A barn down the road is hosting a 3 day long Mary Wanless clinic, and (unless a riding spot opens up and I’m feeling flush AND brave) I’m going to audit. Would love to know if it’s worth auditing for more than one day. I’m planning to go on the first day. TIA!
A legend in her lifetime. Of course it is worth going because she won’t be around for ever.
5 Likes
A legend in her own mind as well.
8 Likes
There are a number of Mary Wanless videos online. Check those out and see if what you think.
1 Like
I have learned a tremendous amount from riding with Mary and have read all of her books. If you decide to go, I’d read one book first, if you can, to get an idea of how she thinks and teaches.
4 Likes
I’ve audited many of her clinics and have been a fan for many years. I agree with reading her books to get a feel for her teaching. Her way of explaining just makes sense to me; rider biomechanics makes it easier for the horse to go correctly. Centered riding with all the wishy-washy images never worked for me.
She has many useful YouTube videos as well. She’ll shorten your stirrups and get you using your core like never before. When it all comes together, your horse will go effortlessly without you doing anything to him…just yourself. Heather Blitz is an example of riding this way.
I’m so jealous. I’d love to ride my pony with her and see just how I’m interpreting her methods. But you’ll get a lot from just auditing and seeing the changes in the riders. If you can, go for more than one day, definitely the first day if you can only go once.
4 Likes
I’ve ridden in 2 Mary clinics, and it’s actually one of the best clinics for auditors IMO, because she does an hour of unmounted training for everyone each day, riders and auditors alike. The auditors are encouraged to participate, both by asking questions, (“When you told rider X she needed to close her middle drawer, what did you mean by that?” sort of stuff usually comes up, explain how this felt and why you said that) and also by participating in her unmounted physical exercises with the riders.
Agree that it’s valuable to go all three days but definitely don’t miss the first day if you have to miss any.
5 Likes
I have ridden in many MW clinics, hosted them, and attended 6 of her teacher training clinics. My social group includes folks who have been to even more. But even as a biased fan, I can tell you I have audited an outrageous number of clinics from many other folks also, and I am always willing to go watch. Whether someone is great or they suck, going to watch them is certainly a great way to find out.
Even if someone is teaching a discipline you do not participate in, I have been very impressed by some clinicians skills with riders, complex situations, etc. I have also had a good laugh at some top competitors who suck the big suck at actual teaching. The skill sets are not the same.
I would always encourage someone to go see a well known clinician just to see what goes on. You may learn a lot about what TO do, what NOT to do, etc. I jumped into my first MW clinic with a “what the heck let’ s see what this is about” attitude. I came away with a “well I am not sure what just happened but I have never had or seen a riding lesson like that before.” No one had ever told me how to use my body on the back of a horse.
So sure. Go see. Life is short, don’t miss out on a noted speaker if you can manage to make it.
4 Likes
Mary tends to be very polarizing with a very unique teaching style. You either can’t stand her and wouldn’t ride in a clinic if it were free or you’re a devotee.
A dear friend of mine rode with her and ended coming home crying as Mary was quite blunt about my friend’s horse not being suitable for dressage due to its breed (that friend bred and had shown in dressage for years). It was pretty bad.
Another friend loves her and rides with her any chance she gets (but owns a different breed).
3 Likes
I also left in tears. Mary’s last words were “You need to go home and figure this out because if you bring her back we’ll be doing the same thing”
Well, I did figure it out so why would I bring her back to another of her clinics.
I’m a slow learner, I rode in 6 before I gave up
5 Likes
It depends on how you weight these things. I’m far more irritated by clinicians who take $$ from people year after year after year, with no improvement. I have seen well known people teach the same lesson to 12 people in a row. I have seen top names stare blankly at an AA for 20 minutes and say nothing because they have no idea what do do with a middle aged average human on a less than average horse.
The super communicators are too often super soothers. They may not actually teach much, but they make everyone feel good. I am very excited about the capacity of technology (Pivo, pixio, Soloshot, etc) to enable people to work both remotely and with a lot less stress (than dragging your beast to a strange place and spending an obscene fortune trying to produce improvement in a very short time) but I still jump at the chance to go watch live.
I went to see an Amish horse starter recently at a club event. He purchased the property of another R- trainer I knew from 20 effing years ago (the Amish guy was probably one of the teens I saw working there, way back when…). Not only does this guy know his horse training, he’s crack with the English crowd, and does a damn good job of selling his skills. It was well worth the trip.
2 Likes
Another one here who left in tears. And didn’t feel like I learned anything. So disappointing.
1 Like
Well… she teaches world wide, has successful student instructors and international riders. So maybe the problem is not her. The double standards on this planet are astounding. GM was excused for decades for being a flat out body shaming bully. And MB is claimed by the COTH mob as being the victim of the woman he shot. The misogyny runs deep, no doubt about that. The root of our disappointments are largely found in the mirror. But since hiding behind false names is the current trend, it is no wonder folks get confused.
3 Likes
My first time riding with her was at the beginning of my dressage journey and I was clueless. She liked my horse so think she took pity on me. The other rider me was not so lucky and it was pretty brutal and stressful. I was afraid of her.
But, her concepts and way of explaining resonated with me. Years later I had an incredible weekend clinic with Sandy Howard and she was complimentary of my position and said she could tell I’d worked with Mary.
RIP Sandy - she took us through a two hour slideshow of correct movement and biomechanics and was SO devoted to teaching. What a loss.
2 Likes
Just wanted to add…she’s not too fond of Arabs. Calls them ‘tourists’. Possibly why I only audited and never rode with my Arab.
And, many riders won’t get past walking until day two or three. Someone may go there with an upper level horse and go no further than walk/trot while she corrects your form. But when it’s correct, the horse will visibly improve. I wish I had been taught this stuff when I started riding almost 50 years ago.
Wow. So we’re supposed to excuse her for making multiple people on this board leave her clinics in tears because she’s a woman? I’m sorry - she may be a genius - but no one (no matter their gender) should treat people that way. I don’t think effective instruction requires reducing people to tears on a regular basis.
18 Likes
How about 18?
That would be 6 3 day clinics
1 Like
What an amazing opportunity! I would say go audit and for as many days as you can afford & have the time to do so. While I have never audited a clinic of hers, Mary Wanless has a way of communicating that just makes sense to me.
As @Wicky has suggested, I would recommend reading her Rider Biomechanics book first if you can. It’s filled with lots of information and you will have a chance to understand Mary’s word useage about the fascia more clearly. Plus the diagrams really help convey the message. Previously, I had only read her 1995 Masterclass book and struggled to follow it. I would say that over time Mary has been able to convey her message more clearly.
Check out her Dressage TV website. Lots to learn both on the ground and in the saddle.
I would go.
I remember Mum and I with my horse with Mary Wanless Ride with your Mind II book and the exercises in it. One reading the book out loud, the other trying the exercise out. Then trying it normally, then again to feel and see the difference in the horse.
Then I went to the local library and requested they buy Mary Wanless Ride with your Mind and they did and we got to read that one too. Later I picked up some videos.
2 Likes
My dear friend also had an arab and Mary made it really clear how she felt about the breed as dressage horses.
2 Likes
