Lesson with "God"....

[midnightride]

OK so I was the lucky winner on the CANTER auction for the lesson with his greatness.... never ridden with him before- anyone taken lessons with him? Any major do's or don'ts?? I will be on a greenish OTTB....:eek:

[RunForIt]

god who???? :confused: :lol: :cool:

[NeverTime]

Um, I didn't realize God was an eventer, though there certainly are plenty of eventers who THINK they are gods.
Perhaps you could be more specific?

[caffeinated]

Jimmy Wofford :)

[RAyers]

Um, I didn't realize God was an eventer, though there certainly are plenty of eventers who THINK they are gods.
Perhaps you could be more specific?


Why yes he is. Book of Job 39:19.

[Ajierene]

RAYers, I was not sure if you just made up a verse or not, so I looked it up:

19 "Do you give the horse his strength
or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?"


Interesting - very cool that you found that or knew that.

[RAyers]

It is inside my trailer door. I prefer the original Tanakh verse over the Christian Old Testament verse.
39:19
Hast thou given the horse his strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with fierceness?
39:20
Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is terrible.
39:21
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength; he goeth out to meet the clash of arms.
39:22
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
39:23
The quiver rattleth upon him, the glittering spear and the javelin.
39:24
He swalloweth the ground with storm and rage; neither believeth he that it is the voice of the horn.
39:25
As oft as he heareth the horn he saith: 'Ha, ha!' and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.


Reed

[Ajierene]

I love that, very cool.

[CMCEventer]

Congratulations!!! I wanted that auction item so bad, but recent vet bills curtailed my bidding extravagance.

LOVE all the bible horse references everyone is posting - really makes you appreciate how long horses have had a special place in the life of humans. But, I thought I would answer the OP's question about God!

He's fabulous!!! And you are one lucky rider as he doesn't teach out of his own farm any more (he leased it out a while ago), and very rarely does private lessons either. He's conservative and professional and has the most amazing eye! I never leave a lesson without having at least one (and usually 5 or 6) miracle moment - he sees everything and has wonderfully simple fixes which have dramatic effects on your horse. He's kind and funny, and very clear in his instruction. He's also about simplicity - go with as gentle a bit as you can. And don't feel too intimidated - he always says we're going to teach the horses to jump better, so we don't have to ride better! Not that he doesn't expect you to be "perfect" - but perfect is all about letting the horse learn lessons and improve himself, because you won't always be quick enough or smart enough to get him out of trouble. I could rave and rave all day long - but I'll just say congratulations! You're going to have an amazing time - please post something after your lesson to tell us all about how it goes!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Um, I didn't realize God was an eventer, though there certainly are plenty of eventers who THINK they are gods.
Perhaps you could be more specific?


That was how they described the CANTER auction item for a private lesson with Jimmy Wofford. I thought it was funny:)


OP---you'll have fun. Jimmy isn't a big fan of gags or gadget bits. While they may be necessary at a competition, he doesn't find them that useful for training. Otherwise....just try and do what he asks you and don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand. You are there to learn so be open to learn.

He does have an amazing eye....and ears;) He is also one of the most articulate trainers you will meet. I've ridden with many great trainers over the years (in both H/J and eventing) and audited even more clinics....I RARELY hear anything new or really different (I hear the same concepts explained in different ways and through different exercises, but they are the same concepts). BUT Jimmy is one of the best in actually explaining the concepts.

[RunForIt]

... BUT Jimmy is one of the best in actually explaining the concepts.

THAT may define excellence in a teacher (as well as George Hillocks contention that teachers must believe all children can learn)...knowing HOW to explain a concept, knowing HOW to explain step-by-step how to get something done for each individual student (and all students are different in some regard)...Jimmy Wofford is so known for being able to do this. Congrats! :cool:

[NeverTime]

Very cool, Reed.

It seems our modern horses don't quite live up to their ancestors, as they all seem to be affrighted of something far less fierce than a sword in battle.

Jump rails on the ground, for example.
Or sheep.

[Blugal]

Or the jacket they watched you take off and put on the rail.

[ss3777]

Thanks Reed!!!


Really great quote! Reminds me of my first horse. I look forward to finding another just like him some day.

[midnightride]

Reed- LOVE the quote!!!! :)
I dont get out much for lessons or clinics so jumped at this chance, I have no idea when it will go down but will let you guys know!!
And a HUGE thanks to CANTER MA for not only the work they do all year supporting TBs but for putting together the most amazing auction full of once in a life time chances for us simple mortals!!!
I should be OK in the bit factor, my guy jumps in a very simple noseband hackamore ;)

[NeverTime]

I should be OK in the bit factor, my guy jumps in a very simple noseband hackamore ;)

Now that I understand who we're talking about :p a plain snaffle might be a better bet, for exactly the reasons BFNE mentioned. Maybe you could start with a snaffle and bring your hack along, so it's there and ready for action if your horse starts behaving in a way that validates your desire to use it?

