Demonstrations & Short Clinics

Making the Connection

A “Making the Connection” clinic offers participants of all horsemanship levels and all disciplines an introduction to Michael Richardson’s methods and philosophies with the goal of creating a more harmonious relationship between horse and rider. This clinic focuses on educating the rider on how their actions while riding affect the horse's abilities. Body position, seat, aids, and quality of movement are covered. This clinic also makes the perfect demonstration for horse expos and evening short clinics.

Encouraging Balance and Lightness in Horse & Rider

In this clinic, participants will build on their foundation skill set with a focus on developing balance and lightness for horse and rider teams that have just started competitive careers and want to work on building a more harmonious, connected partnership both in and out of the show arena.

Building on Performance

This clinic is designed for horses and riders that are actively competing, and offers participants a chance to work on seasoning their riding skills with the goal of refining balance and lightness as well as extension and collection.

Contact us to schedule a clinic or demonstration.

Hands-on Two and Three Day Clinics

We all have the image of a perfect ride — one where we become seamless with our horse and move in harmony together. When riders fail to achieve that dream ride, they often blame their disappointment on either an inferior horse or a lack of training. The truth is: the foundation of any good ride is not up to the horse alone. The quality of any ride is a responsibility shared by both horse and rider, and the rider must always be aware he has a greater ability to influence the final product.

The rider's body position, use of aids, and understanding of the fundamental principles of equine and human movement affect the common balance, lightness, and communication between horse and rider, no matter what the discipline or level of performance. Everything a rider does while on the horse's back affects — for better or worse — the overall quality of the horse's movement, including tempo, cadence, footfall, extension, and collection.

In his clinics, Michael Richardson strives to educate riders on their position, balance, and body language influence the horse and its ability to perform. He then teaches them how, through feel, timing, and consistency, they can improve their ability to communicate effectively and increase their horse's performance.

Michael begins every clinic with an evaluation of each rider's skills and each horse's ability to understand and follow the rider's direction. Riders are then grouped accordingly in two- and three-rider groups. The small groups make it easier for Michael to work personally with each equestrian team as well as address individual goals and problems.

Michael then shares his knowledge on the mechanics of movement — both of horse and rider. All riders are educated on how the human spine moves and how their body reacts when they are in the saddle, as well as how the horse's skeleton and structure impacts his ability to perform with and without a rider. As the day progresses, Michael works intensely with each group, showing them in practice how their body and the horse's body must work together in order to form the union needed to achieve top performance.

During the group sessions, riders work through exercises designed to help them cognitively and physically grasp the principles of gait and movement. During this phase of the clinic, riders and auditors both will have the opportunity to get a solid understanding of how every part of the rider affects every part of the horse. The focus shifts from understanding how the rider influences the horse to actually working toward making the horse more receptive to the rider's body language by using rhythm and tempo to create a direct line of communication between horse and rider.

After horse and rider have formed a base for communication, Michael will help riders understand the importance of balance. In order to move in a fluid and supple manner, the horse must be comfortable with balancing a rider on his back. To assist the horse in finding a maintained balance, the rider must properly make use of their position, seat, and aids. Understanding and achieving balance is crucial to helping the horse easily complete maneuvers such as lead changes, side passes, half passes and other lateral movements or intermediate movements.

By the end of the clinic, riders should have a solid understanding of how their role as rider dramatically impacts the quality of their horse's ride. At home, riders can continue to practice exercises covered during the clinic to further define and refine their riding skills and their relationship with their horse.

Lessons & Apprenticeships

Private lessons and a limited number of apprenticeships with Michael are available. Contact us for more information.