•Expect Respect From the Ground. Learning to understand the horse's natural behavior, horse handlers of all ability levels progress to properly handle their horses from the ground by establishing a respectful and obedient relationship. The audience learns a systematic approach to establishing respectful ground manners and safely handling horses.
•Master the Canter – Cueing, Leads and Changes. Julie demonstrates the canter gait and how to ride it using a cross-discipline approach (demonstrated and explained) as Julie works with mounted riders. Learn about riding the canter, cueing, setting up for the correct lead, techniques for improving the gait, exercises to improve lead problems, and simple and flying lead changes.
Saturday in the Coliseum:
•The Natural Ride, Part I: Ride with Balance and Rhythm. Improving riding skills and performance of the horse, Julie covers balanced position, body alignment, common equitation problems and solutions, and how to develop a rhythmic seat that allows you to sit any stride with ease.
•The Natural Ride, Part II: Use Creative Images for Precise Communication and Control. Providing clever mental images, Julie creatively explains the traditional four natural riding aids with innovative and useful technique. The audience learns how to use the natural aids consistently and with good timing, enlightening riders of all disciplines and ability levels about using the aids lightly to communicate effectively with the horse. The audience learns the mechanics of using the natural aids and about the physical and psychological responses of the horse to the rider's aids.
... and in the Livestock Center Seminar Hall (downstairs):
•Overcoming Fear of Horses and Riding. In decades of experience working with many thousands of riders, Julie has discovered that beginning through expert riders in all disciplines experience fear that impacts their enjoyment of horses. Julie focuses on understanding the nature of fear in the rider, how riders' fear impacts horses, and concrete skills that can be developed for overcoming fear around horses.
On Sunday in the Coliseum:
•Riding to the Next Level, Part I: How Your Reins and Legs Affect Your Horse's Stride. An advanced demonstration on more articulate communication to the horse through the rein aids and leg aids. Julie demonstrates and explains the use of riders' leg aids in concert with the rein aids, when to use them, and what effect they have on the horse's body and movement. The audience, as well as those riding with Julie, learns the important reining principles of lightness, release and subtle movement, and clever ways that the reins and legs control different parts of the horse's body.
•Riding to the Next Level, Part II: Ride with Collection and Master Lateral Movements. Julie demonstrates, explains and simplifies the complex theories and techniques for gaining collection from horses, engaging the hindquarters, and moving the horse laterally for leg-yielding, two-tracking, side passing, backing, turns on the forehand, and turns on the haunches.
... and in the Livestock Center Seminar Hall (downstairs):
•Safety Check. Basic information about safety issues around the barn, in the arena, and on the trail is covered for novice riders, parents and first-time horse owners. The basics of horse selection; understanding horse behavior and safety rules; approaching, leading and safely tying a horse; rider attire and safety equipment; and conducting thorough safety checks are discussed.
You know Julie Goodnight as The Horse Master on her award-winning RFD-TV show. Through her varied background–riding and training horses in racing, reining, colt-starting, versatility ranch work, wilderness riding, dressage and jumping—Julie has discovered the underlying principles important to any type of riding. She teaches "Classic Skills for a Natural Ride" and communicates clearly with horses and riders in any discipline and at any level.
Julie is the International Spokesperson for the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). In 2008 she was named Equine Affaire's Exceptional Equestrian Educator–one of only three awards ever given. Julie resides near Salida, Colorado, at her private horse ranch with her husband, Rich Moorhead, the CEO of Monarch Ski and Snowboard Area.
RFD-TV's Ryan Gingerich, "The Behaviorist"
Topics
Friday in the Livestock Center Arena:
•Trail Riding Problems and How to Fix Them. Is your horse buddy sour? Barn sour? Will not cross water? Jigs on the trail? Will not walk to enjoy the ride? Does your horse freak out at nearly all objects on the trail? Do you avoid ditches and hills in fear? YOU ARE NOT ALONE! YOU CAN FIX THESE ISSUES! Ryan will take you through the process.
