The talents and knowledge of respected horsemen Dick Pieper and Tom Curtin will be shared with participants at a four-day Ranch Horse Clinic, October 24 - 27, at the Pieper Ranch in Marietta, Oklahoma.
The fine arts of horsemanship
The three basics of Dick Pieper’s "The Language of Horsemanship" program: Lateral Flexion, Basic Collection, and Two-Track, will be covered the first day of the clinic to be held October 24 - 27, at the Pieper Ranch in Marietta, Oklahoma.
© 2013 by Dale Stork
Limited to only 20 participants, the cost for the four days is $850.
The three basics of Dick Pieper’s “The Language of Horsemanship” program: Lateral Flexion, Basic Collection, and Two-Track, will be covered the first day of the clinic. “I want to make sure everyone has a clear understanding and working knowledge of these critical basics,” says Pieper.
The second day will demonstrate how the sequence of those three basics leads to reining skills, maneuvers and refinement.
The third day of the clinic will be entirely devoted to working cattle. “But it will be entirely different than what most people are used to,” smiles Pieper. “We’ll have a big herd, about a hundred head, in the middle of the arena with everyone on horseback facing the herd.
One rider and horse will slowly split the herd equally, stopping if necessary.” Pieper and Curtin will guide each individual rider as they continue to split the herd into smaller sections, separate one cow, work it for two or three moves, and then allow the next rider to do the same.
“It’s pretty impressive how quickly people can apply the three basics to working cattle,” continues Pieper.
On the fourth day, those folks who want to learn about roping will receive instruction from Curtin. For those who want to learn more about working their horses on cattle, Pieper will teach that group.
The social activities that surround this clinic are true to the feeling of the Old West. “On Thursday night we’ll have a huge welcoming meal with all the fixings,” says Pieper. “Hearty lunches will be served each day at the ranch so people don’t have to drive to town. They can just loosen the cinches on their horses and enjoy a good noontime meal.”
Saturday evening will be highlighted with a cowboy cookout, accompanied by live music around the campfire. “There’s no doubt we’ll talk about the philosophy and theory of horses and how they’re trained,” reports Pieper with enthusiasm.
“We’ll discuss how to get into a horse’s mind — things like that which can’t be covered during a working clinic. It’s bound to be a spellbinding exchange around the campfire. Good food, good company, good conversation, great music — sounds like a winner to me!”
To register for this four-day clinic with Dick Pieper and Tom Curtin, please call Dick in Oklahoma at 580.221.3412. To learn more about Dick Pieper and his “Language of Horsemanship” program, visit www.PieperRanch.com. Tom Curtin’s website is www.TomCurtin.net.
About Dick Pieper
Dick Pieper is a Past President of the National Reining Horse Association, NRHA Futurity Champion and member of the NRHA Hall of Fame and Western States Horse Expo Hall of Fame. He is an American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horseman, has won multiple World Championships and has held judges cards in the NRHA, AQHA, National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA).
He has judged some of the most elite shows in the performance horse industry, including the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, AQHA World Show, AQHA Youth World Show, and the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity. He also currently sits on the board of directors for both the Ranch Horse Association of America and the American Stock Horse Association.
Dick and his wife, Brenda, oversee their Pieper Ranch in Marietta, Oklahoma. Their ranch is home to famous stallions Playgun and Texas Kicker. Playgun, whose lineage reads like the “Who’s Who” of AQHA breeding, has offspring earnings of more than $8 million. Texas Kicker, a son of Colonel Freckles, is an AQHA Reining World Champion.
ABOUT TOM CURTIN
Few people earn the right to be called “horseman.” Fewer yet deserve the right to be described as a "stockman." Tom Curtin is one of those uncommon people who has earned the right to be described as a "stockman." Tom is not one to author magazine articles or produce videos. Tom lives to share his knowledge and God-given talent with those who want to learn directly from him.