The last few years have been full of uncertainty and it's been difficult to look forward and make Horsemanship plans with any conviction so looking back it's fairly clear why it's easy to perceive a lack of progress. Having said that I have learned and practiced the important need to live in the moment just as horses do, and perhaps it's a lesson that needed repeating a few times in my case. 2018 kicks off just the same but I have developed an approach of not making plans (too easy to get disappointed when they fail) but to have lots of options laid out instead. It was Buck Brannaman's foster mum Betsy Shirley who often used the saying "Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape". It's not something I find easy by any means as I have always been someone with a need to be in control and liked to plan things to the nth degree neither of which sit comfortably with the liquid approach required to flex to changes often at the last minute. Perhaps the hardest part has been needing my friends and family to make changes and allowances for me as I used to be totally independent and took pride in getting things right and with little help. The magical part of this is discovering just how wonderful those family and friends are as they repeatedly step up to support and understand which often means they themselves are put in a position of having to change their plans. For that I am sorry but equally very grateful - you know who you are!
So let's look at the "options" for 2018 - I hope many of you will come along for the ride - on horseback, spectating or emotionally
In May we start the weekend clinic schedule with something totally different - bound to be lots of learning and laughter - as Guy Robertson is bringing his "Virtual Cow Working Clinic" here. No real beasties but some roping, cutting and good general horsemanship development on offer.
Fawn Anderson returns in June and this time we have 2 back to back clinics - Foundation & Advancing
July will see a return of the TREC Experience Weekend organised by Julia McHugh
In August we have again scheduled a visit from Dave Stuart. We thought last years may have been the last but at the last minute we had enough to go ahead so Tina has been good enough once again to allocate 3 days which we are splitting into a Foundation/Intro day followed by a 2 day Intermediate/Advanced weekend. Both clinics can be taken back to back. However we are setting a deadline for bookings as if we cannot promise enough riders by it is only fair that someone else in the UK gets the chance to host Dave instead.
In between we will have regular visits from Sally Brett for Horsemanship and Horsemanship for TREC lessons (ongoing even now through the winter) and also hope that Niki Hardwick will make regular visits offering Parelli training. The facilities are also available for private hire, with or without options for catering and camping. Please keep an eye on the website for changes and additions and if you have any specific interests (content or instructor) let me know and then I will try to ensure you receive more targeted information along the way.
Hope to see many of you in the coming months, please share with anyone who may be interested.
So let's look at the "options" for 2018 - I hope many of you will come along for the ride - on horseback, spectating or emotionally
In May we start the weekend clinic schedule with something totally different - bound to be lots of learning and laughter - as Guy Robertson is bringing his "Virtual Cow Working Clinic" here. No real beasties but some roping, cutting and good general horsemanship development on offer.
Fawn Anderson returns in June and this time we have 2 back to back clinics - Foundation & Advancing
July will see a return of the TREC Experience Weekend organised by Julia McHugh
In August we have again scheduled a visit from Dave Stuart. We thought last years may have been the last but at the last minute we had enough to go ahead so Tina has been good enough once again to allocate 3 days which we are splitting into a Foundation/Intro day followed by a 2 day Intermediate/Advanced weekend. Both clinics can be taken back to back. However we are setting a deadline for bookings as if we cannot promise enough riders by it is only fair that someone else in the UK gets the chance to host Dave instead.
In between we will have regular visits from Sally Brett for Horsemanship and Horsemanship for TREC lessons (ongoing even now through the winter) and also hope that Niki Hardwick will make regular visits offering Parelli training. The facilities are also available for private hire, with or without options for catering and camping. Please keep an eye on the website for changes and additions and if you have any specific interests (content or instructor) let me know and then I will try to ensure you receive more targeted information along the way.
Hope to see many of you in the coming months, please share with anyone who may be interested.