•Basic Control – the six basic things all horses should know. Go, Stop, Left, Right, Back up, Stand Still. Sounds pretty elementary, yet most horses have problems with one if not all of these simple cues. Ryan will take you back to the basics and show you why these simple cues are so important.
Saturday in the Coliseum:
•You Want Me to Go in There? – Teaching a horse to trailer-load. Having trouble getting your horse to trailer load? No more refusals, no more issues, no more embarrassment. Ryan will take you step by step through his proven methods for conquering trailering troubles.
•Stop Reaching for the Rafters: Proven techniques for the head-shy horse. Ryan will demonstrate his effective techniques for rehabilitating the head-shy and hard to bridle horse. Learn the secrets to lower that head and stop reaching for the rafters.
... and in the Livestock Center Seminar Hall (downstairs):
•Behavioral problem causes, diagnosis and treatment. Ryan teaches how to break down the problem and create a solution.
Sunday in the Coliseum:
•Help I have no Brakes!!! – Putting the brakes back into your whoa. Is your horse out of control? Do you have no brakes? Are you always worried about that runaway horse whether in hand or under saddle? Ryan will show you how to fix this dangerous behavior.
•Controlling Your Horse's Speed – No Whoa, No Go? Always feel out of control? Can you never find that perfect speed while out on the trail? Ryan will teach you how to get your rhythm back, how to rate your speed, and that all-important whoa!
... and in the Livestock Center Seminar Hall (downstairs):
•Q&A: Ask "The Behaviorist." Do you have a horse behavior question for Ryan? He will answer horse behavior questions from audience members. This is your chance to get your horse behavior questions answered.
From boyhood on his grandfather's farm in Indiana to his first job as an equine trail guide, it was obvious that Ryan Gingerich had a special relationship with horses. His desire to make horses his life's work led him to complete a national horse training certification program, then study with one of the world's top scientific equine behaviorists, who in turn traveled from Australia to study with Ryan–he was that impressed with Ryan's innate ability to understand and train horses.
"I've learned so much about the science of the horse, in addition to what I've learned almost intuitively. I think the combination of these two elements, combined with tradition, are crucial in a successful relationship with a horse," he says. "People often bring 'hopeless' horses to my clinics or to my farm for me to train. Being able to get into the mind of the horse–in addition to knowing about science, intuition and tradition–has helped rehabilitate a significant number of these behaviorally-challenged horses. And of course this education will skyrocket any competitive or trail horse to a new level. Understanding behavior and how to modify it is what it's all about–and that's what my program explains step-by-step. Modifying behavior may be as simple as changing a bit or as complex as understanding why a horse rears at every opportunity and then changing that behavior."
Tommie Turvey
Topics
Friday in the Livestock Center Arena:
•Basic Liberty Training (useful on a hard-to-catch horse). How to start a connection with your horse to achieve the ultimate freedom of bareback and bridleless riding. Tommie discusses important tips and methods to begin the communication process.
•Training Horses for Movies. Performing with horses and dogs in live shows, TV and movies. Tommie shows and explains to you what it takes to get there. It's your chance to ask questions from someone who has been there, done that.
Saturday in the Livestock Center Arena:
•Bridleless Riding and Advanced Liberty Training. Everyone dreams of riding without a bridle or saddle. Tommie shows you how to achieve your ultimate goal with the steps on how to be free of tack.
•Trick Training Do's and Don'ts. What is trick training and how can you apply it to your training? Get the most out of your training and have fun doing it! Basic things to start and things to avoid while training.
Sunday in the Livestock Center Arena:
•Advanced Trick Horse Training. Gaining trust in your horse doesn't come easy. Tommie shows the techniques he uses to build trust and communication with his horses, including laying down, bowing and turning his horses upside down.
•Harnessing and Driving, from start to four-in-hand.
