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 Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
   
Location: British Columbia | I'm hosting a clinic this fall with one of the girls from Rodeo Girls. I have awesome gift bags with clinicians favs all sponsored by local companies. But this is my first time HOSTING a clinic and I want to make it a good experience. I've been to a lot of clinics that I found boring once your lesson was over. What are good things to do to keep the younger ones entertained? And even the girls my age. We have ages ranging from 12-30 coming. I also have to be the cook, which leadse to my next question, would clinic attendees be offended by take out? LOL |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
 
Location: Midwest | Free coffee and water is a plus
You could raffle off door prizes
Maybe do something fun for the kids, like a small gymkhana games contest (ala 4H fun shows days)
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| The one thing I liked when I went to a Lance Graves clinic was that he had a wireless portable head microphone and he talked through everything. It wasn't just him one on one with the person. Every horse he worked with, you got to hear how he would work with them. Made it nice because all horses are different and you could pick something up from each one. |
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Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
Location: British Columbia | barrelracr131 - 2014-04-01 5:56 AM
Free coffee and water is a plus
You could raffle off door prizes
Maybe do something fun for the kids, like a small gymkhana games contest (ala 4H fun shows days)
Â
We do have door prizes actually, I just finished up buying them all, from graphic design gift certificates for stud ads to mane and tail coloured extensions for the younger girls, we had some pretty cool ideas come through. And free coffee/water is a good idea. I could set up a table in the morning for sure.
Where does one go about finding a head set for the clinician? I'm technologically retarded. |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| TMEquine - 2014-04-01 8:17 AM barrelracr131 - 2014-04-01 5:56 AM Free coffee and water is a plus
You could raffle off door prizes
Maybe do something fun for the kids, like a small gymkhana games contest (ala 4H fun shows days)
We do have door prizes actually, I just finished up buying them all, from graphic design gift certificates for stud ads to mane and tail coloured extensions for the younger girls, we had some pretty cool ideas come through. And free coffee/water is a good idea. I could set up a table in the morning for sure. Where does one go about finding a head set for the clinician? I'm technologically retarded.
Good question! I'd try Amazon. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I have been to clinics where subway was ordered for the clinician and riders.
I wouldn't worry about entertaining attendees, they have paid to learn. If they don't want to stay and observe the clinician then that is their loss |
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 Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK | You could get 2 or 3 prizes for most improved riders during the clinic.... We just had a Paul Humphrey/Levi Olson clinic and BB Boldbreeze had bronc halter nose bands made with "Breaking the Mold" stamped on them and put them on regualar halters. Those were pretty cool. Also we did a potluck. Everyone in the clinic brought something. So you could bring the main dish and then have everyone else bring something for sides and desserts. |
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Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
Location: British Columbia | ACEINTHEHOLE - 2014-04-01 8:19 AM
You could get 2 or 3 prizes for most improved riders during the clinic....  We just had a Paul Humphrey/Levi Olson clinic and BB Boldbreeze had bronc halter nose bands made with  "Breaking the Mold" stamped on them and put them on regualar halters.  Those were pretty cool.  Also we did a potluck.  Everyone in the clinic brought something.  So you could bring the main dish and then have everyone else bring something for sides and desserts.Â
I thought about that and then I thought clinic attendees who didn't win a prize like that would be upset? I was going to have three bronc halters made from HB and have them stamped with JH's brand. In giving gift bags I was trying to be as equal as I possibly could so nobody would get jealous. |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Remember, its about getting better, not necessarily "being fair". See if a Taco Truck will come in to do the food for you, take that worry off your hands, put up a table with coffee and hot water and a ice chest with water, maybe a bag of apples. This is boot camp not summer camp baby!!! LOL!!! |
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 Over Informed
Posts: 5372
Location: West Tennessee | The first clinic we went to: the host/hostesses had breakfast items (like coffee cake) & coffee available and it was fabulous. Then we all pitched in for pizza one day & bbq (?) the next day. Again, it was fabulous -- we all ate together, it wasn't 'expensive' and it was less stressful for everyone.
The last clinic we went to, no food -- no drinks & you barely had time to eat. However, the clinic flyer clearly stated to eat when you can find a chance. I packed us a cooler but I felt so bad for the clinicians. I swear, they worked from sun up to sun down.
As to most improved -- I don't want to sound like a spoiled sport/or negative nellie but especially when you have youngsters involved / that's a VERY subjective award and personally, I'm not a fan of them. I completely understand that life's not fair but when you have children that make progress and are proud of themsleves it can be hurtful (not a good word here? but I'm drawing a blank) that one person gets recognized and they don't. Does that make sense?
ie: it's barrel racing a timed event / awards should be based on some sort of jackpot -- not who one or two people deem most improved. I'll give an example: we ran a local series when my daughter was 8 or 9 years old. The child that won the 1d in 12 and under also won a most improved award. Meanwhile there were other children in that class that went from leadline to riding by themselves or kids like mine that when from a runaway pony circling the arena to having consistent clean runs. It was a pure judgement call by the producers and probably a little political..... flamesuit zipped up.
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 Expert
Posts: 1357
Location: Mississippi | Usually when I have been to a clinic, I am so tired at the end of the day all I want is something to eat. We host a clinic each year, and we usually try to get everyone together and either cook, go to a restaurant that has been notified we were coming, or order in for everyone for supper - everyone pays for their own or we split the cost. This usually lets us all sit down and talk, rest, and get a quick bite before we crash. Our clinician joins us sometimes and sometimes not, depending on how tired he is and what time we finished. I do try to take pictures over the course of the clinic to send to everyone and this year we did a group picture that I sent to everyone with the date, etc., on it. Most of our attendees have been adults. |
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Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
Location: British Columbia | wildride - 2014-04-01 11:16 AM
Usually when I have been to a clinic, I am so tired at the end of the day all I want is something to eat. We host a clinic each year, and we usually try to get everyone together and either cook, go to a restaurant that has been notified we were coming, or order in for everyone for supper - everyone pays for their own or we split the cost.  This usually lets us all sit down and talk, rest, and get a quick bite before we crash. Our clinician joins us sometimes and sometimes not, depending on how tired he is and what time we finished. I do try to take pictures over the course of the clinic to send to everyone and this year we did a group picture that I sent to everyone with the date, etc., on it.   Most of our attendees have been adults.Â
I have booked a photographer for the Sunday so everyone can get a picture of themselves, their horse and the clinician as well as a group shot at the end of the day. It was a reasonable expense and good publicity I think to use them for future advertisement. I think its going to be a hit, but because it is so expensive to register for a clinic I'd really like to give the riders a little something back. I know I would appreciate it when I go to clinics. |
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 MaMa Hen
Posts: 12223
Location: Louisiana | I've been to a lot of clinics over the years, and the only one that provided food was a Janet Stover clinic at the NRS arena. They had cooks that provided full meals (included in the price of the clinic). We actually kept on learning while we ate, because they would show a video or have a talk in the dining room. I thought that was a great idea. I honestly don't think you should have to entertain anyone after their class is over with. No offense intended, but it kind of sounds like you're having more of a camp than a clinic. As for the microphone for the instructor, I thought most of them brought their own? Or maybe not? Good luck!! |
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