WHEW HEW! I get to do a Richard Spooner clinic!

[Chanda]

Hi guys, long time no talk. I just got back from Italy and have a week and a half to get Chase ready for this clinic. It is at my barn so I couldn’t pass it up even though Chase isn’t ready. If it gets to be to be too much for him I will just stop and watch.

Has anyone done a clinic with him? What should I expect? Is there any advice you can give me for his likes and dislikes? This is my first clinic ever so I want to make it good.

I am obviously going to dress super nice and neat and have my horse groomed to perfection and carry all needed accesories. Anything else?

The clinic still has some openings if anyone is interested. It is on the 4th and 5th of December in Santa Ynez. Email me and I can hook you up with organizers.

[Madison]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chanda:
There is a certain percent chance that if Richard wanted to ride my horse that I would learn all sorts of new stuff and it would be great.

There is also a certain percent chance that Chase could tweek his shoulder and get hurt.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

IMO there is a 100% chance that you would learn something new if someone as talented as Richard got on your horse. And I think that would apply to most anyone. In fact it is why we all either secretly hope or outwardly beg for talented clinicians to ride our horses at a clinic

But, if you truly believe that the chance of Richard Spooner getting on Chase puts his shoulder that much at risk, then I have to wonder why you would put him through a clinic at all, even with just you riding. In my experience, clinics are very demanding even on a fit horse, and in that case I would probably choose to audit rather than risk it.

Good luck and have fun whatever you decide to do. I agree with whoever said it would be easy to let the organizer know you prefer not to have anyone else ride him, if Richard is considering riding during the sessions. I think people here have tried to give honest, frank advice based on the information you provided, which is of course all anyone has to go on.

[Saddith]

Chanda, where is your barn? I might come audit, if I can get that weekend off work.

[JustJump]

What a way to wake up!!! Here I thought the thread got so long because Chanda was describing what had happened at the clinic…now we’ve got the ADA Equine Act!!

Everyone else is sleeping, and I am trying not to spit the coffee all over the floor, I’m laughing so hard!

OMG. Chanda. If Chase is truly that fragile, he just simply shouldn’t be a riding horse. Retire him now. Turn him out, forget him. Or wake up and admit that you have somehow micromanaged yourself into a corner. Who is your trainer? Is she nuts? Or just one of those insane dressage queens? Maybe you are trying to do the wrong discipline altogether. Would you feel the same way about Robert Dover getting on your horse? Please. You are in California. Surely there are counselers available to deal with your type of fear. Does that poor horse get turned out? Or do you protect him from that, too? Look at yourself, Chanda! You have fallen straight off your rocker!!!

And I’m trying to think…what would I POSSIBLY want to undo if the guy who DROVE ALL NIGHT ON 10 MINUTES NOTICE TO RIDE IN THE NATIONS CUP FINAL THE WEEK OF 9-11-01 rode my horse?

Talk about inspiration for not letting anything get in the way of your goals.

Don’t you have any goals anymore? Or are you afraid to set them? Come to your senses. You have spent ENOUGH time NOT doing things with that horse. Either not do it (again) or: suck it up and go to the clinic, DO EVERYTHING you are asked to (including handing over the reins if the miniscule odds of that happening go against you), and SHUT UP while you are doing it. You will live. SO will Chase.

Sorry, but you need a BIG reality check.

[hifi]

I am sure he is great. However, I would learn nothing for Richard because I would be too busy drooling and fantasizing

[Portia]

(Sorry, tried to edit my post and ended up deleting it).

It seems to me that what the others have said is both well-intentioned and correct. The basic point of any clinic is to learn and push yourself and your horse to try new things. You have to be ready and prepared to do that to a reasonable degree or it will be a frustrating experience for you, your horse, the other riders, and the clinician.

A prerequisite for any clinic that involves riding in groups is that you and your horse are ready and able to ride at the level set for the group and to do the exercises that might be called for. There’s always some leeway, but too much disparity only leads to someone either getting left out of most things or taking an unfair amount of the clinician’s and the group’s time.

By all means, if you think you and Chase are ready for it, prepared to learn, and prepared to do the exercises that will be asked of you, then do the clinic. Enjoy it and learn from it. But if you honestly think Chase’s issues are likely to make it so you can’t participate effectively, then it would be better to audit. You can have fun auditing, learn a great deal, and have a lot to take back to work on with your trainer and your horse.

