To be a spectator at Globetrotting The Way of the Horse is to be drawn into a very special world. Day three of this much-loved educational competition delivered in spades this morning.
The hundreds in the Grand Pavilion were treated to some very intimate moments between trainers Matt Bleby, Flinders Greentree and Amber Scriven and their Clairvaux Stud quarter horses, all closely watched by judges Skye Liikanen, Tom Curtain and Will Rogers.
Each of the trainers sat in saddles today, with varying degrees of movement from their sometimes flighty horses. Amber and her showy palomino Potentially Goodbar were cantering comfortably around the round pen, with both Matt and Flinders also making excellent progress.
“He’s a little Jekyll and Hyde,” says Matt of his chestnut gelding You Bet I’m Reddy, who is fittingly known as Turbo at home. The connection between the two has continued to grow each day.
“He likes me but has no confidence on his own. I was more confident going into the pen today and he felt that too. I could push him harder but that would blow his mind and that is not what I am about. I’m not selling my soul for a prize.”
Matt was very conscious that the gelding isn’t well suited to the environment but keeping that front of mind and working at a slower pace was key.
He said Team Bleby was feeling confident heading into the final day. “I am only here to give him the best start I can for a ridden career and to have fun. I love this format so much – it’s great to be able to share our knowledge.”
Flinders Greentree and his filly Clairveau Made Hot certainly made huge progress today. “She’s finally clicked,” said the youngster of the field. “Yesterday’s session looked very messy but today I am happy. As soon as I entered the pen she came to me – it brought a tear to my eye. Today was so great.”
Flinders’ mentor Priscilla Oberreiner, a very successful horse trainer in her own right, paid tribute to all three competitors. “It is impressive what these three are doing,” she said. “It takes a lot of courage to do this.
“Flinders has a very challenging horse but often they are the ones who turn out good.”
They had made “massive” progress today. “There is still lots to work on and it is challenging for this horse in this time frame but they have done well today. She is a completely different horse to yesterday.”
Amber was over the moon with Potentially Goodbar. “I knew he had something else in him to give. He’s given me a lot today,” said Amber. “Getting his mind and my mind together is enough for me.”
She was the only competitor to get a bit in the mouth but says it was just sitting there to get him ready for the next stage. “We’ve got a stronger connection and he wants to be with me. He needs the connection, reward and support.”
There was a lot for the horse to take in and she was letting him find his way. Her mentor Adam Sutton was very pleased with the progress. “It is awesome to see. The horse is starting to feel positive in itself.”
Judge Will Rogers was thoroughly enjoying being part of TWOTH. “It’s interesting,” he said, “the universe has selected a horse there to teach them something. Each horse presents a lot of lessons for them. Often we don’t get what we want but we do get what we need.”
He encouraged the trainers to let go of the outcome and see what the horse has to teach them. “Learn to work with the horse.”
Sunday is the final day of TWOTH when trainers will give a 15-minute presentation to show where they are at. Miss it at your peril.
