heath curry

[andylover]

i removed the text.

[pigsandponies]

The facility has had a nice makeover.

I didn't think the rates were all that reasonable, though. You could put a horse in training with a well-known, proven dressage instructor across the river on the west side of town for about the same price at a nice barn with better turnout.

[Rev-Rider]

I know Heath very well. My sugestion is to go out and watch Him ride, teach, and decide for your self. I would be out there my self if it wasn't way out in Borring.
I'd love to know who offers full care and training for under $750 on the west side. I'm paying about $1000 a month for full care and partial training.

[CamdenLab]

Regarding the barn . . . it did under-go a nice make-over. But that is relative. The place needed a lot of work. The self-care people are still there and their horses still live in 10x10 concrete stalls with no turn-out. No different from 1990 when I boarded there for six months during the winter (when I was in high school). Except they had some turn-out back then (before the outdoor arena), but only myself and one other used it. Lots of cowboy types, wild teenagers hauling in during gaming nights, etc. The place is good for events and hauling in but not good living conditions, in my opinion.

Regarding Heath, I have heard good things about him and his rates are reasonable except for the fact that board is way too high for reasons stated above. I was at a show there a few weeks ago, just watching. We drove by and noticed it, so we stopped in. I saw Heath ride during a break. He was on what looked like a very spirited TB and the horse was a bit crazed due to the minis, the driving horses and the Autumn set-up in the middle of the arena. He handled it well, with a lot of praise and encouragement. He could have cowboyed the horse, there were a few of those riding in there, but he didn't. I was impressed.

But, this is all I know. I thought about taking some lessons from him to improve my riding while I'm sorting out what is wrong with my horse. But, I don't know if he has lesson horses available.

[oharabear]

I was considering the same thing. My mare lives about 15 minutes away and I'd like to haul in for a lesson or two once in a while, but she's pregnant and I won't be starting any serious work with her until after her foal is weaned many many months from now.

If you find out if he has lesson horses available, will you let us know? :yes:

[andylover]

i fell off the face of the earth the last couple of weeks, my apologies to all that posted regarding heath. and thank you. :)i did meet him and was impressed with his level of professionalism. he spent a lot of time with me, and worked/trained the horses well. he does turn them out into the smaller arena and they are working on building outside paddocks for turnout when its not nasty outside. i myself prefer horses while in training to not have access to the outside, i would hate to have a horse laid up while at training. but thats just me. the barn has gone through major renovations and looks quite nice. and compared to other training fees and barns thought was quite reasonable. i have gone to some expensive dressage barns and the owner/trainers didnt spent more than five minutes with me. i wont mention those barn names though.

[andylover]

ohrabear, i dont think he has any schooling horses per se.. but call him and ask, he is very personable.. he may also know a horse you can use for schooling.. maybe i will see you there.. :)

[oharabear]

ohrabear, i dont think he has any schooling horses per se.. but call him and ask, he is very personable.. he may also know a horse you can use for schooling.. maybe i will see you there.. :)

Oooh that will be fun!

I just found out that the people leasing my Standardbred want to give him back, so I might drag him to MHEEC for a lesson or two... he's the only sane, rideable, and non-pregnant critter I have! And he could use LOTS of work! :yes:

I will keep you posted and perhaps we can bump into each other!

[andylover]

oharabear, that would be cool.. i am planning on shipping off my youngster in the next few days.. waiting for the farrier now, who was supposed to be here last friday.. so i can at least send my youngster off with his feet cleaned up lol.. that would be cool.. i will be driving up there quite a bit once i get him going also.. EEHC has a great viewing room .. let me know when you head over there.. would love to bump into you.!!!

[mheathcurry]

This is the Heath Curry you all have been discussing. I must say it is beyond sureal to see people discussing me on a website, however a student found this forum and braught it to my attention.

