Ravensdale Spectators Enjoy Ricky Quinn Horsemanship Clinic
Ricky Quinn putting his views
across to the participants at his recent clinic held at Ravensdale Lodge Photo: Niall Connolly.
Sponsored by LHW Insurance Brokers, Dublin
“It truly is a struggle to put into words what Ricky does for horses and people alike. More often than not, riding with Ricky is a life changing experience.”
Everyone who attended last week’s clinic would agree with this excerpt from Ricky’s website biog
Ricky follows a method of Horsemanship little known in its truest form. Stemming from the “Vaquero” (Spanish for Cowboy) methods it was first practiced in Oregon during the 1960,s by the Dorrance brothers, Tom & Bill. They passed it on to the legendary horseman Ray Hunt. Ray was the first person to go out to hold clinics bringing it to the public.
Many people took his method and added their own ideas to it. Some of these have been highly successful in their own rights creating so called “Natural Horsemanship” movement
However, there are few who have remained true to the methods of the founders. Buck Brannaman, is the best known of these. The subject of the recent documentary film “Buck”, he was also the main influence on Nicholas Evans for his book “The Horse Whisperer”.
Ricky has been mentored by Buck since a teenager. His wish is to follow absolutely in Bucks footsteps
Originally from Wyoming, USA, Ricky grew up on ranches, riding horses to work cattle. Now living in Nebraska, Ricky with his wife Sarah run their own cattle ranch and spend four months of the year teaching clinics right across the country
Six years ago when Ricky began to go out on the road to teach, a chance meeting with Marc Higgins and Jane Hedge led him to Ireland. Ricky has held clinics here every year since. Most of these have been held in Ballinasloe Co Galway.
This year the demand was such that Ricky agreed to a second clinic in the beautiful setting of Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian Centre in Co Louth.
Ten riders and horses lined up on Monday morning for the two day introductory course of around twelve hours, mind blowing instruction and demonstration. They came from all disciplines. Show jumping, Eventing, Hunting, Dressage, Polo, Western and Leisure riders.
To start Ricky demonstrated many “Groundwork” exercises. Each exercise practiced by the group, had to be done with “Feeling” and in time with the movement of the feet. Done correctly this is the starting point to achieving a light, soft & balanced horse. There should be a “float” in the lead with the horse and human moving like dance partnership. Later, once the horses were mounted, Ricky showed how to relate all of the ground exercises to ridden work. Everyone, including spectators was encouraged to ask questions and get involved.
He worked with many of the horse and showed the riders how to work through their problems. Many of these were horses being pushy and not respecting the riders. He showed how to create a soft relaxed happy horse. Ricky believes the exercises equate to Yoga. Certainly, it was amazing to see the changes that occurred in every single horse over the two days.
Although Ricky comes from a Western riding style background, he continually stressed how the style or discipline is irrelevant. Showing how everyone’s goal is to shift the weight of horse back onto the hind quarters and lighten the front. The “Turn About” on the hind quarters that he uses when working cattle is just the same useful movement for a polo pony, show jumper or dressage horse.
In Ireland, unable to bring his own, Ricky is provided with a horse for the clinic, he will work on “his” horse while everyone else works away at the exercises. It was amazing to watch how he rode & worked the horse to develop lightness and relaxed way of going, through endless flexions, transitions and back-ups
Sponsors LHW Insurance Brokers Dublin were delighted with the response to the clinic as was host Niall Connolly at the beautiful setting of his Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian Centre. A charity collection from spectators has raised €750 of much needed funds for the St. John of Gods, Magdalene Day Care Centre in Drogheda. Co Louth
Buck Brannaman will perform daily at this year’s RDS Dublin Horse Show
Category: News, Show Jumping
