4H Horsemanship Clinic, Saturday March 28th
Join us for 4H Clinic focused on improving our Horsemanship & western riding skills in a show setting on
Saturday, March 28th from 1:00PM-4:00PM.
This clinic is open to all individuals who want to learn and improve their horsemanship skills. 4H Horseless Horse & Cloverbud kids are welcome to join and audit for free! 4H Horse project kids who own their own horses can haul in and register for a discounted rate $35. Non-4H students can haul in with a horse for $50.
Current Misty’s Mission Stables students can also join without a horse for free (non-riding). Students wishing to use a lesson horse can pay the $35 rate if they are a member of 4H or $50 for a non 4H family.
We will only have 6 rider haul in spots available for this clinic. 4 student spots with a Misty’s Mission horse will be open. Parents and siblings are free to audit the days activities.
——--
Clinic Takeaways for Students
By the end of this clinic, participants will:
✔ Understand how Western Horsemanship is judged
✔ Demonstrate correct seat, hands, and position
✔ Ride rail work with confidence and correctness
✔ Execute a horsemanship pattern with fewer penalties
✔ Recognize and avoid common faults
Auditors will:
✔ Identify correct vs incorrect rider position
✔ Understand judge expectations
✔ Feel prepared to transition into mounted classes
Join us for 4H Clinic focused on improving our Horsemanship & western riding skills in a show setting on
Saturday, March 28th from 1:00PM-4:00PM.
This clinic is open to all individuals who want to learn and improve their horsemanship skills. 4H Horseless Horse & Cloverbud kids are welcome to join and audit for free! 4H Horse project kids who own their own horses can haul in and register for a discounted rate $35. Non-4H students can haul in with a horse for $50.
Current Misty’s Mission Stables students can also join without a horse for free (non-riding). Students wishing to use a lesson horse can pay the $35 rate if they are a member of 4H or $50 for a non 4H family.
We will only have 6 rider haul in spots available for this clinic. 4 student spots with a Misty’s Mission horse will be open. Parents and siblings are free to audit the days activities.
——--
Clinic Takeaways for Students
By the end of this clinic, participants will:
✔ Understand how Western Horsemanship is judged
✔ Demonstrate correct seat, hands, and position
✔ Ride rail work with confidence and correctness
✔ Execute a horsemanship pattern with fewer penalties
✔ Recognize and avoid common faults
Auditors will:
✔ Identify correct vs incorrect rider position
✔ Understand judge expectations
✔ Feel prepared to transition into mounted classes
4H Horsemanship Clinic at Misty’s Mission Stables 3/28
$0.00 - $50.00
Only a few left!
Join us for 4H Clinic focused on improving our Horsemanship & western riding skills in a show setting on Saturday, March 28th from 1:00PM-4:00PM.
This clinic is open to all individuals who want to learn and improve their horsemanship skills. 4H Horseless Horse & Cloverbud kids are welcome to join and audit for free! 4H Horse project kids who own their own horses can haul in and register for a discounted rate $35. Non-4H students can haul in with a horse for $50.
Current Misty’s Mission Stables students can also join without a horse for free (non-riding). Students wishing to use a lesson horse can pay the $35 rate if they are a member of 4H or $50 for a non 4H family.
We will only have 6 rider haul in spots available for this clinic. 4 student spots with a Misty’s Mission horse will be open. Parents and siblings are free to audit the days activities.
Clinic Takeaways for Students
By the end of this clinic, participants will:
✔ Understand how Western Horsemanship is judged
✔ Demonstrate correct seat, hands, and position
✔ Ride rail work with confidence and correctness
✔ Execute a horsemanship pattern with fewer penalties
✔ Recognize and avoid common faults
Auditors will:
✔ Identify correct vs incorrect rider position
✔ Understand judge expectations
✔ Feel prepared to transition into mounted classes
Please arrive by 12:45PM to check in for this clinic.
Other important information:
RSVP's and liability forms are required to attend.
Must be paid in full - Non refundable
Heeled boots required, no tennis shoes or sandals (rain boots OK).
Jeans required.
We have some extra riding helmets available. Helmets required to ride.
This clinic runs rain or shine.
If hauling in your own horse, please be sure to bring your western tack required for riding in horsemanship, including split reins.
