The randomly chosen winner of the contest for an all expense paid trip to the 2009 Light Hands Horseman Symposium was Jacqui Crews from Leesburg, VA. As it turns out she gentles and adopts mustangs so we feel that a very deserving (also lucky) person got to attend this wonderful event. Following are her comments when I asked her to write a summary of the event from her perspective. Tom Spalding
I was stunned, amazed and very happy when I heard I had won the Spalding Labs contest to attend the Light Hands Horsemanship in Santa Ynez, CA.
The venue was held at Intrepid Farms and what a great location for an event like this. Breakfast, lunch and dinner all three days was provided by the chuck wagon restaurant and they make the best cobbler ever! The clinicians were fabulous. I was able to meet and talk one on one with each clinician who happily answered my questions. The demos were to the point, thorough and I really enjoyed the content and style of each of the individual clinicians. This clinic is one of very few I have ever attended where you get a lot of information and feedback in such a setting. I think the highlight of the event was the camp fire stories. Rick Lamb would host these and we sat around the camp fire listening to stories from Robert Miller, DVM, Jack Brainerd, and other visiting guests and it was a joy to be hear such a wonderful blend of stories and wisdom from these unique and talented horsemen. I am going back next year and every year that I can. Light Hands Horsemanship is a must see for everyone. The Cowboy Dressage is spectacular and Lester Buckley and Jon Ensign's demo's were in depth, well explained, easy to follow and to the point. Eitan Beth-Halachmy is a wonder to behold, his horsemanship is flawless and is a wealth of knowledge. I cannot thank Spalding Labs enough for such a fabulous trip and learning experience. I met and made a lot of new friends and look forward to seeing them all again next year.
Jacqui Crews
Camelot Mustangs