The United Mountain Horse Equestrian Center, 860 Kiddville Rd., was host to the Spring Fling on March 24th and 25th. In spite of the cold weather, Mountain Horse enthusiasts gathered for a unique educational experience. UMH and the Mountain Rhythm Riders Drill Team co-sponsored the event. On Friday, Mountain Horse owners were invited to come learn more about how to handle, train, and ride their gaited horses. The service included training for both horse and rider to help improve communication between the two and to assist riders with their horsemanship goals. Individuals gathered from several states including Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, New York, and Illinois. 

Four clinicians presented a wealth of valuable information. The morning began with Stan Trimble. A horse lover since birth, Stan has spent much of his adult life developing his trade. He is a life time member of the Brotherhood of Working Farriers' Association. As a certified journeyman farrier, he has taught clinics in specialty shoeing and is a gaited tester for the B.W.F.A. He is a founding member of the Farriers' National Research Center, established for the continuing education of farriers. Stan informed the group about the difference between shoeing a lateral based horse and a diagonal based horse. He also taught how to trim weanling and yearlings.

Robert Lawson was next on the agenda. He has been involved with gaited horses most of his life. As a youngster, he rode over the hills of eastern Kentucky long before any of the Mountain Horses were known as a breed. Over the last 15 years, he has attended numerous clinics and has developed his own unique style of starting and developing horses to reach their full potential. Stoner Ridge Farm, under Robert's direction has won many International, World Grand Championship, and Versatility Awards. Because he realizes the importance of education, he recently developed an apprenticeship program. His Foundation First Mountain Horse Training TM philosophy, stresses the importance of teaching horses from the ground up by providing a firm foundation for future learning. At the clinic, he taught owners how to bend and flex their horses to create a more supple, responsive mount. He also demonstrated the basics of teaching a horse how to side-pass. 

Vanessa Crowe, UMH Executive Director and outstanding horsewoman, specialized in breeding, training and showing conformation horses prior to her appointment with UMH. Vanessa has numerous State and Intentional titles to her credit. She shared her expertise with the Mountain Horse owners, about training and showing conformation. She demonstrated how to teach the horse to stand for the judge's inspection and stressed the importance of using rein (or lead) pressure instead of physically moving the horse into a stand position. Vanessa encouraged everyone to walk proudly when showing their conformation horse and trying to match the horses stride with their own. 

H.T. Derickson is co-owner of Van Bert Farms in Stanton, KY where he works with his wife, children, and grandchildren in one of the nation's largest Mountain Horse training facilities. He has been training over the last 30 years and has held clinics from Canada to California. As a trainer, he has won many Rocky Mountain Grand Championships and was the first to win the Rea Swan Versatility Award. He has also been the coach and trainer for juvenile and amateur champions. H.T. has also judged the Tennessee Celebration, Nationals, and International Championships. He has a genuine passion for learning more about the horse which gives him the desire to help others understand and enjoy this beautiful animal. H.T.'s role in the clinic was to discuss gait and to assist owners who brought horses for the Extreme Make-Over (Horse Edition). He showed them how to ride in a manner that would compliment their horses' strengths and improve their weaknesses by taking the time to explain strategies and techniques helping them to reach their goals.

Lunch was prepared by the Goff Corner First Church of God. Plate lunches were served to ward of the chill of the day with the proceeds going to the church to build new Sunday school rooms. Participants had nothing but positive comments about the day. "I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the weekend, despite the awful weather! Friday was wonderful. . . we learned so much. I wish we could have more of those opportunities!! Most people are so new to the breed and need all the help they can get. Both of my friends are new and thought it was great." -Kim Adleta, Lesourdsville, OH.

The Trainers' Challenge was held on Saturday, the second day of the event. Five Mountain Horse trainers demonstrated skill that one would expect to see only among the ranks of the world's most celebrated professional horse trainers. We saw theory put into action as four men and one woman worked with their two year-old horses to reduce their fear and help them learn to accept being touched, saddled, and ridden all in the short time span of three hours. All five trainers accomplished the task at hand and successfully completed the obstacle course that was the ultimate challenge in the contest. They made us proud to be part of the Mountain Horse community.

