Still trying to decide whether I want to ride in it or just audit. I would probably be on a borrowed horse in a 3’ section, any thoughts? I don’t know his teaching style or what he expects, and I’m just a lowly amateur (well dec. 1st I will be). I can handle tough criticism, but I’ll do a lower height level if the course work’s going to be tough. Anyone have any experience with his clinics and got tips or know what to expect?
I haven’t cliniced with him, but I’ve seen him warming up students at countless shows- he’s firm but with a smile. Not like GM or Diane Carney.
I have always wanted to do one of his clinics or at least audit. I have heard nothing but praise about his teaching style, and he just seems so fun. A friend of mine rode with his as a jr and adored him.
My experience is that his clinics are thorough, fair and appropriately demanding. I have audited several and my daughter rode in one of his clinics, before hand I pulled him aside and explained an issue we were having with her green horse. He spent quite a bit of time addressing the issue. I much prefer him in a clinic setting vs. long term training with him.
Audit. Especially on an unfamiliar horse. He won’t rip your head off or berate you in front of others but…he’s not cheap, at the upper end of the clinician rate scale. Getting your money’s worth from him on that borrowed horse as opposed to auditing for far less and taking, say, four (or more)lessons from your own trainer (on your own horse?) working on what you observe for the same price is worth thinking about.
The best clinicians work mostly under posted height depending on increasing the technicality of the exercises to show mastery of flatwork skills (proper use of aids with prompt and correct response from the horse) rather then raise the fences. Towards the end of the session, especially a second or third day session, the fences will go up using skills mastered in the technical exercises and flatwork introduced earlier in the session(s) Those not up to it are not asked for full height or more by most clinicians.
Up to OP depending on what they value most and their budget as well as what they expect to gain. Obviously what the horse might gain is moot as far as value to OP.
I’d ride. We just had him give our local association clinic this weekend which I audited. It was excellent but I got more out of his 2010 clinic when I rode. He is firm but fair and exquisitely talented at pegging both the groups and individuals quickly to challenge rather over face. You’ll have a great time. As an amateur on an unfamiliar horse be sure to step down a notch from your usual height to assure a positive experience then go enjoy.
I think each clinic is a different experience and Madden is a human being. I can only speak to the clinic my DD did which cost about $800 for the whole weekend. There was too much talk, even some political ranting and not enough riding. They put a pony in who could only jump 2’6" and it seemed they were catering to that team.
He was very interested in remaking an adult rider’s position and helping her with her very green horse; the horse was totally inverted and he transformed her position and got the horse collected by the end of the clinic. He really seemed to enjoy that.
But we left feeling DD hadn’t been challenged, maybe she even over prepared for the clinic. There wasn’t even a lot of no stirrup work. She learned more from watching the higher levels which were fabulous and had lots more riding and challenging exercises.
He definitely was not rude or inappropriate; like I said he was very engaged with someone who was green and needed lots of work.
If money is no object than go ahead. But if you are choosing between the clinic and something else I would not do it. Audit instead and when you are ready for higher do that.
[QUOTE=findeight;8405360]
Audit. Especially on an unfamiliar horse. He won’t rip your head off or berate you in front of others but…he’s not cheap, at the upper end of the clinician rate scale. Getting your money’s worth from him on that borrowed horse as opposed to auditing for far less and taking, say, four (or more)lessons from your own trainer (on your own horse?) working on what you observe for the same price is worth thinking about.
The best clinicians work mostly under posted height depending on increasing the technicality of the exercises to show mastery of flatwork skills (proper use of aids with prompt and correct response from the horse) rather then raise the fences. Towards the end of the session, especially a second or third day session, the fences will go up using skills mastered in the technical exercises and flatwork introduced earlier in the session(s) Those not up to it are not asked for full height or more by most clinicians.
Up to OP depending on what they value most and their budget as well as what they expect to gain. Obviously what the horse might gain is moot as far as value to OP.[/QUOTE]
Second this. If you had your own horse and had issues you would want to address with him then ride. But if not, audit unless you have the money to burn.
[QUOTE=Soaponarope;8405479]
I think each clinic is a different experience and Madden is a human being. I can only speak to the clinic my DD did which cost about $800 for the whole weekend. There was too much talk, even some political ranting and not enough riding. They put a pony in who could only jump 2’6" and it seemed they were catering to that team.
He was very interested in remaking an adult rider’s position and helping her with her very green horse; the horse was totally inverted and he transformed her position and got the horse collected by the end of the clinic. He really seemed to enjoy that.
But we left feeling DD hadn’t been challenged, maybe she even over prepared for the clinic. There wasn’t even a lot of no stirrup work. She learned more from watching the higher levels which were fabulous and had lots more riding and challenging exercises.
He definitely was not rude or inappropriate; like I said he was very engaged with someone who was green and needed lots of work.
If money is no object than go ahead. But if you are choosing between the clinic and something else I would not do it. Audit instead and when you are ready for higher do that.[/QUOTE]
My experience in a clinic with him several years ago was very similar. I didn’t feel challenged and I didn’t take much away from it (other than to always wear spurs!). He was however very attentive with a green horse in the group and I felt that they made nice progress throughout the session. This was the 3’-3’6" section and the rest of us didn’t receive much individual attention other than a minor correction or two during an exercise. The exercises we did were interesting and fun, but I really wish I would’ve spent the money on extra lessons at home.
Just an update, I’m working jump crew for it and I’m pretty excited. My younger sister is riding on a borrowed horse, but mainly because the owner wanted the horse in the clinic and my sister’s pony is going to be tried in a few days. Plus she’s a lot better of a rider confidence wise than me, I’ll admit. I’ll let everyone know how it goes. I’m going to do a bit of a clinic report for another thread’s op who wanted it.
I rode in several clinics with Frank Madden and they were among my very favorite riding experiences ever. To this day, I use some of the exercises I learned in those sessions, particularly one that is very useful for a horse with a sticky change. Enjoy the experience!