For the record, I am 34, I have been riding dressage horses since I was 8, riding since I was 5.
I was born and raised in Portland Or except for a few years in N California, where I began my dressage education. My Dressage master was named Margaret Barz, an American ex-patriot who married an Austrian, and when he passed away she moved home to the US and was my neighbor. She and her husband owned and operated a Dressage school in Austria, as well as a breeding farm.
I began taking lessons on 2 of the retired Grand Prix horses she came home with. She was my teacher until her death in the early 90's, she taught me evrything I know about Dressage, there will never be another like her, they just don't teach that way anymore, it's all bits and whips these days!
I have however tried to clinic, on a regular basis with Kyra Kyrkland, Jane Savoie, and Jessica Ranshuesan.
My method is a combined Austrian with Classical French philosophy, in that I value lightness in the aids, and perfect timing above all other techniques or methods.
I have a BS in Clinical science and a BS in Ethology, I have a huge interest in not only equine behavior but Canine behavior as well, specifically canine aggression. I graduated From OSU.
I am currently owner and trainer of HUNTER CREST FARMS, in Boring Oregon, with 2 other business partners.

We specialize in young sport horses and the amatuer sport horse rider.
If anyone has other questions, please feel free to call or stop by.
www.mheec.com
503.663.4200 Office
503.810.7065 Cell
Oh yeah,I have competed in 3 Grand Prix, my first was in Sacramento CA on a catch ride, it was aweful I scored a 60% overall, goes to show that we never are as good as we think we are!!

My focus is now mostly classical, but I hope to find a nice prospect for the 09 season.

[fiona]

goes to show that we never are as good as we think we are!!

Except that most of us are not under the illusion that we are any good in the first place! Maybe that's why we have enough humility not to rip fellow proffessionals to shreds, in print and in public.
Good luck with your business. Sounds like you're going to need it!

[Fantastic]

Heath:I have however tried to clinic, on a regular basis with Kyra Kyrkland, Jane Savoie, and Jessica Ranshuesan.


Just curious: Where, when, and often did you get the opportunity to clinic with Kyra Kyrklund, Jane Savoie, and Jessica Ransehousen (not Ranshuesan)? Have any of them have ever been "regular" clinicians in California?

[egontoast]

Mr Curry has also clineeked with Anky and Klimke! according to another thread!:):)

but he didn't like them much.:sadsmile:

lets address your citation of the GREAT Reiner Klimke, whom I think is only slightly more mediocre than Anky, ok well maybe more than slightly, but hardly what "WE" call a master.
A wonderful horseman, yes, talented , for certain, well known and read, yes, my hero, no.
I would send my horse to the local Dressage HACK before I sent it to him.
SO I am NOT impressed by your invocation of the great KLIMKE!!
Dig deeper, for what impresses me, and the school I follow is much, much older!
Please do not attack those whom you do not know, in this case, I know BOTH the big names you throw around, and have cliniqued with them both.

[fiona]

In the words of the great Yoda

There is no try only do.

[egontoast]

...unless trying would be perecipioistus I mean precipitous.

[Traum]

Well this will be fun to watch. Another wanna be BNT comes on here to make nasties at the natives :rolleyes:

Here's a great way to promote yourself as a professional...

"Oh Yes, and you "feisomeday", not much better than your friend, "toast" is it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by feisomeday
she is from "BORING"

I would guess your age at 13, go to bed now little one, off to sleep, it's much past your bedtime!"


Name calling and name dropping aren't impressive. Neither is that condescending attitude. Stop and read here a bit. Maybe you'll notice that most of the REAL big time folks don't post here because, well, they have a business to run and do it well. And those that do come by, are very respectful and polite to everyone. And they don't engage in petty pissing contests, in which they only make themselves look dumb.

[oharabear]

Agreed. He is crossed off my list of potential trainers. Which sucks, because the location is highly convenient, and I'm sure Mr. Curry does know what he's talking about. But why would I want to subject myself to dealing with that much ego?

There are many other highly talented and qualified dressage trainers in this area (despite what Mr. Curry thinks) and I'm sure that they are capable of remaining professional. Even on the internet.

Pass the popcorn.

[Karoline]

he is the real mccoy and not someone posing as him? The attitude just seems really off for a pro.

[Jealoushe]

Why the hostility?

Some people are better horse people than people people. Just have faith he is one of them!

