January 2006

USHJA Clinic in Los Angeles is Huge Success

Held in last Saturday's blustery cold, but bright blue skies, our USHJA & Zone 10 clinic went great. With Archie Cox masterfully at the helm, he put riders and horses through their paces and helped improve their skills and confidence.

Opening the day with our classroom session, "Keys to Unlock Your Competition Effectiveness" sports-coach Mike Jackson stirred-up quite a bit of discussion about how to work within your personality-type to gain better focus. Augmented with guest-speakers Kristina Harrison and Maryne Langer, these accomplished horsewomen shared personal strategies, stories, and also real life experiences of sitting outside the backgate....and "getting their butterflies flying in the same direction."

From local grassroots to "indoors, medal-finals" level-riders, all were challenged and encouraged. Parents, spouses and riders support-team members were given complimentary admission to this clinic as a gesture to show that we recognize and value their contribution to our riders.

With both the classroom and mounted portion, overall, the clinic was a Wonderful success. I wish to thank the many "angels and volunteers" and also the professional horsemen and speakers that contributed greatly. Major sponsors Ulcergard and Gastrogard provided lunch and the L. A. Equestrian Center donated their beautiful facility to host our clinic, their 2nd year in a row. Lastly, (and very importantly), thanks to you for your timeliness in turning-in your paperwork, checks and releases. Mucho thanks.

As our clinic has sold-out these past two years, next year we will be looking at ways to make the clinic available to more riders. In the meantime, special thanks to USHJA & Zone 10 for helping make this event possible.