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In October I started on the USDF Adult clinic series sponsored by Platinum Performance.

My first clinic was at Magnolia Farms in Live Oak, Florida October 15-18. The clinic was very well organized by Holly Hilliard. The facility was beautiful with a great covered arena. Our host was Cathy Wilson. I stayed at the facility and many of the riders stayed in cottages on the property.  It made for a very friendly atmosphere. The riders cooked dinner both nights and everybody got to know each other.  I actually arrived two days early to teach a private clinic before the official clinic. I really enjoyed working with everybody. The format was Symposium style and that is a bit more challenging. I didn’t know any of the riders or horses, but needed to make a fairly quick assessment to make a plan. While I was teaching the riders I explained everything I was doing and why to the auditors. This was very good practice for me, since I have never been very fond of public speaking. I have to say I really enjoyed the interaction with the audience. They were very eager to learn and very supportive of the riders. Some of the riders were getting ready to go the Regional Championship in Wellington, so with them I worked on the details of riding the tests.

The following week I was off to Carbery Fields Farm in Lebanon, CT owned by The Caron’s.

Liz & Carbery Caron did a great job organizing the clinic at their beautiful farm. The facility was perfect for the clinic. I had a great group of riders at every level from Training level up to Grand Prix. I also had a wonderful group of auditors, who stayed focused and enthusiastic for 8 hours a day. We had a variety of good challenges and that makes it more interesting for the audience.  My goal is to make the riders feel comfortable working on the things that are difficult for them in a very positive learning environment.