Around PA? Who'd you like a clinic with?

[jpalisades]

I am looking for a little help planning our farms next clinic...

Trying to figure out who poeple would like to go and ride at a clinic with! We can open up stalls for those needing stabling. There are so many BNT out there, but not all of them have reasonable fees or should I say fees that people want to pay right now.

So... if you are in a "reasonable" (I say this b/c some will drive 2 hrs others 6 or more hrs for the right clinic) distance from Harrisburg PA.... would like to attend a one or two day clinic over the winter/early spring......who would be you trainer/clinician of choice?

Mostly Big BNT trainers are breaking down to $1800 to $2400 per day. Would like to get a feel of which BNT trainers are 'desired' to get enough interest in booking them and the cost.

Thanks for any ideas! I'll do all the arragnements:sadsmile:... all you will have to do is get here and ride:winkgrin:

(By the way the barn has a HUGE 100x200 indoor, as well as outdoor and full jump courses.)

[TheHunterKid90]

Hmmm...well everyone seems to do PD clinics...What about Boyd?
Jan Byyny...I've cliniced with her before and she's pretty awesome.
Doug Payne is out of NJ...sort of far and he's not a real big name (still really young but he did really well with YR and does a fantastic job with his horses).
Also his sister Holly is very good too.
Hmm, Pam Wiedemann? (I think I butchered her last name)
I've cliniced with her too and she does some really cool XC exercises with Stadium fences (working on accuracy and such).

[RiverBendPol]

Boy o boy, you are in the hot bed of great instructors down there. I can't come for a clinic but if I could, it would be for Sally Cousins and or Carol Davidson. They are both beyond excellent, for all levels.

[Snapdragon]

Jpalisades, where near Harrisburg are you? I'd be happy to come up, especially with stabling, because I could also visit my dad. I second Sally Cousins, BTW. Wonderful person and teacher. Don't know about Boyd Martin as a clinician, but if his interview in COTH is any indication, he sounds like he'd be tons of fun. Leslie Law is very good but probably pricey. Sharon White and Stephen Bradley are other good ones.

Just a note about the scheduling: most of the BNRs are in either Aiken or Ocala over the winter, so early spring might be a better bet.

[jpalisades]

Snapdragon, yeah most head to FL and SC for the winter. Luckily most of them are willing to fly in to do clinics:)

Thanks everyone who has given me some ideas. The problem is as one poster already mentioned, I am about 2 to 3 hours from some of the most popular trainers on the east coast. So I am trying to get ideas for trainers outside of this area. I have to cover hotel and flights, adding to thier fee, but it is worth it if enough people are interested in riding with them for a couple of days.

Keep the names coming- I am working on tracking down phone numbers now. THANK YOU:yes:

[TheHunterKid90]

I second Leslie Law...I watched him give a clinic and it was awesome! He emphisizes (ah, I can't spell!) safety ALOT.
Andddd, Stephen Bradley...I stabled next to him at Red Hills, while he withdrew (after D I think) bc he was very sick, he was a delightful man. He spent a good clip of time talking to me, asking what level I competed at (I was only competing at Novice then. hehe =P) and also asked if I had walked XC there. (I had walked the Intermediate, the Advanced, and the 3* with my boss) So THEN, he proceeds to ask me what I think of the courses and the fences and what fences I thought were tough questions and if they could be asked better or differently. I was astounded. Here was this man...who was a 4* rider...had never met me or seen or heard about me before...and he wanted to talk to me and get to know me. Truely, an incredible day. =D

[houndsplease]

See the thread on Ryan Wood , although not a big name here YET, he is not only a gifted rider but very well spoken with alot of knowledge to share , he is located in PA .

[TheHunterKid90]

I didn't know Ryan Wood did clinics?!?!?!
But I would definately definately clinic with him if the oppurtunity arose. definately, definately. =]
And ditto the fact that he is well spoken with alot of knowledge. =]
A veryyy nive guy!

[jumpXrails]

It's just a thought but I hear Jennie Brannigan has just moved to Phillip's barn in PA. She just won Young Riders and has the leading Intermediate horse in the country. I saw her ride on the weekend at Plantation and was very impressed.

Maybe an up and coming rider would be worth a try? I have heard only great things about her from CA.

[Waltongirl]

Where is Pam Weideman these days? She is really nice - I thought she kinda of dropped out of riding????

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Where is Pam Weideman these days? She is really nice - I thought she kinda of dropped out of riding????


She is still around. I saw her with a young horse at a combined test the other weekend (in the rain)....and I know she has a Prelim horse competing fairly regularly (saw her at Planation in one of the OP divisions).

[pooh]

I did a clinic with Pam Weiderman last fall at Olney and had a great time. She does wonders with exercises and encouragement.
I woul dsecond any one that would do the lower level stuff since my new guy is only up to 2 foot so far! I just love to get out and see others in the same boat as me.

