Spook Proof clinic interview

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Reviews from 2006 Clinic

Hi, 06 Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the clinic. I was amazed that Banner did as well as he did (not that we were perfect - ha!) - I actually thought the clinic would be easier - and Banner would be worse, so I was pleasantly surprised. I would be interested in another clinic, possibly to bring Banner again, or I might bring his mother, Harmony. Harmony is pretty unflappable, but has never been to a clinic like this one, so who knows? Please do keep me updated on any future clinics.... Thanks Much, Jan & Banner Hi again I just ordered a t-shirt from the clinic. I cannot wait for next year will Mr Richey be in the area again before Sept 2007? Reserve us a spot for next year Jan (answer-- Mr Richey is mostly in the southern states we are his only Illinois clinics)

'06 Hey just a line to let you know that clinic was the most fun I have ever had horseback. Thanks and let me know when you are doing it again. Rich

'06 Back from the clinic. the most intense 2 days I have ever spent with a horse. Saturday started with a class power point presentation on sight of the horse in regards to seeing and spooking. then we went into the first arena and learned to ride in formation, and do drills. He taught us basic horsemanship in regards to working a crowd and learning to work with other horses. Then we went into another arena where the obstacles were placed. We walked over a board, then a bridge, then a teeter totter., then under blue tarp hanging. Then he set up smoke bombs, very intense light, popping sound then orange thick smoke, and we had to do it all over with this smoke. But we got through sat just great, and I was very pleased through what we accomplished. We finished at 6pm exhausted. Sunday we started with exercises, then went to a field where he had his truck going with lights and sirens. we worked it in line coming at it, go alongside the truck, turn and the truck would move forward and we would escort it. Then after we did that a bunch of times, he turned the smoke bombs on. It was really a high to accomplish that! I was thinking of making her a search and rescue horse so this was a good testing ground ! name withheld by request

Betty and Russ, '06 Thank you so much for the wonderful weekend. B.J. and I learned a lot and had a good learning experience. It was nice to have an experience that is so valuable. It was well worth the money. We were completely exhausted and was sore last evening but I think it was worth it. Will you be posting the pictures taken on the your website. I would really like to see some more pictures. Thanks again for hosting this clinic. Linda

I really enjoyed the time I spent at the clinic on Saturday. Auditing was great! Wish I could have come Sunday too. Reserve a place for me and my horse, Roland next year I cannot wait to see how he will do Gail '06

A posting on local chat board: '06 Just got back from a full day at the Spook Proof your horse clinic being held at Breezy Bluff Riding Academy this weekend. So far the whole clinic has been VERY informative and a great confidence builder for all the horses and riders involved. Today I rode my horse in stages through obstacles that continued to get more and more challenging in such a way that I did not feel I was in danger or that my horse was in danger. And that was only the 1st day! I feel like I will be able to hit the trail with this mare and not fear for my life. Thanks so much to Bill and Breezy Bluff for offering this clinic. The clinic was well worth the fees. I got a lot out of it as far as confidence building for myself and my horse. Everyone was really nice and that made it more enjoyable. This was really pushing it for me....I HATE riding in crowds.....so this was really important for me to do to help me get over my anxieties. My favorite part was the vehicle extraction drills but only because my horse normally flips out around cars and she was side passing next to a moving vehicle with horses in front of her and behind her with the sirens going full blast. We did a lot of "drill maneuvering" for practice in the mornings to get us "trained" to look up or over or wherever we were going instead of down at the ground or at our horse. This clinic was appropriate for most levels of riding abilities . KIM

Reviews from 2007 Clinic

Hi Betty, '07 Thanks for hosting the clinic ….I learned a LOT and had a great time…. I know it is a LOT of work to get ready and organize and clean up after something like that. Paula

HI Betty, '07 Erin and I want to thank you and your husband for your hospitality and for your hard work to prepare for and host the clinic. You have a lovely place! We had a great weekend. The food was terrific! Good job to the cook! You said you raised the beef - well, it was wonderful. Job well done. Susan and Caley

Reviews from 2008  Clinic

Kudos Betty and Russ: Your hard work in getting ready and doing the clinic really came through. Might be misreading what happened, but it seemed that shorter sessions, riders and horses were more rested. This may have been a truer test of what the riders and horses were accomplishing. It least it did not appear Sarge was tired on Sun. Talking to people at the 2 previous clinics, that 2nd day everyone was exhausted and popping pain medication. Also as a viewer it seemed much safer, realize class was a lot smaller, but as Kim said, no one was on the ground. That hanging drapery was a fantastic idea. And the other obstacles were well thought out and challenging. But safety was paramount. Betty you knew exactly how far to go with each participant and when they accomplished their goal, you could see how good they felt about it. Everyone did well, thought Anna did a fine job on Sarge. Dakota is a nice animal and Takoma was pretty good too. More people should ride him in lessons. Anyhow thanks again it was a fun 2 days in spite of all the rain.