Peter has way more skill and creativity when it comes to helping the PEOPLE help the horses.  Which is the key, if any change is going to happen for the horses.  I trust Peter without hesitation with my horse, and I also trust him with me, I feel safe with him.  This is huge, it's the piece that's missing with many "trainers." 

Judith Matoon

Watsonville, CA


 I just wanted to pass along some pictures of Samantha and her pony.  Hard to believe we bought him about 9 years ago….all he wanted to do was run (among other things, but I had already started my journey with Peter and new this pony had a lot of potential), now thanks to the many clinics I have attended with Peter he has turned out perfect.  People who see Carly ride him, never believe the rocky start he had.  I rode him for a few years herding cattle etc. with him first. Carly (just turned 12)(she seems to have a better bond with him then I ever did) has rode him for the past few years chasing cows (even on her own), riding in the coulees, crossing creeks, barrel racing, poles, 4-H etc. and not a mishap yet, they can do anything together, whenever.  Sammy(6 years old) is just stating to ride him in the pen, but of course wants to go with us every time we chase cows, but is waiting patiently!  He responds well to Sammy and just seems so relaxed with both girls.  Just wanted to say thanks and I hope you  continue with the clinics for many years to come!

 Rhonda, Carly and Samantha Shaw

Fairview, Alberta
 

Peter's Youngest Rider!

Dylan Philips of North Carolina

"Peter...Helped.....Me!"
My name is MaryAnne Girard. I was riding the Friesian mare (Wilhelmina) owned by Vicki Francis at the clinic in Archie, MO. I already told Peter, but just had to write and again thank him for the most wonderful clinic! He had so much patience while I was trying to learn how to get things done and he never gave up on any of us. He kept it fun and relaxed while everyone advanced in their horsemanship. It was also a special treat to see him ride all the different horses. Watching him work through each different issue was an education in itself. The music helps in keeping relaxed as well as moving with the horse in rhythm.

I look forward to working with him again in October in Fremont, NE and until then wish him safe travels.

Thanks so much,

MaryAnne
http://www.equi-western.com/nev200/suite.php?newsid=259
Peter and Trina,
 
Not only am I blessed to have horses in my life but I've been incredibly blessed this fall to have had the opportunity to meet and ride with Peter, and meet Trina by phone and email.  thank you both for your kindness, common sense, guidance, PATIENCE, and sharing your love and gift with horses. 
    Christmas Blessings,

Anne Ward 
Pictured here is Margaret Whiteside on her horse Cisco, competing in the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association Jumper Medal Finals. Cisco the horse was started the Willing Partners Way and Margaret got a little coaching in jumping with Cisco at the Hat Creek Ranch. Now both are doing fabulously through out Colorado!!! Hats off to this young lady, for doing such a fine job with her horse!!! Good luck in the future!!!!

“As a 3EC dressage trainer and coach I have found Peter's methods and techniques extremely useful. I am able to make the horse understand what it is I am asking as well as the student. His concept that we must first get 0 - 1 correct before working on 1 - 10 just reinforces the International training scale that we follow for dressage!
Because of Peter's help I have been able to bring my young prospects on very quickly with little to no stress !! One of the horses that I have cliniced with Peter (Rhythmix) will hopeful qualify to the Pan American Games in 2007 in Brazil. He is only 7 but we are very successfully competing at the Prix St. George level and are scoring high and receiving great comments from the FEI judges.
I strongly advice anyone that can to take his clinic as Peter is one of the greatest horseman I have ever had the good fortune to meet !!!”    

Crystal Kroetch
Calgary, Alberta

W hen I first heard the phrase "Willing Partners", I associated it only to my horse since I was already a student of natural horsemanship. But having attended Peter and Trina's clinics for the fourth straight year I know it means more.

Peter is also a "Willing Partner"; he is your individual partner in a sense because he is willing to teach you and show you a better way. In doing so, he'll listen to you and your horse's problems. Because if you truly listen, you cannot help but become a better horseman. To me that sounds like a friend who will be my partner in future successes and make the bond/partnership between my horses and myself stronger.

P eter has helped my two Morgans be better riding and driving horses through his theory and exercises. Shadow, my nine year old, is driven as a single in combined driving events at the advance level while Teton has gained new confidence under saddle as a feisty five year old. The four days of thoughtful and custom tailored instruction has improved both of my horses, but more importantly me. And you¹ll even like and remember Peter's stories told at opportune times to reinforce what we¹re trying to accomplish.

