for a novice like myself.