Who has ridden with William Fox-Pitt?

[Xctrygirl]

Hi all,

I am just under 2 weeks away our local clinic with William and I am curious what other Cothers can tell me who have either ridden with him or audited his clinics?

This clinic is indoors in PA for all us hard working and cold folks who cannot run south for the nicer temps and footing. Reportedly we will be doing 2 days of SJ training in @bornfreenowexpensive beautiful indoor.

So no XC stuff and that explains why I am doing it. LOL.

What can you all tell me about what to expect???

Many thanks,

Em

[MorganMaresVT]

No personal experience, but if you enjoy podcasts, Horses in the Morning just rebroadcast an interview about riding and foxhunting with him:
https://horsesinthemorning.com/equine-search-rescue-cowgirls-recipe-foxhunting-with-fox-pitt-for-february-19-2024-by-werm-flooring/
(Minute 1:30-19:00)

[tbchick84]

I talked his ear off for 2 hours doing a XC course walk at Rolex 10 years ago. Possibly the best 2 hours of my otherwise boring life. Other than maybe jumping from a walk, I have no idea other than you’re a very lucky person to be able to ride with him. He is soooooo nice and so kind to the horses.

[Xctrygirl]

Honestly I was so glad that the folks organizing his clinic days down south this year listened when a bunch of us made a racket about would he come to the tundra and teach those of us stuck in the colder regions??? We all want a great clinician also and we can’t for a myriad of reasons, make the trip down south.

For me personally, I knew I needed a motivator to move on from 2023 and the death of Jimmy (my longtime start of the season ritual of going to Melissa’s for his clinics) and getting my butt back in the saddle after taking last year off while my father battled Pancreatic cancer. (Which ironically Jimmy died of and my dad was diagnosed with right before Jimmy passed)

So I was willing to do anything to get on board with this. I offered to bring 2 horses and ride as much as I could to get him to come. Ultimately the rest of the world turned up too and we have a good amount of folks coming and a waiting list.

I can’t wait. Cudo is popping out of his skin and the English contingent of his fans are excited to see what WFP thinks of my showjumper. LOL. I took both days off of work so I could watch as much as possible and we have a cocktail party at night the first night also so we get to meet him and talk like real normal humans. (It’ll be cool and interesting!)

Em

Pic of Cudo’s typical pre-season enthusiasm.

[fanfayre]

Haven’t personally, but I know 5 or 6 people who rode with him when he came up to BC/PNW (I think some riders from Wa crossed the border to take advantage of his teaching) 4 or 5 years ago who are STILL raving about him and his clinic, so I think you’re going to have a very good time.

[stargzng386]

Interesting I audited a cross country clinic he taught that was a disaster at all levels. Lots of mocking how US riders are weak and can’t ride forward. He essentially taught a pony to refuse ditches and the girl was in absolute tears. It was an unfair question he pushed over and over just yelling at her. My friend who rode in the clinic didn’t feel like she got any useful info or exercises from it and was disappointed because of the amount of money she spent.

I audit quite a few cross country clinics and his was by far the worst.

[RSEventer]

I rode in a clinic in Ocala with him last year. It was a last minute decision bc I was having some issues on XC stopping at jumps with my very solid mare. I watched the group that went before us, and so that gave me an idea of what to expect. He had us do some really fun exercises, nothing was too challenging, and I definitely developed more confidence after riding with him. Our stopping issue is gone. It takes work. Suggestion- do not make any excuses for yourself- he said something to me (about 2/3 way through the clinic) and I said, “Oh, well I am very old! I am 62 years old!” He replied" “I don’t care. Get on with it!” I wanted to crawl under a rock, but instead, I got on with it! Have fun, it’s a real treat.

[BraveSC]

This. I audited his clinics here last year and left not really learning much of anything and pretty disappointed. My friends paid a pretty penny as well and that was the general consensus from the group.

[Syrynx]

OP please come back and tell us how it went.

[Dr_Doolittle]

I’m auditing his clinic up at Loch Moy in March – audited one at Morningside about six years ago or so.

He was very kind to all the riders and had a good sense of humor, main takeaways were most people’s breastplates were too tight; he put his hands in between breast plate and horse shoulder and told everyone to loosen theirs. Also, lots of walking over fences!

I didn’t learn anything earth shattering but it was fun to watch! Looking forward to the one in March.

[AW]

I audited his clinic in KY several years ago. I didn’t learn anything new, but the basics were reinforced again and again. He was very, very kind to horses and riders both, even ones that other BNCs would have lost patience with or refused to teach at all. Everyone improved and all at least claimed to have fun! And, when he asked us what we thought about the proliferation of Miklem and other anatomic bridles, he laughed when I said that IME the users were mostly just afraid to kick to contact and wanted another excuse. I also got to listen in on a great conversation about coming back from catastrophic falls. It was a great, if freezing, weekend.

[Xctrygirl]

Ok so worth mentioning…

I have ridden with a LOT of trainers, clinicians, etc. Richard Spooner, in a most memorable moment, got on Cudo and found out that 1) he’s not an easy ride and 2) not all bounces will be bounced.

I’m not worried about this but I am curious how much the horses jumped in the time of the lesson. Did they run through 5 courses after suitable warm up with individual or gymnastic warm up or did he have people doing like dozens of short courses.

That’s where my wonderment lies because Cudo is coming in off some time off and I am trying to know going in what level of effort demand we’re likely in for.

Many thanks,

Em

My favorite pic of Richard and Cudo. Photo credit to my hubby.

[HiJumpGrrl]

short courses and exercises in the clinic I audited last winter.

[DGEventing]

I’m following this thread too, as I’m in the same boat. Trying to get my horse ready for the clinic without going south or having an indoor = challenging. But, you only live once! I took off both days, and will be bringing a stack of papers to grade but it will be worth it!

[Zonderpaard]

I just have to say that Spooner looks like he planned it to go that way.

What a great photo!!

[Syrynx]

This IS a fantastic photo

[Xctrygirl]

Oh and there is video…

Spooner on Cudo 5 with Bounce.

Em

[Baybear]

EM - can you come down to Loch Moy to audit on March 4th? He’s there - clinic will be outside on their Derby course. he’s gonna love Cudo

[Xctrygirl]

Can’t. I have work. Plus the feeling is that LM will be xc schooling on the All weather footing. Likely not the same as us.

Em

[247496]

Greetings,
Can you advise where the clinic is being held in Pa and who might be the contact?
I am auditing the Loch Moy one earlier that week.
Then back to Loch Moy in March with the equine.
Never have had any experience with him, and it sounds like fun!
Thanks so much.
J-