A Classical Approach to Improving Gaits

 

Hosted by Quail Hollow Farm

Sanctioned by
National Walking Horse Association

June 3 & 4, 2006

 

About the Instructor

 

Clinic instructor, Sue Fanelli, has been involved in horses for over 40 years.  She has studied under various instructors, including the first woman to ever study at the illustrious Spanish Riding School.  Ms Fanelli was schooled on hunter/jumpers and eventing horses.  She eventually moved to the dressage (classical training) discipline. 15 years ago a good friend introduced her to the Tennessee Walking Horse and she soon became an owner.  Her love of dressage did not end though and she developed a program to train her mare, Sassy using what she already knew.  Sassy has numerous championships, including the NWHA Gold versatility award.  Ms Fanelli currently trains both walking horses and trotting breeds using dressage based communication methods to achieve balance and harmony.  Dressage is now part of the NWHA Lifetime Achievement Award Program and Walking Horses are starting to get their own classes at some dressage events.

 

Why should I care about dressage for my gaited horse?

 

Gaited horses are, by nature, capable of many variations in their footfall patterns/timings (sometimes much to our dismay!).  There are many ways to affect their way of going.  There are mechanical means (bits, martingales, shoe weights/pads/chains, and soring) to obtain the desired movement.  While these will surely change a horse¡¯s way of going, they are temporary at best and harmful to the horse at worst.  Dressage can help the rider influence their horse¡¯s gait without special training devices. 

 

What can I learn in a clinic?

 

Teaching your horse to respond to your body, and teaching your body to ¡°talk¡± to the horse is a long process.  But, with a few beginning steps and a basic ¡°vocabulary¡±, you can be well on the way to helping your horse understand what you want him to do.  This clinic will provide a beginning vocabulary that both the horse and the human can understand.

 

 

 

CLINIC AGENDA

8-9 AM Introduction (unmounted)

Participants will meet the clinician and each other, and discuss some of the goals for the rest of the day.  Several exercises will orient participants to the general ideas that will be transferred to their riding and horsemanship.

9-930 Tack up, warm up

9:30-10:30 ¨C group sessions

During the group sessions, the beginning vocabulary is established.  Horses and riders learn ¡°good¡± and ¡°give¡±.  Participants will have time to practice techniques with their horses under guidance of the clinician.

10:30-12:10 ¨C Individual rides

Each participant will have a 20-minute private session where individual issues may be addressed. 

12:10 -1:00 ¨C Lunch

1:00 -3:30 ¨C Individual rides

            Other participants will have practice time or observe the individual rides.          

3:30 - 4:30 ¨C Group session.

In the afternoon group session, horses and riders will practice what they have learned during the day and learn more exercises to take home.

 

REGISTRATION FORM

Name: ___________________________________________________   Phone: __________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________

City: __________________________________________  State: ______   Zip: _________________

E-Mail: _______________________________________________

Sat. June 3^rd     Sun. June 4^th    Both days (day 2 is a repeat of day 1)

NWHA Member Fee:  $70.00 X ____ day(s) = $________

Non-Member Fee:     $80.00 X ____ day(s) =  $_______

Rider opportunities are not guaranteed until fees are paid.  Monies are non-refundable. 

Camping fees are $20.00 per night & include water & electricity

Horse pen fees are $10 per day per horse.

Make Checks payable and send with form to:  Quail Hollow Farm, 3814 CR 3702, Wills Point, TX 75169.

More info or questions, call (903)896-1314 or e-mail tnwalkin@sbcglobal.net