This past weekend we participated in the Melanie Smith Taylor Clinic hosted by Kimberden South and Kim Burnette in Ocala. Top notch host, amazing facility and accommodations and the horses loved being there.
People often want to know what clinicians to bring in or how the clinic experience was from a rider and auditor perspective. We too have hosted clinics so being sure everyone is content and fulfilled can be difficult.
I can say without hesitation that every rider was thrilled with the clinic and what they learned. Melanie has an incredible ability to hone in on the horses and riders immediately and find ways to help each person, all while having the group working non-stop. The entire time she is explaining different theories of why she is asking for certain tasks to be done and how it helps the horse and rider. She uses each rider as examples as they worked their assigned task. She is thoughtful, direct, demanding, but understanding as well. She routinely explained that it may not be perfect execution of what she asked but a way to see where your weaknesses are as a rider and where your horse needs more attention. She adds some humor to the session which tends to break the nervous ice. On the flip side, she is not going to tolerate inattention to detail and making the same mistake over and over. She is the kind of clinician that takes you slightly out of your comfort zone so that you can challenge yourself and find that connection to your horse.
I had one horse that is getting retraining. He worked through the issues and she noted that he should finish with what he learned and let him soak on the positive experience. Therefore he did not do the last exercise but that was smart, rather than being concerned about rider time she took the time to be sure the horse worked through his issues and let him be done. Setting the horse up for success.
I was in the first session each day and watched the remaining two. While maybe 25% consistent in the flatwork, everything else between sessions was completely new. There was no duplication which added to more information being conveyed. Auditors took copious notes and diagrams and I can see many trainers heading home with many new lesson plans in tow. We actually walked jumps which I have not done since my junior years and forgot how beneficial it is to be in tune with your horse.
Admittedly I have done many clinics with Melanie and watched many others. I am a huge fan of her care for the horses and their learning. I have yet to see or ride in any clinic that was redundant. Trainers should seek out her clinics to audit because they will easily obtain 6 months or more of good lesson plans to adopt and draw from. Riders take home so much information as homework too. If Melanie comes to your area you would be a fool to miss her as a rider or auditor. If you want a clinician that can wow the crowd, educate the masses and riders then have her come do a clinic for you.
People often want to know what clinicians to bring in or how the clinic experience was from a rider and auditor perspective. We too have hosted clinics so being sure everyone is content and fulfilled can be difficult.
I can say without hesitation that every rider was thrilled with the clinic and what they learned. Melanie has an incredible ability to hone in on the horses and riders immediately and find ways to help each person, all while having the group working non-stop. The entire time she is explaining different theories of why she is asking for certain tasks to be done and how it helps the horse and rider. She uses each rider as examples as they worked their assigned task. She is thoughtful, direct, demanding, but understanding as well. She routinely explained that it may not be perfect execution of what she asked but a way to see where your weaknesses are as a rider and where your horse needs more attention. She adds some humor to the session which tends to break the nervous ice. On the flip side, she is not going to tolerate inattention to detail and making the same mistake over and over. She is the kind of clinician that takes you slightly out of your comfort zone so that you can challenge yourself and find that connection to your horse.
I had one horse that is getting retraining. He worked through the issues and she noted that he should finish with what he learned and let him soak on the positive experience. Therefore he did not do the last exercise but that was smart, rather than being concerned about rider time she took the time to be sure the horse worked through his issues and let him be done. Setting the horse up for success.
I was in the first session each day and watched the remaining two. While maybe 25% consistent in the flatwork, everything else between sessions was completely new. There was no duplication which added to more information being conveyed. Auditors took copious notes and diagrams and I can see many trainers heading home with many new lesson plans in tow. We actually walked jumps which I have not done since my junior years and forgot how beneficial it is to be in tune with your horse.
Admittedly I have done many clinics with Melanie and watched many others. I am a huge fan of her care for the horses and their learning. I have yet to see or ride in any clinic that was redundant. Trainers should seek out her clinics to audit because they will easily obtain 6 months or more of good lesson plans to adopt and draw from. Riders take home so much information as homework too. If Melanie comes to your area you would be a fool to miss her as a rider or auditor. If you want a clinician that can wow the crowd, educate the masses and riders then have her come do a clinic for you.
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