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- Here’s a quick story I wrote about my wonderful weekend at the very last George Morris Clinic - - -
He says the same things over and over but why can’t we remember it or better yet apply it all the time? Why is it that we are sometimes taught things or get in habits that are not correct? Was it why I heard the same basic things over and over at the VERY LAST “George Morris Clinic” this weekend? Was it worth the money I spent to watch this clinic for the 10th time? YES!!!
“Don’t be a bleating sheep” he says standing in the arena with his brick breeches, brown boots and velvet hunt cap as he directs a rider to begin a task…… “You people are too heavy in your seat! Get in your jumping position”, he bellows…… “Skip a meal you are pudgy!”
These are just some of the words that come out of his mouth and reason for some of the negative skeptics out there. I can understand that but if you really listen to what he has to offer and understand how he motivates people to work harder than they normally would; his system is pretty clear. It’s not only a very simple system but an extremely correct one.
At first glance you watch him mount a horse and in the beginning it looks like a giraffe. Within 15 minutes it looks like he is riding a different horse. It is engaged, has self carriage, it is behaving and moving softly with a big step. It looks like magic. Basic principals he expresses – leg to hand, leg to hand!!! Give and take, don’t hang and DON’T drop your hands to the withers. Raise your hands, carry your hands and the poll is the highest part of the horse. The horse must accept your hand and your leg. This was repeated to the students over and over. He commented many times about too much neck bending. Don’t pull the inside rein to bend the neck. Use inside leg to outside hand. There is too much neck bending going on. Now over fences he did have all the riders work on lowering their hands with an auto release saying he waited too long on this one. Remarking more riders need to do this.
Now the things he says that are truly him – “I just love riding and I love horses.” He is an inspiration to watch and gives me hope that I can continue to ride for many more years to come. He shows us that age is not a factor. I believe he is 78 years old.
He is also quick to praise. I like this girl!! He will tell them they did it great. He uses words like excellent and what a horse to many riders. He kept telling one rider with a lovely mare that no matter what you paid for her you didn’t pay enough. He’s pretty simple – show up, be prepared to listen and work hard.
A recap of things he made very clear he likes and dislikes;
Fillis irons (no plastic, jointed, or colored stirrups)
Double twisted wires, simple snaffles and Kimberwicks (No gags, Pelhams or elaborate bits)
Whips and spurs (you must ride with them and be prepared) (a bat but not too short)
Ear plugs (are not to be used in training – maybe at competition if necessary) He pulled them right out of the ears of a horse he was riding.
Martingales (no shortcuts or gimmicks) you must educate and train your horse
A clean, groomed horse and tidy rider
Stirrup position must be at an angle from the girth with your pinky toe touching the outside branch
(He constantly was having people fix their stirrup position if it wasn’t how he wanted it)
Heels down.
No stirrup work (The riders were amazing at this. I was dying just sitting on the chair watching them.)
Don’t use your cell phone, talk or clap while auditing (you will get yelled at. His favorite sound bite - “Don’t waste my time”)
Give him your 100% undivided attention as he is teaching. This clearly means a lot to him.
And the most repeated comment of the weekend - INSIDE LEG TO OUTSIDE REIN!!
He focused on training a horse to have self carriage and balance. He did of course make comments about the Hunter ring of today. That the horses don’t jump round, they don’t have impulsion nor do they have self carriage. He commented on so many horses going around of the forehand, over-flexed, behind the bit. I have to agree with him.
It was a great clinic. I was actually sad thinking I was never going to get to see him teach again. Never get to see him show others how to train the horses. Sad there is no one out there like George.
Today as I rode my young horse I have been having problems with not accepting the bit and ducking behind my hands – I rode as George would have wanted me to and the miracle happened my horse didn’t curl once.
My horse told me today “GEORGE IS RIGHT.”
) He liked me so much he had be go first in the over fences portion as his example rider. And at the end of the clinic he walked back to the barn with me on the last day, patted me on the shoulder, and told me what a great job I did. (I almost cried, but held it together)