Thus Peter through his "Willing Partners" clinics has shown me that we all must be willing to learn more and in so we become better partners with our horses and with one another. One of my goals in life is to become a better horseman. I know natural horsemanship is the right path and Peter will help get me there.

Scott L. Monroe
2004 USET placing 12th in the world & the highest placing American. 2005 Singles Combined Driving Championship  Shadow won the Horse of the Year (HOTY) for our discipline.

Presently, Scott is trying to make the USET for '06 to compete in the World Championship in Italy this Sept.

Hi Trina and Peter,

I want to say "THANKS!" again to Peter for his wisdom and patience and clear teaching. Grace and I continue to benefit from our clinic work with Peter in Kentucky.
T his past weekend, I was announcing a USDF dressage show and I trailered Grace to the show, to give her an opportunity to experience new things and school her in a new environment. Grace spent the day in a stall surrounded by bustling show activity on a large, multipurpose equestrian park (200 acres; stabling for 250 horses). Large white tents were being set up, vendors were all around - it was a fine way for her to get some desensitization. In the evening, after the show closed for the day, I put my english tack on Grace and we went riding.
P eter has imprinted many things on my brain. I clearly recall his voice saying certain things, including, "when she gets distracted, ask her to do something - get her refocused on you." So, when Grace took notice of some cross country jumps in the field in which we were riding, I used them to do figure eights so she was moving off my legs and getting a good look at what had made her nervous. Soon she was willing to walk up to the jumps and sniff them and ignore them. We walked serpentine patterns throughout the field, so she was always listening and working off my legs.

Peter had been very clear with me this past spring about the bending/flex exercise he teaches, where the horse flexes to the point that her muzzle touches my boot, and then follows through with her feet. He'd said, "this will save your life - you can't overpractice this; you can't get this too good." My dressage teacher, Cathy Keaton, has been working very hard with me on strengthening my legs, increasing my confidence, and helping me understand that, whenever Grace gets spooked, I need to tell myself, "relax and respond," instead of tensing up - if I tense up, I send a signal to Grace that there really IS some reason to be frightened. [My first horse, Sam, was so quiet natured and bomb-proof I've never experienced a keen horse before Grace.]

A ll of this good teaching was incredibly relevant when Grace and I approached the arena where we were going to work for a while. A white tent had been set up at one end of this arena and when I walked Grace up to it, a breeze came along and the tent roof started flapping and making noise. Grace spooked in an identical manner to how she spooked with the cows in Kentucky, only this time, the outcome was far different! In an instant, my outside leg became strong and supportive, my outside hand released, my inside hand turned Grace's nose towards my inside boot, and she soon came to a halt, moving her feet and doing exactly what we were trained to do.

I stayed on - in my english saddle! J And I praised her and gently forced her to approach the tent. She sniffed it and didn't like the flapping and the noise, but I made her stay near it and she finally put her teeth on it and chewed a little (no damage to the tent) like she would the butt of a cow. Good girl!! This episode was repeated twice more, in lesser degree, as she spied a shed and later a river and didn't want to go near either one. Same working approach - support her, make her turn and move her feet, make her approach what has spooked her, and help her learn to trust my judgment on what is safe to ride near. After all of this, I still made her work in the arena, walk/trot in both directions, stopping, backing in half circles, turns on the forehand in both directions, just giving her a good workout after all the spooks and stuff, so she would know that spooking is not going to get her out of a workout and back in her stall - we work through the problems, and then move on.

T hroughout the "spook" moments, I clearly heard Peter's instruction in my head, telling me exactly what to do in the instant I needed to remember. That is the hallmark of a brilliant teacher - the right instruction sticks and surfaces at the right moment. So thanks very much, Peter!!!! I wonder if you truly realize how much positive impact you have on folks like me and horses like Grace. This past weekend, you certainly saved my dignity, and you may very well have saved my life and/or injury to Grace - if I'd come off, she would probably have flown back to the barn, heedless of any holes, etc., that might have been in her path. As it was, we both had a very positive experience and earned more of each other's trust. One step closer to "willing partners . . ."

God bless you, Peter. Thank you for your willingness to share your expertise with any student who truly desires to learn, instead of limiting your teaching to "western riders only."

