2012 EVENTS

Hooper Crossing has a number of clinics lined up for 2012, the majority of them being horsemanship-trail-obstacle clinics. If you have not yet traveled to Hooper Crossing Ranch for one of our clinics, we hope that this will be the year. Keith's clinics are always informative and enjoyable, designed to instill confidence in both you and your horse, while always keeping your safety in mind.

The ranch has a large arena as well as a diverse obstacle course to work as you progress from basic horsemanship to understanding more advanced maneuvers. Keith will help you to better your horse handling skills by gaining a lighter, more responsive mount.

The obstacle/trail challenges are becoming very popular, but even if you never plan on competing, Keith believes that the preliminary work involved in preparing for this kind of event will only make a more trusting, well rounded and "handier" saddle horse. As he says, "You can't get 'em too broke!"

"Good Horsemanship is the key to skillfully navigating the many challenges found on a trail or obstacle course."

With this in mind, each clinic begins with horse handling exercises and maneuvers both on the ground and in the saddle. There is much to be accomplished in two days, the goal being to come away from the clinic with a better understanding of how to achieve that seemingly effortless ability to move your horse where you want, when you want.

Keith will address such things as introducing and approaching " scary " obstacles with your horse , different methods of opening and closing gates, backing through, over and around natural and man- made structures. You will learn how to travel through and over tunnels, ditches and bridges, hopefully with precision.

The safety of you and your horse is our priority, for this reason the clinics always start in the arena and progress out onto the obstacle course when riders and horses are ready, putting it all together-one obstacle at a time. Sunday afternoon is the challenge (complete with money and prizes awarded) where everything you have worked on for two days comes together in a friendly competition on the course. This challenge is open to clinic participants only. Everyone says this is one of the BEST parts of the weekend as you get to put into action all that you and your horse have learned.

2012 Registration Form / 2012 Release Form

This year we will be conducting a 2 day clinic/challenge at Mission Farrier School with the same format we use at Hooper Crossing. The first part of each clinic will cover basic to more advanced horsemanship, working on developing a good feel with our reins, legs and seat. Rider and horse will progress with each exercise and maneuver, gaining safety, control and willingness.

These skills will be used to navigate different obstacles on the course of Karen and Mark Plumlee simulating those that may be encountered out on the trail or in Trail Challenge Competitions.

We will finish up the clinic with a friendly challenge among clinic participants. This 2-day clinic is limited to 12 riders only, so call Karen at 425-985-8321 for details on how to register.