George Morris

[RugBug]

@Melusine

Unfortunately, I can second this comment by direct experience. Years ago, I lived in NJ near his stables. I am not a Hunter Jumper rider but have known this name for years. I decided to visit the farm one day and wandered into the indoor arena. He was giving a lesson to six riders or so. All without stirrup irons as I recall. He turned to me and said if I wanted to audit the class that would be $30. He was quite cold and direct.

Now, I realize I walked onto the property uninvited. Now I realize that was a blunder on my part so I give him that. The impression he made was it’s all about the $$$ This was in 1985 or so.

Wait, you realize you were in the wrong, but you still hold it against him?

FWIW - I do some Buck Brannaman clinics. He’s the GM of the Vaquero/Californios riding tradition (ranch horse stuff, in case you aren’t familiar). He is VERY particular that auditors pay each day ($30). On top of that, he does not all anyone to video tape clinics. He gets quite upset if he catches someone. He wants people to learn, but he doesn’t expect to give away his knowledge for free. I don’t understand what is wrong with that.

[IPEsq]

@Melusine

I am a fan of CRK Training and wonder if Callie King is talking about GM in this video?

No. Although she suggests that the crest release is unsafe, the way she demonstrates it as being a problem is not the way GM teaches it. He does not teach laying on the neck. I also don’t like the way she describes her method for solving the issue at all. It’s wrong on a lot of levels.

[GoneAway]

@Melusine

I am a fan of CRK Training and wonder if Callie King is talking about GM in this video?

…Callie, who?

Completely agreed with @IPEsq …what she is saying has nothing to do with what GM actually teaches. You’d probably be very surprised how much GM emphasizes to instructors that they teach people properly and stay close to classical horsemanship. No tricks. No gimmicks. No fads. Horsemanship.

I watch that CRK girl jump and see someone who is hitting her horse in the back halfway over the little crossrail. I think I’ll stick with GM.

[RugBug]

@Melusine

I am a fan of CRK Training and wonder if Callie King is talking about GM in this video?

Good gracious, no. She’s talking about poorly executed crest releases, which has nothing to do with GM.

I also have to agree with Gone Away. That is not someone I would be listening to in regards to jumping technique. She pinches with her knee, balances on her toe, rounds her back, hits her horse in the back AND mouth when jumping. It’s funny, her position/leg was MUCH better when she was demonstrating what not to do. She then showed what to do and looked awful.

[HJdaydream]

Recently audited a GHM clinic in Dallas and I adored him. He was a bit harsh at times, but it was well deserved- such as when a rider was obviously not paying attention etc. I did a little write up in my blog about the experience, including some direct quotes. Link below for those interested:

http://hunkyhanoverian.com/allthingshorse/george-morris-clinic-dallas-tx/

[merrygoround]

I watched about a minute of her sales video. An amazing amount of misinformation. The Hunter classes have gotten ridiculously stylized, the eq divisions have gotten a bit frozen, but those at the top do an excellent job.

The unfortunate area in Hunt seat are usually caused by wannabe instructors, who have absolutely no idea of the what and why of what they are teaching.

a

[SendenHorse]

$30 to audit a lesson? Just one lesson? or the day?

That said…

I would be THROWING my cash at him as fast as I could… seriously.

You dropped that ball, big time. I guess you just didn’t know what was right in front of you. I live way too far away, darn it

[abrant]

@SendenHorse

$30 to audit a lesson? Just one lesson? or the day?

That said…

I would be THROWING my cash at him as fast as I could… seriously.

You dropped that ball, big time. I guess you just didn’t know what was right in front of you. I live way too far away, darn it

Yeah, I’ve paid $75/day to audit him three times. I feel like an idiot LMAO.

I can’t even imagine wandering into someone else’s indoor arena though :eek:

[RugBug]

@abrant

Yeah, I’ve paid $75/day to audit him three times. I feel like an idiot LMAO.

I can’t even imagine wandering into someone else’s indoor arena though :eek:

That last time I considered auditing, it was $90/day. I didn’t go…although I did a few years earlier and it was worth the $60 I paid that time.

[Laurierace]

$110 now and worth every penny.

[abrant]

@Laurierace

$110 now and worth every penny.

Absolutely. Last year we got to watch him teach Hunter Holloway and wow. Incredible.

[SendenHorse]

One of the only reasons I watch the Mclay finals is to hear George’s commentary (and Anne). I pay for the subscription, in other words, for this reason. I am primarily a dressage rider and I appreciate the focus on good basics.

[Risuena]

@HJdaydream - I followed your link and enjoyed your write-up about the clinic. One gem has stuck in my mind (bold mine):

“…[GM] said some funny stuff about how spoiled horses that are accustomed to lots of pats, praise, treats etc used to be called “lady broke” back in the day, and how women riders need to treat their horses more like how they treat their husbands, and their husbands like their horses. I found this to be HILARIOUS, as I am definitely ‘stricter’ with my husband then Rio, and I bet my husband would enjoy all the attention I pile on Rio LOL. Definitely needed that kick in the pants to get Rio a bit more disciplined as not coddle him so much…”

I laughed a little too hard at this, and I think it really hit the nail on the head for a lot of people, myself most definitely included. This may have just improved both my marriage AND my horse, ha!

[ladyrider2]

George Morris can do whatever he wants. He’s earned it. I’m not a jumping rider, but he still has so much valuable to say. There is an article where he taught a dressage rider a lesson when she challenged him, and he helped her with her tempi changes, it was wonderful. It was one of those things that stuck with me and became very helpful in working on tempi changes.

He does that all of the time. He says or explains things that really stick with you and are helpful for a lifetime. That is pretty amazing.

[Equicentric]

I rode with Colonel Kimball as a kid and he was a very gentle and knowledgeable person that cared about every student and Pony Clubber as an individual.

[Highflyer1]

Oh this thread has not aged well.

[SillyHorse]

@seeuatx

movie star of The Horse With the High Flying Tail (about Nautical, one of his big time jumpers), Y

“The Horse With the Flying Tail” (not High Flying) was indeed about Nautical, but the rider was Hugh Wiley, not George Morris.

It’s a darned good movie, by the way.

The Horse with the Flying Tail (1960) - IMDb

[LilRanger]

@Highflyer1

Oh this thread has not aged well.

I disagree, I doubt most posting here knew the depths of Morris’ behavior. Its a good look at what Morris lost, he was the top of the trees, but he’s nastier than dog poo now. All by his own actions

[hoopoe]

@LilRanger is right, It is a good reflection