[Beasmom]

I suspect he's one of them, all right!

Just how does one TRY to clinic with the likes of Kyra, Jane and Jessica? You either do or don't. Fiona had it right!

[magickmeadow]

I don't know Mr. Curry but I have spoke with a couple of people who do know him. Based on their experience, I would take a chance on a lesson or clinic with him and then decide for myself if I wished to continue. I live in WA and a weekend ago I travelled down to check out a equine facility in Eugene and to visit family. I stopped at a tack shop in Portland which will definitely get my business again as the staff was so informative and pleasant. But I digress. While I was there a story was recounted to me (I asked about OR trainers) at how nice Mr. Curry had been to the participants of an event held at his barn. Yes, that is good business but since I have been to other barns where the trainers were less than thrilled about activities that interrupted their training day, I was pleased to hear something positive. When I look for a trainer I do review the "gossip" but I certainly don't believe everything I hear. I like to decide based on my experience. JMO Based on my experience I won't be boarding at the equine facility I interviewed but some might find it very acceptable. Again JMO.

[Traum]

I don't believe everything I hear either. But when it comes directly from the mouth of the one I'm interested in doing business with, it gets considerably more weight. Not that I'm considering this one for anything, I'm just speaking to impressions being made first hand, as opposed to bb gossip.

[mheathcurry]

I replied to a post regarding giving the winter off to a dressage horse, then i was attacked, by every definition of the word by the local Bitch-Clique.
I am not one to be bullied, this is a public forum and I am entitled and will continue to give my opinion.
My expertise, and my name were attacked and discredited in my first 2 days on this site.
I will continue to research and find out who these cowards are that hide behind multiple names and throws stones from afar.
I will not however be baited into another personal attack against someone I do not know, shame on me, but in my defense, it was WELL deserved.
Now to the facts.
I have been cliniquing with Kyra since 1987, to answer a question that was guised as an insult.
Jane Savoie regularly gives clinics in CA and Oregon AND ELSEWHERE.
Jessica Ranshuesen has not given a clinic in years, but I have cliniqued with her on 4 seperate ocassions, in California, Florida and Mexico, and her daughter is one hell of a rider as well!
As for where I cliniqued with Kyra, as if it is any of your business, it was in Calgary, AB Canada, California, Florida, and Britain.
for those ruber necks who strain to see the car wrecks you pass, my business is doing well, and if someone does not like my comments here, but has not taken the time to meet me, and address them in person, then perhaps a lesson in up front, in person honesty is needed for you, I would, and have said what I have to to say to the people I criticise to their faces,( an opportunity most will never have, especially those safely ensconced here in ciber-space) thus my status as a lowly Dressage trainer from Oregon,( you think you people have the power to squash someone, you have no idea, I have been squashed by the best! ) with not many friends in the industry, and plenty of enemies, however at least i know where I stand, and don't hide behind fictitious names. . . . . . -H
PS
if mentioning whom I admire, and have cliniqued with is dropping names, then pardon my honesty, and shame on you for your malicious post about my experiences, based solely on your opinion, an opinion of me that is based on nothing, you do not know me, and you have far too much faith in your poisonous words.
While were on the subject of truth, I have never, nor have I ever stated that I have, cliniqued with Anky, or Reiner, that was, as are most of these threads, and posts, made up, barrowed and distorted crap from one, or several peoples responses to my posts.
Read carefully ladies, and one gentleman, the great thing about text, you cannot lie about it, i will only go back and "quote" it so as to bring light to your many unthruthful and malicious lies. . . . . Merry Christmas!
-H

[Beasmom]

Certainly Mr. Heath, you are entitled to post here. And the rest of the forum participants may take you or leave you as we please. Too bad for you, but you strolled into this forum with a very high-and-mighty attitude. Some may be impressed with that. I am not and I'm not alone, evidently.

Please reread Traum's post that started with "Well this will be fun to watch." It seems you have alientated some people who might have been potential clients.

