A little bit about why this dream is important to me:

I have always been drawn to horses, despite having spent very little time around them and never having taken lessons or owned my own horse. I only recall riding once, when I was younger and smaller, in a group, and I remember almost falling off! The ride felt somewhat advanced and dangerous for my size and lack of experience, but it didn’t change my feeling for horses.

I have wanted to participate in a program involving horses for years. I would love the opportunity to be able to work with horses, ride them, and feel I am learning more about them (in this case, from an instructor with over 30 years experience, with horses that sound quite special and in a location otherwise known as the Cowboy Capital of the World!). I felt something was missing from regular riding vacations. I see riding as a priviledge and not a right, and didn't feel right about riding without knowing the proper way to do so and without connecting with the horse. Learning about horses was also something I was looking for.

Topics of study include:

-Psychology and ground work. The basis for effective communication.
-Developing a non-interfering, balanced seat, effective cueing.
-Developing balanced, athletic movement in the horse.
-Applying the above principals to specific disciplines and events.

(A more detailed description of the program can be found at the links below)

This program offers personalized instruction and I also appreciate how it would allow for participants to care for the horses in certain ways (grooming, feeding). Participants are also provided with a personal videotape of their experience. I hope that this experience would allow me to gain a better knowledge and understanding of these special animals.

About the program:

http://www.hiddentrails.com/pub/tour.aspx?id=usa_tx_equestrian_clinic&tabindex=1®ion=yes&tourtype=RidingClinic

(Please see itinerary for more details)

http://www.hillcountryequestlodge.com/riding_clinics.htm

*Please note the amount was taken from the hidden trails website and has been converted from US currency and includes the 6% tax as well as DreamBank's 2.5% fee. The price of the program includes: Acommodations, all meals, 4 full days of instruction and trail rides - 2 hours of private instruction daily (a maximum student to teacher ratio of 2 to 1 insures ample personal attention) and 2 hours of trail riding or casual riding in the arena (participants' choice) in the evenings, Whole Horsemanship Instructional Manual, and personal video tape of each student's clinic experience.

I am not including the additional two nights that are recommended, nor the actual flight or airport transfer as I intend to pay for any of these myself.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my dream and for any support you may be able to offer.

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