 
Very sincerely,
 Esther & Grace

Hello Trina and Peter,

I have been wanting to email you for a long time, but just got around to it.
I know you will remember me when I give this description:

I am the one who fell off my horse at the top of the hill from the arena at Westfall arena in Camden SC 1998, and the one who was afraid for Peter to flag my mare to get her to move her sholder to the right. Well guess what? I am riding my mare without a bridle (only in the round pen) and teaching her leg cues and in the beginning of this endeavor I used the rope, swinging it beside her head, to get her to turn the direction I was asking with my legs! Can you believe that? She doesn't run over me anymore trying to get out of the barn when she thinks I am going to put a halter on her. Most days she will walk to me with the halter in plain sight.

W e placed 6th and 8th out of 14 in our first show this year, in the trail class, place 4th under one judge at the 3rd show and because I have not learned lead changes yet, and didn't quite get how to get her to take the right lead, at the second show, simple lead changes were required in the pattern and that kept us from placing. I went riding at Morrow Mt. State Park several months ago, along with just the halter.

She has always rushed going through creeks, so on that trip, I required her to take one step until I asked for the next. One of the exercises that you had us do was to back up the hill, well I do that with her now, she still has a little fear of that. I have had a couple of other horses over just to play around with them and I realize that by helping them overcome some fears, there are a lot of fears that go away without having to be directly dealt with. I went to congress 2000, and knew that I had to finish learning what I started learning from you. I have been working for Sara Mastranunzio for three years next month.

She's teaching natural horsemanship. I could not even work my horse the first three lessons of the ground work. This stuff was very hard for me to understand. Now I try to watch horses behavior everytime I am around them. I also know the importance of why you said that we need to know when which foot is leaving the ground. I sat on my horse with my eyes closed, so I could learn more about her movement. Boy was that neat. That made me more aware of just how little they have to move which causes the rider to move. I forgot to mention that my filly Cris, or KINGZTEXASDANDYDREAM, is high point yearling so far.

I just realized at the last show that we can sack out on both sides and do that type of extra stuff to show off our horses more. I had never seen a trail class until the first one we were in. At the next show they will have the regular show schedule and that night have a yearling futurity. My game plan is to go through the regular class as normal, and at the futurity really turn it on, like ground tie when sacking and picking up her feet, plus pick up all feet and sack out on both sides.

J odi and I have a long way to go, but we are having fun getting there. She was 19 this year. I want to thank you both for the kindness you showed to me in 1998. That truly meant a lot, and I have told everyone about it. I am going to try my best to catch your clinic in 2004. My goal is cattle work, and most of all to be in a good relationship with my horses, and to tell others how to have a good relationship with their horse. If you think about it, check out our associations web site close to the end of November to see how we did in at the last show. My Spanish Lass ( Jodi) KINGZTEXASDANDYDREAMS (Cris), Foundation Quarter Horses of the Southeast.

Thanks for your dedication to the horse.
Janet Dyson
Peter tells us it's not what we put on a horses head but what we put in his mind. And a picture tells a thousand words -- Peter not only helps the horse, but he helps the human build on their pride and confidence! I can't thank Peter for showing us (his students) what we can accomplish!

I have been meaning to put something down on paper to express my faith and appreciation in the wisdom that Peter has given to me in his horsemanship clinics. We hold several clinics at our barn a year, and a number of people here have been attending these clinics for over 8 years now.

I started going to the clinics because at the time, I had a young sensitive horse, and my friend and trainer had gone to one of Peter’s colt starting clinic with an unusually sensitive and hot colt to start. She came back saying that she had never seen anyone who knew so much and who could tell it like it is! She also said that Peter gives out all of the information you need to know in the first clinic. It’s like he says, the first thing you know is the last thing you’ll learn. But for me, I have been to over 35 clinics on my two horses Fronteflicka, and Frontesaurus Rex, and I am still learning and improving upon what I thought I knew!

At some point we nicknamed our place “The Barn of Nothing”, after becoming accustomed to working our horses the way Peter shows us. If any outsider comes into the arena to watch us, it looks like we’re doing nothing! Just moving a foot around, or rolling a hindquarter! Our warm-ups at the shows must look funny to the casual observer - but the results have been fabulous.
I don’t mean just show results, although those are always nice, but it’s not about that! What I like about the results of this work, is that I have the same two wonderfully let down willing horses who are comfortable in their work and want to be with me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that we can’t bring the life up in their bodies and build on effort! But we can also drop the rein or life in our bodies and they will get the “liquid Peter Campbell” look in their eyes and start yawning! The results show up in fun places too; like on the windy day when a plastic bag flew through the warmup arena at a horse show and many horses spooked and ran off; Flicka simply rolled her hind quarter and looked. And it’s nice to be able to ride either western or English - loose rein or on contact. Flicka and Rex can do a nice quarters in, or roll back. It doesn’t matter to them or me, since it’s always about the feet!

