USHJA Trainers Symposium - Buffalo, NY

[Gracious]

Is anyone planning on attending? I just faxed in my registration today. Would love to meet some fellow COTHers!!

[GrayCatFarm]

Already registered, visiting family in Buffalo at the same time. Now, how do I tell them that I will be unavailable all weekend long?????

[GrayCatFarm]

bumping this up.

[hrfponies]

I think I might be going! Still trying to decide but I would really like to go!

[findeight]

Most of the pros in my area are going to get started on the certification process.

It should be a great turn out and a good learning experience. Good place to meet new faces and make contacts too...as in try to sell them horses:lol:.

[GrayCatFarm]

Great, because I'm lookin' to BUY one of them horses. PM me with what you have!

[MHM]

So how was it? Lots of people there?

Who did they have for demo riders?

[SarahandSam]

I'd love to hear a report too... I know two of the junior riders at my barn were riding in it. (:

[Not So Practical Horse(WO)man]

A friend of mine was supposed to ride in it. I dont talk to him much but would love to hear or see pictures or even hear a report!

[JustJump]

I heard that there was much time spent on 3'6", and not so much on lower levels.

Interesting reading Shelby French a few months ago re that horsemanship students will graduate their programs with certification.

Meanwhile even licensed officials (yes, this is what I've heard) will have to go to the expense and time to attend these seminars as well as the clinics they already are required to have.

I'm still waiting to hear from more pros who have attended these seminars as to what their opinions are about it.

Seems the approval stamp of G(od)M) has been put to them, but haven't heard whether the finished product is up to snuff.

[findeight]

Know two that went. They both enjoyed it and thought we were on the right track with the process but did not have time to go into alot of details.

It is correct that GM himself would have to go thru each level of certification, nobody is "grandfathered in".

The whole thing is not perfect and never will be BUT it's a step in the right direction because the level of incompetence out there is absolutely embarassing and there is no excuse for some of the stunts and practices we read about on here.

Hopefully somebody can post some of the details on this symposium.

[hntrjmprpro45]

I went to the symposium in Wellington in Dec 07. I thought it was awesome, it had Archie Cox, Courtney King, and Missy Clark (several other notable professionals rode in it as well). It was interesting to hear what they had to say about the different levels, etc- I wouldn't say that I learned a whole lot of new information (more of review for professionals). I did like the Q&A session. It was quite amusing hearing some of the stories from other pros (nice to hear that everyone has at least one high maintainence client who gives them problems) and how they dealt with various issues. Overall it was really fun and it didn't hurt that I got to spend my weekend in sunny florida! I would love to go to the Buffalo symposium but am busy that weekend. Have fun and take notes!

[findeight]

ummm...it was last weekend.

[Pony Soprano]

I went to the first one and it was fun. I took home a few new exercises to use with my students. Interestingly, there were a few jump configurations that would be illegal in the practice ring at a show ;). My biggest complaint was that there were a few very well known amatuers that went in multiple sections with different green horses, as opposed to having a good representation of the riders that should have been at that particular height.

[justathought]

The Buffalo clinic was well attended and full of really excellent information. In terms of coverage - there were intermediate, advanced/open hunter, and jumpers (3 groups consistent through the three days).

The riders were a mixture of juniors, amateurs, and professionals.

The three days covered a progression from primarily flatwork on the first day to mostly jumping on the third day. Jump heights varied with the level of the riders .... but GM made it clear that the objective of hunter/jumper riders should be toward jumping higher.

It is correct that no one is grandfathered - all people will have to go through the process. The long-term thought is that certification will be required BUT it is currently voluntary.

[GrayCatFarm]

So, I am an ammie - but also an educator in my professional life. The clinic was full - in fact, to get a ringside seat by the center you had to get there an hour early. However, GM made it a point to work up and down the length of the ring. I went because I wanted to learn at a higher level with professionals and it was everything that I was hoping for. Concepts were laid out on the first day for each set according to ability, basics were addressed on day 1, day 2 he ramped it up, day 3 was a test of scope AND a return to basics. There was mixture of juniors, older amateurs and professionals at each level. There were also a group of problem and green horses in each set, and it was amazing how 15-20 min with GM in the saddle could change the horse AND the change in the horse after three days of intense schooling. For me, it was worth every penny simply to watch him ride and put into practice the concepts. One focus was on the necessity of respect for the trainer by the client for the trainer to be most effective. Another focus was on discipline and schooling as means to a happy horse. Third focus was on using small jumps to reinforce the basics and different concepts. Fourth focus was on what constituted proper contact and use of the different aids. He had a student along as a demonstrator for jumping who was quite good. The sad thing was that many of the juniors could not answer basic "test" questions, which illustrates the continuing need for education and reading. I met a lot of really nice people - and no one had to be told to turn off their cell phones. So, when his rang on day 3 there was quite a bit of amusement!