Heber City’s Cowboy Poetry Gathering Brings “New Possibilities” with the Mountain Valley Extreme Mustang Makeover

This just in from the Eclectic Horseman newsletter:

Donnette Hicks, producer of the equestrian events of the Heber City’s Cowboy Poetry Gathering, has a dream and a vision: for equestrian competitions to be judged in a unique way, where the competitors will receive their highest points for how well they show a willing connection that results in an inspired partnership between horse and human. She firmly believes in the words of Ray Hunt, “The horse tells me where the rider’s at.”

The caliber of judging will be exceptional, between the three men selected to judge this competition. The judges for this first annual event will be Martin Black (TX & ID), Jim Hicks (UT), and Bob Moorhouse (TX). Martin Black is excited to judge this competition because he believes that “True horsemanship is impressive to the true horseman”. Jim Hicks agrees with Martin Black and adds “If this event can transform the relationship between one horse and one rider, then we have accomplished our vision.”

Why the Mountain Valley version of the Extreme Makeover event? In our mountain region we work with two extremes: high-end dressage horses and mustangs. Both worlds really seem hungry for the vision that Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance brought to the horse world. Ray Hunt said, “I can’t teach this. I can only get you aware of it.” Out of Ray’s wisdom, Donnette feels this is a good forum to bring about this awareness.

For more information visit www.hebercitycowboypoetry.com

Integration of nervous systems

"The onlooker should have the impression that two creatures are fused together, one thinking, the other executing the thoughts." - Alois Podhajsky, The Riding Teacher