Your offensive/defensive and high-handed posts are not going to make you many friends here. Stop trying to impress us with your background/former trainers/university degrees/high-flying prose. Impress us with practical advice. A few of your posts have indicated that you might know what you're talking about. Don't march in here treating the "natives" like idiots. Some of us are, most of us aren't and a few won't suffer fools gladly at all.

But don't alienate your audience with Ex Cathedra-type proclaimations!

If you can manage to offer advice and opinions with humor, humility and a genuine desire to be helpful, you will be welcome. Your time spent here can be pleasant, fun, perhaps even profitable or it can be miserable and embarrassing. It depends on your approach.

[mheathcurry]

Certainly Mr. Heath, you are entitled to post here. And the rest of the forum participants may take you or leave you as we please. Too bad for you, but you strolled into this forum with a very high-and-mighty attitude. Some may be impressed with that. I am not and I'm not alone, evidently.

Please reread Traum's post that started with "Well this will be fun to watch." It seems you have alientated some people who might have been potential clients.

Your offensive/defensive and high-handed posts are not going to make you many friends here. Stop trying to impress us with your background/former trainers/university degrees/high-flying prose. Impress us with practical advice. A few of your posts have indicated that you might know what you're talking about. Don't march in here treating the "natives" like idiots. Some of us are, most of us aren't and a few won't suffer fools gladly at all.

But don't alienate your audience with Ex Cathedra-type proclaimations!

If you can manage to offer advice and opinions with humor, humility and a genuine desire to be helpful, you will be welcome. Your time spent here can be pleasant, fun, perhaps even profitable or it can be miserable and embarrassing. It depends on your approach.

well now dear, i am sorry my personality came across as "High & Mighty", "high handed" or some how prideful, or otherwise offensive.
i speak here as i do in person.
Not knowing me, YOU were one of the first to criticise.

If my words are not phrased to your liking, then deal with it, this is still a representative republic, otherwise known as a Democracy, and you my dear would do well to remember to treat others as you would like to be treated.
You do not know me, so therefore CANNOT comment as to WHO I AM, or MY INTENT, as you have done.

You write as though your word is gospel, about those you do not know, shame on you, you are the worst kind of gossip, an ignorant one. . .
remember, if your friends had not commented on my posts first, I would have had no cause to continue with the attacks.
however i assure you, the personal attacks from me will stop, it is hypocritical, and not like me.
I do not enjoy it and quite honestly, this snow has me too long in front of the computer at night.
I hope there are no hard feelings, just please make sure you read EVERY post that refers to me, i will promise you, the insults and negativity do not originate with me. . . . -H
PS Please stop concerning yourself with my business, as in your statement about alienating "Potential Clients", i have all the clients I need, and if i need a business consultant, I will be certain to look elsewhere. . .
so like you and your ilk, to be "CONCERNED" about my business, hmm, enough is enough.
I, and I alone choose my clients, and they are without question ( as their recomendations are always forthcoming) loyal, caring and serious horseman and woman, so please stop trying to deface my name, just because i have the courage to give it, freely in public, here.
PSS
i will offer my opinions as I see fit, if they are without your above mentioned criteria, then so be it, YOU do not dictate to me, MY opinions, much less HOW they are to be spoken. Talk about EGO, who is trying to impress WHOM?
And do not call me a fool again, you do not know me, and I certainly WILL NOT suffer your foolishness either.
Your idle threats as to which path i must take, according to you, the path of "profit" or 'Misery and "shame", your ego and narcissism is profound, speaking on behalf of ALL of the writers here, some feat. . . .peddle your wares elsewhere, your threats and words hold no sway over me, Merry Christmas -H

[indyblue]

Heath.Take your meds.........oh and good luck tracking me down.
Id be so embarassed right now if you were my trainer.

[Ambrey]

Approaching the situation as though a) trying to have an adult discussion, or b) trying to have a battle of the wits is going to resolve it is going to get you nowhere. There are certain people here who are only interested in the drama and snarking on people.

Just keep your posts about horses and ignore the riffraff. If you go to your profile, there's an option to add users to an "ignore" list. You still have the option to read their posts, if you choose to, by clicking on a button to open it. You'll find some people can be rational in certain contexts, while others never have anything worthwhile to say. Eventually you'll just completely forget the latter people exist.

