Multiple World and Congress Champion trainer, Leonard Berryhill of Oklahoma shared some training tips with GoHorseShow that we thought would be beneficial to our readers. Berryhill has shown some legendary horses in our industry including, Vital Signs Are Good, Good I Will Be, and Ellis A Sleepin. Check out his thoughts below and how he started off his training career.
There are ways that a person can become competitive in the show ring and not have to have a full-time trainer, but it takes dedication and the willingness to work harder than your competition. Using myself as an example, I can tell you how things came about for me.
It wasn’t until my late teens that I became interested in horses, and by the time I did, it was too late for me to show in youth. So, I had to learn the ropes while showing in the open division. My parents were hard working folks who raised good horses, but hiring a trainer or sending me to work for one was out of the question.
What they did was send me to Margaret Hudspeth for lessons once a week for a few months and, then, they turned me loose with a nice young stallion to find my way in the show ring– showing in the western pleasure. Margaret taught me well, and it wasn’t long before I started placing here and there, but wins and placing at big shows were still eluding me.
Here are the steps I took to raise my game and become a serious competitor. I think anyone with the desire can do it. In fact, with today’s technology, it can be much easier.
First, never be afraid to ask
When I was learning, the trainers of the day were always so accessible and willing to share that every horse show for me was like going to school. I see no difference today. We as trainers have always been more than willing to pass along knowledge to anyone showing an interest. You can look into warm-up pen and see one trainer helping an up-and-comer, spending time to show them and talk over what the young trainer is wanting to learn about.
Second, check out the warm up pens
The best place to learn about training or showing is not in the bleachers, but around the warm-up pens or exercise arenas. I tried to follow the ones whose style and abilities appealed to me. When I wasn’t riding, I was watching and talking to see how they were able to make their horses competitive. Then I would go get my horse and mimic what I had seen.
Third, my lesson is never over
Every day I feel like I learn something. And if I don’t, I feel that day was wasted. Absorb what you can from anywhere you can and do not be afraid to try what you have seen. You will make mistakes–I still do, but we must learn from those mistakes and try to never duplicate them.
Finally, use the tools that are available
Clinics can be very helpful and are available at many shows. There are many shows on television dedicated to training and showing. You might be surprised what you can pick up just by watching someone with a little different philosophy. And there are online video lessons available, such as the one we are doing at www.berryhillquarterhorses.com with a link to “Ride Right Live”.
It goes on and on, but in short, if you truly have a desire to be competitive in the horse world, be it showing or whatever, it can be done. It is a longer and harder road, but some of us just cannot afford the full-time trainer and some of us just want to do it ourselves. Nothing can replace the personal touch of a coach or trainer, of course, but if one is willing to make the effort, it can be very rewarding.
