Van Hargis ~  Horsemanship Seminar

March 25 - 26

Tri-State Exhibition Center

"Whether you're new to the world of horses, a seasoned rider

or a professional competitor... taking the time to develop

the trust of a horse is very important. 

Becoming a working partner with your horse can give you

the greatest sense of peace and satisfaction that you can feel.

In order to be a good horseman, one must feel what a horse feels,

see what a horse sees, and understand what a horse understands.

If one is closely associated with horses, I can think of no better compliment than to be referred to as a 'good horseman'.

It is my objective to introduce as many horse owners as possible

to the concept of horsemanship

in an attempt to improve us all at becoming better horsemen.

I can help you achieve that kind of partnership with your horse."

Van Hargis

Purchase tickets early at www.reinsman.com

or call 423-728-7001

Sponsored by the Bradley County 4-H

and

Reinsman Equestrian Products

Beaty Feed & Hardware

Homestead Lawn & Tractor

Jon Deere Tractor

Purina Mills

click here for more 4-H Information and Events

Van Hargis  Horsemanship Seminar  ~ March 25 - 26

at the  Tri-State Exhibition Center, Cleveland

The first time my daughter Allie and I attended a horsemanship seminar was about seven years ago.  She's 18 now, about to graduate from Walker Valley, and then she's off to college this fall - but at the time she was a lanky adolescent.  Together we were trying to figure out how to keep our horses alive nutritionally, and how to keep ourselves alive while trying to remain on their backs. 

Two things saved the horses and us.

Larry Mitchell, Bradley County's 4-H agent, was most helpful in our horses surviving us.  By attending Mr. Mitchell's 4-H Hippology classes Allie learned all about horses, including their nutrition needs and annual vaccinations.  Mr. Mitchell did everything from helping Allie and her team prepare for horse shows, to coaching their judging team to national competitions.  To say that he was a father-figure - is right on.   Mr. Mitchell taught her the foundations of the horse world, many of which have been carried over into other areas of her life.

Many times before the vet was called, Mr. Mitchell was called first to see if a vet call was necessary.  Way underpaid, I’m sure, he has made “barn-calls”, put in hours and in fact days, of O/T, befriending Allie and many of her horse-buddies and their families, creating a community for us – and helping our horses survive us (and sometimes they even seemed to flourish) and us survive them.

Larry Mitchell says bringing a horsemanship clinician of Van Hargis’ caliber to Cleveland for a seminar is exciting, and all those who have an interest in horses should attend.

The second man is named John Niceley. 

A few months before Allie stumbled into her first hippology class with Mr. Mitchell at the 4-H office, some friends pointed us to a fellow who they said had a fantastic way with horses.  They said he was someone who could teach us all we needed to know about owning, caring for, riding, and living with horses.  His name is John Niceley.  He is a cattle man in Knoxville, who has been with horses since he landed on this earth at his family's farm in Knoxille.  Through the years he has taught us his philosophy that people are forever students – when it comes to horses…

Niceley is somewhat of a local celebrity in the Knoxville area, often the focus of magazine articles in the likes of Southern Living, and appearing on East Tennessee’s  popular “Heartland Series” television show.  He agrees with clinician Van Hargis - that it’s not about riding or staying on a horse, it is about getting the horse prepared to be ridden. 

The problem I was having with my horse was that I couldn’t seem to stay on his back.  I didn’t realize that riding the horse was only a small part of a process – indeed part of the building of the relationship between my horse and me.  John Niceley taught us that “breaking a horse” – or what is often called “colt starting” – is an experience a young horse keeps with him forever.  Like a child, it is something that becomes part of the basic foundation for his life.  Like Van Hargis, John Niceley believes that the foundations of horsemanship, as in life, must be solid.  “No matter how advanced you are or want to be … until these basic foundations are understood …” one will be lacking.

Having held horsemanship and colt starting clinics in Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky as well as Tennessee, Niceley is the constant student. You will likely see him at the Van Hargis clinic at the Tri-State Exhibition Center this month, and he attends other clinicians’ workshops when his busy schedule permits.  Quoting Ray Hunt, the grand-father of today’s horsemanship clinicians, “The first thing you need to know (when it comes to horses) is usually the last thing you learn.” 

Which is why, Niceley adds, he attends as many seminars as possible.  He says about Hargis - "...he already possesses skills (relatively early-on in his career) that most of today’s clinicians have needed decades of horse-experience to learn."

Click here for more on John Niceley or Bradley County 4-H

Allie and her gelding, Montana, attended many seminars over the years like the one to be presented by nationally renown Van Hargis.  Allie believes "the foundations of horsemanship she learned over the years working with horses - patience, consistency, discipline, and commitment -

can be applied in all areas of life."