Frank Madden Inspires at the Mane Event

We have heard so much positive feedback from those who attended the Mane Event. It was the biggest event yet.  It took all 3 days just to check out all the booths and trailers and demos. Then there was the Trainers Challenge and then there was the clinics. All day, every day. The quality of the clinics was outstanding.  Perhaps my friend Laurie sums it up best as she shares her experience in the following article which she has so kindly offered to let us reprint:

Why do you pay good money and invest your valuable time to see go see a clinician or other equestrian celebrity? You can acquire knowledge from their DVDs, their books, their magazine articles, what is the charm about seeing them live? What is the point?

I asked myself this question as I woke up at 5:30 the morning of the Mane Event. We weren’t leaving until  9 but I was ready to go.  Frank Madden of “Road to the Maclay” the reality TV series following teenage girls through the hunter and equitation show  season in the states, and brother – in – law to famous show jumper Beezie Madden , was giving a clinic that I thought  I might pop into for a few minutes. My best horsey friend picked me up with her dog in the back of her car. I loaded my dog (do you load your dog?)  and we headed out for the 3 hour  drive in questionable weather to hear and see some names in the equestrian world and to do some shopping. We were on a road trip!

What were we looking for? We are both “hose crazy”, over forty, and passionate about our chosen disciplines; reining on quarter horses for her, hunter courses on a quarter horse for me and lots of trail riding in between. We both read, watch and discuss all kinds of horsey information and topics. What were we looking for that cold snowy Friday in April as we slid down the icy highway?

Frank Madden had two groups of riders that he was using for the clinic, one group in the morning, the second in the afternoon, each group riding Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I popped in for a listen on Friday.

On well groomed and not your run of the mill horses, young, skilled riders trotted around the arena.  Why would I watch a coach who specializes in rich teenagers on their expensive warm bloods? And what would I get out of it?

Each group, under his coaching and instruction proceeded to warm up, collect and run through his schooling exercises. Frank has a great voice, very easy to listen to, humorous and clear. His tidbits of wisdom were valuable nuggets that a man who specializes in getting adolescent girls to reach their potential on huge animals must use on a regular basis to keep himself as well as his clients grounded. I can just imagine the tears, the tantrums and the bad behaviour he has seen over the years.

His message to “Take responsibility for what you can control” encourages us to be proactive, looking after ourselves, our horses and our equipment. “Enjoy and expect the surprises” a great message to use when the unpredictable happens. And right on cue one of the jump crew causes a horse to spook and Frank’s laughter fills the arena.  Responsibility, courage and humour – all traits that will make you a better rider? – this is a different type of lesson!

Two hours later I left the arena totally inspired. The inspired and excited feeling was widespread and contagious. And it wasn’t only felt by the over 40 crowd, the teenagers and in-betweens were pumped up as well.  What we saw wasn’t glitzy and flashy like a Pat Parelli demo or other Natural Horsemanship rock video. There wasn’t music or any training gimmicks for sale.  It was good honest hard work. Talented horses, talented riders and a very talented communicator created a visual synchronicity that thrilled us all.  We were entertained, educated and inspired in the understated way of the English equestrian world.

Before our eyes we saw magic happen. It was subtle but to see something you have been working on for months with your horse and coach, happen in an hour right before you was very exciting. And to see it happen differently for different types of horses and riders and the tools available was valuable knowledge. I went back for the second part of the series and then the third. I couldn’t get enough. There was something here that was getting me. What is it?

Hanging around behind the arena between events I spoke to Frank a couple of times. He was easy to approach, gracious and generous with his knowledge.  He didn’t sell me a DVD, book or gimmick. He did give me his autograph with a smile!

I am back at home writing this. I need to write it down before it fades – I don’t want to lose the feeling. I want to be able to retrieve the feeling and savour it over and over again.

I feel inspired.  I also feel empowered. These feelings have come from watching and meeting a person that I can respect. I can’t wait to take and use what I learned today both in and out of my horse life. I am inspired to get to work!

The search for inspiration, it wakes you up early, gets you on the road and puts you to work. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to: Laurie Smith – horse crazy English riding 40 something (who forgets she isn’t 15) trying to survive in a Western world with a very sensitive Quarter Horse who is bred to barrel race.

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