On Sunday 27 February, under the banner of East Moreton Branch Australian Stock Horse Society, Kym Neate and Diane Chambers organised a Huon Smith Clinic at Woodford Showgrounds.

 

Huon Smith is an ASH Accredited Coach and an ACA and ASH Accredited Judge. He travels far and wide conducting clinics which contain his highly regarded techniques, skills and horsemanship lessons, where attendees can witness and are inspired by the natural affinity Huon has with horses. Huon trains in a way that enables students to walk away with practical and simplistic steps that can be easily applied to their personal situation.

 

After so many horse events being cancelled due to inclement weather it was a relief when the "taps" were turned off leading into the weekend, the ground was able to be prepared and the clinic was "on"!  Organiser Kym Neate reports, "It was our first attempt at holding a clinic and we wanted something that interested us both.  Huon was a standout choice as a trainer, given his lifetime of success with his horses".

 

The day of the clinic dawned fine and hot and even though the temperature could have been turned down a little, there was plenty of shade and the horses were well rested in the middle of the day.  The cattle yards at Woodford are well shaded, so the cattle were comfortable and worked very well.

15 people attended, mainly from ASH circles but not limited to, other participants included traditional cutters wanting to break out into the challenge arena, younger riders wanting a bit more out of their horses and rodeo/campdraft competitors. Diane, Kym and their invaluable helpers, provided lunch for clinic participants, while the husbands were signed off to the cattle yards to bring in cattle and open the camp gate. 

 

All attendees enjoyed a great day of Huon's excellent teaching methods, great communication skills and excellent ability to demonstrate what he is trying to get across.  Huon was riding ASH gelding Sleepy Hollow Magic Albert for the duration of the clinic.  He had never ridden this horse before, so it was good to see him apply his training methods and get the reaction from a non-prepared horse.  Quite often you go to clinics or schools and the trainer is riding their own highly trained horse.  It was evident from watching Huon on a previously unknown horse that his methods work.  After the clinic, Kym (who owns Sleepy Hollow Magic Albert)  commented, "It was interesting, Huon rode my horse all day and then I asked to have a campdraft run on him at the end of the day and he was the only horse to get a full course! I could feel a difference in the responsiveness of my horse and how much easier it was to control him out on the course, as I have had some troubles in holding him previously".

 

Diane Chambers Creative Photography was there taking some photos - CLICK HERE to view the photos in Horsezone's Photo Gallery and HERE to visit Diane Chambers Creative Photography's website.

Overall the clinic was well received, with attendees learning new skills and getting plenty to take home and work on.  It is hoped that the cattle working days and dry work pattern days ill become a regular occurence in the near future.  Stay tuned to Horsezone for information on upcoming events.

 

CLICK HERE to find out more about Huon Smith and Boonara Performance Horses.