Idaho Falls Clinic

So, I was home for a week or so, then I got to go with Sharon to Idaho Falls to a Lee Smith Clinic. Again, this is something I would have done if I'd had money, but the next best thing is going with friends who let you tag along! I've also known Lee for a few years, and already admire her immensely thru the time I've known her. She was a Ray Hunt student also, and it shows in so many ways. In February of 2009, she was one of 21 Clinicians chosen from around the world (Literally) to be part of the Ray Hunt Memorial in Fort Worth Texas. Over the 3 days of the Memorial, each clinician started a colt previously completely unknown to them. Lee was the only woman and all eyes were on her. She made Ray proud. Lee and her husband Mark have a ranch in Arizona (that I"d love to go see one day) .... along with the ranch, Lee travels the states and does clinics. * Sharon first met Lee in Vegas at the Legacy of Legends 2 years ago. * Not surprisingly, Sharon got the idea then to participate in a clinic with Lee. * This last February, Lee was there again and did an hour each day of Horsemanship Classes and that clinched it for Sharon. She knew that this year, she would go to one. When she heard there was one as close as Idaho Falls, plans got in the making. I"m very proud of Sharon, because, as I'm sure you all know, lots of people talk, but less 'act' on their talk. Sharon acted and made arrangements, sent in her papers and money, booked a hotel, and invited me along! WoooHoo! Who am I to turn it down????? No one, that's who. Even better, this time, I am not driving!, so I get to jabber and photograph all along the way. Yes, you'd be surprised at the totally useless photos I have to show for my endeavors, but it's all documentation that I can review later. As I'm prone to do, I made arrangements with Lee to photograph the event, and naturally, to take my horse to use as a chair. I'm not completely stupid, I do need a chair.

(as it turned out, I was not afraid to ask Lee if I could "stretch my horse's legs a bit and join in the clinic from time to time, as long as I stay outta the way,..Permission granted, I was able to be horseback and learn and participate)

The photo below is the first morning, and everyone is getting to know one another. The days are split in 2, and Beginning Horsemanship is in the morning, advanced will be afternoon. The young girl in black tank top is from Montana, and has just finished college, and will be starting her first year as a teacher this year. She was giddy and happy to be a clinic and always had a smile on her face. She came with a friend (not pictured yet) from Montana also, who lives and works on a Cattle Ranch, and has a personal business that counsels young women/people using horses. They were funny and a joy to have met. They stayed on the grounds in their horse trailer and BBQ'd right there. Nicer young women are hard to find. They found Sharon and I just as fascinating, and said "When we're older, we want to be just like you, and travel around doing clinics" I had several thoughts about that, but loved it!

This photo also proves that this is kind of a small world. To the left is a woman in a green button up shirt. I knew I knew her, but it took me a bit to remember. That is Sheryl who I met several years ago at the Alvord Ranch. She was there doing the "Western Experience" with Martin Black, and we invited her to also ride with us a bit. We've also stayed in contact, but I haven't' seen her since then. And that is Sharon with Eclipse closest in the photo

There is that Montana soon to be school teacher with her PermaSmile on her face

This young girl is Lauren Field. She is from Massachusetts and is a Legacy of Legends Scholarship winner, who is apprenticing with Lee Smith. On her own, she is traveling with Lee and assisting at clinics along with spending time on Lee's Ranch in Arizona, learning the Western Discipline, since she has primarily ridden English. Again, a nicer young woman would be harder to find.

I've said before that all kinds of folks come to clinics. Young and Old alike, with the common love of all things Horse

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This is Connie, who owns this place where the clinic was hosted. She has such a love of her horses, and was so unselfish in sharing her place, to the extent that she insists if we come next year, we are to stay with her in her home. Offer accepted!

Here are the two Montana girls, ...the Ranch girl on the left, and the newbie teacher on the right (with her PermaSmile)

ahhhh, here are my 2 traveling partners. Sharon and Eclipse. Eclipse used to be mine, til about 4-5 years ago, I gave him to Sharon. I had used him for about everything possible, and he is a great "lesson Horse" * Sharon has some back problems, and I wanted her to have a horse that we might worry as little as possible. * Sooooo.... Voila! * He is hers now. * I'm very proud of how they did during the clinics and the next photos show that he was making all the right moves due to her "all the right cues"

The bend in his body and the reach of his front legs shows that he is moving just the way he should. It's like watching my kids graduate High School!

They do make a beautiful pair

This is Mark, Lee's husband. He had known that I was coming, so he was a bit disappointed that Wayne wasn't with me. I suppose they would have been in cahoots in pranks and tormenting, since they are much alike that way.

One of the things I like to see is all the Equipment and different animals that folks bring

Then there is my horse, tack and my camera hanging around

This photo is one of my favorites. (of Sheryl or anyone) One of the things we hear/say, is that your hands/arms and feet/legs should "do" what you want your Horse's feet/legs to do. This is perfect in many ways to demonstrate that idea. She is "looking" where she 'wants to go', her left hand and leg 'opening the door and guiding' right leg gently 'pushing' him, and her body leaning slightly to the right 'getting out of his way' * And there he goes! * Tail hanging softly down, without swishing in annoyance. * Look at that REACH .....Very pretty

yep, it was sure a pretty place to spend a long weekend.

Our horses had no complaints about their weekend accommodations. And I'm sure they were relieved it was only a 5 hour drive compared to the 13 or so the week before!

Ready to go!

Jessie