M y personal favorite story is when I wasn’t even riding her. I had entered her in a show but couldn’t ride due to an ankle injury that wasn’t healed in time. So my trainer’s 13 year old daughter was going to show her for me. We arrived at the dressage show not knowing our riding times. When we went to the show office to drop off our passports, we became aware that Flicka’s first riding time was in 20 minutes! The three of us pulled Flicka off the trailer and immediately went to work. One person threw her tack on, one person braided her, and the daughter went to change into her show clothes. This took about 10 minutes. We put our pinch rider up top, and went to the warm up arena. The warm up never got out of the trot and there was no time to do any real exercises, but Flicka was let down and willing.

She ended up in 2nd place with a 63% after almost no warmup being ridden by a 13 year old who had only read the medium level test a few times in the truck! Now that is performance! We have a number of people in this area who are hooked on riding with Peter; I am not the only one who has attended so many clinics. The beauty of the ideas Peter suggests is that they apply to all living creatures. I use them daily in my management practise and my sister uses these concepts in her teaching of high risk children, both with great results. It might be all you’ve got to get them to try, to do what it takes, and then (next time)do as little as it takes!

W e have had a lot of fun in addition to the learning value at these clinics. My horses have been exposed to flags, plastic tarps, goats, worked around barrels, have had ropes thrown near us, walked past water shooting out of hoses, seen colts running off and mules riding next to us and had no trouble. We have carried flags, jumped cavalettis, ridden in pairs, moved cattle, ridden with our eyes closed and ridden as if our finger had a blister on it to name but a few. We have rolled the hindquarters, moved the front end, shifted the weight, backed in circles, left early behind, stepped the weight, and gotten the eye.

We have remembered Peter’s favorite sayings and heard stories and seen true life changes happen with the horses. And Peter has given all of this to us willingly. He has come up with so many imaginative ways to try to get his ideas across so that we can feel the feet! So that we can get our reins to hook to the horses feet. So that we can be good to ourselves and our horses. And I can’t thank him enough! I will keep coming to these clinics as long as Peter gives them and I can ride.

Sharon Crawford
Calgary, Alberta
Hello Trina!

I recently had the pleasure of participating in one of Peters' clinics in Teepee Creek, Alberta. I wasn't sure what to expect, but something about the advertisement just said "this is what you need right now." I had never taken a clinic from anyone before. It turned out that alot of the local horsemen that had earned my admiration over the years, had been using Peters methods all along.

W e all got a great bit of humor out of Peters clinic horse, "Charlie" who seemed to think he knew better a couple of times. It is refreshing to see someone work a horse who is willing to let the horse actually think. I always knew there must be a way to their head, but never knew it would lead to their feet. I have never worked so hard on a weekend, and felt so sorry to see it end. It took me two days to deal with my own emotions afterward. This weekend opened up so much of the world to me and my little Appaloosa, Sonny.

We were at a crossroads, and looking the wrong way. Now I'm so excited, I don't know what to do with him first. We can go anywhere from here, and I am no longer afraid to ask him for the next step. He is ready, and now I am too. Thanks to Peter for doing what he does, showing us to think it through, and keeping us safe. You guys have changed my life, and I will never forget it.

See you next year!
 Danielle Smith & Sonny
This Picture was taken at the AQHA Southern States Kentucky Classic

Since Olivia and her horse Lucy have been attending the clinics, they have become quite a team winning several High Point Series awards and working on another. Peter taught Olivia and Lucy to be partners and now they are a winning team.

Its very seldom you see a horse and rider win Western Pleasure, Trail, Horsmanship, Western Riding Barrels, Poles and Flags. Olivia is also starting her own colts for next year The Peter Campbell Way.

Thank You So Much Peter For Molding This Winning Team
Kat Buckler & (Daughter) Olivia Hunt
Springfield, Ky
Another one of Peter's young horsemen!!!
I just wanted to see if there was anyone out there who also attended the clinic on September long weekend at Murdock Stables? I took my 15 month old belgian cross colt (Matty), and had an awesome time and learned a lot. I will defienatley be back next year with one of my other horses for the horsemanship class.

