When we were invited to ride with Tom
Foran, we said "Heck, Yeah"
Tom Foran, AQHA World Champion Jr
Reining, NRHA Top 20 rider, came to Elbert,
Colorado to teach at at riding clinic
and we were invited. We had a great time.
Special thanks to Shane Brown for
hosting the clinic at his barn.
Burgers & Hot Dogs were provided by the
Brown facility which was wonderful.
Shane
has a beautiful facility with state of
the art footing both in the indoor and
in the outdoor pen which was a pleasant
surprise for the participants.
When the weather wasn't perfect, we rode
inside. When the sky cleared up into the
classic bluebell Colorado spring day, we
happily rode outside all day long.
The format for the clinic was 15
horse/rider combinations and numerous
auditors for the 2 day clinic.
Class ran from approximately 9 am until
4 pm with short breaks throughout the
day. Tom rode Shane's best horses
and used them for demonstrations.
It was great to get a snapshot of what
trainers on the West Coast do and how
they train both their horses and their
nonpros. Tom helped
everybody work on the basics of reining. He
also discussed what he looks for
in a horse which to Tom is more than
just conformation but mind and spirit of
both the horse and the rider.
Tom Foran donated his time and proceeds
from the clinic went to the Rocky
Mountain Reining Horse Association.
Thank you very much Tom Foran and Shane
Brown and his family and team.
Tom Foran talking about reining...
Students considering what Tom is
saying...
Tom Foran coaching Shawna Bekken.
Stopping Exercises
Tom watching students stop
Keith stopping his mare
Guy Vernon destroying the park bench with his horse - Shane to
the rescue.
Tom tells the students that for every office show run, you need
to have at least 3 schooling runs. He says, most of all, enjoy
yourself.
Thanks again to Tom Foran for coming to Colorado to work
with us.
