Brent Graef,

ElaineW · Brent Graef,

Was looking at Brent's schedule for next year, he actually get's fairly close to the house.
I am thinking of riding in the clinic.
Here's my reservations..
Have never seen him before in a clinic,
have never rode in a clinic,
would hate to pay and go up there and something not jive if you know what I mean.

But there's a part of me that says.. GO FOR IT!
LOL jump in with 2 feet and let it rip tater chip! hahahaha
he only get's close once . I don't wanna miss it.

I would love to hear what you all think of him and any of you who have been to one of his clinics!

Thanks!

bit

AlythLong

I haven't seen him action but I go with Bit. He has an excellent reputation and you have enough brain and confidence to not do anything you think wrong or bad for you and your horse. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and just "do it!!". Have fun, learn heaps and give us a report!!!

becdubie

I know how you feel Elaine...I prefer to watch a clinic before attending. Ya know I've learned alot auditing clinics, you get to learn from everyone's situation. I will always audit before participating. Watched Richard Witners last year, he was good too, but so into using spurs rather than trying to get the response w/out it and too quick to yank and kick.

I wanted so badly to ride in Bucks clinic this year, circumstances with Bubba getting sick prevented that. I'm so glad I audited first, I learned a ton watching, although I don't think I would have learned quite as much had I participated. I probably won't ride in a buck clinic....ever..... he is just way to serious about the whole "making a bridle horse" and cow working thing for me. I definately will audit again next year there is a lot to learn by auditing.
Just my opinion.

cynthia peterson

I have audited both Brent and Buck Clinics. Brent will start you nice and easy, where ever you need to be. You may have been to a advanced Buck clinic? If people think Buck is only about a "bridle or cowhorse" they are wrong. There are cowhorse classes at his clinics b/c people want that. The bridle horse part I seen was more of a correct movement, more like I see in dressage, or advanced riding classes I have been to in other discipline clinics (or even my Horse Judging seminars) I see this as something everybody should know. The "deep" stuff people are always looking for sometime in their life.

Now, back to Brent, go! He is a kind, gentle clinician. If a person needs some gentle handling, will get right back to where you need to start, then be there for those that need more instruction, Brent is your man. Besides you get, 2 for one as his wife is hands on too and a great help. He won;t push anything on you, and I think some like that. Then I think of someone like Chris Cox who will push you, and some people love that. Kinda' like how you want to learn. what you need, and maybe someone that will lead you out of the way you think you need to taught.

ElaineW

Very good information everyone!
Thanks for taking the time to reply..
I audited Buck last Oct, and if things go right will audit him again this coming Oct.
Brent will be close in June of Next year..
I also do not feel buck is all bridle horse either..
Heard him with my own ears say that if all you wanted was a damn good snaffle bit horse that was fine.If you wanted to go to the hackamore, well that's fine to!
But what EVER head gear you use, at least USE it properly and teach the horse to use it with feel.
I liked hearing that..

whisperingwindfarms

Go. You will not regret it. I promise.

maccold

I audited Brent last year and will be riding with him this year. Saw him work with a variety of riders from scared to accomplished. He was gracious and helpful to everyone. Go for it and ride in the clinic!

Rode with Buck this year. We had a high level H/J, dressage trainer and a woman who runs an OTTB rescue in the class. A soft feel is a soft feel no matter the discipline!

Katharine

I audited Brent this year and I agree with the others. Go. He is one talented guy!

coveredbridgefarm

ElaineW

Yeah I have pretty much made up my mind I am going to ride in the clinic.. The clinic will be next june.. it's only 3 hours from here..

I think It will be a good thing to do with Levi!...

becdubie

Sounds exciting.
You've got lots of time to get yourself and Levi ready for next June.
I've never seen Brent, he doesn't come anywhere near here, if he did I'd definately check it out.

bit

The rest of the clinic. I guess I hit my lowest low, wondering if I should stop playing with horses. Yep, I cried. Brent was so kind. He said, "you know Deb, it really is darkest before the dawn. Just hang in there. As bad as this feels, it's always followed by a big breakthrough." It was. Both Eclipse and I were so hot and so tired. We both pushed through it, and I'm not sure how either one of us managed...and then it happened. The breakthrough. And I found myself crying once again. We both collapsed into a heap and called it good. It was a riding breakthrough, but more it was a relationship breakthrough. She looks at me and she really looks at me, now. Deeply searching, and I just know what she wants, or feels. Here's a quote from Buck that just about sums it up for me.

“If you got a taste of it, if you got a taste of what I’m talking about, you couldn’t get enough of it. You’d rather do that than eat. You may spend your whole life chasing that. And that’s possible. But it’s a good thing to chase.” - Buck Brannaman

ElaineW

Thanks again everyone!!
Here's what I am gonna do,,
I am going to try my best to get myself and my daughter Julie in the clinic next year!
I want my daughter to be a good horsewoman.. she's got her whole life with horses ahead of her, i want HER started RIGHT too!

bit

Great clnic notes!
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/0OZj...tes/Beth%20at%20Georgia%202008%20

ElaineW

misstux

CoolsLadyInRed

the page comes up for me?

ElaineW

Beth could you try to post the link please!

CoolsLadyInRed

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/0OZj...tes/Beth%20at%20Georgia%202008%20
NOw none of the links are working???? Even the one Deb posted earlier.