Yes, I Buy Local

On Friday, one of my favorite bloggers--Mugwump--posted an article titled "Down Under Horsemanship? – I’d Rather Buy Local" by Janet Huntington. It really summed up some of my feelings about clinicians: their not good or evil, just an impersonal resource.

In fact, the article and the resulting comments really got me thinking about my own learning experience, and how fortunate I've been to have a qualified trainer to guide me on this journey. I was moved enough to submit my own comment on the blog. This is what I wrote...

I agree with [one of the previous comments] 100 percent--videos, books, and magazine articles aren't there to correct you or give you one-on-one attention.

About five years ago, I decided to take up riding. Fortunately, I was referred to a wonderful, local trainer who's both a good horsewoman and a nice people person. When I started lessons, I made a commitment to myself--to shut my mouth and open my ears.

When it was time to buy my first mule (after six months of lessons), my trainer chose a safe, broke, 14-year-old mule for me to buy. Six months later, we won our first blue ribbons at a schooling show. Within three years, Maxine and I were winning championship ribbons (and prizes!).

Now I have a second mule--a 16-month of ball of fun. I was there the day Madge was born, and I've been working with her ever since, under the close eye of my trainer. When it's time for Madge to learn significant tasks, I put her in training with my trainer. Smaller issues are addressed during my weekly lessons.

I can't tell you how much I've learned by having someone always by my side. Like [a previous comment said], I also hear my trainer's instructions in my head when she's not around.

When I ride at shows, I see a lot of novices [yes, I still consider myself a novice] with green animals, carrying the latest training toys. Many are going it on their own, learning from RFD and magazines. Some look at me like I'm crazy when they hear that I've been taking weekly lessons for five years. Of course, they're the same ones who "can't believe" I've "only been riding for five years."

During this time [with my trainer], I've watched a lot of people come and go [from my barn]. They question my trainer, bring her "amazing" articles, or simply ignore her suggestions. Why? Because so-and-so said they should do such-and-such. They go to clinics then gush about what they've learned, which is often the exact same thing my trainer's been trying to tell them for weeks.

Do I go to clinics? Sometimes. Either when they're a free part of another event I'm already going to visit or when my trainer is going to be there.

Do I learn from clinicians? Sure. I usually take home a good idea or two. Fortunately I'm able to realize that it's usually something that simply helped me realize what my trainer's been trying to get through my thick head for weeks. ;)

Yes, I love my trainer.

Photo: Max confidently crosses a bridge on the Banks-Vernonia Trail. The bridge takes riders over a highway, and I've never crossed it without at least one car driving under us. Thanks to my training, hard work, and Maxine's willing attitude, we conquer these types of obstacles with ease.