"Class Act"

It really doesn't cost you anything to show a little "class", the respectable and nowadays seemingly lost act of self governance when dealing with another. In the sports world, true sportsmanship has given way to our dog eat dog mentality that purveys itself all through society today.

I have no qualms of competitive "ruggedness" out on the field, I played soccer through high school and into college level for awhile and I can assure you, there is no mercy out there in a game. Such as it was, once off the field I had no animosity, just well meaning, healthy support towards our own team! However the act of sportsmanship requires a certain measure of respect for those you oppose. Are they not in this game also? Without them would there even be a competition? No, there wouldn't, so unless I am aware or see outright acts against or dismissal's of the standards we strive to adhere to, those set out in the rulebooks, I will accept my allies and foes on a level board.

I have watched it happen to many and experienced myself the regularly dispensed discourtesies and even flat out rudeness at a show or facility by owners, clients, trainers and surprisingly even the occasional official. More than aloofness it is an agitational cloud that sets down upon the sport. I  know I am only supposed to write good feeling posts, but this is something that crucifies sports and that's a shame because what is to be a healthy activity can turn ugly enough for some to quit the sport and that is so shameful to us all as a body.

There will always be bullies and people with bad attitudes but our society often seems to reward this activity, stuffy noses struck skyward and raining down impertinence without provocation. Wow, capitol "LOSERS" in my book, I wouldn't care if they are the richest or greatest riders on the day, it only lessens the sport and the minions who desire to chase a dream. The "more" of us should choose to not reward those behavior's, but openly, actively help one another, offer good words and support, genuinely root for everyone to do well, and then strive to best them with your own efforts. treat all that are struggling with encouragement and even lend a hand. I have many times stepped in to hold onto someone's horse, load some equipment at a show, there are too many to list.

This is what breeds a healthy co-operation and healthy respect amongst competitor's, our sports require us to strive always for sportsmanship as equal to safety, ensuring a healthy activity mentally as well as physically. It's a personal choice, but the "golden rule" would be well served to your self pride and to others, certainly upon your reputation.

What a day!


Starting early just before the break of dawn, I climbed on to my catch ride for the day, goal was to just have a nice cruise and enjoy the sunny morning at HITS Coachella, hoping for nothing dramatic! This was no normal steed , but a sweet sleek old girl that had her experiences and was well tuned, given the nudge she jumped forward with a lurch and within a short blazing run we were airborne.... Literally!

My ride today had a breeding that was all about catching the soaring altitude, Cessna (stam) 310.... For those curious here's she is! 

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Being that I had not flown in a small plane in some years even though I had flown a bit myself earlier in life as my dad had owned a plane, it never ceases to excite me to sliding in behind the controls and know I'll be up in the air soon, soaring the heights. The  flight down was relatively easy until we were just about to leave the mountainous are NW of Palm Springs there we had a pretty "bumpy" flight for about 10 minutes, nothing that bothered me but I know some might have had a heart flutter, just like when your horse feels like they want to turn around on a very narrow trail on the side if a mountain! After the bumps and over Palm Springs everything became smooth, with the Salton sea in the distance and then we were on final approach for the Jacqueline Cochran regional airport and soon landed with a slight cross wind adjacent to the show grounds.

Once we taxied into the Dessert Jet Center where we were greeted by our flight deck crew and office staff with happy smiles and outstanding service. Within a few minutes after that we closed up the plane, we were whisked away in the courtesy car to the HITS Coachella show office, where  the staff pleasantly greeted us. I noticed as we had driven through the entrance the show grounds had grown into its self nicely, since the years ago that I had shown there.

We grabbed a daily schedule and I had my goal to get to the GP berm and catch the 1.40 meter classes that were already beginning. Walking up the main lane and turning to the VIP area I saw a few familiar faces in the distance and it felt like a small desert homecoming to me, this is the horse show which first was  located in Indio and where many of my friends and also competitors gathered for many seasons, not only to try and best each other in tactics and internal fortitude, but to share commonly the fantastic athleticism of our equine partners we all love and with whom many have dedicated a lifetime to.

Walking up onto the berm I first meet Ray Texel, a fellow local to my area, another lifetime equestrian, we quickly caught up on the latest and talked about the current show and the future plans we look forward to. On to the "gate" of the GP ring and as some who know me I can't help but be a joker, I noticed the area was clear of people, so I walked up to the booth and announced in a desperate sounding voice at I had 2 adds and they are getting off the trailer now! For those of you who may not know, a late added horse to a class is one of the frustrations at the gate! Along with a rather late arriving rider it is near the top of a list of pains, so I joke with gate sometimes and always they look at me at first in disbelief then just a grin, this time quipping "lol on that one"!

Lucky for me as I stepped behind a horse going by I met up with Richard Spooner, whom I have not spoken too since the Sacramento International some years back. Richard was all smiles and after introducing my friend and plane owner, we talked about various stuff, I told a story of how one day here at HITS Coachella, I was showing this cute little mare from Oregon. While standing at the gate third to go, how it was a long sleepy afternoon and I had just closed my eyes for a moment , then heard someone talking to my horse in soft tones., Opening my eyes, I look upon Richard, whom had her head cradled in his arms, sweet talking her and she was going fast asleep! I semi accused him of un-sportsmanship, it being a ploy to set our performance back, lol! We both laughed over that.

Moving on to the bleachers we had the opportunity to watch some great rounds by 1.40m riders and horses, in the break before the big class we took lunch in the cafeteria, a hubbub of spectators, equestrians, family and staff.Then a quick trip back to the stands to see the $30,000 Grand Prix class.