Particularly with a green horse, I wonder if he would consider a hack to be a gadget (non)bit and give a lecture about them involving descriptions like "severe" or "trendy."

[asterix]

Funny, I did not know the backstory on the lesson with God but immediately assumed it was JW.:lol:

I've done a number of clinics with him and agree with everyone else. He will expect you to RIDE and to TRY but he is not intimidating. He has an unerring eye and will not let you "hide" -- but he will make you laugh while calling you out.

Have a great time!!

[Carol Ames]

Congratulations! :cool: Be sure to give us a report:yes:! Keep everything, turnout for horse and rider classical; plain white saddle pad; as said, :lol: plain snaffle; bat, hat and spurs; horse well groomed; mane and tail neat and tidy; think :lol:GM, polished boots; remember, he came from a military family!:winkgrin: please tell him 'hi from me!:yes:

[Carol Ames]

1. He is articulate
2. knows thesubject matter inside / out/ uoside:eek: down; backwards and forwards:lol:; ie., He knows!:yes:He targets "the issue" quickly, easily, and precisely:yes:, and the "fix" is usually easier than than we imagined:winkgrin:; changing how we :yes:ride; simple, but not necessarily :no:easy; he is genuine :yes:n his desire to help riders , very humane in his comments:yes:

[Carol Ames]

I loved riding with him?:lol:? those lessons remain highlights :cool:in my horse experience:yes:

[bambam]

Any major do's or don'ts??
I do not have much experience with him but the only don'ts I observed were that he does not take kindly to people who are not paying attention or trying and who may be a bit big for their britches
Bring your sense of humor
You will learn tons

[Kairoshorses]

OK so I was the lucky winner on the CANTER auction for the lesson with his greatness.... never ridden with him before- anyone taken lessons with him? Any major do's or don'ts?? I will be on a greenish OTTB....:eek:

I'm soooooo jealous! If I were closer, I woulda started a bidding war....!

He's MY HERO. He knows his stuff. He really loves horses. He believes that people want to learn and can learn. He's articulate. He READS, fer goodness sake....!

I rode w/ him in a clinic, and it was amazing. Here's my blog:

http://jwclinic.blogspot.com/

Just for fun: brush up on your Shakespeare, Johnson, and Pope references. I rode w/ an 18th century specialist who actually corrected Jimmy about what the college profs thought about a particular quote originally attributed to Samuel Johnson, now Cromwell...or something like that. I got the Macbeth reference ("out, out, damned spot"). He was pleased--I think he worries that people don't read anymore.

[midnightride]

thanks again everyone-
Carol- did you enjoy you lessons??:lol::lol:
I have not done a lesson with someone of this caliber in about 3 yrs and that was with George Morris and i survived (on a 3yr old horse!!)
I am pretty excited, especially since i am planning to take a horse i hope to keep and event for a long time! :D
Will let everyone know how it goes (still not sure when it goes:) )
again- Carol- did you enjoy your lessons??;)
THANKS!!!!!

[Centuree]

Awesome - you must keep us posted on how it goes and WHAT you learn.

I have not ridden with him, though registered for a clinic with him in neighboring Washington, only to learn I had to cross snow laden mountain sides to get there, and subsequently withdrew. May not have made it alive - wish it would have been summer :sadsmile:

[frugalannie]

What a great experience, and a "win-win". You get to ride with an eventing legend and money is raised for a worthy charity. Thanks to Jimmy for donating the lesson (and to everyone else who donated items, as well).

I haven't ridden with Jimmy solo, but have been in clinics. He is amazing: articulate, insightful, methodical and funny. In his clinic lectures, it is clear that he has read and studied everything about riding and synthesized it. He does not suffer fools gladly, but appreciates anyone who listens and tries. Appreciates it even more when you succeed!;)

He is also the author of my favorite pithy comment about our sport:" Riding is simple. It just isn't easy."

And his blogs are hysterical.

[RunForIt]

I'm soooooo jealous! If I were closer, I woulda started a bidding war....!...

He's MY HERO. He knows his stuff. He really loves horses. He believes that people want to learn and can learn. He's articulate. He READS, fer goodness sake....!

I rode w/ him in a clinic, and it was amazing. Here's my blog:

http://jwclinic.blogspot.com/

--I think he worries that people don't read anymore.

(I edited Kairo's post a bit, just to get folks to go to her BLOG!)

EVERYONE: READ THIS BLOG - such a super report, the details brought back the details I'd forgotten from my few rides with JW....

and for what its worth, Jimmy's correct in his worry - people don't read or write anymore...we're losing a lot of brain power.

THANKS, kairo!

[deltawave]

I knew who you meant right away, for the record. :) Congrats and have fun!

I'm already going to hell according to most of my neighbors and co-workers, so . . . ;)