"I love what I do," proclaims Turvey. "It's great to be able to play with my horses, entertain people and make a living out of it." His experience shows that it is a consistency in training methods and routine which get the best results. "If you can get a horse to trust you, you can get a horse to do anything you can think of." His trust-building techniques are what have enabled him to Roman ride over a wall of fire, leap through rings of flames and in an amazing feat of courage and trust perform a death-defying stunt by Roman riding his horse while he is engulfed in flames.
When Turvey is not on the road with his own shows, he calls the Equine Extremist Equestrian Center at Double G Farms in Sterling, Illinois his home. He spends his time training his own horses and giving clinics to those wanting to learn his proven methods of training. His days consist of training people and horses for trick riding, team driving, and trick horse training; as well teaching the daily disciplines needed to have a well-mannered horse.
Mark Schwarm
Topics
Friday in the Livestock Center Arena:
•Getting to the Feet: How to go, how to slow and how to whoa!
Saturday in the Livestock Center Arena:
•Colt starting, Part I
•Don't' Sweat the Big Things and Don't Forget the Little Things
Sunday in the Livestock Center Arena:
•Colt Starting, Part II
Sunday in Barn 13 Arena:
•Why I Need to Wait for my Horse to Understand
Schwarm was raised on a horse farm, working side by side with his father and granddad, raising and training Thoroughbred horses. At a young age he was galloping racehorses and assisting in training techniques.
By the age of seventeen, he took over his granddad's foaling and breeding operation. He started with 10 mares and expanded to managing more than 50 mares and 5 stallions as well as a full stable of racehorses in Kentucky and Illinois. Over time, Mark began to gain a greater respect for the gentle soul and sensitivity of the horse and thought there must be a better way to communicate.
"My granddad always told me 'You can be around horses all your life but to be a good horseman you need to get around good horseman.'" With the generosity of Ray and Carolyn Hunt, they made it possible to be around one of the greatest horseman.
Mark shares his experiences and the lessons he has learned with clients and students nationwide. He concentrates on working with clients and their horses in all aspects of horsemanship by improving communication between horse and rider.
Tim Boyer
Topics
Saturday in the Barn 13 Arena:
•Rein Management
Sunday in the Barn 13 Arena:
•Solving Horse Problems: Bring questions on your own horse problem
Tim was raised in Illinois, opened a training facility at age 15, and has managed Quarter B Farm in Pleasant Plains, IL for nearly three decades, showing Quarter Horses in Western Pleasure, halter, roping and cutting as well as racing Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. As a jockey for five years, he was instrumental in the racing careers of Farma Way and Buck's Boy, both horses having career earnings of more than $3 million, with Buck's Boy having been named Turf Horse of the Year for 1998.
Tim's mentors were Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt of Horse Whisperer fame, men who brought Tim to the realization today that "I have no horse problems, only projects."
Tim is in demand for clinics – helping people with horse problems and horses with people problems. Since 2007, he has been introducing children to horses through the Big Brother Big Sister program.
NBHA Multiple World Qualifier
POLLY HAGEY hosts Barrel Racing Clinic
"My goal in working and competing is to help horses understand their riders, and riders understand their horses," says Polly Hagey, a multiple world qualifier in the National Barrel Horse Association who has been competing professionally since 1994. She is a member of the WPRA and in 2006 won the 1st Division and 2nd Division barrel race at the NBHA Illinois State Show. In 2009 she qualified for the Central States Rodeo Association Finals.
Hagey and her family have specialized in raising and training top quality barrel racing and roping horses for the last 20 years. Throughout the years they have had four stallions – Sharp's Bay, Im Razor Sharp, Sharp Turn Dash and Peggy's Gay Cash – who have produced top quality offspring that continue to be competitive in the barrel racing and roping industries.
Working together as a team in whichever discipline they choose proves to be the winning combination. The rider needs the horse; the horse needs the rider.