Since the saturday of the clinic Matty has had 4 rides and can walk, trot, turn, back and turn on the forehand. Both me and my sister had the youngest horses in the colt starting class, and I have to brag, but I think that we had the most well behaved ones as well, though they are on the verge of being pokey and a little slow.

But everyone should consider it for next year, with more interest there will probably be more classes than colt starting and horsemanship.

Tiffany Dancho
I was so excited watching Peter Friday morning that I could barely sit still. I was remembering things that he said last year, and a few times I knew what he was going to say before he said it. And then I remembered how much fun he is, and the wealth of information that he has to offer is almost overwhelming. I was so happy that I had the opportunity to ride for 2 days.

I think that Peter is a great teacher, he really knows how to explain things clearly and concisely. Lightbulbs were going on all in my head - I found myself saying oh that's why we do this, or that's why I couldn't get that exercise right, I forgot a step, or was watching front feet when I should have been concentrating on moving the back feet.

Quite a few people that I have talked with that audited the clinic also have great things to say about Peter. One person actually took notes of some of his sayings. My favorite is "Softness does not come from the hands it comes from the heart." And the saying has even more depth when you realize it is coming out of a cowboy's mouth! I have already taken what I learned and applied it to the ride I had on my horse this week. I learned so much, the price of the clinic is well worth the education.

Thanks!!
 Mary Valley
Hi Trina,

Just sending you a quick note to let you know that I attended a horsemanship clinic of Peter's in Lanigan, SK Canada on June 7 & 8th! It was fabulous. Not only did we have a great time, we learned many things! I enjoyed his sense of humor and especially appreciated him taking the time to make sure we all felt good about ourselves. At the end of the clinic when we "visted" in a circle he made sure to tell each individual something very positive about themselves and their horses.

That is a very special thing to do. He not only demonstrated outstanding horsemanship but that he is a grand person as well. He spoke of riding from the heart and I like that. Even though he was teaching a group, he seems to have the ability to make one feel like he is speaking directly to them. I will definitely plan to attend another clinic in the future. He also didn't let me down as I was hoping he would "visit" about things just like he does in the videos.

I just love when he says that and stops to explain something! As for now I will just keep reading his articles and watching his videos. Trina, This past weekend went way beyond my expectations about the success of these two "bonding." I appreciate so much, your attention, expertise and loving concern of these two most precious subjects that I hold dear. You are well worth your money, dear Lady!

Happy Trails to you Peter

Best Regards,
Jackie Krienke
Rock 'n J Ranch
Quill Lake, SK S0A 3E0

I was at a 4-Day clinic this past weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It wasn't possible for me to bring a horse to the clinic, but I still feel I learned alot. However, it wasn't until I was actually face to face with "my" horse that I realized the impact that the clinic had on me. The information I learned made me see the behaviors of all the horses I'm around much differently.

Its easy to say, "My horse isn't like that", or "He would never act that badly" or any number of self-supporting ideas, when its not you doing all of it in a clinic. Its not until you are with your own animals (or in my case, the animals where I volunteer) that you realize how similar the reactions of horses are when they aren't at peace. It was eye opening for me, and I plan on returning to the September clinic.

I want to thank Peter for doing such a great job making this information accessable to those willing to take the time to learn it and see it through. It was also nice to go to a clinic with someone who was as knowledgeable as Peter, yet entertaining enough that you could be a complete non-horseperson and still enjoy watching. Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing you guys and learning more in September.

Toby S.

I wanted to thank you for your time and patience and sharingin your exceptional horse skills. You may wonder how much your students will remember and apply -- I hope to honor my horse and your efforts to teach and share by applying that which I 've lerned and continue to do so. I appreciated Peter's humor throughout class and his approachability - so much so that I would like to speak to you regarding hosting a clinic in my area.

Not only did "Cisco" make big changes but I as well.