[DMK]

Stop… stop… please stop… <whimper> gasp

[Chanda]

Thanks guys.
Duffy, that was my plan. I had already informed the person setting up the clinic that my horse is pretty out of shape but I wanted to do the clinic anyway. I am totally open to learning new things but I didn’t want to overface my horse so I entered him in the smallest fence height. If my horse gets tired I will stop and leave the clinic and watch the rest of it. No big deal.

I am totaly open to learning new things I just don’t want anyone to ride my horse. That’s all. It just did not occur to me until the other morning at 4am. I asked my trainer and she said it would not be a good idea for anyone else to ride him and I ageed.

I would much rather have him explain things to me so I can do it myself since I am the only one that rides him anyway.

I am not going to offend anyone or ruin anyone elses clinic. I just want to ride my own horse. It is no big deal.

Besides, I just talked to a woman doing the class after mine with bigger fences and she hasn’t ridden her horses for 2 years, nor has she ridden for the last 2 years. I think she is going to be a bigger risk of ruining peoples clinic than I am.

[Coreene]

I just figured that if you were so worried about bending you might be worried about lateral work. Unless his nose is attached to his backside, I can’t understand the problem.

Chanda, really. You asked about saddles and then shot back at everyone who bothered to give advice, because you knew better. Ditto on hunt coats, ditto on double bridles, ditto on the double dressage whips. Learn from it, girl. The lesson is right there: don’t come asking for advice and then shoot the messengers.

[Bumpkin]

LOL Coreene, you are right, the womb theory is something, that perhaps even Reader’s Digest may even pay good money for.
hmmmmmmmmmmm

[WildBlue]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chanda:
…Richard will still get his 400 bucks. What does he care if I just stay to the side and watch?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have to beg to differ. In a mounted group session, a rider who insists on following his or her own programme is disruptive, creates more work for the instructor, and reduces the quality of the other students’ lesson. I’m sure you wouldn’t mean to be so rude, but it’s bound to happen if you can’t or won’t attempt to follow Mr Spooner’s instructions.

If you are that concerned for your horse, auditing is a much better option for everyone.

[Chanda]

I was just asking because I usually don’t let ANYONE get on my horse. It upsets him a lot and I didn’t know what I should do if Richard wants to get on him. I would hate to stress out my horse but I would also feel like an ass having to tell Richard no. I would feel even worse if my horse seriously hurt anyone which is always a possibility.

Since I am never selling Chase I don’t have to worry if anyone ever gets on him besides me.

[On_Second_Thought]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Illyria:
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chanda:
I just want to guard him against any strain to that shoulder. I am only able to protect him if I am the one riding him because I can FEEL it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
IMO, if you can feel it then so will Richard Spooner be able to, should he happen to get on him. And who knows, perhaps he may know some exercises that will help. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Holy Crap, Chanda, that HAS to much make so much sense it makes your head want to cave in!

[Lisamarie8]

OK, Chanda, I know that probably hurt your feelings, but deep down… if you REALLY dig, you have to admit that was funny as hell!

[Chanda]

Thanks Findeight, that’s really good advice. I would hate to accidentally do anything rude. You are right, I am sure after the flatwork that he will be able to tell for himself how fit (or unfit) Chase is all by himself.

I am working Chases little butt off trying to get him in better shape by next weekend.

[findeight]

Welcome back

We expect a full report.

Just a hint, don’t be too insecure about it. Groom well, dress well, listen and don’t speak unless spoken to and you will have a GREAT time…remember, big name or not, he is working for YOU so don’t be scared.

[khobstetter]

Just go and have a great time. He is FUN, enthuastic, efficient…AND ENDLESSLY PATIENT!!!

You need to turn out well, clean and tidy…BUT don’t feel like you have to obsess about it…

He does a GREAT clinic, has a great personality in that venue and will not only REALLY help your riding…he will assure you a good time AND YOUR MONEYS WORTH!!!

[Coreene]

Chanda, what are you going to do during the very long flat phase if he asks for shoulder in, haunches in etc?

AAJumper you are SO right.

[Pocket_Pony]

Ooooh boy, here we go!

Thanks for the update on the equine ADA laws, jetsmom. That was very helpful.

[dmj]

I agree that this would be a waste of both your and Mr. Spooner’s time. If you cannot go into this clinic with an open mind, don’t go. I have audited and participated in enough clinics to know that this would be an awkward situation, to say the least.

My horse was also abused when he came to me. Sometimes you just have to let go a bit. Your horse may surprise you with what he is capable of, both mentally and physically. I know mine did.