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Veteran
Posts: 171
 
| I will be attending an Ed Wright Clinic, I was wondering how to prepare.
I have ordered their book so I may become familiar with their practices.
I had a friend tell me that I should purchase a set of Ed Wright reins before I get there. Thoughts?
What has your experience been with an Ed Wright clinic?
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Expert
Posts: 1414
| Have your horse in shape and go with an open mind. I think that will get you further than buying "supplies".
Have fun!! |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
 
Location: 31 lengths farms | Try putting a rubber band in your horses mane about middle of the neck and practice riding with your hands over them and or forward of it. Have a friend sit on the fence while you lope circles at the barrel and yell for you to lope a "10 foot, 6 foot, 4 foot, 2 foot, 15 foot" circle while rubbing your belly and patting your head, LOL, and not getting your panties in a wad while you do it, :-) Dont' forget to have the friend throw in a "left hand turn, right hand" (counter arc) at you every so often and or a figure 8 at the barrel too. Basically be ready to ride your ( l ) off and love it right after you cry and feel like you dont' know anything. Ed will make you think HARD and use every tool you have! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| Ed's clinics are usually set up the same way. 1st day - walk on foot around barrels, then riding in numerical order. If someone isn't ready he'll jump to the next one and then circle back. Expect to go 2-3 times or until no one wants to ride anymore. 2nd day - talk in bleachers first, soreness / saddle fit checks, then more riding. Reverse order.
My thoughts - for what little they are worth.
1. Bring a notebook, video camera, a chair and someone else with you if you can. Your person can come in the pen with you and Ed will talk to them too. Helps remember things for later. He doesn't charge for your person.
2. Don't sign up for the first couple of spots. You can learn a lot from watching what he does to others, and it helps to know his style and what might be coming at you when it is your turn. If you do try one of his bits and like it, I'd recommend going on and spending the money to buy it. I didn't the first year because I thought they were high. I couldn't find anything anywhere else that was made and balanced like his. Maybe you can.
3. Don't worry about buying anything before you get there. Ed doesn't care if you are riding with grass string if it works and is safe. If it is working he will not change it. Bring ALL bits that you ride in. He will look at them before he recommends something of his. Something you may have could work just fine. Just make sure your tack is in good, safe, clean shape and he'll be fine with it.
4. Don't be intimidated by Ed. Yes - he has a slightly gruff, no-nonsense kind of attitude, but this is a man that CARES. If he thinks you are really trying he will do anything he can to make sure you understand. Skill level doesn't matter. Willingness to try and learn does. I've thrown my hands up - declared I didn't know which hand was right and which was left he had me so confused (you will really understand after your first ride with him)! He laughed - called me blonde (be ready for "loving" names) and said lets try again. He knew I was really trying. ASK. ASK. ASK!
5. Don't expect to run much. Gotta get it right slow first.
Hope you enjoy the clinic. The man is a horseman! Even if he ends up to not be your style, I'll be you pick up something that helps! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| run n rate - 2014-04-07 12:38 PM
Try putting a rubber band in your horses mane about middle of the neck and practice riding with your hands over them and or forward of it. Have a friend sit on the fence while you lope circles at the barrel and yell for you to lope a "10 foot, 6 foot, 4 foot, 2 foot, 15 foot" circle while rubbing your belly and patting your head, LOL, and not getting your panties in a wad while you do it, :-) Dont' forget to have the friend throw in a "left hand turn, right hand" (counter arc) at you every so often and or a figure 8 at the barrel too. Basically be ready to ride your ( l ) off and love it right after you cry and feel like you dont' know anything. Ed will make you think HARD and use every tool you have!
LOL.....I've heard 10-6-12-4 in my dreams before!!!! We actually put L and R on our thumbs as a joke! |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I wouldn't go out and buy anything.
Show up with a fit horse and an open mind. Think out prior to going what your goals are for you and your horse so that you can answer intelligently when he asks.
I would take a couple of bits, he's going to prefer something with a bit of leverage if you're currently running in an o-ring.
