November 5, 2010

Hi, Jennie!

Thanks to everyone at Downunder Horsemanship for a wonderful clinic experience last week! I loved it. I learned so much, and I returned home inspired to learn more. It was such a rewarding experience - everything I had hoped for and more! I would appreciate your extending my thanks to everyone involved.

First and foremost, of course, thanks go to Clinton Anderson. Not only has he constructed a sequential, detailed, and effective method for training horses, but he is also unparalleled in his ability to deconstruct the method so that it is accessible to people like me - common, everyday people who love horses but who find themselves just starting the horsemanship journey late in life.

Shana Terry is a born teacher. Totally immersed in the Downunder Horsemanship Method, Shana brings her own special style to instruction. You can hear Clinton's words in her voice, and her friendly and conscientious personality shine through. She is positive, encouraging, thorough, and such a great representative of the Downunder Horsemanship Method. Shana is always smiling and always takes time to answer questions and to offer assistance.

Watching Magen is like watching a star athlete. She looks effortless doing even the most difficult maneuvers with the most difficult horses, and she was enormously helpful to everyone throughout the clinic.

Dale has a wonderfully calm and patient demeanor. When I found myself frustrated, he was always there to reassure, and I appreciated getting a "pat on the back" when I needed it, along with the extra help during pre/post clinic hours.

Jennie, you have a wonderful way of connecting with people. And you're "one tough cookie" with horses! I admire your determination and skill. And I appreciate your straightforward and sweet manner. In the midst of activity, you are able to focus on each person with whom you work and make them feel affirmed, while also challenging them to improve. Thanks, too, for the extra help. I'm going to get "yield the forequarters" yet! LOL. And please thank Jerry for keeping the grounds so nice - and especially for his immediate response to my ant problem. He has a nice, easy manner. And who wouldn't love Moses!

I'm sure there are many, many people working behind the scenes to make each clinic a success, and I would like to thank all of them, as well.

I look forward to our continued communications - and to working with you on next year's clinic. Thanks for always taking time. I'll be in touch again soon.

Best regards,
Kathy B., Liberty, WV.

October 26, 2009

Clinton,

I just finished the 3-day clinic with you in Colorado Springs. I am the one that had the Fjord. Ah yes, the challenging client, you might say? This was my first clinic of this sort in my 26 years of riding, and I want to say "Thank You"! I know that my temper peaked some during the passenger phase of the clinic, but that did not mean that I was not watching and learning. Oh contraire, I learned so very much! I just needed time to digest it all. I will continue to use the knowledge that you gave me and expand upon it with more of your exercises when my mare and I are ready. I am not a fair weather rider. I love to work and train! I love horses and I love to ride. Sometimes too much!

I hope that I can continue to train with you, as I feel that you will be a great asset in helping me to achieve my goal-a Grand Prix rider in dressage. The highest level that I have ever ridden is 4th level. I know that Lily, my Fjord, is not the horse to achieve this with, but I have an Oldenburg foal/weanling that I am working with on a daily basis, that will hopefully be my next partner in dressage. In the meantime I practice and learn with what I have. Your methods have opened many new doors for me in my training and for that I am extremely grateful as I said I hope that we can work together more in the future. Who would have thought that a dressage rider would look to a Western rider to help her with her goals of becoming a Grand Prix rider? I am no dummy though. I know a good teacher when I see one, and good teachers in the horse world are a rarity.

Thank you again Clinton.

Greatest Blessings!
Sandy M. & Lily

July 4, 2009

Clinton, I'm the old guy from the Hurricane Clinic last year who couldn't ride so swell, but my groundwork, thanks to you, is very good.

I was riding my mare this morning and as I passed my neighbors house their guest's dog out of control, ran up to my mare barking and running all around. Coco, my mare, just stood there, head down like she was asleep, thanks to you.

Her foal, now a yearling, Cup (of Coco) understands all of ROUND PENNING and GAINING RESPECT and CONTROL on the GROUND SERIES 1 completely, thanks to you. While slapping the ground all around him front to back, side to side with my stick and string, he stands there like a statue, thanks to you.

I take my cowboy hat off and wave it all around his head; I slap him with it (big popping sounds) up and down his sides, under his belly, across his back and up his neck and not a flinch, thanks to you. I hang that hat on his ear as we both walk off. He is not the slightest bit disturbed, thanks to you. Boy, do I appreciate you. I'm getting to be a better rider too, thanks to you.

John S., Hurricane, UT.

May 26th, 2009

Dear Clinton,

I attended your clinic in Skowhegan, Maine a few weeks ago. I really wanted to send you a note to let you know how much I enjoyed watching you. I am a faithful RFD TV fan and follow most of your shows.

I am 53 years old. I owned horses throughout my childhood but sold them when I got married. Now my children are grown and I found myself with 4 horses. I never really lost the passion.

Things have certainly changed since I was a kid!!! I had never heard of ground work. You got on and held on tight because you were going to be on the ground if you didn't!

My profession is education. I have attended many clinics especially at the Equine Affaire in Springfield, MA. There are very few clinicians that actually know horses and have the ability to teach their knowledge to others. Teaching is difficult enough, I was amazed at how you are able to put all of those people and horses into one arena and actually make progress with each and every individual. It was truly amazing. When you told everyone to canter their horses on a loose rein I was thinking this will certainly be a disaster. By the end of the weekend, it was actually beautiful.

I watched as you allowed the woman that took a spill to sit in your chair. You were so kind to that lady. You treat everyone with respect and kindness. I loved your sense of humor. You had everyone on the edge of their seats in laughter, but I saw a side that was tender and soft, I saw your passion for horses and the gift to help others improve their horsemanship.

Your parents must be very proud of your accomplishments. Please make sure to tell them that one of your fans also wants them to know what a quality person they have raised. (I'm sure that they know this but .... it's nice to hear it from others).

I have your book. I had been using it to become more experienced with my groundwork. I was able to follow the book at your clinic chapter by chapter. It was nice to see where I needed to change some of the little things that I was doing wrong.

Again, thank you for a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,
Marcia R.

August 10th, 2010

Good Afternoon Mr. Anderson,

The work ethic, integrity, and compassion demonstrated this summer at the ranch in Stephenville goes beyond anything I have ever witnessed. Having attended conferences and workshops related to work has left me familiar what is normally an acceptable effort on the part of the host. Jennie Wentworth, Dale Cunningham, Shana Terry, Megan and you worked like Trojans to give us every opportunity to get more information out of the clinic than the money we spent to get there could ever buy. Literally putting us first and putting yourselves through the mill for us left me very humbled. The hospitality extended was more like that of receiving a family member than a clinic participant. Clinton, your word is just like gold. Honesty is the purest form of compassion I know of. The people you trust with your knowledge are more than able to teach it. Getting help from your Clinicians is as good as getting help from you. I would vouch for any of you.

Thank you for all you do for people like me. The knowledge you share is truly priceless.

Sincerely,
Sam N.