Training
Head trainer Craig Clermont core training philosophy begins with diligent focus on these seven principles to achieve good horsemanship and a proper balanced frame:
1. Learn to be completely relaxed, calm and confident around your horse at all times.
2. Show strong leadership to the horse by concentrating on what you want - your horse deserves your 100% attention and is controlled firstly by your intention, secondly legs, thirdly seat, forth body position, fifth hands.
3. Stretch down and connect with the earth beneath the horse.
4. Stretch up completely through the spine and beyond.
5. Strive for consistent contact with the horse through the bit, providing something it can trust and work into.
6. Strive for steady leg contact, so as to not distract the horse with strange movement and generate impulsion.
7. Look straight ahead, allowing you to develop a feel for where the body and rhythm of the horse is moving, not just it's head.
When you work with your horse, and ride with these seven principles, your horse will in time go into frame, and want to be there in a calm, balanced and natural manner. For jumpers, Craig feels this is critical since the horse needs to be not distracted or uncomfortable, so as to successfully devote both focus on the obstacles and receive guiding instructions from the rider in a clear way.Trainers at Clermont Equestrian can take you to the next level, and enjoy getting there. Full training is just $800 per month and sessions may be interchanged for group lessons or shorter privates so that you, the owner, have a chance to feel what is being done and actually learn to do the training process yourself in time. Craig is particularly interested in working with young horses showing a lot of scope, or quickly improving older ones by either rebalancing them, teaching them to trust themselves again and/or improved technique through low but challenging gymnastics. Call (650) 851-2230 or email Craig to set a time to discuss what you are hoping to achieve in 2009.
We also are very pleased to have the excellent and professional help of Georgia Simpson for those training in dressage. Georgia is highly experienced and respected trainer and judge throughout California for several years.
Clermont Equestrian also welcomes dressage rider Steffen Agem in January, who will keep his two high level dressage horses with us and take on new clientele. Welcome Steffen!