Ask questions! The more you ask, the more you'll get out of it.
Enjoy! I'm jealous!! |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | KindaClassey - 2014-04-08 11:03 AM
run n rate - 2014-04-07 12:38 PM
Try putting a rubber band in your horses mane about middle of the neck and practice riding with your hands over them and or forward of it. Have a friend sit on the fence while you lope circles at the barrel and yell for you to lope a "10 foot, 6 foot, 4 foot, 2 foot, 15 foot" circle while rubbing your belly and patting your head, LOL, and not getting your panties in a wad while you do it, :-) Dont' forget to have the friend throw in a "left hand turn, right hand" (counter arc) at you every so often and or a figure 8 at the barrel too. Basically be ready to ride your ( l ) off and love it right after you cry and feel like you dont' know anything. Ed will make you think HARD and use every tool you have!
LOL.....I've heard 10-6-12-4 in my dreams before!!!! We actually put L and R on our thumbs as a joke!
Well done!!! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Take videos of your runs so he can watch |
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Veteran
Posts: 171
| Thank you all for the great advice and support.
I am pretty excited for the opportunity to attend an Ed Wright clinic as I have heard many wonderful things about their clinics.
I pray he can help my horse and I get together. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | Pretty much what everyone has said. Most Of all keep an open mind and make a list of questions you have about things your horse is doing and possibly things that you have seen other people do. Also don't take anything too personal, he has a bIt of a different personality and isn't tryin to be mean, he is just trying to get his point across. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | For Ed, bring a chair, don't go first, and watch everyone go. I learned how to ride the Ed way while watching everyone go before me. I probably had the least amount of saddle time because I applied what I was seeing with all the riders before me. Go with an open mind, he's yelling at you because he cares and sees potential. |
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 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5409
| When it is your turn the first time let him know what you are wanting to work on the most or what you are wanting to improve. As long as you are willing and listening he will stay forever but if he thinks you are being defiant(sp?) and argue with him he won't waste much of his time with you. The man is a book of knowledge pay attention and take someone to video you so you can rewatch at home. You will hear things that you didn't remember. |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | He'll have bridles set up that you can try out or he will suggest one to try. There are several people that have uploaded their videos from clinics that they have attended on Youtube. Just search Ed Wright Clinic. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| run n rate - 2014-04-07 10:38 AM
Try putting a rubber band in your horses mane about middle of the neck and practice riding with your hands over them and or forward of it. Have a friend sit on the fence while you lope circles at the barrel and yell for you to lope a "10 foot, 6 foot, 4 foot, 2 foot, 15 foot" circle while rubbing your belly and patting your head, LOL, and not getting your panties in a wad while you do it, :-) Dont' forget to have the friend throw in a "left hand turn, right hand" (counter arc) at you every so often and or a figure 8 at the barrel too. Basically be ready to ride your ( l ) off and love it right after you cry and feel like you dont' know anything. Ed will make you think HARD and use every tool you have!
this sounds EXACTLY like a George Morris clinic, only with western tack and a barrel pattern instead of a jumping saddle and hunter course. Same tough lessons and questioning your sanity/ability. LOL  |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| WOW - some of you girls go ALL OUT! I normally, get up, take a shower, load my horse and go! |
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Veteran
Posts: 171
| I am a planner, organizer. I like to know what to expect and be prepared, so I can get the most I can out of the clinic.
I have be struggling for about 8 months with my horse, and I know it is me. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
| which clinic are you ridng in? I will be in VA in June... :) |
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  Crazy Chicken Chick
Posts: 36132
| WellsB - 2014-04-08 1:20 PM which clinic are you ridng in? I will be in VA in June... :)
I am thinking about coming to that one, and then going to the one in Dothan, AL in October as well. |
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Veteran
Posts: 171
| Ada, Oklahoma. April 19 & 20. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
| lovinrunnin..if you do come to VA be sure to say hello! :) I should be on a big dun horse who tongue hangs out the side of his mouth..lol.. :)
Edited by WellsB 2014-04-09 9:24 AM
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