Speak to me of Alfredo Hernandez

[kahjul]

So, my girl and I are doing an in-hand clinic w/him this week to learn piaffe/passage. What do you all know about him??

[slc2]

I know I would never take my horse to any dressage clinic, and especially not an in hand clinic to teach piaffe and passage, to an clinician i had never seen and didn't know anything about. I also would not take my horse to a clinic to teach it piaffe and passage, I would spend a long preparation time with the trainer who i picked for that work, first developing the conditioning and suppleness and engagement and collection of the horse, and I would spend about a year minimum at that, and then work with the same trainer to teach piaffe and passage.

[kahjul]

He is who my trainer always uses for p/p and is coming to work with 1 of her horses and my trainer invited me to join in. I looked him up online and found alot of good info, just curious if anyone here had additional feedback.

[~Freedom~]

I know I would never take my horse to any dressage clinic, and especially not an in hand clinic to teach piaffe and passage, to an clinician i had never seen and didn't know anything about. I also would not take my horse to a clinic to teach it piaffe and passage, I would spend a long preparation time with the trainer who i picked for that work, first developing the conditioning and suppleness and engagement and collection of the horse, and I would spend about a year minimum at that, and then work with the same trainer to teach piaffe and passage.

How did I know this would be your answer? If the OP said they would not go I am sure you would say there would be benefits in going. There are some very specific positions and handling of the horse in teaching this and after learning some of the basics and coming back to your regular trainer with some clue as to what it is about would not be a waste of time in my eyes if that clinician had the knowledge to impart.

Here is a quote from you--

a human has 7 sheaths, each a layer of the personality/experience.

So lets let her peel of one sheath layer OK ?

[Surviving the Dramas]

I know I would never take my horse to any dressage clinic, and especially not an in hand clinic to teach piaffe and passage, to an clinician i had never seen and didn't know anything about. I also would not take my horse to a clinic to teach it piaffe and passage, I would spend a long preparation time with the trainer who i picked for that work, first developing the conditioning and suppleness and engagement and collection of the horse, and I would spend about a year minimum at that, and then work with the same trainer to teach piaffe and passage.

Lordy. You love that high horse don't you? Where did OP say she didn't know anything about the clinician?:confused: I'm assuming (on dangerous ground here) that she wanted to know peoples experiences etc.

If I had not taken a gamble on a clinic with someone I didn't know that much about (was my then trainers trainer), I would never have the fabulous instructor that I have now!!

Have fun at your lesson Kahjul, and piccies please!

[canyonoak]

Alfredo Hernandez has a lot of timing and understanding.

If your horse is already forward, balanced, and understands half-halt, the pi-pa work is really fun and he is a real asset to getting the rhythm without making the horse tense.

If the horse has a hole in its foundation, he is quite careful NOT to turn it all into circus; ie, lots of legs waving around with locked back.

Hope you have a good time.

[Windriderr]

Alfredo is based where I trailer in for lessons. He is wonderful and highly sought after - and very well known. He works with the big BIG BNT's locally and afar regularly. He is gentle and careful with horses, believed to be the best around. He is a super nice guy as well. He cracks me up. If you are lucky enough to get into a clinic with him - you will love it. ;)

[Sabine]

You'll surely learn a lot and have a good time! Hope you're riding- that's the better fun...:)!

[Thomas_1]

He's a reputable trainer and I'm sure you'll learn a lot.

Sounds like you can also rest assured that Slc isn't going to be there profering opinion and offering advice ;)

[~Freedom~]

Sounds like you can also rest assured that Slc isn't going to be there profering opinion and offering advice ;)

And if there IS a noise in the background of someone talking to themselves, I am sure it will be drowned out by a REAL dressage guru giving instructions that are clear, precise and HELPFUL.

[Kaeleer]

So lets let her peel of one sheath layer OK ?


And let us know if you find the bean! Oh, sorry, wrong thread....


Please let us know how it goes.

[goeslikestink]

And if there IS a noise in the background of someone talking to themselves, I am sure it will be drowned out by a REAL dressage guru giving instructions that are clear, precise and HELPFUL.

amen to that

__________________way to go kahjul
you luckylucky person-- enjoy watching a good trianer is learning to
always ask questions if unsure good trianer explain what they doing if you dont understand its ok to ask him to put it in laymens terms for you dont be afraid to ask,
good trianers like him will only be to pleased that you did ask becuase in the long run it benifits you and the horse- and if you get chance to continue with him then do so

enjoy it and have fun

pics and lets us know how you got on--

[kposner0]

He is really cool!
I love him!
Have a great time!!!

[kahjul]

I had a wonderful time!!! I found him to be very accepting of all the different breeds/types of horses and very understanding of both their physical limitations and tempermental needs. It was truly amazing on the 2nd day to ride my mare in 4 or 5 steps of passage (which she found quite easy). Never felt more than ultra engagement behind in the piaffe work (this will not be easy for her), we never had actual steps of piaffe, but she kinda got the idea and came home happy and healthy. Sorry, I couldn't find anyone to man the camera so I have no pics. Damn!!

