Horsemen (and women!) who inspire and impress us!

[WashingtonBay]

We hear and read, on this forum and elsewhere, a lot about the failings of people. People who do wrong by horses, intentionally or not. It's depressing how many horses have been failed by their people. We need some good news too. It's not that I want to stick my head in the sand and ignore the real problems in the horse world, but I do want to make sure we give due attention to those among us who are terrific role models and examples of good horsemanship.

Call it optimism. :cowboy:

Who inspires you?


For starters, I'm impressed with many right here on the forum. Every day I see examples of great horsemanship here on the forum from both the kids and the old folks and those in between. People here impress me every day with their skill and their kindness and love of their horses. I've become better and more open minded than I was when I first started hanging around horse forums. Turns out there's lots of right answers to a lot of these questions, and some of the best examples are just every day people.

Much as I would like to name many of you as the most inspiring, I think for sake of appearing impartial I'll choose two from off the forum to start with. You guys don't have to. If you're most inspired by someone here, feel free to post about them!

I'll post one gal who I think is impressive. I always enjoy her videos because of her skill and athleticism.... the gal can RIDE. I had the chance to talk to her once, on the old forum. Perhaps one day she'll find us and say hello to us here also. :)

halfpassgal's Channel - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/halfpassgal)

YouTube - Breathe

And I like Endospink a lot. He's an Australian training thoroughbred race horses in Japan. A tough job in a tough and hard industry. But he's got heart. And he's got moxie. And he'd like to compete with the packaged and polished clinic trainers one day (Both in life and in DVD sales). I for one wish him luck. I've invited him to join here already. Maybe if we talk about him enough, he will. :D I'd like to hear more about his rather unique methods.

endospink's Channel - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/endospink?ob=1)

YouTube - Hybrid Horsemanship (I'm ready mix)

[jeezitsjacki]

I love halfpassgal as well.. I think she is one of my most favorites

[ownedby7horses]

Monty Roberts is my horsey hero. I love his natural horsemanship approach.

Im also a fan of Cain Quam (from Saskatchewan). He's good at what he does.

eta: how could I forget about Stacy Westfall!

[cheval]

I love Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling. He's the Dancing with Horses guy.

There are a lot of people here that I find truly inspring each day!

[mtnmollie]

Yes Stacy Westfall- she was on forum.horse.com a bit-

We pmed one another I told her to sell DVD' and then she did- LOL>

Jane Savoie and you all too.

"For starters, I'm impressed with many right here on the forum. Every day I see examples of great horsemanship here on the forum from both the kids and the old folks and those in between. People here impress me every day with their skill and their kindness and love of their horses. I've become better and more open minded than I was when I first started hanging around horse forums. Turns out there's lots of right answers to a lot of these questions, and some of the best examples are just every day people. "

Well said and thats what happened to me too because of you all. :cowboy:

[Pinky]

I admire pretty much everyone on the forum :) Everyone is so kind and they love their horses so much.

I admire Mary King as a rider. She didn't come from one of 'those' families. You know, the ones where the kids have $20K ponies at the age of 4?

I want to be as good as halfpassgal at dealing with problem horses. She just sits so quietly when a horse bucks/rears. When Sam bucks my hands go up towards my ears :huh:.

[Blue]

Stacy Westfall. :)

[Equine_Woman]

Stacy Westfall!!!!!! That girl can RIDE!! And we do have a ton of great riders on here!!!! And a lot of people with great dedication and a zest for learning! That's what makes this forum so great!

I also want to add I think Endospink rocks!!! If I could only be half as talented! lol.

[Ryderd65]

I'd have to nominate my barn owner Faith. Besides teaching us better horsemanship, driving, and care skills, she shows our Sarge a lot of love and care.

She has also rescued 4 horses in the last 10 months, along with 1 dog, 1 Sulpaca tortoise and 2 cats.

She's had at least 3 of her horses for 20 years, and has moved a few (3?) times-hauling them with her to each new place.

She is rehabbing 2 horses now that have each lost an eye.

She's also incredibly nice to people :)

[WashingtonBay]

I love Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling. He's the Dancing with Horses guy.


Is he the one who stands on them when they are running on the beach and such?

Post videos or links if you guys have them, to the people you are naming, just in case we don't know who these people are. :)

[vicklynn]

Love those videos WB.

I want to say that this Forum has alot of very good people on it, with loads of information. I think that our conversations, weather we disagree or not, have made us a better horse person. Ive gotten alot of good information weather I post a reply or not.
I got alot out of the Clinton Anderson tour that Dixie and I went to.
Even though I have a like/hate feeling for Chris Cox, he has some good things going on, and taught me things that I didnt know, some things stuck with me, and probley will, for life.

[zoel_222]

I really like that one video of Stacy Westfall riding bareback and brideless. That's what inspired me to go bareback and eventually bridleless with Chica. I don't know much about her but after seeing this video I really wanted to ride like her. We're getting there. We can do almost anything without a bridle or anything on her face (unless she's having on of those days) except we're still having trouble with side passes. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING feels better than cantering Chica bareback and bridleless.
YouTube - Stacy Westfall 2006

[Palogal]

I was always and will continue to be inspired by the trainer that taught me to ride. She was above all a lover of animals and the way she taught me to ride and train reflected it. She was very hard on us if we did the horse wrong: bounced on his back, didn't brush out a saddle mark, didn't ride as she felt the horse deserved. She would also go nuts if we did something unsafe: didn't run the stirrups up, left a gate half open (even if the pasture was empty). It's made me critical, but it has also given me a sense of responsibility to all horses, not just mine.