[Tango14]

:sigh:

Two things:

1. 'Beauty is as beauty does'.

2. 'Jealousy makes you nasty'.

Think about it...

[Nojacketrequired]

I don't know who you are, Mr. Heath. I don't even live inyour country, so I have no dog in this fight...

i will offer my opinions as I see fit, if they are without your above mentioned criteria, then so be it, YOU do not dictate to me, MY opinions, much less HOW they are to be spoken. Talk about EGO, who is trying to impress WHOM?

I read some of these posts as attempting to instruct you in the best way to approach this board in order to be taken seriously as someone with valuable info for the members. Not sure how much time you spend on BB's, but for every one there is a "culture" and it is usually best to lurk a bit and then join in slowly as you learn the "lay of the land". Not to say you may not have dissenting opinions, that is part of the beauty of BB's...but just as in real life, there are ways to get your point across and then there are WAYS to get your point across.

SO, as on any BB if you choose to take an adversarial, snarky tone there are many who will answer you in kind and then the discussion will devolve into a train wreck, and no one learns anything. (On other boards, an adversarial, snarky tone is expected...You KNOW who you are... ;) )

Please accept this post at face value, as there is no underlying message here. Just a gentle suggestion as to why your intro to CotH got off to a rocky start.

NJR

[MistyBlue]

This is just silly. FWIW...one of the reasons people are reacting so much to this person may be certain internet BB faux pas such as claiming one thing and then changing the story:

lets address your citation of the GREAT Reiner Klimke, whom I think is only slightly more mediocre than Anky, ok well maybe more than slightly, but hardly what "WE" call a master.
A wonderful horseman, yes, talented , for certain, well known and read, yes, my hero, no.
I would send my horse to the local Dressage HACK before I sent it to him.
SO I am NOT impressed by your invocation of the great KLIMKE!!
Dig deeper, for what impresses me, and the school I follow is much, much older!
Please do not attack those whom you do not know, in this case, I know BOTH the big names you throw around, and have cliniqued with them both.

While were on the subject of truth, I have never, nor have I ever stated that I have, cliniqued with Anky, or Reiner, that was, as are most of these threads, and posts, made up, barrowed and distorted crap from one, or several peoples responses to my posts.
Read carefully ladies, and one gentleman, the great thing about text, you cannot lie about it, i will only go back and "quote" it so as to bring light to your many unthruthful and malicious lies.

Another faux pas was a past thread asking about the subject person of this thread with a reply from a poster named "Dressagegirl74" who used almost verbatim the same bio he's given out under his actual name, but as a person who had once worked with him a while back. The faux pas part was: the e-mail listed for "Dressagegirl" was heath@mheec.com . It's considered one of the worst faux pas to log on as a fictitional alter in order to support yourself.

These types of activities tend to cause issues on equine BBs. This BB is rather large and heavily populated. There are quite a few well known pros on here too, either reading or posting. I'd be extremely leery of the type of "shenanigans" done online...a lot more people are reading it than posting and you never know who those people might be. If others see enough odd behavior or ranting the subsequent word of mouth gets around fast. :no:

[slc2]

Darn it all, the USDF doesn't have any scores for Mr Curry for this year in dressage. I can't figure out how that possibly could be, but there it is.

Even more surprising, when I submitted for a complete score check, back to 2000, I got this message:

This report will return a scorecheck for 0 rides.

That is really the darndest thing! Maybe there's something wrong with the USDF website or my browser, i just switched to firefox.

I KNOW Mr. Curry said he showed at GP. I should at least be able to find that, right? Well I suppose it could have been 10 or 12 years ago, those older scores aren't online.

You gotta admit though, that starting as a professional dressage and show jumping trainer at age 7! REALLY is impressive!

He's 34, and his web site says he's got 27 years of experience as a show jumping and dressage professional! That's - WOW! I can't remember when I last saw a seven year old child instructing and dressage and show jumping, or training show jumpers and dressage horses! I .... I guess I must be getting senile! I can't even remember seeing a lot of TEN year olds professionally instructing or training show jumpers and dressage horses.