[Sabine]

I had a wonderful time!!! I found him to be very accepting of all the different breeds/types of horses and very understanding of both their physical limitations and tempermental needs. It was truly amazing on the 2nd day to ride my mare in 4 or 5 steps of passage (which she found quite easy). Never felt more than ultra engagement behind in the piaffe work (this will not be easy for her), we never had actual steps of piaffe, but she kinda got the idea and came home happy and healthy. Sorry, I couldn't find anyone to man the camera so I have no pics. Damn!!

Glad you had a great time..its an addicting feeling- isn't it..!!

[RunFlat]

He is okay, a few of the horses had some small lameness issues afterward. The flirtatiousness is more funny than anything. Watching an aging potbellied man chat up the girls makes his clinics even more entertaining.

[Reiter]

He is okay, a few of the horses had some small lameness issues afterward. The flirtatiousness is more funny than anything. Watching an aging potbellied man chat up the girls makes his clinics even more entertaining.

You resurrected the thread for that comment? :no:

[mzpeepers]

Isn't he the one that boasts he'll teach ANY horse piaffe and passage for a set fee?

[MysticOakRanch]

Alfredo is an excellent clinician - he was Hilda Gurney's assistant trainer for many, many years. His timing is incredible, and he can ride. My trainer and I have both taken horses to him - I've audited him several times. Many big name trainers (including WEG and Olympic level riders) bring Alfredo in because he's effective and great with the horses.

Here is a video (about a year old) of Alfredo working with one of my horses under saddle - this is a horse who already has good understanding of the P & P dynamics, has shown FEI, and just needs some "fine tuning":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGgScGFQ7jw

Compare that to video of him working with a young (4.5 year old) horse (also mine) in his first experience with this work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0dzALhiriE
And riding that same horse at the next clinic (3 months later) - because he wanted to know how he felt under saddle before he bumped up the work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd3auo0e374

Yes, he jokes and banters with the riders, but he also helps anyone who is interested in learning some of the in-hand techniques (the reason I had no video from the most recent session is because I was there learning a bit of it myself - and believe me, it is much harder then it looks!!!).

Many FEI riders here in California have taken their horses for a few sessions with Alfredo and came away with a decent piaffe and/or passage that they were struggling with before. He is very good at what he does. And the horses like him. I have never seen a horse come away with any problems.

[atlatl]

He did a great job introducing my horse to the concepts. Arrogant and full of himself? Absolutely, but does a great job.

[thatsnotme]

So, runflat, I had to see what had gotten this thread back up. I am the original poster, but changed my username over a year ago-thats what caught my attention. I see it was your first post. I'm surprised that something about Alfredo so encouraged you to join and post-and then not really ad anything horsey to the conversation. He now comes to my area monthly and I think anyone who has spent even 5 minutes near him is aware of his flirtatious side. I have never seen or heard him go overboard, it is pretty amusing. He has done so well with so many of the trainers horses (and ammys) that demand has him here frequntly. I audit all I can, I no longer own the horse I rode with him. If anyone ever has hte opportunity, I would go for it. He's very compassionate, quiet, patient and understanding with the horses. Not so much with the riders, but certainly not bad. For him its all about helping the horses to understand and enjoy something difficult.

[BetterOffRed]

This is the pi/pa trainer for Hilda Gurney and lots of top riders on the west coast. He has nothing to hide, no voodoo, nothing evil, very straightforward. He's quite a character. If you've seen Ernst Hoyos/Lisa Wilcox's in hand work (video, youtube, etc), it is very similar.

We hosted a Pi/Pa clinic with him in January, it was very successful! So successful that we are having him back next week, and I am riding with him. He is very kind to the horses and riders alike. Pi/Pa can be stressful to learn for some horses, and he always ended on a positive note. Additionally, he offers lots of other exercises that can help in other areas of riding movements, not just pi/pa. I am very much looking forward to working with him next week as a matter of fact, we still have some open spots. so if you are in N. Texas, let me know!;)

[Zugabe]

My trainer brings him in on a regular basis. I audited for the first time last month, and really felt I got a lot out of it. I hope to ride with him in the near future.

His humor is a bonus and makes for a nice working environment.

[Zugabe]

Confidence and attitude are a large part of training and working with animals as I am sure that you are all aware. I don't know if I would use the word arrogance. I think that you have to put yourself in his shoes a little bit. If he is doubtful in his actions, it translates to the horse and results in a lessening of his effectiveness. And teaching the piaffe/passage is all about being clear and decisive with your aids. Just like riding.

Well said, EPat!

I'm riding with him in April, so I'll get to experience the clinic one-on-one.

[horsey girl]

Lucky you! I hear he is coming to the Wellington , Florida area March 25,26,27th. Can't wait to audit, from what I have seen he is a master at his work.