“I feel that there is a need to preserve and
bring back the true Vaquero methods of horsemanship and
horse training. The clinics focus on helping the rider make
transitions from Snaffle bit to Hackamore, Hackamore to
Two-Rein, Two-Rein to Straight Up in the Bridle. You will
learn the methods I use in training my horses for rein work,
working cattle, and just everyday riding. Participants
learn traditional equipment use, the reasoning for their
use, and proper etiquette, through this, participants
receive a better appreciation and understanding of their
horses, equipment, and themselves. There is something for
all levels of riders and horses to be learned.”
Transitioning
past the Snaffle Bit stage.
Riding in the Hackamore.
Hackamore to Two-Rein.
Two-Rein to straight up in the Bridle.
Rein work and cattle work.
A better appreciation of traditional Vaquero equipment and
its proper use.
Call us or the specified
clinic contact
person to reserve a space!
All clinics are limited to a specfic the number of riders.
Minimum of 13 riders and Maximum
of 15 riders for a full
clinic.
There is no limit to the number of auditors.
We offer both intermediate and advanced clinics.
Rider participation requires a non-refundable
deposit of 1/2
to reserve a rider spot in the clinic.
Auditor fee is $40.00
per day, and no deposit is required.
Minimum of 13 riders and
Maximum of 15 riders for a full clinic.
No limit to the number of auditors. We offer both intermediate and
advanced clinics.
In order to participate in an
advanced clinic, the rider must have prior participation in at
least 1 of the intermediate clinics. Sometimes an advanced
clinic is held at the discretion of the clinic sponsor without
prior clinic attendance. In this case, rider participants must
be cleared with clinic sponsors before participation is granted.
All rider participants need to
send a non-refundable deposit of 1/2 the clinic fee in
order to reserve a spot in the clinic. Once a deposit is paid,
the rider owns that slot, and if unable to attend the clinic may
find a participant to take their place. Deposits are refundable
only if a clinic is canceled.
Please make sure that the clinic
sponsor is aware if you will need a place to keep your horse
overnight. Sometimes there is a small fee for this that
is not included in the clinic fee. Often, there is also a
cattle fee that is paid to the clinic sponsors for use of
cattle during the clinics.
Generally, There is a one hour
break for lunch, and we prefer that all riders remain at the
clinic site. We suggest contacting the clinic host to determine
if lunch is available for purchase or if it is Brown Bag. This
helps in starting on time after the lunch break. Most clinics
provide some type of lunch for a small fee, and riders should
contact the clinic sponsors ahead of time to see if this is the
case for the particular clinic they are enrolled in. Everyone
is on their own for breakfast and dinner unless informed
otherwise.
We like to start the clinics
promptly at 9:00 a.m., mounted and in the arena, again
unless otherwise stated. Everyone is usually pretty tired by
the end of the day, and therefore, we like to also end
promptly at 4:00 p.m.
Each rider participant is
limited to one horse unless prior arrangements have been
made.
If attending the clinic as an
auditor, it is a good idea to bring a comfortable chair.
We usually have some tack
available for sale. The tack consists of basics such as
bosals, bosalitas, mecates, saddle pads, ropes, headstalls, and
a few saddles. Nothing is sold that is not used on a daily
basis by Richard. Let us know ahead of time if you have
something specific in mind.
This is a letter of heartfelt thanks, for your
knowledge, patience, experience, and understanding. You
folks took a group of people under your wing for a
weekend and gave them each the individual help they
needed for where they were at, in that point of their
horsemanship, yet friendly and without ego. You gave
humbly of yourself with only the thoughts of others and
their horse's in mind. That is truly a rare gift. A
lot of doors have been opened for my horse and myself to
improve, but also for me to trust in him and myself.
We're ready for the next clinic!!!
Tina and Todd Hansen
Billings, MT. Clinic
I just got off the phone with California Classics folks,
and we talked about riding with you, Richard. I went on
and on about what a fine teacher you are -- organized,
kind, and effective with the group and one-on-one. I
rode in the clinic that was at Mindy Bowers/Kevin Hall's
place in Colorado. It was an outstanding experience.
You helped me run through the bit options afterward and
I know you were not feeling very good, but helped me
anyway. Thank you for all. The clinic was important to
me -- getting focused on the hackamore is not so easy to
come by and getting the help on how to take the next
steps into the two-rein is even more rare. What you're
teaching is important so please keep going. Please know
how very much I appreciate what you very kindly and
thoughtfully offered.
Marilyn Golden
Kiowa, CO. Clinic
I have been to several clinics from famous clinicians,
but I have never learned so much nor had such individual
attention like I have received from Richard Caldwell.
He really makes sure you have a great start in the
direction YOU want to go rather than a packaged plan
for the general assembly. A person does not need to be
in reined cowhorse or have a "cowy" horse to be a part
of this. Everyone from every discipline can ride in
these clinics and come away with a better communication
and better riding with their horse. Last year I
attended several of his clinics and to my amazement they
were not repetitious in the least and would always
include new techniques and activities in helping us to
step up our game and come closer to our goals. I am
training my first bridle horse and my horse and I now
receive compliments everywhere we go about how well we
work together, how quietly we communicate and execute
difficult maneuvers, and on what a great partnership we
obviously have. My horse and I have only Richard to
thank for all the progress we have made and will
continue to make with his help.
Kim Kinnear
Janesville, CA. and other clinics
I attended Richard's clinic in June 2007 at his place
near Alturas, CA. Though I have ridden ranch horses
since I was 16 months old (I'm told) this was my first
clinic (I'm 61). My horse is 4 years old and has been
in my good Bill Black hackamores since December. My
goal is to follow the traditional Vaquero training
methods 'til he is a finished Bridle horse in 2-3
years. I loved the clinic!!! My horse is dramatically
improved. I am dramatically improved! I recommend the
clinic for anyone wanting to achieve the highest level
of harmony and communication with their horse by using
traditional Vaquero training techniques. Richard
Caldwell is not only a master horseman, he is a master
teacher!!!
The clinic was filled with excellent horsemen,
clinicians in their own right...folks who rode horses
for a living...as well as a way of life. I figured I
would be the "worst" rider with the MOST room for
improvement! What I found was that we ALL struggle, we
all have something that we need to work on. Richard
found a way to help each of us. The uncanny ability to
read a person, as well as assess a horse. Richard is a
quardian of tradition, and a humble leader.
Patti Martin
Tejon Ranch, CA. Clinic
Just wanted to send a quick THANK YOU to let you know
how much Dave and I enjoyed the clinic and meeting you
over this past weekend. We both learned so much during
the clinic. Thank you for your words of wisdom,
support, and encouragement. It is so amazing that we
could actually meet you in person and have an
opportunity to learn from the real thing. I think we've
watched the Vaquero movies a million times, but there's
nothing like seeing it first hand. We would love to
attend another clinic.
Denice Thurston Clarke
Snohomish, WA. Clinic
My goal is to build a bridle horse all the way from the
hackamore to Straight up in the bridle, a daunting
thought at the best of times,
especially if you come from England as there aren't many
vaqueros in the UK! so we arranged a private clinic
with Richard at his home in Alturas. I kind of knew
before we started that we were going to learn lots but
it's pretty hard to put ihn to these few sentences when
something way exceeds your expectations. We had a
fantastic time, Richard is a superb teacher who puts you
immediately at ease and he teaches you from where you
are at and thanks to him my goals are now obtainable.
We came home with a thorough understanding of the gear,
learn't heaps and had loads of laughs along the way.
Apart from being a fabulous teacher, we've made two
great friends in Richard and Nancy, would I recommend a
clinic with Richard? Absolutely!
