Walking On Volume 1, Issue 3, September, 2014 | Page 17

knowledge and wanted to improve herself for the good of her awesome equine partner. I dare say we will see her and her friend at another Jennie Jackson clinic. Day three arrived and we all congregated for coffee and donuts before preparing for the days sessions. We worked on all that we had learned over the past two days, asking questions, and took notes to refer back to, getting our assignments to work on till the next Jennie Jackson clinic…Jennie enjoys imparting her vast knowledge and skills on to her many students. She wants to see them succeed at whatever equine discipline they choose. But before we ended our last day, we had a very special treat. Word was out that Jennie knew how to ride sidesaddle. A sidesaddle was presented and a nice demonstration on the art of riding sidesaddle was performed by Ms. Jennie. Yes all three gaits were ridden…. ~~~Susan Constable Horses have been a part of my life now for 44 years so its easy for me to say, Clinics, Clinicians, riding styles, horse types, and human personalities all combined can bring on some of the strongest opinions in the horse world. One thing I know for sure, the Clinician, as good as she or he is will be subject to strong comments, good and bad. Horses, in their own right and for the most part, are able to accept, adjust, and learn from different handlers; people, well...... Not so long ago on a beautiful stretch of weather here in my home state of Maine, a clinic was held at a barn I’m very familiar with. Not able to ride at this time, I was there to audit only. Jennie, a specialist in the Walker world, was the Clinician. I’d seen her before, and of course, I had formed an opinion. Also, I was soon developing an opinion of riders and horses involved during this event, some of whom, I knew before attending this clinic. My reasons for auditing this three day session was primarily due to Jennie. I could say many things about what took place over this course of time; how the horses behaved, owner’s attitudes, riding abilities, what I learned, and especially the end results. However, one thing clearly stands out in my mind, as it has before, while attending Jennie’s clinics, she absolutely reads people extremely well. Also, her wonderful demeanor and softness plays a big part in helping people feel accomplished. One will walk away from a Jennie clinic feeling good about themselves no matter what their level of horsemanship. So the next time she comes to town, I’ll be there in one form or the other. There to learn and most of all enjoy....and when you think about it, isn’t this why we ride? Oh, and did I forget to say, Jennie is very accomplished in what she does. Your horse will be better for it. For the good of ourselves and our horses, ~~~Debbie Doyon Submitted by: Teresa Elvin Whispering Woods Stables www.whisperingwoodsstables.com 150 Ingraham Mountain Road Augusta, ME 04330 207-370-1150 17