|
|
 Expert
Posts: 1631
   
Location: Somewhere around here | I am proud to say that after years of wanting to go to a clinic (any clinic) I'm finally going to be a spectator at one of Sarah's! Sadly I didn't have enough money stashed away to bring my horse but I'd rather watch and learn then not go at all. Anyone been to one of Sarah's clinics before to give me some tips on what I should bring beforehand? So far I'm thinking a big bottle of water, bring my own lunch,and a notebook with a pen. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 119
Location: NeverLand | cecollins0811 - 2017-06-20 9:02 AM
I am proud to say that after years of wanting to go to a clinic (any clinic) I'm finally going to be a spectator at one of Sarah's! Sadly I didn't have enough money stashed away to bring my horse but I'd rather watch and learn then not go at all. Anyone been to one of Sarah's clinics before to give me some tips on what I should bring beforehand? So far I'm thinking a big bottle of water, bring my own lunch,and a notebook with a pen.
I have never been to one of her clinics. But when I go to clinics I make sure I have a few extra pens, snacks I can keep on me, water and an open mind! I hope you have a great time and that you can learn a lot! |
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Be sure to let us know how it goes. I would actually like to go to her clinics. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Only thing I would add is maybe something comfy to sit on and/or a folding chair in case the bleachers suck or there is better vantage points where the bleacher area is not.
Have fun! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Thanks for the support guys/girls! I'll let you know next week how it went. Good idea for the folding chair! Maybe I'll bring a couple in case anyone needs one, maybe like an older man or woman... |
|
| |
|
Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | Cam corder or video by phone |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Well I was the only paid spectator, moms of the girls who rode don't have to pay, but I had a great time! Sarah is such a nice lady and really down to earth. I never got the feeling that she thought she was better than us and from my past experiences I've had some ladies turn their nose up at me because I wasn't in their league. She ate lunch with us (a total of 4 riders and 3 spectators [counting the moms]) and was very honest and open about answering all of our questions.
Now to the actual clinic. As I mentioned above there were 4 girls riding. One of the ladies was a very good rider and I believe had ridden most of her life but she was new to barrel racing and so was her horse. Another was a teen that was stuck in a rut with her horse being too ratey and subconsciously pulling to the outside too much going into the barrels. Another was an older lady who had a really great and fast horse but needed some help clicking together, and the last girl was a good jockey but just started getting her feet wet in the whole training process of barrel horses.
Sarah first had the girls warm up their horses then do a barrel run to see how the riders and horses did together. Then she did a few basic drills off of the barrels and tried working with the details of every rider specifically. Lots of one on one time. Little note is that Sarah is firm but understanding. She can tell if you or your horse is getting frustrated and she definitely helps you along the way with that. She's also very good at keeping you calm. After the drills off the pattern then did a handful of simple barrel drills that worked with the horses rating and keeping their shoulder up. After lunch it was about the same; some drills off of the pattern then a few other drills on the pattern. Sarah was very good at explaining things and was able to give examples on top of her own horses that she rode. At the end of all the drills and a small break the girls went through the pattern again and all of the horses had improved through the day. Even the horse with no barrel experience would've probably done very good in the 4D at a race. All the riders were great and happy and very willing to learn, which made it a great experience for everyone haha. At the end Sarah did do a little more one on one time with the teenage girl and her horse and it was great. The teenager even hopped up on Sarah's horse and the smile on her face was awesome.
I recommend going to one of her clinics if you can, and I high recommend bringing your horse. Even though I wasn't able to bring him (**** broken dish washer) Sarah gave everyone and ME a goodie bag and we all took pictures. Overall it was a really fun and educational experience! |
|
| |
|
 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | Now I wish I could go to one of her clinics she is having about 90 miles away! |
|
| |
Sarah Rose McDonald Clinics