riding to music clinic

Just a quick note to tell you about a clinic we just had with Mike Matson on riding to music -- not developing freestyles specifically, but just have fun, suitable music to listen to when working your horse. The participating riders included one who has trained the most wonderful Grand Prix horse -- a top horse who doesn't go to shows -- to a rider who hadn't cantered around the indoor arena all winter due to fear -- and with the music around and around she went -- to one highly competitive professional with a fourth level horse. Without exception everyone thoroughly enjoyed Mike, his music selection, and his ability to broaden their enjoyment level when they ride. It truly is amazing how the right music can help the rider to relax, to focus, to be aware of the horse's rhythm and tempo, to be distracted from the problems that so often get in the way. I have never had a clinic where riders of every level, professional to very amateur were so pleased with their rides. Each rider now has her own DVD with her own music on it.

He has already been invited back for another clinic on May 3. Mike has a website with lots of music for anyone to try --  www.equimusic.com. The site also gives some help on how to create competition freestyles.