Dale Rumens Partee
Snowhomoish, WA
I haven't seen ya in quite awhile. I miss the clinics and the fun. I went back to the military shortly after leaving the ranch, and they sent me overseas for about 14 months, it kept me out of touch, but anyway I'm back and am planning on coming to a clinic ASAP. Tara bought me a filly while I was away and I started her a day or so after I returned,

I've got about sixty days on her now and things are going really well. Maybe the year or or so away helped. I hope things are going well for you and Trina, and I'd like to thank you for everything you've done for me, from taking me on at the ranch to helping me with horses that really only needed me to pay attention. I've spent most of my adult life in the service with quite an array of instructors and never have i taken away as much knowledge as I did from the first clinic of yours that I attended.

Your Friend,
Shannon Slatton
Graycourt, SC
T hank you so much for working with the "kids" in Kelowna this week. You've impacted one little girl's life immensely. Your comments made Sarah trust her instincts with the pony.

W e will never tire of your southern charm and reflective wisdom. We look very forward to your return in May.

Warmest regards,
 Alexandra (Sandra) and John Babbel with little Sarah on "Molly" the pony.
W hen I first took a Peter Campbell clinic, I was scared to death, my 4 year old was completely out of control, he would either buck, rear or just plain take off! I'll never forget that first day of the first clinic with Peter when everyone mounted their horses and me, scared to death, stood there holding my little black "maniac" - pawing, grinding his teeth, snorting, eyes rolling - the usual - Peter asked if I wanted to go into the round corral to mount - I said yes. My horse did not want to stand to be mounted, but Peter calmly talked me through it - I got on, we survived. With Peter, you feel safe.

Peter's knowledge - no, it's not really knowledge - it's more of an understanding of the horse - is uncanny - never have I witnessed anyone so amazing with horses. Peter does what it takes to get it right.

It hasn't always been an easy road for me and my horse, that's for sure - our second clinic, my little black gelding managed to launch me - apparently it was quite a spectacular dismount as Peter and other witnesses retell it. However, again we survived and after several clinics over the past few years, and continuing our work, I feel that this year we have really clicked - my horse now comes to me in the pasture, at a trot if I tell him to, and even though he can be distracted by the other horses, he always comes back to me.

At our last dressage show in July we had a score of 70.83% - far better than I had ever imagined we would be able to achieve! (Okay, it's only Training level, but still...!) Our trail rides now are calm and relaxing on a loose rein, rather than just hanging on for dear life and hoping not to get dumped! I am very proud of our progress - it's not always perfect and pretty, but every day gets better, and most importantly we enjoy each other's company. And yes, Peter, WE MADE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE!

I Haven't gotten bucked off in almost....let me see...2 years! Whoo hoo! knock on wood...

Thank you Peter and Trina, for doing what you do.
Sarah Mackey
 Kelowna, BC
Y ou know when you reach my age the true highs & firsts in life get to be few and far between, if anyone had told me I would we moving cows AND on a two year old with 12 hours work, I would have replied "Not in my lifetime". What a trip!

K atie and Jesse did wonderful jobs with my horses and I couldn't be more pleased. I finally got my husband to come over and watch the last day and he was amazed.

Pat Norman
Michigan
My name is Debbie Wilson,

I rode with Peter at Sweetwater Farm in Ann Arbor. I know that I thanked Peter on the last day of the clinic, but I wanted to thank him again for everything that he helped me with. The other riders and I all had such a great time, we really had a wonderful group.

The cattle working was so much fun! My horse hadn't been so thrilled about cows before going to the clinic and we've been missing out on some great trails because I couldn't get that worked out with him. Since we had such a positive experience at Katie's I can't wait to run into them now! I'm so thankful that Peter is sharing both his knowledge and his experiences with us all. Not to mention how entertaining he is!

Take care and I'll see you in July,
 Debbie

Good Morning! I have just returned home from the 4 day clinic in Kelowna, BC and would just like to say how much I enjoyed myself and how much I learned.

I was one of two in the colt starting class and although I had been on my horse for a grand total of maybe 12 rides in the last year I was concerned that I had already made some mistakes. Peter helped me to get on track and recognize what I was doing that was hindering my horse's progression and that is invaluable to me.

I believe I have a very talented horse and want to turn him into my "willing partner" and I just want to thank Peter for showing me the way to start. I am looking forward to attending another clinic as soon as is possible for me, and I hope to have taken everything I have learned already and be ready to move on ahead. I found Peter's clinic to be entertaining ( as he joked with the kids) and incredibly eye opening, I look at a lot of things now with a new perspective.

