George H. Morris Teaches Clinic After Judging MHJA Medal Finals

Clinic Offers USHJA Trainer Certification

Temperance, MI – September 1, 2014 – The first day of the George H. Morris and USHJA Trainer Certification clinic at Hunters Run Stable in Temperance, MI, began after a competitive weekend which included the Michigan Hunter Jumper Association (MHJA) Medal Finals, which Morris judged. An impressive turnout filled two tents with spectators, who came to watch the legendary coach work with three groups of riders. The clinic was organized by Scott Alder of Chelsea, MI, a USEF R judge, course designer, trainer and continuous supporter of the Michigan Hunter Jumper Association (MHJA). Huge effort was put in by Alder to organize dates and Morris’s schedule to not only get the clinic to happen, but to schedule Morris to judge the MHJA Medal Finals over the weekend as well.

An impressive turnout at day one of the clinic and trainer certification.

Along with Morris, Diane Carney of Antioch, IL, was the second of four judges on the panel for the medal finals. Carney stayed to help organize the riders and some of the final clinic details, since she has organized the George H. Morris clinic in Chicago successfully for over 25 years.

Morris, the former U.S. Chef d’ Equipe, travels the world educating riders on the basics of horsemanship and the forward seat. His lengthy resume attests to his success as a rider, trainer and Chef d’ Equipe, earning multiple Olympic Medals. His clinics are methodical and organized, stressing proper turnout of both horse and rider, basic position and horsemanship.

“George (Morris) hasn’t been to Michigan in over twenty years,” said Alder. “We’ve had great response for the clinic with area sponsors, riders and trainers. George really gives the area a shot in the arm and ups the horsemanship a notch.”

Morris adjusts the position of the stirrup.

Morris began by talking about how safety should always come first, meaning safety of the horse and of the rider. He then reviewed basic position and stirrup length. Morris explained to trainers in the certification program to teach with repetition and for students to copy a correct rider. Morris also teaches by demonstration, as he used one of the rider's horses and demonstrated straightness of the horse and emphasized the importance of a straight horse and use of the outside rein and inside leg.

Morris demonstrates straightness of the horse.

“Practice doesn’t make perfect,” stated Morris. “Perfect practice makes perfect. Riding isn’t a sport, it’s an art. It takes a lifetime to perfect it.”

The theme carried through to the jumping and the exercises over fences worked on the same inside leg outside rein, diagonal aids. Morris demonstrated the half seat over fences and emphasized the light seat with two point and three point contact.

Gymnastics emphasized the rider's position.

During the three sessions, Morris would relate his teaching to what he saw as he judged the previous days. Groups worked on the figure eight, which was a test for one of the medal finals.

Morris also addressed the teachers in the USHJA Trainer Certification program, giving them proper theories to teach and important fundamentals to emphasize to students.

Morris shows correct position of the hands.

Morris was pleased with the students and their eagerness to learn. The riders were nervous but excited for their chance to ride with the man who defined the sport and continues to emphasize the importance of the forward seat. Trainers were grateful to Alder for putting both the Medal Finals and the Clinic with USHJA Trainer Certification together and for adding inspiration to the area industry.

The clinic continues Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Group times are:

9:00am – 11:00am 2’9”-3’

11:00am – 1:00pm 3’-3’3”
2:30pm – 4:30pm 3’6” and up

Auditors are welcome for $75per day. Trainer Certification is an additional one-time fee of $50.

Hunter’s Run Stable is located at 9241 Secor Road Temperance, MI, 48182.

For more information on the clinic contact Scott Alder at 734-395-9086.

For a list of more GHM clinics visit www.GHMclinics.com.

Stoney Ridge Farm George H. Morris USHJA/TCP Clinic Sponsors

Grand Championship Sponsors
Rochester Hills Tack Shop Lee Ann Hake and Family
Foxwoode Hunt Club Nerice Gulino
Midwest Refineries LLC Joanna & Raul Acosta
Martin Insurance Agency Andrea & Mark Obrzut
Great Escape Stables Robyn Schamante
Sporthorse Saddlery Nancy Bredeson
Dragon Fly Farm Michelle Friedman
Dragon Fly’s Ride Fred Friedman & Dennis Turton

Championship Sponsors
Willowbrooke Farm                            Jennifer Blades
Metamora Equine PC                         Bonnie & Roland Thaler DVM
Antares Sellier TJ Campbell
Sylvan Saddlers Ltd. Ellen Charnes
Friends of Stoney Ridge Farm
Monica Celizic
Michigan Hunter Jumper Association

MHJA Sponsors
The Sporthorse Saddlery
Stoney Ridge Farm
Rochester Hills Stables & Tack
Wyldewood Tack
Diana Hadsall Photography
Arizona Saddlery of Clarkston
Horse Shows By The Bay
Maplecroft Farms
Chris’ Tack Box
Sew Right Embroidery
Custom Fox Saddlery
Old Gold Farm – Irving Goldman
Digital Color Technologies
Huron Valley Horse Blanket Headquarters
Uckele Health & Nutrition
The Classic Horse Equine Jewelry
Antares Sellier

Photos by Chicago Equestrian and may only be used in relation to this release.

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