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

[Pocket_Pony]

Well Chanda, I know you are excited about the opportunity, but I say don’t go. You are obviously a very good mom for Chase and very concerned about his welfare. But if you and your trainer have him in such a strict program, and you can’t bend him in a certain way, or must ride him in another way, then I’d think that you are just wasting your time and money, and the clinician’s. I really am not meaning to be rude, but what happens when Richard says “bend him more to the left”. Are you going to stop the clinic (with what, 6 or 7 other people?) and explain to him that while you appreciate the input, you are not going to do what he suggests because you might break your horse? I’ve only seen one of his clinics, and it was a while ago, but it was very intense. Not necessarily in a bad way, but if you weren’t prepared then it was very difficult. Lots of gymnastics in bending lines, lots of flat work focusing on lateral flexibility, and just lots of work in general.

Why don’t you put it off another year until Chase is stronger? That way you could get the most for your money. It sounds to me like you are going into this with the expectation of “dropping out”, anyways. <BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> This is just a clinic, it is supposed to be a fun time to meet someone new and learn a new point of view or a new way of thinking. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You can do that by auditing and you won’t even have to ride. Then you could practice some of what you learned at home, with your trainer. And decide if it is something you want to shoot for next year.

[Tin]

hmm… does that apply to horses who are, er… shall I say one flake short of a bale? because man, I could really use that to my advantage!

[Chef_Jade]

Chanda, I know you are riding Chase a certain way to protect his weak areas. But you also have to think of the long-term ill-effects of not riding him equally on both sides, and allowing him to favor certain legs.

Sometimes having a great pro get on and help “un-stick” parts of your horse can really create a big breakthrough.

Also, you may be surprised at your own breakthroughs you have had with Chase by letting someone else ride him. Wouldn’t it be rewarding to see that you have made him trusting of other people, too?

Obviously its your horse and your decision to make, but just wanted to give you some food for thought.

Good luck, have fun, and give us a report!

[DMK]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lauriep:
OH. MY. GOD. That is perhaps the funniest thing I have read since being on these boards.

DMK, girl, your reign as resident cynic is being challenged!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

jetsmom doesn’t post often, but as I recall she has always had a special gift… leaving one to wonder which branch of the ADA recognizes her special gift?

[jetsmom]

I know exactly the type of horse we are talking about. You guys are all wrong. I know there is such a thing as a horse that only one person can ride. I even saw the movie about it.
I think it was called “The Black Stallion”. And, just to make sure that everyone is really sure it exists, there was even a sequel, called “The Black Stallion Returns”.
So, there!

[Chanda]

You know what, I changed my mind, I agree with you guys.

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.

My idea of what the percentage of both chances are is different than what all of you think they are.

Who is right? I don’t know.

Anyway, what’s done is done and I will make the best of it.

[system]

yah richard rides at the same place as me and i see him every day and he is as nice as can be. he is really respectful and nice, but you have to be patient and listen to him

-jenn weeks

[Nickelodian]

I do believe I may just have been witness to a TMP invasion.

[ClemsonGraduateRider]

I agree with those who would be thrilled if Richard Spooner wanted to ride my horse.

I also wonder why you are riding this horse at all if such a slight change or disruption in routine could cause, what appears to be an always lingering injury, to reoccur. I’m honestly wondering, would a spook to a certain direction seriously hurt your horse? I understand if you don’t want to answer but it sounds as though Chase may just be perpetually injured?? I just can’t imagine that a horse that fragile should be worked at all.

[jetsmom]

Pocket Pony- The ADA, equine division is very clear on the right to equal treatment of handicapped equines.
Rule 6624.3c states- Every qualifying handicapped equine must be permitted access to the same level of training as non-handicapped equines, not limited to: pro-rides (regardless if your trainer fears for their life while on them), clinics, and schooling shows. In the event that it is a clinic or show, allowances must be made to give the handicapped equine equal access to all jumps. This can be accomplished by flowers on both sides of the jumps, invisible poles for those horses that have a jump height phobia, and mandatory clapping of the audience after the handicapped equine completes a round (or a fence or 2) so as not to damage the self esteem of the emotionally fragile handicapped equine.
Rule 6524b-All handicapped equines shall have equal access to turnout as non handicapped equines. While turned out, a single side rein should be used on those equines suffering from “crooked in the womb” syndrome, to prevent the afflicted equine from accidentally bending to the afflicted side and causing further disability.
There are many other ADA rules for handicapped equines, but I’ve only posted the most applicable.
For those of you making fun of the Black Stallion, please be aware that the ADA also is closely affiliated with the NAACE (National Association For The Advancement Of Colored Equines) and prefers not to use the word “Black”. We like to refer to it as Lightness Challenged.
Black has too many negative connotations.