THANKS SO MUCH PETER, AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
Kelly Lillies (with the big sorrel colt)
Powell River, BC
Let me first start off by saying you people are the best at what you both do. I have never had the pleasure of meeting yourself Trina but have met Peter at the Clinics held in Bearspaw (Pat Oxtoby). My husband and I both boarded horse's at Pat's and loved every educational moment there. We have now since moved and live in Northern Alberta on a farm.

I missed both of your all girl clinics that you held there in the last year and a bit at Bearspaw. My mare cracked a coffin bone. However my husband had the pleasure of taking Peter's Clinics and it more than benefited his horse. His horse is now a wonderful palomino gelding. Prior to that He was beyond a handful, a runaway, a spring that was waiting to burst, hot, stuck, crooked.

Very high headed, I could go on and on. But with the classes from Pat and the close working of Peter and his knowledge my husbands horse is incredible. I couldn't even trust that horse nor have the guts to get close enough to him to even put a halter on him. Now he is the greatest. My husband learned alot from Peter and I learned alot on the ground being a spectator. We spread the word about Peter's Clinics and look forward to the next opportunity of getting more educated by him.

Horses for us are like a drug we just can't get enough of it.
Peter Campbell in our opinion is the best of the best, a whole lot of class with and great sense of style.

Terry & Mike Boyd

Doug and I have just returned home from a 4 day clinic. What a change in how we relate to our horses. I must say that I went in not knowing what to think. Doug went to the clinic with a 4yr old palamino who was only green broke. He was a very busy and troubled horse who tossed his head and could NOT stand still for more then 5 seconds. By the end of the 4 days he could keep his head lower and not toss it around so much. The BIG improvement was that he could and would stand still when Doug wanted him too. This included the rest of the class flying around him at all different speeds and directions.

My project horse was a horse I saved from going to the canners. Marvin was worked every second day at a feedlot for 6 years and ridden by anyone and everyone. Marvin is also a Suffield Mustang. Get on, get your work done, and let me go was his attitude. Head high and totally numb to people, but a very quiet and well trained horse. (I thought).

A t the end of the 4 days Marvin would lower his head for me, walk,trot, and lope on a loose rein. When we arrived home and took the horses out of the trailer I recieved the best present anyone could give me. Marvin walked right over to me and put his head on my shoulder. This was not the horse I have known for the last 2 years. He followed me right to his pen without a lead rope. I must say I had tears in my eyes. This was way more then I expected.

THANK YOU PETER for showing me how to get through to my friend and make him more then just my horse. You will be seeing us at more clinics. Peter's way of communicating with horses is so natural. He is also very friendly and helpful with anyone who has a problem.

THANK YOU AGAIN PETER
Shereen, Doug, Marvin and Bailey
Hi Trina.

We had quite a day, today. Peter had us trying to turn our horses around from the ground. Well, we all were on the ground on all 4's trying to figure out what we needed the horses to do. It was a very valuable exercise. Later on Peter offered to ride anyone's horse who wanted it. Needless to say, he rode all the horses in the horsemanship clinic. We got to see some pretty fancy riding. By fancy I don't mean so much as a show performance but real horsemanship.

At one point I have to say that Peter and this one horse were like a ballet, art in motion. The horse was zooming around the arena and later on even rearing. Peter wanted the horse to go fast so it could go slow. That entire sequence was some pretty fancy riding if you ask me. The demos riding all these different horses was fabulous. He has a skill level the rest of us could never hope to achieve in my lifetime. It was a treat to watch. The nice thing, too, is Peter has such a delightful attitude about what he is doing.

Stephanie O'Keefe
Hi Trina and Peter,

THANKS!

I just wanted to let you know how my grey horse is doing. Karen talked me into taking him to a local open horse. He was very good. When I was warming him up in the english saddle, he got bothered and tried to buck a little at the canter. As a review for you, the about a year ago I rode him in an english saddle and it was a disaster. He never got ok with it. Hard to imagine that people use to try and jump him. I did put it on him a couple of times before the show but only at a walk and trot.

What was amazing this time was that when he got troubled I was able to ride him through it and keep cantering. Before, he would get so bad that you had to shut him down and he would still be bothered even at a walk. He actually allowed me to help him. And, he demonstrated some try. I showed him in the western pleasure against the "peanut rollers" (the Quarter Horse world's idea of a pleasure horse). Needless to say he wasn't competitive but that isn't why I was there.