"You don't have to be a 1st Division rider in the sport of barrel racing to love what you're doing. You can love what you're doing and be a successful barrel racer no matter what the outcome is at the end of the race. It's about you and your horse competing against yourselves. The amount of hard work and effort that you put into something determines what you get out of it."
Polly Hagey's appearance is courtesy of Miss Rodeo Illinois Association. Assisting with the Clinic will be Miss Rodeo Illinois 2010 Katie Chaffin, Miss Rodeo Illinois 2009 Rebecca Kloker and Miss Rodeo Illinois 2008 Carly Hagey.
To Ride in the Polly Hagey Barrel Racing Clinic:
The Barrel Racing Clinic will be two hours each day, Saturday and Sunday. Fee is $150. For clinic information, call Chrissy Dotson at (309) 222-6502 or email dotson3cans@comcast.net.
National "Colt Eliminator" Top Ten Cowboy
RICK MEYER hosts Cowboy Mounted Shooting Clinic
Rick Meyer started breeding and training Paso Finos in 1978 and has won more than 100 National and Grand National Championships. He got into the nation's "fastest growing equestrian sport" in 1999 under the tutelage of World and National Champion Annie Bianco Ellett, and has made it his passion ever since.
Rick travels across the country giving clinics (you may have seen him on RFD-TV). In addition to his shooting skills, his training background includes Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walkers, Fox Trotters, Morgans, Polo Ponies, Appaloosas and Paso Finos.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting today is a combination of wild west show exhibition shooting, cavalry drills, reining competition, barrel racing and historical reenactment. Competitors wear period clothing and shoot black powder blank cartridges from .45 caliber pistols at balloons, being scored on accuracy and time.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting events are open to all horses and mules, welcome men and women riders, and offer competition levels from novice to professional.
Meyer's Horse Fair clinic is designed for beginning shooters and will cover • How to get started • Horse suitability • Selecting the right guns and holsters • Required tack and dress • Making horse and rider a "Team" • Course management.
To Ride in the Rick Meyer Cowboy Mounted Shooting Clinic:
The Mounted Shooting Clinic will be two hours each day, Saturday and Sunday. Fee is $150. For clinic information, call Cherry Stout at (217) 620-6142 or stouthorsefarm@yahoo.com.
For the recreational rider
Nationally Acclaimed Gaited Riding Trainer
LIZ GRAVES Hosts All-Breed Gaited Clinic
This clinic is specifically for the recreational rider who wants to learn more about the gaits and how to stay in gait. Liz works in an upbeat, welcoming style. Her clinic is great for riders new to gaited horses.
From Spring Valley, MN, Liz has nearly 30 years of experience in the horse industry, is licensed to judge in the United States and Canada, and today spends most of her time conducting clinics nationwide – more than 200 all-breed gaited horse clinics.
In her clinic, she can work with Fox Trotters, Icelandics, Paso Finos, Peruvian Pasos, Tennessee Walking Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses, Rocky Mountain Horses, Kentucky Mountain Horses, Racking Horses and more.
Liz specializes in biomechanics, teaching positive choices and applications when using supportive aids, and addressing gait analysis and development. Her clinics are viewed as fun and informative to all riders.
Since 1990, Liz has judged more than 100 gaited and non-gaited horse shows, surveying more than 20,000 entrants.
On the competitive side, Graves has shown various gaited horses since 1978, garnering local, state, regional and national championships in a variety of breeds and disciplines.
Graves also owns Elizabeth Graves Productions, a video production firm producing videos such as "A Gathering of Gaits," "Icelandic Horse Gathering," "How Structure Relates to Gait," and her newest release, "A Bit About Bits."
To Ride in the Liz Graves All-Breed Gaited Riding Clinic:
The Gaited Clinic will be two hours each day, Saturday and Sunday. Fee is $200. For clinic information, call Stacy Bowman at (217) 487-7664 or sbowman@solomoncolors.com.