It was a real mix at this level of the experienced horse and riders just trying to get qualified for the AIG million on Sunday to the up and coming young horses and riders riding at the top of their game, testing the water at the 1.40 meter level G.P. Watching the efforts of the horses you can see the fantastic athleticism in each, the big gallops and the huge efforts to clear big spreads and adjusting for the problems the course designer set.
I was happy to watch both Richard Spooner and my friend and former teacher Richard Fellers ride with impeccable ability, of course I had to cheer on Mandy Porter on WT Leapfrog who happens to be a 1/2 brother (by Liocaylon) to my up and coming mare Bay Breeze. 

There were many more riders I knew who gave a great performance on a nice track that was set with some areas consistently challenging more than a few, with often one rail down and a few unlucky eliminations, but 12 got qualified for jump off! In the end it was Un Diamant des Forets, ridden by Jim Ifko who laid down the burning track to first, followed by Ifko's second mount Celine la Silla for a one ,two finish. Third went to Ali Ramsey and CASINO and fourth with Hugh Mutch close up on Killossery Kuidam! 

As it turned out it was a wonderful way to spend an otherwise work day, I rarely give myself that time off like a lot of self employed people I tend to go, go, go....till I drop! This day was great in so many ways, the satisfaction to do something that has been one of my greatest loves since childhood and that is flying coupled with another love that is horses and everything about them. It could be roping, cross country,working cow horse/reigning, jumping, extreme trail, freestyle or dressage, I love all aspects of horses! Though I am drawn to jumping it's just being with horses and horse people, that comadre and competition and seeing the wonderful athletes going for it.

Looking back after takeoff it seemed hard to believe the day went so fast, there in the distance and growing smaller by the minute the barns and arenas were slowly closing down for the meet. 

"Heads up" for another adventure soon!

Ride on!

Clayton Jackson, April 2019

Saddling and bridling; Why don't more get it right!

Clay and "Bay Breeze" 

Today, I discuss the subject about ride preparation and the need to pay attention to details.

In my observations a large percentage of my newest students are not giving enough attention to the preparation of the horse before climbing on. I usually start off in my first lesson about theory and the goal of establishing balance through correct position, however more often than not I see mistake's at an elementary level when tacking up. So I've gathered a few of them and will discuss them and hopefully more people will follow suit.

First off grooming: I see quite few barns that have professional groom thereby eliminating that step from horsemanship, that which we as teachers should be aiming at (another article). I suggest that all riders should get involved in that first process as it will teach them skills and I believe there are some lessons in empathy to be discovered at that point. What I have observed and coincidingly corrected was how each person prepared the horse, starting with grooming, then saddling and ultimately bridling.

There are a lot of people haven't the slightest idea that grooming is a function of basic horsemanship, that done correctly there are actual physical benefits not just making them look "nice". Correct grooming culminating into correct turnout is the first key area to teach! Make sure they (you) know how to stand properly when cleaning out the feet, which is staying closer to the horse with your body.

Making sure to groom under the horse as well (often missed) and to check for physical issues such as a swollen area or a abrasion/sore in some area where tack may rub and irritate, how evenly does the horse flex on each limb, hoof condition, eyes etc. This primary step is often the best to start up a relationship with the horse, get to know each other and the rider can ascertain the disposition of the horse. I teach and expect every student to show empathy, first off most horses are affected right away by the way we treat them and I believe they remember you, were you a jerk and unsympathetic or the opposite and left the horse with a good experience?

One could go on and on with the list, the point is that the first encounter in the grooming stall can establish goodwill and prevent an accident or injury by a simple discovering of a potential issue. On this I would like to expand a little.... how many instructor/teacher/trainers actively teach "WHAT" to look for? Do they even know themselves? By years of habit, I check over the horse as I am grooming and have by that habit discovered from time to time an issue that may not have shown up until I was out riding and noticed poor performance or unsoundness and it's often overlooked by many.

I realize that many will dismiss even scorn me for making such a "issue" over an elementary subject, However, I have, too many times, in teaching individuals and clinics, found myself facing a neglect to follow a good procedure in preparation to ride. I would venture that currently a large percentage of students have to learn it, as fewer instructor's seem to be teaching it. Few exhibit in action, what I would expect from any beginner rider. Many look the part of an equestrian but fewer act it out.

Frequently, I notice things like disheveled hair under the bridle at the poll, this often leads to head tossing and other "seemingly" rebellious activities. I wish I had a dollar for every time I had to correct this and other basics. How many times have I had to "educate" a groom or a student while tightening the girth NOT to set the girth tight in the grooming stall, my habit is to set the girth just enough to be snug (I can still get my hand easily under it) and then again before mounting, Ill check or tighten once mounted too! I have never created a "girthy" horse but have corrected that vice in quite a few by using this method. Not checking saddle fit is another of my pet peeves, realizing that the rider has no clue about it is amazing, this follows with bit choice and fit as well as subsequent bridle fit/adjustments... I am a real pain in the "tucas" aren't I? Well it's a fact that few teach it, so why am I surprised few exhibit it? Good grooming and saddling practices are essential to preserve the horse health and well being and ultimately safety

I know every student just wants to get to the end game, reach their threshold of experience on the horse, perhaps take home that ribbon and I myself admittedly can't wait to get to the jumps or the trail or whatever my goal is for the day.... but not a single time can one over look the basics and everyone should learn them and practice them and TEACH them. I will soon create some instructional video and text to encourage riders and teachers to promote good basics and ultimately share some of my insights in working with horses my entire life, I'll have about 55 years and several hundred horses of insight to share with you, hopefully it will be met with fruition and many more educated riders/trainers will emerge! First teach and require empathy in every case, each student, must learn correctness in preparation of the horse physically and as well mentally.

"Riding and teaching should be fun but not at the expense of the horse even at the slightest level."   

Clayton A Jackson 3-2019