George Morris Clinic!

[HorsetrainerKC23]

Hello All,

I will be taking part in a George Morris Clinic in the spring. I have never ridden with him and have heard good and bad things about it! My horse is still somewhat green and were figuring things out! :eek:What should I know about George before attending the clinic and what should I know before I ride? Does he get on every rider’s horse who clinics? Id love to gain as much information as possible (good and bad) to be prepared for this clinic! I am very excited, but nervous. I really want to make a good impression

[mroades]

Where and when? And the search feature is your friend. Everything you ever wanted to know about attending a GHM clinic has been discussed, and quite recently I might add.

[doublesstable]

Yes you could spend hours if not days on the search feature of George Morris.

Auditing for years here is my take:

He is very educated and old school. He is very hard on the horses and riders. He expects every effort from both. He stresses this sport is tough and can be dangerous and you better step up and take it seriously. He can be mean. He can be kind. He will complement and he will also insult.

You must have the proper equipment that he recommends. He can and will get on someones horse. Usually just one horse per session. For an 80 year old guy he rides really well…

It helps if you are a pretty decent rider and you have a good horse. He does deal with green riders and horses but he wont make excuses if you cannot do what is asked.

I would not ride with him as I am a Hunter rider and the exercises he does I feel are more geared to the Equitation horses or Jumper.

I know many people that have ridden with him and have loved it. I know a few that feel they learned something but it wasn’t easy. I have seen a few clinics where they were a bit chaotic because some of the students were not able to maneuver their horses property and I felt it was unsafe.

Don’t talk unless talked to. Don’t use your cell phone or waste his time.

Be neat and clean. Have the proper equipment ready to work and listen. I think it would be hard to ride with him too because sometimes he’s hard to hear what he is saying and if you don’t hear him and do it wrong, yes, he will yell at you.

His basic principals are ride leg into hand. Poll is the highest part of the horse. Carry your hands do not lower them. And do not bend your horses neck to the sides for transitions. Use regular fillis irons. Basic saddle; he likes the Butets.

[shmon]

I just watched one and there were a couple greenish horses with nice riders on them. They did fine. He does a lot of very basic flatwork but expects you to do it correctly! All the groups I watched basically did a lot of shoulder fore/in/out and haunches in/out, plus half turn/half turn in reverse, and lots of transitions. Not everyone did them perfectly, but they were trying, and you definitely saw improvement over the course of the weekend.

The jumping exercises were a little more complicated, even for the lowest group - there were striding questions, bending lines, spooky fences. Again, no expectations of perfection, but you had to be trying to do it right. I actually found it more interesting when things went wrong and how he instructed the riders to fix it, as opposed to the ones that went through and just got a “super” without any side commentary on how it was done.

Have plain fillis irons, no standing martingale. He tends to like a slow twist but there were plenty of plain snaffles that he liked on the horses that were in them. Oh, and get a real longer jumping whip, not a little bat! He made fun of the short ones that everyone had. You’ll be a step ahead if you have a longer one

I thought the clinic was fantastic. He was funny, acerbic, demanding, and insightful. He was very complimentary where it was deserved and sharp when people weren’t doing what he asked. If you like feedback and want to work hard, I think you’ll have a great time.

[MHM]

It’s a good idea to read (or re-read) his book Hunter Seat Equitation in advance, just to be familiar with his terminology. People who pay attention and try hard usually get a lot out of his clinics.

[greysfordays]

shmon’s comments are spot on, I was personally abused a little for having a short show bat. I also ride in the hunters, but I found his exercises very interesting. My trainer at home likes to have us doing more complicated exercises and to ride our horses uphill, so it wasn’t wildly different but he definitely asks interesting questions.

If you haven’t read Anne Kursinski’s excellent article in this week’s COTH about riders sitting too much while jumping, DEFINITELY DO. He hates heavy seat riding over fences. I’m tall with a long upper body and I typically tend to sit up more for my lead changes. You better believe he hated that.

Since I ride the hunters, we do almost no more lead changes than we have to on course, but George will definitely ask for lots of them. Having them straight with the horse not light in the croup is something he really appreciates.

Lastly, I’ve noticed he’s gotten really fastidious about placement of the foot in the stirrup. We were figure 8-ing over a half round and my foot slid a bit and he was adamant I be able to fix it perfectly without stopping. So practice correct foot position and keeping your heels down, so it’s not a problem!

I had a blast but then again, I really like getting feedback, and I don’t mind being yelled at. I’ve always felt if you’re yelling at me, it’s either bc I’m making a mistake and it is really important for me to correct it OR you’re trying to make people laugh, and both of those are ok by me!

[Andrew]

please You Tube George Morris Clinics and WATCH AND SEE AND ABSORBE…

[ladyj79]

I think going into it it is good to remember that what works for some doesn’t work for others and there is more than one way to do things.

Take from every clinician what you can, but never think that their way is the only way and you’ll be unsuccessful without it.

I know Olympians who swear by GM and others who sent him packing.

[greysfordays]

I agree with lady79, but I will say, when you’re in the actual clinic (any clinic for that matter), make an effort to really try what he says, even if it feels a bit much or unnatural.

He quickly figured out I do not like to pull hard hard. He had us halting in a line, and the first time, I was too wimpy. Sure enough, after two hard halts, the horse was softer throughout the course and carried himself better. It doesn’t mean I will always do that, but it was a good lesson and another tool in my tool box.

[findeight]

Be humble. You are there to learn, not to impress him…and doubt he has been impressed by too many. It’s all in your attitude and doing your homework before you ride for him. Knowing he will ask for a half turn in reverse is good but you also need to know what it is and how to do it.

He’s very vocal about the equipment he prefers. If you use something else, be prepared to explain why and bring extra bits if he wants you to change. Same thing with fillis irons, spurs and long sticks. You know ahead of time what he prefers, don’t poke the bear and start off with a negative.

Reading his book and watching the videos on YT will prepare you for his theories, vocabulary as well as show you clearly what sets him off. He’s just a curmudgeon and perfectionist and if you accept that and refrain from arguing, making excuses, eye rolling, deep sighs or doing the same thing wrong repeatedly? You’ll be fine.

Never rode for him but watched him teach privately, shared rings where he was teaching and been around him at shows. Found him proper but polite around others, very funny too at times. Did see him go off at a couple of riders but I would have smacked em upside the head long before he gave them a tongue lashing

Also heard him say that people at his clinics expect at least one rider to be chastised…and he said that with a wink.

Its a great opportunity for you while he’s still with it.