Riders learned, in the clinics, how to maneuver their horses toward an obstacle, avoid spooks, cancel rears, spins and bolts, and, in general, give the horse confidence to let itself be led into the unknown! On the first day, riders became “horses” by wearing a bridle and being “ridden” by another participant. “Riders” instructed their “horses” where to go, turn and stop with gentle, forward-thinking hands and clucks, signaled a halt by using first a half-halt and then a gentle full halt. The clinic instructor then asked the “horse” to tell the “rider” how effective the aids were, if they were abrupt or too vague or if they were well understood. Then “rider” and “horse” reversed roles! More than once, a “horse” told the “rider” “Where was that half-halt? I didn’t feel a thing and you surprised me with the sudden halt!” Or: “Where were you? I didn’t even know you were there until you halted me!”

At the show, riders were judged by points: if the obstacle was accomplished, attempted, refused, etc. and how they handled the horse. For instance, walking on a tarp: If the rider couldn’t get the horse to walk on the tarp, but did not get angry and got the horse to “progress” in some way toward conquering the obstacle like walking a narrow strip on the side of the tarp after making reasonable attempts at walking on it, they received a numeric score from one to five. After all the rides, we also compared resulting scores to the paper each rider filled out before the clinics (evaluating themselves and their horse) and choose “Most Improved Horse” and “Best-Thinking Rider” as well as places one through six. Prizes were donated by New Haven Elevator!