What to Expect
Mark does problem solving and horsemanship clinics (no colt starting – see below). He always watches the horse and talks to the rider. He then determines how best to proceed based upon what he sees in the horse and hears from the person. So, anything and everything happens at a clinic. One thing that they all have in common is that the rider participates during each step and will develop their horsemanship skills.
Each rider will leave the clinic having practiced with Mark and will have a plan of action to work with when they get home. Riders will not be disappointed about the clinic if they understand that Mark will definitely get them to a place they need to be ... it just might not be the place they were directing themselves.
There are three different clinic formats available: Format 1 – One-on-One This is Mark’s traditional 2-, 3-, or 4-day clinic format in which he works with each horse and rider individually for an hour or so at a time each day. This clinic format is open to all rider abilities, beginners through advanced. Riders need to ride for a minimum of two days. Minimum of six (6) riders, maximum of eight (8). Auditors are welcome to attend.
Format 2 – Week-long session
This is a 3-, 4- or 5-day clinic in which Mark works with the riders in a group atmosphere with all riders riding at the same time. It is available to intermediate and advanced riders only and must be pre-approved before scheduling. There are no auditors. Six to eight riders are required for this type of clinic and they need to ride for the entire clinic.
The format is very personal, and easily accommodates riders of various disciplines and with a wide range goals. A maximum of eight students are accepted per clinic. Students work one-on-one with Mark, in addition to working as a group. Students have the opportunity to work cattle when available. Also available at most venues are trail obstacle courses, a water crossing and jumps to work with. Each morning begins with a meeting in which each student develops a plan for the day. The morning meeting is followed by a few unmounted exercises, which help put a feel behind some of the words we use in our horsemanship (like "softness", "blending", and "feel"). Then we work with our horses all morning, break for lunch, and work with the horses again after lunch for the afternoon. We close each day with another meeting at which the students go over what they learned that day.
Format 3 – Half-day Group sessions
In the 4-day format, Marks works with three to four riders in the morning and three to four in the afternoon for a total of up to eight different riders per day. They work in a group setting similar to the week-long sessions. This format is available to intermediate and advanced riders only, and auditors are welcome. Riders need to ride for a minimum of two days.
The dates for 2011 are listed on the Clinic Schedule page on this website (click here to go to the Clinic Schedule page). Please contact us for a registration form and information sheet. Also, let us know if you want to be included on the waiting list for a last-minute cancellation.
Feel free to contact us by email if you have any further questions.
