FOLLOW US

Downunder Horsemanship Ranch Open to the Public

Clinton Anderson is instructing a three-day Fundamentals Clinic Sept. 5-7 and is opening the gates to his Downunder Horsemanship Ranch to spectators. It’s a rare opportunity to watch the renowned clinician teach and spend time on his ranch, as the facility isn’t normally open to the general public.

With 30 participants in the clinic, spectators will see how Clinton’s approach to basic horsemanship can be applied to a variety of horses and get an inside look at how to correct common rider mistakes and horse problems. As an added bonus, Clinton and his clinicians will teach several additional demos, covering topics not discussed in the clinic. On Sunday, participants and spectators will be invited to go on a walking tour of the ranch.

Schedule of Events

Friday, Sept. 5
8 AM – 9 AM: Training on the Obstacle Course *Bonus Session
Learn how to include variety in your training program and give your horse a purpose for doing the groundwork exercises. Clinton will work a couple of horses over his obstacle course, explaining how each obstacle challenges a horse and increases his responsiveness and trust in you as a leader.
9 AM – 10 AM: Downunder Horsemanship Philosophy
The clinic officially begins with an all-important synopsis of the philosophy behind the Method. Before you can truly work with a horse and see results, you must understand how he thinks and how to communicate with him. Clinton will cover the most important points during this session.
10 AM – 12 PM: Fundamentals Groundwork
A successful partnership begins on the ground. Clinton will teach the class desensitizing and sensitizing exercises to gain the horses’ respect and earn their trust. You’ll see the good, the bad and the ugly as the horses are first taught the exercises and their handlers learn how to start effectively communicating with them.
12 PM – 1 PM: Lunch Break
Take an hour to grab some food and sit back and visit with a great group of horsemen. A concession stand will be open on the clinic grounds all day long, serving breakfast, lunch, refreshments and snacks.
1 PM – 5 PM: Fundamentals Groundwork
Clinton welcomes the participants back to the arena for another session of groundwork. They’ll continue building on the morning’s exercises, focusing on gaining better overall control of their horses’ feet and earning the horses’ respect.
5 PM – 6 PM: Working With a Young Horse *Bonus Session
Clinton will work with a couple of his weanlings and yearlings to show you why he’s so adamant about beginning a horse’s education from the minute he’s born. Groundwork exercises meant to build a young horse’s respect and trust in you as a leader will be demonstrated as well as working the young horses over the obstacle course.

Saturday, Sept. 6
8 AM – 9 AM: Training a Performance Horse *Bonus Session
While riding his 2-year-old futurity prospects, Clinton will explain how he trains his reining and working cow horses. Emphasis will be placed on how Clinton gains control of the horses’ five body parts and daily suppling exercises. He’ll also cover maneuvers specific to the show pen, such as lead changes, stops, rollbacks and spins. It’s a rare opportunity to see Clinton doing what he loves best.
9 AM – 12 PM: Fundamentals Groundwork
The clinic will begin with a quick refresher of yesterday’s exercises and then Clinton will teach the participants additional groundwork exercises from the Fundamentals Series. The exercises the participants do with their horses on the ground will directly impact the success they have under saddle in the afternoon session.
12 PM – 1 PM: Lunch Break
Take an hour to grab some food and sit back and visit with a great group of horsemen. A concession stand will be open on the clinic grounds all day long, serving breakfast, lunch, refreshments and snacks.
1 PM – 5 PM: Fundamentals Riding
Participants will mount up for the first time and work on several Fundamentals riding exercises that focus on establishing a gas pedal and break on the horses and build the riders’ confidence.
7 PM: Bonfire Mixer
Everyone is invited to this laid-back mixer! Clinton will light a bonfire and crank up some music and mingle with participants and spectators. Bring your own beverage (alcohol is welcome), a sense of humor and get ready to have a night of fun Downunder Horsemanship style!

Sunday, Sept. 7
7:45 AM – 9 AM: Walking Tour of the Ranch *Bonus Session
The morning will begin bright and early with Clinton leading a walking tour of the ranch. You’ll be escorted around the clinician’s private property, getting to see where he rides his horses, his pastures full of young performance prospects and Signature Horses as well as where he trains horses on the trail. You’ll get a firsthand look at how Clinton and his Academy students use the natural environment to train respectful, safe and willing trail partners.
9 AM – 12 PM: Fundamentals Groundwork
Participants will work on fine-tuning the groundwork exercises they’ve been taught so far and learn a few more exercises to continue gaining their horses’ respect and trust. You’ll be amazed at the transformations you’ll see in the participants and their horses as they get better and better at incorporating the Fundamentals.
12 PM – 1 PM: Lunch Break
Take an hour to grab some food and sit back and visit with a great group of horsemen. A concession stand will be open on the clinic grounds all day long, serving breakfast, lunch, refreshments and snacks.
1 PM – 5 PM: Fundamentals Riding
Participants will continue working on establishing a good “whoa” and “go” on their horses and begin introducing exercises to soften and supple the horses’ bodies. The participants’ hard work will be evident as you see the horses relax and become more responsive and the riders develop into confident leaders. The clinic will conclude with participants receiving a certificate of completion from Clinton.
5 PM – 6 PM: Private Viewing of Clinton’s Performance Horses *Bonus Session
For those interested in learning more about his outstanding performance horses, Clinton will take you to meet his most promising prospects. These horses are bred for reining and working cow horse success, and partnering with Clinton as an owner of one of the horses offers a rare opportunity to get a horse trained by the clinician himself.

Spectators must bring their own chairs and sun protection. A three-day pass to watch the entire clinic may be purchased for $100 No Worries Club member/$150 non-member. Single-day tickets are not available. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.downunderhorsemanship.com/Store/store/Clinics/BE/0/1/12. The ranch is located just outside of Stephenville, Texas. The town caters to horsemen and has many hotels and restaurants for spectators coming out of town. Learn more about Downunder Horsemanship Clinics on our website http://www.walkaboutevents.com/Clinic/Clinic?Length=0.

Clinton Anderson is a clinician, horse trainer and competitor. He’s dedicated his life to helping others realize their horsemanship dreams and keeping them inspired to achieve their goals. The Downunder Horsemanship method of horse training is based on mutual respect and understanding and gives horse owners the knowledge needed to become skilled horsemen and train their horses to be consistent and willing partners. Clinton instructs horsemanship clinics, presents Walkabout Tours across the country, produces a television show, hosts an internet TV website and is constantly creating comprehensive study kits and training tools to make learning horsemanship as accessible and easy as possible. Discover for yourself how Clinton and the Method can help you achieve your horsemanship dreams at www.downunderhorsemanship.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SHARE THIS STORY

RELATED ARTICLES

POPULAR ARTICLES

GET NEWS & UPDATES

Oops! We could not locate your form.