Allen clinic makes horse/rider combinations more effective

The participants in this weekend's clinic with internationally renowned horsewoman Linda Allen, found the experience to be both challenging and beneficial as they gained insight from a professional, who has excelled in almost every facet of the equine industry.

Allen's expertise provided the riders with valuable insight, and provided those participating and auditing the clinic with an opportunity to improve their riding.

"I thought she was very good, very technical without being too demanding," said Dr. Sarah Thompson, Estrella Equine. "She focused on the rider more than the horse, placing an emphasis on trying to get the rider to ride their own horse better. I feel she allowed us to pick our battles with our horses as opposed to fixing every single thing, and concentrated on fixing the things that were going to make our horse more effective in the ring. I really enjoyed it."

Full Circle Farm's Irene Reed brought three students with her to the clinic, and believes it's good to be able to expose riders to other trainers and their methods and ideologies, so that they'll continue to evolve. The clinic was organized by Ann Thal's Snaffles, INC., and Reed had previously brought her students to participate in the clinic with Show Jumping Hall of Fame member Melanie Smith Taylor, which was also organized by Thal.

"I think that it (participating in the clinic) builds self-confidence in them (her students), and they're able to perform under scrutiny, and not just with their trainer at home," said Reed, whose facility is based in Ravenel, S.C.. "They learn some new techniques, and they also get challenged a little bit differently. It's sort of a fresh set of eyes."

Aiken-based Horseman Crawford Anderson found the clinic very technical, but not overwhelming.

"Her (Allen) motto is, 'Let the horse make the mistakes, so they can learn from it,'" said Anderson. "It's great to see what she can bring to the table, and has been able to teach us. When we go to shows down the road, we can look at it and say, 'This is how it happened, and this is how we can prevent that.'"