[hitchinmygetalong]

slc2, I find it sweetly ironic that you have bothered to search for show results on Mr. Curry in order to lend some credibility to his claims. Seems some here have had the same lack of results when they tried to find some proof of your claims.

[SillyHorse]

"Sweetly ironic." Yes. :lol:

As for Mr. Curry, as indyblue said, I'd be very embarassed right now if you were my trainer.

[slc2]

I've never insisted that anyone needed to have recent show scores to qualify to comment here; there are no requirements for commenting here at all, in fact.

There's a great many people who don't show now, have very limited show exposure, or haven't shown ever, who are therefore completely qualified to comment on posts about how much angle a shoulder in should have or how to stop a horse from running out the gate...and these things are not exactly special or something only people who show would know.

People may choose to disagree with them regardless of how much experience they have, and show experience and good scores DOES give people's words more weight, i accept that. But I also think people can learn alot by working with a good trainer, even if they don't show. There's actually quite a few people I know who ride very well and haven't shown in ages, or even, had very little showing overall. One friend trained her own horse to I1/2 in lessons with some of the best people in the USA, but hasn't shown in many years due to having young children. I respect immensely what she says and follow her advice very closely. The old horse is semi retired and she won't get another til he passes away. She has no showing on record yet is very, very knowledgeable and skilled.

But Mr. Curry is a professional selling his services here and is using this bulletin board to promote himself, and that is very different from my situation, and he specifically stated that he showed at GP and any consumer, including me, has a right to verify that.

[ToN Farm]

I KNOW Mr. Curry said he showed at GP. I should at least be able to find that, right? Well I suppose it could have been 10 or 12 years ago, those older scores aren't online.
I have seen a report (of someone) with scores dated back to 1992. I don't know how much farther they go back. However, if a person has a member ID and has shown recognized, then there will be scores. But, a person could have shown while not a member, and then there would be no score record.

Sure there are probably people out there that ride well and have never shown, but not many. JMHO.

[incahoots]

:no:Mr. Curry, the best thing would be for you to disappear for a year or so, then come back and repost in the recommended way. This is a widely read bb and if you continue to post the way you are you will lose business and worst of all....the respect of the relatively small sporthorse world in the PNW. I for one have crossed stallions off my list due the idiocy sometimes seen on the sporthorse breeders forum and would not hesitate to do the same to a trainer making foolish comments on one of the other forums. It's a small internet world after all!

[FancyFree]

Sure there are probably people out there that ride well and have never shown, but not many. JMHO.

There was one woman at my old barn who trained at fourth level, was a lovely rider with a lovely horse that never competed. She had severe anxiety attacks. But I agree, it's probably not many that seriously train and don't compete. I've never run across a professional ever that didn't compete. Doesn't that go with the territory of being a professional? It has with all the trainers that I've ever known.

I don't believe show scores are necessary to give an opinion though. But I do think people dishing out advice should at least be able to ride. If someone is an absolute beginner, I don't think they have any business telling people how to do anything beyond the basics. Yeah you can get it all off Google, but I think advice givers should have actually done it themselves, you know, on a horse.

[Beasmom]

In the words of Ronald Reagan, "Well, there you go again"...Mr. Heath!

I reread my response to you and cannot understand how I got you so upset. If you cannot recognize the tone in your first posts as high-handed, then you lack the insight it takes to be a good riding teacher.

As for your business, I'm not concerned about it at all. It's YOUR business.

I'll stick with my original impression. I think you're a self-promoting troll. No more Purina Troll Chow for you!

[slc2]

ton, actually i think a lot of scores are not online for that earlier period of time, mine aren't.

Beasmom, so what do you want us to do, just not respond to his posts?

[Moderator 1]

As with any poster, if the content of a post is in violation of board rules, please report the post and the mods will address it. If you disagree with the opinions presented by another poster, you're welcome to address and debate those differences of opinion in the course of discussion.

This thread has become more about someone's posting habits than the now-deleted OP, so we're going to close it. If there's an issue with the former, report the post in question and we'll address it.

Thanks,
Mod 1