We did it, and we actually did it pretty well

So  I am home  form the Double  Dan  Horsemanship  clinic (Ground  control 101) 

I quite  enjoyed  myself, met some great  folks and visited  with a friend , Linda ,of Starmryi Appaloosas  Who kindly ,not only agreed to take  the following photos  for me , but also "horse  sat " Cat so I could go  home and sleep in  my own  bed, AND  invited  me to join her and a  friend  for  lunch! The  horse industry is full of good  folks, great ones and well the not so  good. Linda? she is a one of the great ones. I also  have to give a  nod to the gentleman  parked beside , Steve, he and  Rosie (his  lovely  little welsh  mare  were  great  company, and he  stayed  with a  couple others  the first evening to help set up panels  for  Cats  pen. So nice for my  first  foray  back into clinics  after so  long  away to have  such a great group around .

The  clinic itself was  very interesting, Dan  James is a  pleasant and personable  fellow , with a great  base of knowledge and a  practical  approach.This  clinic  seems geared  mostly  towards creating  softness and  responsiveness  in hand  to progress towards softness and  responsiveness in  the  next levels , whether  that be under  saddle or at liberty . He  broke each exercise down  to simple and  sensible  parts to gradually  build  towards the end  result. I  was a  little  concerned that because  Cat had been  mostly untouched this  spring  she  might  bring out her well ,less than  soft  side (hence the  nick name  Whoa  Dammit) But  I was  pleasantly  surprised! She  was a  little  worried  the first part of the  day on Thursday but she  was  listening and  soft, not challenging the  lead  or  pressure. As the time  went on she  continued to be  a  good  girl living  up to her  actual name  (FV Catch  A Dream! ) 

It was  a long  couple of  days, and my back  does not  love me  right  now, but it was so  worth it ! 

Even  without  the  knowledge  gained , I got  to spend  2 whole  days  with my horse, doing  fun  stuff and enjoying  her company as well as  the  company  of  some  great people!!!

I call that a WIN! 

 A little  bonding time  over  lunch

 We  finished  the clinic  by  putting our skills to work  going  through and over a  few obstacles 

 Side  passing  over a rail 

 crossing over a tarp and  rails 

 And finally   our  little  jump , one  way  we   jumped  down off the  bank, then back and  jumped up . 

If nothing  else , Cat and I could  rock an "in  hand "  trail  class! 

Anyhow, I am, as I said  glad I went,I may have  more to say about it , but as  CutnJump  said  in  the comments on  the last post. I am  tired and have a  lot of info to sort through .

Have a  great weekend , and as always , stay  safe!