2008 YOUTH WORLD CUP 

IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION.

BY TONYA RATLIFF-GARRISON, FIELD EDITOR

Clinics began today for the 2008 Youth World Cup team members. First was showmanship and then the riders were split into four groups for horsemanship. Each group had their own clinician: AQHA Judge Robin Frid of Denton, Texas, AQHA Pro Horseman Andy Moorman of Venice, Florida, AQHA Pro Horseman Della Cryderman of Murillo, Ontario, and AQHA Pro Horseman Debbie Cooper of Cave Creek, Arizona.

Robin Frid led one of the horsemanship clinics. He emphasized riders focus on communicating with their horses.

In Robin’s group, he told the youth that western horsemanship is not about the fastest person or the rider who is the stillest.

“It’s about who communicates best with their horse,” he said.

Robin told the riders to always study the pattern and think ahead when they were riding.

“That way you will have a good road map,” he said. “That is what horsemanship is about: good communication and a good road map.”

In a horsemanship pattern, the rider should always be looking ahead.

“It’s like driving a car. You will crash if you’re looking at the steering wheel instead of the road,” Robin said. “Looking at your horse’s head instead of looking ahead will also guarantee you will crash.”

Even though Robin encouraged the youth to always be thinking about the next maneuver in the pattern, he said don’t forget the maneuver being performed at the time.

“Remember, you’ve got to finish the maneuver before you get to the next one,” he said.

AQHA Pro Horseman Andy Moorman tells one of her students to redo the circle in the pattern.