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August 2011
Mardi Reports:

3-Day Horsemanship Clinic with Ride the Journey Trainer,
Chris Cox by Mardi Moore

Mardi discusses how her training with Krista and From Start to Foundation gave her the experience and confidence she and Cash needed to ride with Road to the Horse winner.

August 2011, I stumbled into an opportunity to participate in a 3 day Chris Cox clinic. It was a last-minute add to his schedule and everything just fell into place from that point on. I got the time off work ­ a small miracle in itself, then I got the very last available spot in the clinic, and finally I got a surprise bonus that almost covered the entry fee. Obviously the stars were aligning. Next concern: how would Cash deal with a clinic with a lot of other horses working around him, and how would we fit in with the mix of the clinic? Cash can be a wildcard. Time would tell. Thanks to Krista for work working through Cash’s flight tendencies and emotional melt downs. I’m convinced that one year ago I would not have been able to consider doing this clinic.

I’ve seen Chris Cox in a few demonstrations and always been impressed, and after having participated in this clinic covering the fundamentals of Horsemanship, even more so. The morning of the first day he met with us without horses and we went through introductions. There was a mix of 23 riders - some competing in ranching disciplines, a couple trainers, one dressage rider, and a handful of trail riders like myself.

Day 1, after introductions, we got our horses and went through some basic ground exercises. In the afternoon we returned under saddle and he had each of us ride individually while he evaluated and then provided his assessment. His assessment was on point and he spoke of exercises we would work on in the clinic to address some of our needs. Those who needed them spent the remainder of the day doing bending expercises with Chris and his assistant. It was a good first day, and I was just thrilled to have lived through the assessment. Cash was doing well.

Day 2 started with a repeat of Friday’s exercises, followed by some discussion of the 3 leg positions and practice moving the horse's hind quarters off our leg., He added some one-rein stop instructions. What he asked next caused my heart to sink. Everyone canter around the arena ­ all 23 of us at the same time. Really? What a great way to train a rider to look forward and not down. There were horses going everywhere, in every possible direction and all different speeds. I chose more of a hand gallop since I discovered Cash didn’t seem to cross fire as much the faster he went and my confidence increased since he wasn’t offering to bolt even in the insanity of the moment, thanks to Krista and all the work she did with him on this issue. One year ago there is no way we could have done this.

Next on the agenda Chris had us practice those one-rein stops in kind of a red light green light activity, changing direction and sides for the one hand rein stop. The other activities for day 2 were around using our seat and legs to collect and drive our horses, with softer hands, along with introduction to two track and counter flex circles. Chris & his assistant selected Cash for the counter flex and two track exercise demos and his assistant Clayton rode Cash. While Clay rode Cash, I got a chance to watch him during these exercises. Both Chris and Clayton were very complimentary of Cash’s softness, attitude, and manner of going throughout the clinic. This wasn’t my doing but rather a reflection of Krista’s hard work for months, putting in all the foundation work. Thank you Krista!

At the end of the second day Chris came into the arena on an ATV dragging a mechanical calf on a sled. We all had the opportunity to acquaint our horses with the ‘calf in motion’. Next, 1 by 1 we got to ‘chase the calf’ as Chris flew around the arena in patterns pulling the calf - us on their heels ­ while he twisted around watching us and yelling out instructions. I know Krista had worked the mustangs off Cash, and probably chased the flag with him, and this work with him really showed. Cash hunkered right down to work and loved chasing the calf. He was right on top of that calf through figure eights, circles and straight-aways. What a blast and confidence builder this was for riders and horses. I was so proud with how Cash did that day. It was an amazing day.

Day 3 was more recap practicing the prior 2 days’ exercises but we also had some instruction on advanced moves for those that were ready. Flying lead changes, spins, and stops. We were clearly not in the advanced set so we watched, relaxed and listened. It wrapped with a trail ride up in the hills, working with those whose horses got a little worked up ­ using the tools we’d learned over the weekend to get the horses focused and working for the rider in this different environment.

What impressed me the most with this clinic is Chris really helped each participant build confidence, and progress mentally, emotionally and physically. He was never cocky, didn’t try to impress us with stories, or sell his merchandise. Most of all I was impressed with the results of the clinic. Even our inexperienced eyes could see measurable improvements in other rider/horse pairs, not to mention feel the difference in our own horses, as well as our own confidence levels. It was a great clinic, one I heartily recommend if you have the opportunity. Better yet ­ I was so incredibly impressed with my horse and how well he did in the many challenging circumstances over the weekend. Again - thank you Krista, for all the work you did working through Cash’s flight tendencies and emotional melt downs. I’m convinced that one year ago I would not have been able to consider doing this clinic. This year ­ not only did we do it, but he did really well and changed a number of people’s perceptions of Walkers in the process.