[mr_miamis_mom]

Pam is good, so is Danny Warrington. They are both a little less $$$ than Leslie Law, but Leslie is great!

Danny will come out and just teach provided you have enough rides scheduled to justify his drive, and I believe Pam will too. I know Pam used to come to a barn I was at once a week to teach.

[kiwifruit]

I know I'm a bit jaded because I train with her but what about Mary Anne Tauskey? She is terrific and has all of that old school event knowledge from Jack and the team back in the 1970s. I know that she is based in Radnor and an excellent clinician/rider.

[takethestage]

I've actually never been to an eventing clinic so I'd have no idea who to recommend, but any of the names mentioned would work for me. I'm definitely interested though! Keep me updated about it. :D

[lstevenson]

Shameless plug offering my services. :D

I may not really be a BNT, but I've ridden to Advanced *** Level 3 Day (long format) on a difficult horse that I bought off the track as a 3 yo, and have also done dressage to the FEI levels in my past. I've trained very long term with both Jimmy Wofford and Ralph Hill.

My clinic rate is less than half what you mentioned, and I discount that even further for regular clinics.

Anyone who would like to see my resume can feel free to e-mail me at: Lstevenson5@carolina.rr.com

[Caroline Weber]

Doug Payne is out of NJ...sort of far and he's not a real big name (still really young but he did really well with YR and does a fantastic job with his horses).Also his sister Holly is very good too.

You'd actually be surprised by how well they're known by the "real" BNTs. I've been interviewing for WS positions with people like Leslie Law, Bonnie Mosser, Jim Graham...all of them, without fail, said, "Oh, you work for Marilyn and gallop horses for Doug? How are they doing? Say hi for me!"

Doug has a couple upper level horses in his barn right now that were brought to him after some very BNTs in the eventing and showjumping world couldn't fix their issues. He is very good at finding the root of a problem and calmly and systematically fixing the cause rather than the symptoms, and uses creative exercises and clear explanations to help the rider work with the horse.

Holly is also great - she works particularly well with mares and timid riders. Like Doug, she is very calm and effective.

[jpalisades]

We did have Doug to our farm last Dec.! Everyone loved his teaching style. Many wanted me to bring him back. Which I have tried, but he is so busy right now. I emailed him a few months ago asking to book at date for this winter, I still have not heard from him:no:

Which is why I am looking for others. Only two riders have gotten back to me, totaling expenses to about $4000 for two days EACH. With economy and fuel, if I only get 10 riders for a clinic that is $400 a ride:eek:. I have not had good responses from riders about that.

I am still working on it, but man, these riders need to get back to me. And some of them have a person working for them to set stuff like this up, they need to call/email me back too! There was a conversation with one 'set up' person, all she had to do was call me back with travel expense information for her ride.....still waiting for that info weeks later.

It gets frustrating:mad: Sorry for venting.

[highlands]

I would definitely consider Jennie Brannigan. She is unbelievably talented. PM me if you need her contact info.

[Caroline Weber]

We did have Doug to our farm last Dec.! Everyone loved his teaching style. Many wanted me to bring him back. Which I have tried, but he is so busy right now. I emailed him a few months ago asking to book at date for this winter, I still have not heard from him:no:

Doug's much better about the phone than email. If you need to reach him, call him (contact info should be on his website or I can PM it to you). If you don't get him, leave him a message. If you don't hear back within two days, call again. Sometimes you have to be persistent. ;)

[UNCeventer]

Cherie Gaebel is also a good idea. She is in the Elverson area. She evented at Advanced and has also done a lot of jumpers and is a graduate A Pony clubber. She is great with horses off the track too. Cherie is also a National Examiner for Pony Club Ratings and knows a lot. She has great examples, exercises, and fabulous ways of explaining things. I can give you her email address if you like.

She used to live in Southern Pines, but after getting married, moved to PA. She still comes to NC for part of the winter.

[snoopy]

I know I'm a bit jaded because I train with her but what about Mary Anne Tauskey? She is terrific and has all of that old school event knowledge from Jack and the team back in the 1970s. I know that she is based in Radnor and an excellent clinician/rider.


Totally agree about Mary Anne, there is also Kim Walnes, who is a great clinician. I think it is very important no to forget about riders who have achieved greatness in a different generation who have been trained by the masters of our sport, whose training methods are tested and true. I am seeing a trend in eventing where clinics are held by the flavour of the month...dressage and Show jumpers still rely on on our "greats" who may not be actively competing and on the front pages of magazines, but who know their stuff, have years of experience and have alot of knowledge to impart.
If it aint broke, don't fix it.
An added benefit is that these middle aged trainers understand the physical and mental challenges faced by those of us who are no longer spring chickens. Look a bit farther back from last year's rolex or Olympics and you will be sure to find some amazing trainers at great prices.