Free demo-open to all-on Friday night at 7pm featuring the gentle and effective methods pioneered by John Lyons. Two full days of riding then follow on Saturday and Sunday! Observers welcome!
This clinic also features a 2-hour "mini clinic" for green/bratty horses on Saturday evening—more info below ...)
Would you like to learn to make big changes in your horse? Invest one weekend to get the horse you've always wanted. Make plans to ride in this clinic now!
What about rain?
We're covered, so to speak. This facility has a covered arena that we will use in case of inclement weather.
90 Spruce Street, Elkview, WV 25071-just 12 miles NE of Charleston. See directions below.
You can contact Bridlewood Stables by: • calling the facility at 304-965-5799 or • e-mailing
When: Friday, June 8 - July 10, 2007
Free demo Friday night at 7pm Riding Clinic: Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm
Green/Bratty Mini-Clinic: Sat evening, 5pm-7pm
Is this clinic for you?
• Are you starting a horse? • Are you having trouble with a Lyons exercise you read about? • Are you stuck in a training slump? • Do you need a big dose of confidence?
It's one thing to read about training-it's completely different to see it for yourself, in person. (And waay different to actually do it for yourself.) How do you learn best?
Our Friday night demo features "The Three Most Important Training Concepts You're Ever Ever Gonna Need To Know." Learn how to simplify your training, how to "get your horse's attention" and how the release of your reins can make or break your training.
Our Friday-night program includes one full hour of Q&A. It's your chance to get answers specific to your situation with your horse. Have you got a horse that won't go, won't stop, can't turn or jigs on the trail? Come on out, Friday night at 7!
Our riding clinic begins Saturday and Sunday at 10am. We ride until 4pm, with 1.5 hours for lunch. By breaking down your training procedure into simple steps, we will teach you safe and humane ways to gain your horse's respect and take your riding to the next level. Observers welcome!
Eventers and Dressage riders note: Patrick is an accomplished "English" instructor and can help you find a more natural collection, self-carriage, softness-and more!
To see a description of our riding clinics, click here or follow the button above, "Clinic Description."
Is your horse too green to ride, but still needs training?
We will be conducting a "mini-clinic" for green horses on Saturday evening (starting after the riding clinic ends, between 4:45 and 5pm). The program will last 2 hours and will focus on bridle work from the ground. Our goal will be to soften the horses (teaching them to give to the bit), and to gain control over their hips and shoulders. It's an excellent start for any horse (and a vital step that should not be skipped.) There is no riding in this mini-clinic.
The charge for the mini-clinic is $99 per horse. (Clinic observers are encouraged to stay for this at no additional charge—call it a bonus.) You can call Keith directly (213-923-1215) to make arrangments. Deposits can be mailed or placed online via PayPal (see below).
Private sessions
Private sessions are available while we're in town. The cost is $175 for the first two hours (which is our minimum) and $75 for each additional hour or "fraction thereof." Please call Keith directly (213-923-1215) to make arrangements. We can travel to you, if you're local. (We may have to charge a small travel fee to cover gas.) Get three of your friends together for a two-hour semi-private, cost: $99 each.
Costs to ride in/observe this clinic
Rider tuition: $350 / Observers: $20/day (teens 13-17: $10, under 12: free) (And, as stated above, the mini-clinic is $99/horse.)
Riders are responsible for the cost of boarding their horse during the event. You do not have to board your horse at the facility; you can trailer out each night if you'd like. If you do trailer out each night, there might be a grounds fee-check with the owners regarding this possible charge.
Boarding fee: Boarding arrangements should be made directly with the owner of the facility. They can give you costs plus a description of feeding schedules, types of hay fed, whether they'll give grain, etc. Remember, some facilities do have a daily fee to use their facilities if you trailer your horse in and out each night. Please see above for contact info.
VERY IMPORTANT: All horses must have a current Coggins (within one year). Also, any horse from out of state must have health papers. It is also HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that your horse be current on all necessary shots. These papers must be presented to the facility owner when your horse first arrives.
Next Steps If You'd Like To Ride In This Clinic:
First, read our "Rider Info" page—then let us know you're interested by to drop us an email. You'll need to get a deposit in to hold your place.
Riders, Please Note
HELMETS WILL BE REQUIRED
Observers
Observers do not need to call or make arrangements prior to attending. (They are, however, encouraged to bring lawn chairs.) For more "observer info" visit our "Observer Info" page.
Directions:
From Charleston, take Interstate 79 N to Big Chimney, Exit 5. Make a right off the exit ramp and proceed through to the 4-way stop and cross the bridge to the stoplight. Turn left on Route 114 and go 4 miles to the Pinch/Quick split. Turn left at the fork, pass Pinch Elementary School on the left. Turn right on Pinewood Rd., which is immediately after the Raceway Video store. Turn right on Elm, proceed up a hill and make a right on Spruce. At the top of the hill, turn left into Bridlewood Stables.
For personalized directions from Google click here.
Do you have as much on your mind as we do? Could you use a gentle reminder a week or two before this event? Just sign up for our newsletter (upper-left sidebar, this page) and we'll automatically send you a nudge. (But hey, you should be riding in this clinic!)
Flyers
To view a copy of the flyer (not of print quality) in your browser, click here. For a higher-rez version that you can print, click here. If you have a slower internet connection, this will take a moment. (You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF document. If you don't have the program you can get it for free at adobe.com.)
Space in this clinic is limited. To hold your riding slot, we must receive a non-refundable deposit of $100. The balance is due before we begin riding the first day.
Our mini-clinics book up fast (because they're limited to just 7). There is a $50 deposit to hold your slot in a mini-clinic.
If you would like to guarantee your riding spot with a deposit, (clinics in Florida, for instance, tend to fill up), you can either mail a check today or pay online (safely and immediately) through PayPal.
Via snail mail: please make your check payable to Keith Hosman and mail it to PO Box 31, Utopia, TX 78884.
To pay online via PayPal: safe, easy and instant. Simply select the clinic location (below) for either a rider slot or the mini-clinic (or both) then click "Add to Cart."
before
after
It took just two hours for the Lyons methods to really change this horse! For a clinic near you, click here.
Clinic Itinerary
Here's a look at the flow of a typical clinic, with a description of exercises:
Riders meeting: discuss training principles, establish goals
Steering the Tail: connect the rein to the hip
Serpentines: giving to pressure, softening the neck, controlling head elevation
Hip-Shoulder-Shoulder: developing straight, collected stops and backing up
Clockwork: gaining hip & shoulder control for diagonals, side passes, half passes, & full passes
The 1-Off Serpentine: connecting the rein to the shoulders
The Calm Down Cue (aka "The Rear-Ending Lesson")
The Three Step Stop: give to the bit better; get faster, more energetic stops; improve the backup.
Power Steering through reverse-arc circles: perfecting shoulder control, begin the spin (turn on the haunches), neck reining
Power Brakes: getting solid stops on a loose rein
Cruise Control: get emotional control with speed control
Understanding leads and lead changes
*This itinerary serves as an example only. Exercises will be tailored to suit the individual group and needs of the horses.
Will this work for me?
Yes! Consider that 150,000 people read John's "Perfect Horse" magazine every month! That's 150,000 people saying "yes, this works!"
How much will it cost? How do I sign up?
To see prices, check out our "Where & When" page, or click here.
For a listing of commonly asked questions, follow the tab above to our "Rider Info" page or click here.
Get the performance and relationship with your horse you desire. We'll automatically let you know when a clinic's coming to your area when you sign up for our free training newsletter, (upper-left sidebar, this page).
