If you are interested in receiving a once or twice-a-year update of Terry's clinic schedule, please write to Natural Sporthorse.
Your name and contact information will not be shared.

A little bit about Terry's clinics: Using an open and non-judgmental teaching style, Terry is able to provide a safe and supportive atmosphere for humans as well as horses and a sense of "teamwork" between clinic participants. A primary goal is to help a person achieve a positive and rewarding connection with their horse while developing skill, timing and feel. Although the format varies according to the needs of participants at each location, clinics generally include time for discussion, groundwork, liberty work, exercises under saddle and long lining depending on the individual's needs, goals, circumstances and riding style. Every clinic is a fascinating mixture of projects and no two sessions are the same.

Many horse and rider combinations who have not found what they're looking for at traditional training barns show up at Terry's clinics, and she is accustomed to reorienting horse and rider as well as starting young horses and working with upper level combinations. A noticeable difference between her approach and that of many traditional dressage clinicians is that she emphasizes the establishment of relaxation for the horse and rider first. Relaxation, earned in an emotionally as well as physically safe environment, is a key requisite for trust, the basis for partnership between horse and human. When tension, fear and resistance are replaced by genuine relaxation and softness throughout mind and body, then real learning can occur. In such a setting, confidence and enthusiasm can thrive and progress can be made.

Although riders who school more advanced movements often benefit from the traditional 45 minute private lesson, most of Terry's work is done in longer sessions with groups of various sizes to enable a person more un-pressured time to absorb and implement what they are learning. Terry does not teach by rote or by merely dictating commands. Rather, she strives to establish a supportive parameter within which a person can learn. While instruction does involve a "teacher" giving direction, real learning has a lot more to do with being given the freedom to explore, develop feel, become a better observer, and to learn to problem solve. Only in this way can a person truly understand why they're doing what they're being asked to do, thereby gaining a sense of self-empowerment which is the ultimate goal of Terry's approach.

To see more pictures with commentary, please go to Petaluma Clinics or South Bay Clinics

For more information on Terry Church, please go to Terry's bio.

2016 CLINIC SCHEDULE
Individual private lessons, small-group lessons, limited full training, and phone/online consultations are also available. Please see information below.