On a beautiful spring day in Santa Ynez, California, people from throughout the world came to Art Perry's picturesque Intrepid Farms to attend a revolutionary clinic. The "Light Hands Horsemanship" (LHH) clinic, held May 4-6, is the first of its kind.  Those of us who attended the event witnessed the creation of a new breed of equine clinic.

Four of the world's most gifted horsemen offered the equestrian public a new and innovative notion and format in the teaching of horsemanship. Art Perry had a vision about a clinic concept based on the needs of the equine community and the welfare of the horse; a group of clinicians that would cover the primary phases of horsemanship from  Birth to the Advanced Horse."

These four "Masters Of Lightness" inspired an eager crowd by sharing their combined knowledge and working together with one goal in mind. In addition, those who attended the clinic enjoyed personal interaction with the  horsemen. We dined together, socialized, shopped, and "broke bread." The Morgan community was well represented, but the crowd drew people from every breed and interest group. It was a weekend not to be forgotten as evidenced by the immediate booking of another LHH clinic, again at Art's (May 31-June 1, 2008), as well other inquiries following the clinic.

 

Dr. Robert M. Miller had this to say about the clinicians when he introduced them at the clinic:

 

"These gentlemen, three of the most remarkably talented horsemen I have known in my lifetime, are masters of subtlety, soft hands, and quiet methods of Western, English, and Classical Horsemanship. They will demonstrate how to achieve complete respect and compliance without producing fear in the horse. Our theme is 'Lightness, the training of the horse, from birth to finish.'

"Following my presentation on foal training, Jon Ensign will teach ground training through the first ride of a young horse. Then Lester Buckley, an amazing horseman who is equally at home training ranch horses and Dressage horses, will demonstrate the training of the young horse once he is started under saddle. Finally, Eitan, a senior horseman with incredible talent, will cover advanced training techniques.

 

"I have met few people in my life who were born with the qualities of patience, persistence, empathy, dedication, and gentleness that are necessary in a great horseman. These gentlemen have those gifts."

Tom Spalding of Spalding Labs-Fly Predators sponsored the LHH clinic. His investment and insight was well rewarded. For everyone involved, the event was a smash hit!

Debbie Beth-Halachmy spent countless hours putting the event together brick by brick and it was a year in the making. The idea took place on a bus ride in Brazil more than a year ago when the Millers, Halachmys, Buckleys, Jon Ensign, and Art Perry went to a ranch to participate in a clinic. The chemistry between the four horsemen was immediate. It was on this bus ride that Art had a vision. He shared his idea and a dream was born. Making it all happen
required extra help and two of Debbie's longtime friends were a godsend, Eileen Blake and Teri Personini. They went above and beyond the call of duty.

There could not possibly have been a more beautiful location for the clinic's maiden voyage than Art's Intrepid Farms and he graciously performed as "host with the most." A vast array of roses grace Art's property and all were in full bloom. When we drove through the gate at Art's farm, roses by the hundreds lined the lane to his lovely Mediterranean-style home. Ellen Di Bella and Meredith Sloan flew in from Colorado to prepare a "kick off" sit-down dinner after a private tour of the Museum of the Cowboy, hosted by Jim and Linda Grimm.

 

Debbie chose a handful of vendors to take part in the clinic. Awesome shopping! I was the "baubles peddler"; I make my semi-precious stone jewelry under the name of Reata Rose.

 

   

The other vendors included Ted Blocker (tack and equine accessories), Sawtooth Saddlery (maker of Eitan's custom saddles), California Classics (vaquero gear), Terri Malec (bronze sculptress), and Thad Huseby Boots (Eitan's bootmaker). The clinicians and Spalding Labs shared a booth where t-shirts and a variety of media products were available.  Eileen Blake also gave free samples of her new line of all natural horse care products.

 

The "three meals a day" clinic menu included authentic chuckwagon "Dutch oven" cooking. Brian Berry and Vicki Markley cooked for the crowd and they had hauled their chuckwagon and equipment from Espanol, New Mexico! Brian and Vicki also are the proud owners of Morgan horses.

 

 

Eitan's presentation was the last and I felt that people kept asking questions because they didn't want the clinic to end. It was phenomenal how inspired all of us were, including the clinicians. It was wonderful for them to receive such an enthusiastic response. A woman I was visiting with told me of some current goings on that were a challenge. She came to the clinic for a getaway and refreshment. She left with newly acquired wisdom concerning her horses, but she also went home with what her spirit really hungered for-encouragement, soul food, and Lightness.

Personally, I was thrilled to finally meet and visit with Dr. Miller. I bought his foal imprinting book in 1993 and it changed my life with horses. I admittedly am not much of a clinic follower since my own husband is a talented horseman, but this clinic was so different, as were the horsemen involved; I was drawn to what they offered and many others were, too. The cross section of people was amazing. They came from every breed, every region in the country, and from foreign countries, too. We all came with expectations and the "Four Horsemen" delivered!
 

The scent of a thousand roses hung in the air. There was a joyful spirit of unity with the horse as the center. It was as if the rejuvenating new life of springtime breathed its invigorating magic into the clinic. Something special besides the scent of Art's roses was in the air. The rose since ancient times has symbolized love, but also enduring passion, inspired enthusiasm, grace, and gentility. It was fitting that the beauty and scent of roses was all around us. The finest thing that humans can experience also was in the air. What was it? I got my answer when I visited with Dr. Miller on Sunday. He said something to me that summed it up perfectly. "We are all here for one reason, love and love of the horse." Nothing more needed to be said then or now.