Craig,
Hope your travels home were safe.
Just wanted to let you know once again how much I enjoyed the clinic that Roy Gene hosted for us last weekend. Been to a lot of "clinics" (too scared to add up the investment) and the take-away from yours was over the top. Thanks again for sharing all of the great stories and tips that keep the "desire to keep getting better" burning inside weekend warriors like myself. Been a long grueling week here at the office and it seems that each evening on my 50 minute drive home, when I let my mind "escape" to some nice place for awhile.....it chooses to reflect on the pleasant weekend we enjoyed in the arena with you. By the way, it didn't hurt that you brought us that nice rain as well!
Hope we will get the chance to cross paths again someday.
mc
M.C. Henke
We do not always make the right choices/decisions and do the right thing in our passage through life. One great thing about a horse is that they will usually give you the opportunity to start over. With Craig, after two clinics, I know I have finally found the right way. How do I know... because my connection with my horse (Boomerang) now feels right. Thanks to Craig we are on our way, and with his guidance we will make it.
Can't wait until the next clinic! Sharon
I attended the Oct 11-13,2003 Craig Hamilton Clinic at the ZD ranch in Central Texas. This was my second clinic with Craig. I feel like everything has become a little bit more focused. He has such a good ability to size up horses and horsemen and tell you where they are and what sorts of problems they are having. He can then help them find the solution. As educating as it is to watch him working one on one, the real education begins when it's your turn. He has a way of seeing what is holding you back and showing you how to get past it. I can't tell you any one thing that has changed when I ride EXCEPT that I hope I have moved another rung up the horsemanship ladder. Would I go to another Clinic with Craig? Of course, I can't wait till next time.
Felicia Hohle
Coupland, Texas
Craig - Merry Christmas. Lana and I took Cisco on his first trail ride yesterday. Lana rode Bess (the old quarter horse mare) as we thought Cisco would feel more secure with her present. Turned out she felt more secure with him around. There were three other mares in the group. The terrain was rough, rutted and rocky with lots of very steep ups and downs and water. Reclaimed coal mine ground where 4-wheelers also ran. Upon encounter, Cisco pawed at the water where it was murky - testing we thought to see if there was solid ground underneath. For the most part on the rutted trails, I could control his direction to seek the higher ground with my feet and legs; only using the reins for major direction changes and slowing.
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Edinberg, TX., April 2005
Good horsefolk might wear any style hat or use any kind of saddle. One of the world's best visited the valley April 9-11 for a horsemanship and roping clinic at the Wallis' in Mission. I hadn't heard of Craig Hamilton before, that I could recall. Yet, the name sounded familiar. Kristi Jackson's enthusiastic email motivated me to enroll in the clinic.
I'm a critic, but moments of doubt were few and far between as I watched this unpretentious, noncommercial cowboy quickly diagnose and treat horses' mental problems. No two horses were treated the same. Some got love, some were counseled, some he got firm treatment. No two round-pen sessions were anywhere near similar. One horse was laid down because his problems were serious. Once down, his owner caressed him all over, while Craig moved the horse's legs around. When the horse got "soft in the eye," he was released. At that point, the horse didn't even want to get up. He didn't buck again for the rest of the clinic.
Meg
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Lanesville, Indiana March 2004
Thanks for the opportunity to put down in words my reaction to Mr. Hamilton’s clinic in Indiana last weekend. I’ve been searching for the shortest way to tell you. The best word I can come up with is thunderstruck. And this is why.
I’ve been trying as an adult for a several years to get better with horses. I’ve taken hunt seat lessons for years. But I haven’t been able to make progress, to get to the next level. As proof that age does not necessarily impart wisdom, I purchased a young horse that was barely started under saddle, willful, and spoiled to boot. And I’ve spent the last two years working with him. We did make progress, but it’s been a constant battle of our wills, and though I wouldn’t admit it, he won.
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October 2003
This was my first Craig Hamilton Clinic and I admittedly went there rather skeptical. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. He is very easy to talk to, unpretentious, didn't try to sell me a darn thing and can give as good as he gets.
Craig is a good horseman, true enough, but his real gift is being able to explain and teach these skills to all kinds of horse people, from the very green to the very experienced.
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