[Chanda]

Pocket Pony, you are probably right, I should not do the clinic. But, at the same time I have had to miss so much woth this horse. I have only done 2 dressage shows and 1 Jumper show with him in all the time i have had him. I just wanted to do something fun and maybe open up my mind for a change.

Besides, even if I can only do the flat and a little jumping Richard will still get his 400 bucks. What does he care if I just stay to the side and watch?

If Richard asks me to do something that I don’t think is good for my horse I will just not do it. If he asks why I will tell him it is because of an old injury. I am sure he will understand.

[magic_mushroom]

just curious - was it de kunffy that you took the dressage clinic with? i am just asking because i know he clinics up there on a regular basis.

[good_booie]

What is clearly obvious here is that you have a LAME horse. Why on earth would you take him to a clinic??? If his shoulder is strained or whatever his malfunction is it is clear he needs time off. So you already spent the $400 dollars. SO WHAT! Get over it and take care of your horse.

IMO if you think that taking him in a lower level of what he can normally do jumping will be ok because of his injury you are out of your mind.

I am not quite sure who was bent in the womb. Or who’s ship sank first.

[DMK]

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

Because if he is a good clinician, he will try to work with everyone sho shelled out $400, and he will try to keep any one group from being too disparate in exercises/skill levels. The upshot is that you could cost other participants their $400 worth of learning.

Chanda, it’s your horse, and you do with him as it pleases you, and there is no need to do any more or less…

But in reading your posts about his fragility, his lack of trust, his lack of manners, his crookedness from being conceived… It sort of sounds like there’s always a reason why he can’t do more, be better mannered, be trusted or trusting and that this reason is totally exclusive to Chase. That may be, but quite frankly most of us ride horses that have holes, need support, aren’t the soundest thing on the planet, and/or have foibles that drive us bat shit crazy. It’s just most of us buck up and deal with it. And push our horses accordingly.

Hell, I wouldn’t know how to jump a course if I wasn’t dealing with a right drift that comes from an assortment of various issues the very least of which was an old bow. Most of the time we are pushing our horses the same time we are protecting them. Helping them strengthen the weak areas while we strengthen the rest of the horse to help carry the eternally weak areas. But there is no escaping the adage that you have to break a few eggs to make omelets.

[Palisades]

I just wanted to point out that while it might be alright to explain to a clinician that you don’t want them to get on your horse, it’s going to be a lot more difficult to tell them that you don’t want to do x, y, or z with him yourself, which is what this sounds like. You said that you were worried Richard would bend him to much to one side, and things like that- if he is giving you directions from the ground, it is likely that he will ask you to do some of the things that he would want to try if he was riding the horse himself.

If you aren’t comfortable with things he might ask your horse to do (either directly, when riding him, or from the ground, when you are), I’m not sure how much you’ll get out of the clinic. I think when going into something like this, you have to choose a clinician you really trust, and then do whatever they ask you to do with some faith in their judgement.

None of this is meant as a criticism, but more as a warning: just because he isn’t on your horse doesn’t mean you’ll be able to control all the details the way you usually do with your own trainer. If I misread you and you ARE willing to try what he suggests yourself, then I’m sure you’ll have a great time and learn a lot. If, on the other hand, every one of his requests will have to conform to your current, very specific program for your horse, I’m not sure what “new ideas” you’ll really be able to pick up.

[jetsmom]

Yeah, but that was before the ship sunk and he got washed up onto the beach hurting his shoulder, so he could only gallop around the island to the left!

[Pocket_Pony]

I’ve seen him get on a rider’s horse…and get dumped, too! He’s a rider, just like the rest of us. (Granted, he’s obviously more successful and has TONS more experience!)

[Chef_Jade]

Richard is super-nice. He keeps everything really up-beat and positive. So DON’T be nervous! You guys will be great. Have fun!

[good_booie]

My bad. ok, so then she should pose as a really nervous amateur that does not quite understand the you should take the jumps with the flowers facing you. I’ve got it now. I just knew there was a clear explanation.

[Midge]

Holy piling on, Batman!!!

Do I think Chanda is out there as far as her concerns about the clinc? Certainly!!

Do I think she deserves being the butt of some rather cruel jokes? Nope!

I think we should save this amount of cruelty for the people who under serve their horses, rather than over.

Chanda, if your horse is sound enough, go to the clinic and try to do everything you are asked with an open mind, including Richard sitting on him. I have never been disappointed with the results of having a better rider on my horse, even if it di bruise my ego. If he is not sound enough, go and audit and ask them to give you a credit on a future clinic.