Eight equestrians spent three days honing their skills and building on their relationships with their mounts when four star senior Pat Parelli instructor Carmen Smith came to town.
From last Friday through to Sunday, horses and their handlers of levels and abilities spent time building up trust with different exercises based on Parelli’s levelled training program.
"We had people from all different areas, they were studying the program or just getting started into it and learning about the seven games and learning about being able to build their relationship with their horse both on the ground with ropes attached,” Smith said.
"We also did some liberty without ropes on where we have to communicate with our horses with nothing attached to them and then riding.”
Smith said the group focused on three things throughout the clinic- working on the line, liberty work off the lead rope and riding. She started the program in 1995 after wanting to develop a better relationship with an ex-racehorse.
It helped her read and understand the horse and now she enjoys helping others experience that.
Smith said it is great seeing riders and their horses develop better communication skills throughout her clinics.
"They are a big animal, they have a mind of their own, just being able to see how much fun you can have when you are interacting with them, that certainly keeps me going that is for sure,” she said.
Smith is returning in April for a two day clinic. Details can be found at www.carmensmith.com.au/
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
