East Meets West . . . Crosstrain your Horse!

Ray Hunt and Walter Zettl

Dear Michelle,

     This is just a note to let you know about a clinic I attended on March 21, near Era, Texas, that brought together Ray Hunt, Pat and Linda Parelli, and the European classical dressage master Walter Zettl.  This was the second clinic in an "East Meets West" series that will meet again on September 23 & 24, 2006, at the Green Valley Ranch in Aubrey, Texas.  The series has been organized by Susannah Cord, who can be reached for more information at <smokyboye@mindspring.com>.

      The idea behind these clinics is to open a dialogue between natural horsemanship and classical dressage training.  Walter and Ray seemed to be in fundamental agreement in their approach to the horse, and western riders such as reining champion Craig Johnson, Michael Richardson, Pat and Linda Parelli appeared to benefit from Walter's instructions.

       Anyway, it was a wonderful clinic where everyone had a chance to meet informally and discuss whatever questions they had.   There is a dvd available from Walter that was made at the first clinic last September, along with several other dvds that focus more broadly on his dressage training program.  You can learn more about all of this on his website, www.walterzettl.net.

       I am attaching a picture of Walter and Ray that I took at a lunch break during the clinic.  Please share this information with anyone you think might be interested. 

Thanks,
Herman Detering
March 27, 2006