The judge, Richie Wingfield, uses a conditioned response method of training with horses at his own facility, combining knowledge and understanding to produce cooperation and control. He is a certified John Lyons trainer and was very excited to be chosen to judge the Challenge this year. Even through over-cast skies and blowing snow, trainers and judge hung in there and did a great job. Our trainer participants were Brian Crowe (Summer Shade Stables), Charlie DeAtley (Stoner Ridge Farm), Chris Tipton (VanBert Farms), S.T. Tipton (VanBert Farms), and Carol Camp (Camp Stables). Five virtually untrained two year-old fillies of similar breeding were chosen from the fields of VanBert Farms and each was unloaded into a round pen. Participants had a total of three hours (divided into two sessions) in which to help their horse learn the ropes. Criteria had been established prior to the competition so that each trainer knew how to earn the most points toward winning the competition. Each individual training element was worth ten points.

Round Pen Work 
(50 Points for Session I and an additional 50 points for session II)

Each trainer was given a total of 3 hours with the horse they randomly drew. The trainer's goal was to prepare their young horse to work on the rail and to complete an obstacle course. They could have an assistant but could not be coached from the rail.

Approach & Technique—How well did the trainer go at the task at hand?  Did he have a plan in mind and was there follow through for his technique?

Degree of Difficulty—Even though all the two year-olds were as closely matched as possible, some were more challenging.  The more challenging the horse, the more points were awarded.

Quietness in Mountiing-Does the horse stand for mounting or does she move off at the first opportunity?

Degree of Force—The less force used by the trainer, the higher the point value.  The goal was to help the horse learn, not to force her into compliance.

Confidence, Curiosity, and Sensitivity—Was the trainer confident in his ability yet sensitive to the needs of his/her particular horse?  Did the horse get over his fear enough to be curious about the process?

Respect and Trust—To what degree did the trainer help his horse acquire respect?  Was it evident that a bond of trust was established or was she still fearful, avoiding the human touch?

Rail Work
(50 Points Possible)

Horses were asked to work on the rail both ways. It was pointed out to the judge that these young horses may not start off gaiting (even though most of them did). Therefore, gait was not considered in judging. However, the willingness of the horse to work on the rail was. Horses were also asked to back and to allow the trainer to pick up each hoof while demonstrating a willing demeanor.

Obstacle Course
(50 Points Possible)

Trainers asked their young horses to move through cones, walk over ground poles, get off and back on, and to drag a bag behind them. If it sounds exciting, it was! It was also very impressive to see what our Mountain Horse trainers were able to do in such a short amount of time.

Free Style
(50 Points Possible) 

For the Free Style portion of the competition, the trainer could choose to have his horse perform in a unique way or show off a skill that had been taught during the competition. It could be creative and/or entertaining but was supposed to demonstrate the trainer's skill and ability to help the horse learn.

At the close of the round pen sessions participants were each given 25 minutes to re-orient their horse, complete the trail obstacle course, and demonstrate a free-style maneuver. An intent audience watched as Brian rubbed his horse from head to toe with a blue tarp. Carol had played the Parelli games in the round pen with her horse and had it as gentle as a lamb. She was able to demonstrate desensitization with the clapping of the audience. It didn't worry her little horse at all. S.T. had one of the most difficult horses. He took his horse through the course on foot because he realized he'd need a little more time to get her to the point where she was ready for that particular challenge. Chris had his horse doing the right thing. He completed the course and was able to crawl under his horse's belly, and she just stood there. At the end of the competition, Charlie had his horse right where he wanted her. He was able to stand on her back with no reins and shoot pistols off her back.

At the end of the day, Richie Wingfield totaled his judges' score card. The scores were very close, but Charlie DeAtley was eventually crowned the winner and recipient of $750 and a championship belt buckle. Brian Crowe received second place and $250. Chris Tipton was awarded third place and received $100. All prize money was donated by sponsors. Organizers really appreciate your support! 

"I just wanted to thank you guys again for inviting me to be part of your Spring Fling. I truly appreciate the honest, integrity, and hard work of all the trainers involved. You guys are truly an asset to the equine industry. I appreciate all the knowledge that everyone shared with me. The clinicians were wonderful, knowledgeable and well spoken - absolutely a classy event. I was proud to be a part of such an event and group of people. Thanks." -Richie Wingfield.

If you weren't able to come to the Make-Over and Trainers' Challenge this time, make plans now to attend next year. Call the UMH office (859.842.0270) for the exact date. You will be so impressed with what our knowledgeable trainers can do in a short time. I hear that plans are being made now for even more exciting demonstrations of skill for 2007.

Congratulations to all participants for your excellent display of horsemanship!!!