Cindy Deaton's vision is to develop awareness and acquire knowledge about the horse's way of thinking.  It is about the relationship with your horse.  It is about trust and mutual respect. It is about understanding how to communicate with your horse and achieve a 'dance of two'.

I have studied with Cindy for a number of years.  Thanks to her, I was able to pass my Level 2 assessment in no time, and we have been refining my Level 3 skills for most of our time together.  I consider her one of my very best friends, and owe her more than I can ever repay for my relationship with my horse!

Aaron England's vision is to use his Natural Horsemanship knowledge and skills in the development of a quality Cutting Horse program, and to demonstrate the success of this unique program in local and national Cutting Horse Competitions.  Today at his International Learning Center (ILC), Aaron trains Cutting Horses for competition, teaches Natural Horsemanship and Natural Cow Working, and is thus living his vision.

I have attended a number of Aaron's clinics, both in Natural Horsemanship and Natural Cow Working, spent a number of weeks at his ILC for private and semi-private lessons, and hosted Aaron at our facilities in Magnolia on several occasions.  I am lucky to be able to call Aaron a very close friend, and have an immense respect for his skills!

Jack Lieser's 2 DARE Horsemanship Program... The number 2 stands for you and your horse.  DARE stands for Dynamic, Aware, Relationship, and Equilibrium.  Each of these words are a facet of Jack's horsemanship methods and instruction.  He believes in using focus, intent, and energy to create this between you and your horse.

I have attended a number of Jack's local clinics, have had an opportunity to work with him in a number of private lessons, and have hosted several of Jack's clinics at our facilities in Magnolia.  As with Aaron above, I am lucky to be able to call Jack a very close friend, and have an immense respect for his skills!

David Lichman is a Licensed 5-Star Parelli Natural Horsemanship Instructor with a specialty in Gaited Horses... His mission is to help you realize your dream of having a great relationship with your horse, no matter what activities or disciplines you participate in together.

Jack Brainard has bred and trained horses for over 57 years and judged for a variety of national horse associations for over 40 years. At age 87, he still can be found schooling horses, teaching students, or traveling the roads to conduct one of his clinics. His students marvel at his 'easy to understand' presentation of the prerequisites and elements of the 'flying lead change', his positive and motivating approach to both horse and rider, and his never ending enthusiasm for doing what he truly loves.

I have been lucky enough to attend several of Jack's clinics, and spent a week with Jack several years ago!  He helped me through some very difficult stages of my and my horse's foundation development, and I will always remember the lessons Jack taught me!

Buck Brannaman is known as "The Horse Whisperer", and was the inspiration for the movie by the same name.  He began starting horses when he was 12 years old, and began by using what natural folks call "Normal" techniques.  However, as Buck says "I started to realize that things would come much easier for me once I learned why a horse does what he does.  This method works for me because of the kinship that develops between horse and rider."

I have read most of Buck's books, and hope to someday attend one of his clinics.  Unfortunately, I keep missing him when he's scheduled to be in my area...  However, through his books and DVDs I have learned patience with my horse, and to never sacrifice his spirit for my goals!

Alexandеr Nevzorov is a Master of Haute Ecole (School of Higher Learning), who lives in Russia.  He brought Haute Ecole to a new, humane level, by doing what was considered impossible only a few years ago.  He teaches horses to perform the most difficult elements of Haute Ecole, not only without any constraint (bridles or bits),  but he does it with a horse that is in perfect collection.  Nevzorov teaches horses to collect on the ground and at liberty without any artificial aids, not even a halter.

What can I say...  I am in awe of this man and his accomplishments!  I have watched his DVDs and studied his website for hours, and my admiration for this man seems to grow and grow with each minute of my studies.  He may be a bit extreme in his views of equestrian sports, but he has valid reasons for his concerns...

Mark Rashid  is an internationally acclaimed horse trainer known for his ability to understand the horse’s point of view and solve difficult problems with communication rather than force.  He began working with horses at age ten, when he met the “old man,” who taught him to work with horses, not against them, and to listen to what the horse is trying to say.

Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to attend one of Mark's clinics, because he almost never comes to Texas.  However, I have read all of his books, and keep looking at his clinic schedule with the hope that one will someday be close enough for me to attend.  Although, through his books I was able to understand that his approach to each  horse's problem is based on understanding and creativity, because each horse is unique!

Mario Luraschi is a Master of Haute Ecole, who lives in France, and is considered by Alexander Nevzorov to be his mentor.  Luraschi has dedicated his life to movie productions, equestrian entertainment, and the training of his horses.  For the last 30 years, he has been producing horses, acting in movies, and performing stunts.  His equestrian expertise and consultation has been sought on over 400 films in France, in the United States, and in many European countries.

I have had the extreme pleasure of watching several of Mario Luraschi's DVDs, and am totally amazed at what he can accomplish with horses.  He seems to do the impossible with our equestrian friends, and I am shocked by some of the things he thinks of doing with horses!  I am very relieved that he does these remarkable stunts with the best interests of the horse in mind!!!

Dave Ellis is a Licensed 5-Star Parelli Natural Horsemanship Instructor, and is Pat Parelli's oldest instructor in both age and in longevity.  Since 1997, Pat's program has kept David working nearly every weekend throughout the United States.  David has also taught Parelli Natural Horsemanship clinics in Sweden, France, Australia, Canada, and even Texas.

Unfortunately, I have only had the opportunity to attend one of Dave's clinics in Texas, but I found his method of teaching to be unique and loads of fun!  At this clinic, Dave performed my initial PNH level 2 assessment, and passed me on all but 4 of the associated tasks.  I would highly recommend attending one of Dave's clinics whenever he is in Texas!

Craig Johnson's special brand of reining excellence combines total precision with lightning maneuvers.  His is a unique style that has been well rewarded in the arena.  Two NRHA Futurity Championships, a NRHA Derby title, two Superstakes wins, along with eight AQHA World Championships and six APHA World Titles are just some of the well-deserved laurels Craig has earned.

I have only had the opportunity to attend one of Craig's clinics, but was extremely impressed with what he can offer both the beginning and advanced Reiner!  While I do not ride a Reining horse, his techniques are valid for any type of horse you might own.  I would highly recommend attending one of Craig's clinics whenever you have the opportunity!

Stacy Westfall's aim is to have the most clear and precise communication with her horse as possible.  Her goal in her reining is to make the reins unnecessary.  While others have come close, Stacy made it a reality.  In 2003 she won the National Reining Horse Association Freestyle reining competition riding with no bridle — and with not so much as a neck rope.  She went undefeated for two years straight in major freestyle reining competitions, and in 2006 she won twice while riding bridle-less and bareback.

Again, I have only had the opportunity to attend one of Stacy's clinics, but I found her riding skills to be on a par with none!  She is beautiful to watch on a horse!  If you have the opportunity to attend one of her clinics or watch her in action, do so!!!

Clinton Anderson's Downunder Horsemanship helps riders of all disciplines and levels of ability improve communication with and gain more enjoyment from their horses. Clinton‘s theories of horse psychology and training techniques include exercises both on the ground and in the saddle for teaching respect, building trust, and improving responsiveness. 

I have had the opportunity to attend one of Clinton's Downunder Horsemanship clinics, and have watched his groundwork and riding DVDs.  I found his detailed step-by-step exercises to be very useful tools for working with my horse, and would recommend everyone study his exercises and adapt them to your horsemanship program!