It was an opportunity for me to expose him and for others to see a happy horse with decent rhythm (two beat jog and three beat lope). I am thrilled with his progress . In fact with the above exception, he hasn't had one of his "moments" since before the clinic. There were a couple of times (like when I put the english saddle on) when I saw it cross his mind and then I could see him not reach for the trouble. Perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel for him. Of course he will probably go three weeks without work before I can get back to him. But hey, if he can make it once he can make it again.

Many thanks for all the work and guidance you have given both of us. It has really made a difference.

Namaste,
Linda
First off, Trina Campbell really does a great job making your clinic experience a good one. She is friendly, open, supportive and was an especial help to me with regard to my efforts to become the kind of saddle and gear maker I hope to someday be, something she sure didn't have to do. So thanks Trina, thanks a whole bunch.

As for Peter, well, this one is tough. The guy seems to have a never ending reserve of heart for the horses he tries to help at these affairs and for the folks that bring them there. He worked from 9:00 AM or so every morning until well after 7:00PM every night of every day of the 4-day clinic. And he just flat worked hard during the colt class, the last of each day, helping to shape up the horses that were there on this weekend. And often just as hard in the horsemanship session. He was true to his word for the horses and the people, all day long, day after day, consistent in action and word. He is just plain good too.

The changes in the horses that he handled were dramatic at times. If you could just bottle what he has got and take a big swig of it whenever you need something that isn't in your own ability quite yet, well, you'd really have something there. In the meantime, I'll just continue work to put in the time I know he has already invested in himself to become the horseman he is...

It's too bad I only had four days to ride with him in the cow working class, my horse and I (a freebie with a couple of issues, you could say) were really getting on to some things together long about that third day. It's OK though, because Peter sure never hesitated to share everything he could think of with me, and everyone else, in a way that sure made me more confirmed than ever that if you believe you can help it change the horse will be right there about "it" when you can get "it" right yourself.

I knew that before, but when you get the kind of reinforcement to things that I got while working with Peter, you just come away feeling all the better and knowing it will be there cause the horse sure will be. He never quit believing in a single horse for a single minute, and some of those horses sure needed more than a minute or two, but it seems like his heart comes right out there to those horses and no matter how worried or outright scared the horse started out, Peter found just the right way and just the right moment and kept to it until it was right.

So, I'll just say now that I had a great time and if at all possible, I'll sure do it again. And if you get the chance, you'd sure ought to go to one too.
R. J. Sagely
Peter Campbell's Clinic horse is having a wonderful time being a ranch horse for young Carly Shaw!
Thought I would update you guys on how these two are doing. Although both can be little devils when their energydoesn't get put to good use I wouldn't trade them for anything!

Daniel ("Brigade"), the older one, had a very consistent season(winning at least once at each show) and is really coming along - the trustfactor is a huge deal for him. We had to develop a unique dialogue for those jumps he finds particularly scary? Seems to be working better each time out and he is starting to rely on his abilities more each day. He has a huge jump and when I help him feel like a super hero he's a lot of fun.

Marcus ("Legato") went to four shows in 2002! He won the first time outand loves to be challenged! He traveled to the coast and placed very well and then completed a derby in September. It was quite something to walk the course knowing that your horse hasn't seen an open water, bank, devil's dyke, dry ditch?
Well, it was a long list! Walking a derby usually takes a few trips? The memorization alone!? Well I wasn't about to go for a second look at what seemed to be a little (a lot) over his head!

The little man didn't bat an eye! Up the bank, down the bank, over the water, through the devil's dyke and past the in-gate without hesitation! As we came up to each obstacle I was amazed and then I immediately prepared myself for the next potential nemesis! I was absolutely thrilled with him.

Each day he demands a new challenge; he's an absolute dream. I keep in mind, each day, what Peter said - exercise his mind not his body ? Marcus loves that.

Thank you for all you have done to get these two started?
I couldn't have done it without the two of you.
Louise Pattelli
Calgary, AB

In a recent email...

"...I'll be honest, I was not familiar with Peter Campbell until a friend
used his trailer loading technique on one of our horses. This horse was becoming more and
more of a problem whenever we attempted to load him, and it had reached the
point that he WAS NOT GOING IN! I was very skeptical anybody would be able to help
without 'forcing' the horse to do what we were asking. Lo' and behold, this friend loaded
the horse, and now we have been able to continue doing so. I am now
intereseted in learning more of Peter Campbell's techniques. ...."

Kim Howell