[zoel_222]

Yes, definitely Stacy Westfall. I got to watch/meet her this weekend!! :D:D I tried not to look too starstruck and seem calm but on the inside I was thinking 'Omgosh I'm talking to Stacy Westfall!' haha.

Oh my god you lucky girl!!!!!!!!! :D

[Country Girl 43]

Well, I think most of the people here have inpsired me. I have watched videos on John Lyons and Clinton Anderson. So far I have liked Clinton Andersons techniques. It's much easier than doing things the "old ranch way" which is how I grew up.

[Chavhorse]

I have two huge inspirations in my "horselife";

The first is a lady I met in Cyprus, she takes the TB's from the track and Starvation Paddocks and re-trains them as riding horses training them to Novice and Prelim Dressage level before selling them on. I bought my TB from her and I have never known such a cool well trained horse.....her advice which has stuck.....School them School them school them, once they have the basics nothing will phase them.

The second is my BO here in Holland....Jenny used to train Trotters and compete in top level racing. She can sum up a horse in a couple of minutes, healthwise, temprament and lameness wise and she always hits it on the nail. She is patient to the degree of a saint but tough, if a horse doesn't understand she will take as long as it needs if it is taking the mickey she takes no prisoners.

[oursarge]

My friend Sue. I admired her riding before I ever knew her. I'd go by her place and see her running her horse through the fields [some of my favorite photos of her taken by her son] or rounding up cows. It was a beautiful sight to see.

When my old horse died I was beyond depressed. My husband was afraid for me so he thought of Sue who he had met the year before. He drug me to her place kicking and screaming, she took one look at me [said she never saw anyone who looked so bad who wasn't in a coffin] got one of her horses in, threw me on, said he'd make me feel better and that started our friendship. She shared her horses with me but would not sell one to me because she said I wasn't ready, I knew I wasn't ready but my husband was insistant I have another, I'm still not sure I am ready but I love the 3 I have, I just don't love them like my first horse and that makes me feel guilty. She has taught me so much and if my small brain would let me learn more I could really be good because of her but I can't quite comprehend things. I try to watch every move she makes on a horse and listen to everything she tells me to do when I ride because she's always right. After 2 yrs I still can't see what she does to fix the horse, I can tell when the horse wants to dump her but I can't tell what she does so the horse doesn't dump her, I've only seen her get thrown once and that was a freak thing.

When I took lessons and learned to ride and she thought I was ready she introduced me to a pony she thought I'd like. She loved his personality and would only sell him to someone who would appreciate his friendliness and stubborness. That was me and I have him now and even though no horse will ever be like my old one I love this little guy, he's always happy, he makes me smile every day. We also ended up buying a 1/4 horse from her, she got her at an auction. She's who I ride the most because she still lives with Sue and I don't seem to ride much here on my own.

I tell Sue she takes in strays, both people and horses. I can't even say what we call the place because some might get offended but we include ourselves when we say it. It seems anyone who has issues ends up there and she takes them in and tries to help them. She has a girl there now she's letting clean stalls to pay for lessons. She goes to auctions and buys horses people will overlook and turns them into great horses. She does it gently and with humor. I always tell her these TV trainers have the name, she has the game. I've seen her take horses that buck and rear and turn them into horses that I can ride. She lives to ride.

If she knows a person loves horses and shows that they are willing to work she will make it possible for anyone who wants one to have a horse. She will bend over backwards for someone to help them get a horse or keep a horse if they really and truly show they are willing to work for it. What is sad that so many times I've seen her give her all and end up getting slapped in the face by some people who have taken advantage.

I hate to drive, I hadn't driven more than up to the neighbors in years, she told me if I would drive I could be there with her every day and help with the horses and she'd teach me all I could learn. That was enough to make me get behind the wheel and the first yr I think I missed going there just a few days. I miss more now because I've been having some issues but I love being there. We have the best time, we laugh until we cry, sometimes we get laughing so much we can't get on the horses. She has changed my life, everyone who knows me says I'm way different since I met Sue and her family. If there were video cameras set up there they'd be funnier than anything ever seen on TV, they are a hysterical family and I love being with them. We have great times together. Her kids are following in her footsteps, both can ride like the wind and both can train. They will both be going to the state horse show this month.

So Sue gets my vote for who impresses me most! I'd love to be her when I grow up but we're the same age! I wish I had someone like her when I was a little kid because I think if I did I'd be a much better rider.

[vicklynn]

I dont even know Sue and I like her!!
((HUGS))for you both.

[oursarge]

Sue would say Thank you. She doesn't know she does anything special, she doesn't realize how she has changed my life and others and the lives of many horses, she says she just does what needs doing. I think she's the best, she's tough on the outside a marshmallow on the inside. When she was a kid she wanted a horse so badly but her parents wouldn't let her have one. They had cows so she rode cows!

She is very special. She's the only good thing that came out of loosing my old boy. I met her and her family and they brought life back into my life. I was headed to a bad end. That sounds so dramatic but it really was true. That horse was my life. If I live to be 100 I will never be able to thank her enough.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Yes, I love to watch halfpassgal. She is really an awesome horsewoman. I also love Stacy Westfall.


I respect everyone on this forum for the love and respect they have for their horses and other animals and people too!!!! For the knowledge of horsemanship they have and are so willing to share with others.