Clinic located at 5633 Verde Valley Road NW, Nowthen MN 55303
–Full Schedule Outline—
🐴 4-H Western Horsemanship Show Skills Clinic
Seat • Hands • Position • Precision
📅 Saturday, March 28
⏰ 1:00–4:00 PM (Arrive by 12:45 PM)
📍 Misty’s Mission Stables
This clinic is designed to help riders understand and demonstrate correct Western Horsemanship as defined by the 4-H Western Performance Rule Book, with instruction focused on how riders are judged in a show setting.
12:45–1:00 PM | Arrival, Check-In & Horsemanship Readiness
Focus: First Impression & Rule Compliance
- Check-in, payment confirmation, liability forms
- Helmet fitting & safety check (required to ride)
- Tack & attire review with instructor:
- Western saddle & headstall
- Legal reins (split or
- Bit type matched to horse age
- Proper western attire (long sleeves fastened, boots, jeans)
🎯 Teaching emphasis:
In Western Horsemanship, correctness and suitability matter more than flash.
1:00–1:15 PM | Welcome & What Western Horsemanship Really Judges
Focus: Understanding the Scorecard
Group discussion covering:
- What Western Horsemanship is (rider-focused, not horse-focused)
- How judges evaluate:
- Seat & body position
- Hands & rein use
- Effectiveness of aids
- Overall correctness & presentation
- Common reasons riders lose points before the pattern even starts
Auditors receive a simplified “Judge’s Eye” explanation.
1:15–1:45 PM | Unmounted Western Horsemanship Foundations
All Participants – Riders & Auditors
Correct Basic Position (Rule Book Based)
- Ear–shoulder–hip–heel alignment
- Balanced seat centered in saddle
- Light but consistent leg contact
- Heels down, toes forward or slightly out
- Eyes forward, chin level
Hands & Rein Management
- One hand vs two hands (based on bit/horse age)
- Split reins vs romal rules
- Proper rein length & hand placement near saddle horn
- Quiet hands and elbows following the horse
Mounting & Dismounting (Horsemanship Test)
- Correct rein handling
- Safe, balanced mount and dismount
- What judges look for during this test
Auditors practice identifying:
- Excessive body motion
- Incorrect hand position
- Looking down or riding “behind the motion”
1:45–2:00 PM | Tack-Up & Rider Organization
- Riders prepare horses with instructor guidance
- Final rein & bit checks
- Arena set for horsemanship rail work
- Auditors positioned for observation
2:00–2:45 PM | Mounted Session 1 – Western Horsemanship Rail Work
Mounted Riders Only
Rail Work Focus
- Entering the arena correctly
- Walk, jog trot (sitting) (and lope both directions.. if arena footing allows with spring weather)
- Maintaining correct position through all gaits
- Smooth, quiet transitions
- Correct reverse away from the rail
🎯 Coaching emphasis:
- Seat stability at jog & lope
- Quiet legs and hands
- Light contact, no draped or tight reins
- Balanced horse guided by subtle aids
Auditors:
- Observe rider position changes through gaits
- Discuss common rail penalties (break of gait, poor position, incorrect lead)
2:45–3:00 PM | Break & Pattern Explanation
- Break for horses
- Pattern posted and walked through on foot
- Discussion of common horsemanship penalties:
- Over/under turns
- Missing or incorrect leads
- Going off pattern
- Loss of position during transitions
3:00–3:40 PM | Mounted Session 2 – Individual Horsemanship Patterns
Mounted Riders Only
Riders individually perform horsemanship patterns that may include:
- Straight-line backing
- Figure eights at jog or lope
- Simple lead changes (weather & arena footing permitting)
- Quarter, half, or full turns on the haunches
- Lope and stop
🎯 Instructor feedback focuses on:
- Rider correctness first
- Smoothness and accuracy
- Position maintained during maneuvers
- Proper use of hands and legs
Auditors:
- Score riders using a simplified horsemanship rubric
- Identify faults vs major penalties
3:40–4:00 PM | Cool Down, Review & Show Prep Q&A
- Controlled rail exit
- Proper dismount
- Tack care discussion
Group wrap-up:
- Most common horsemanship faults seen
- What judges notice first
- How to practice effectively at home
- What to focus on before the next show