Clinics and Characters

Horsemanship clinics can be a great way to connect and learn in the saddle. Kelli Neubert’s perspective dives into the experience of doing so and the personalities that are often present at such.

My last name is somewhat linked to horse clinics. My father-in-law, Bryan, has formed a career out of creating clinics for folks who were seeking help with their horses. My husband and I don’t have anything to do with that side of horse training and teaching, but I have attended a few clinics over the years — both horse and non-horse related, and figured, why not chime in my two cents on the subject?

I honestly think that horsemanship clinics are a genius concept and offer a great way to learn, connect and find inspiration in and out of the saddle. For some, they offer pure education, and for others, it’s mainly entertainment. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking in a combo of the two during the experience. I’ve seen folks participate in enough of these to where what they learned became the foundation for their own training program. I’ve seen others get pretty tuned on boxed wine, and they are just there to enjoy themselves amongst their boarding barn peers. I suppose either is fine if you feel it’s money well spent. 

The format of a clinic is pretty great because it allows for concepts to spread across the group and also offers specific work for individual concerns or issues. It also allows for time to let the information marinate and settle, with the opportunity to practice it again with the same instructor. Unlike an individual lesson, a clinic can bring to light different questions and angles on all sorts of horsemanship topics. Sometimes, there are specific “Aha!” moments one can pocket and carry with them throughout a horsemanship career, and sometimes, the entire experience can be very eye-opening and inspiring. It’s a great source of camaraderie and social opportunities within a world one already enjoys. And hopefully, the food is good too. 

Besides the appointed teacher(s), clinician(s) and respective team, it seems that there are some consistent token characters that participate. I always get a kick out of the people from place to place and how often the personalities mirror each other from experience to experience.  

There are professionals, and there are beginners. And often, everything in between. Folks who walk, trot, ranch or show, and some who just lead their horse around and flick at it with a lunge whip. There are the criers, the jokers, the arguers, and, occasionally, the arrogant. There are humbles, gratefuls, chatterboxes, stoic, silent types and just plain fun-havers, too. And there’s (hopefully!) someone who brings the good snacks.

Sometimes, there’s the person who is really there more to be praised than to attain information. Once in a great while, we meet a tragedy — “Debbie Downer” herself, or the one who poisons the group. No one is really sure why she spent the money, but she’s there regardless. She talks at the wrong times, scoffs at the wrong comments and generally drags the vibes down. 

Sometimes, there is a gear nut. Pulling collars, tapaderos, bridles, under-bridles, more bridles, custom hats and all the techy stuff. There’s the sleeper — the one who doesn’t look like he’s paying attention but really steps it up and gains a ton from the weekend. Love that one. Some want to be social, and some like to learn alone. Some hear the advice and go try it; others don’t hear the advice and do something totally different. 

And, regardless of one’s clinic-attendee identity, it’s key to find a clinic that’s the right fit for horse and rider both. 

Some of the most important things to ask oneself before paying up the money and committing the weekend to attending is:

• What do I want to get out of this?
• How can I make the most of this situation?
• Who/where/when would be the best fit for my horse and I to participate? 

I think, no matter what, there is always something to learn and gains to make from the experience. We get out of it what we put into it, and I urge anyone who is on the fence about attending a clinic that sparks their attention to at least audit a time or two — if not, enter up and be a part of the experience. 

I don’t hardly attend a clinic, but every time I do, I learn plenty of new things and have a fresh perspective on the different ways we all learn.  And I can’t say for certain where I fit into the pack, but I’ll state with confidence that if you’re the guy with the good snacks, you can park your trailer next to mine anytime. 

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