The Green Horseman

Of the many busy things going on in my life one of the ones I was very much looking forward to was the opportunity to once again attend AND photograph the Tik Maynard clinic at Graphite Hill Farm in September.

Sadly Tik and Sinead’s son, Brooks broke his arm the day before the clinic so our clinic organizer worked double time to get as many people as possible moved around to accommodate everyone’s registration for the clinic. She was amazing and got almost everybody a session.

When I go to a clinic I always make sure to bring my notebook and a pen. I was there to photograph but I could also learn while we were at it. New this time was an option to work on trail obstacles out in the field. This field offered logs, a bridge, and some steps. Tik worked with each group to introduce these obstacles in a thoughtful way. He didn’t ask the horse to do the obstacle right away; instead he was looking for the horse to be thoughtful in his approach. Can you put just 1 foot on the bridge? How about 2 feet? Can you walk over and stop with the back legs on the bridge? Can you step back OFF the bridge?

As it happens it was more difficult for most pairs to do versus barreling through it or jumping over it.

What Tik was after was a calm level headed horse that was listening to his directives and using the obstacle thoughtfully…not attacking an obstacle blindly.

The steps were pretty fun, and I definitely hope Suzanne will allow me to build a set at our home farm!

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Our first day gave us a great variety of sessions. We began in the indoor and worked our way outside. We had some jump lessons, some in-hand trail, and we moved back inside for groundwork.

The second day we began inside and quickly went to the outdoor. We had more jumping lessons, some flat sessions, some in hand trail, and came back inside for more groundwork.

Tik is a master at reading the horse and rider. Each session is unique and he alters the plan to what will be most effective or what is most needed. We were not confined to one area and Tik used the property to help each rider/handler accomplish their goals.

For one horse, she was sticky about leaving the barn and walking to the outdoor arena. So….Tik got on and worked with the horse riding away from the barn and to the arena.

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As the end of the first day I was talking with the clinic organizer, someone I’ve been friends with for a few years, greatly respect, and rarely have time to catch up with. Tik came in and invited me to join them to dinner that night!

After trying to politely decline (I was ecstatic but raised never to impose) they convinced me to join. So I did. Very excitedly. What an AMAZING opportunity!!

Truly, it made my entire day. No…week. No, maybe….month? Hard to say but I was grinning ear to ear.

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Having been to several clinics by now I have to say Tik and Sinead are two of my favorites. I never turn down the opportunity when I get a chance. These two days did not disappoint.

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