Klamath falls Clinic Highlights
April 24-25: Fundamentals
April 26-27: Next Level
(Left to Right) Susan Van Rein, Dusty and Andrea Otley,
Sharon and Mary Staub. (Front) Ira and Baby Paxton.
Each trip to the Northwest I am re-reminded how much I enjoy the equestrian environment and attitudes of our Oregon, Washington and Northern California barrel racers. As a competitor, I always enjoyed the summer opportunity to enter Northwest rodeos. The local competitors embrace competition and are always welcoming to outsiders. As an instructor, I feel the same enthusiasm and welcomed atmosphere.
Our Fundamentals program was actually a split class of first time riders and past students. A wonderful opportunity to introduce fundamentals of horsemanship techniques designed to strengthen barrel racing competition while reinforcing existing skills brought forward by return students. Congratulations to Robyn Cole, riding her very nice and competitive mare, Jackie. Robyn and Jackie made the fastest run of the program, a 14.28 in the final run, celebrating 7 tenths of a second improvement over their first very nice introductory run. The difference was in learning how to plan the run and run the plan.
Our Next Level program allowed us to interject additional skill exercises embellished with added speed and higher expectations. It truly continues to amaze me, that by remembering not to change the rules from training to competition, we can calmly work our horses at increasingly higher rates of speed without experiencing the expected anxiety barrel horses are known for.
Co-Instructor Susan Van Rein and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with, and learn from our Oregon and Northern California riders. Thank you to Tom and Jenny Hull for their organization and delightful production.
Jenny said, “I am so happy with how the clinics went this last weekend. Thank you for your ability to empower your students with knowledge and confidence.”
Jenny, thank you for your continued support and allowing me the opportunity to become the performance coach to so many talented barrel racers!