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MJB CLINICS

herd boss LOGIC

September E-Newsletter

9/8/2020

 
Follow this link to view our September E-Newsletter:
​http://static-promote.weebly.com/share/94a75415-c608-41e1-8cd4-f15b88b52d00 

A Little Herd Boss Family History...

2/12/2018

 
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Enjoy a look at life on the Salmon River from the viewpoint of Mary Jane's father, Al Tice. See where she learned how to be an excellent host, showman, herd boss and how to navigate the trails along the "River of No Return."

Excerpt from Outdoor Idaho's website article "Some People We Profiled in Our 30th Anniversary Celebration."
See the full article at idahoptv.org.

 
Outfitter and pilot Al Tice knew the Salmon River country like few others. The Mackay Bar Lodge, on the Salmon River, was a favorite of hunters and anglers alike. A month before his death, Al Tice talked with us about his life at Mackay Bar.

"I made a special effort to take good care of people," said Tice. "The customers would fly in from McCall to Mackay Bar, and then we would take them from there on a trip whatever they wanted, whether a boat trip on the river or a fishing trip up the streams or pack into the lakes."

Tice was the first one to have a jet boat on the Salmon. "I was looking through a mechanics magazine, and I spotted this little jet boat that they had over in Australia. I wrote those people about it and talked them into bringing one of those jets out to try it on the Salmon River. We built our own boats around it. I got the dealership for that jet boat. That was the first jet boat that ever came into this country. It was quite an experience, but then pretty soon everybody had one."

Tice and his family made home movies, complete with narration and music, that captured a way of life that can still make you smile. "Guys said, don't you want to catch another steelhead? I said, well, I've caught a little more than my share. How about shooting elk? I said, well, I've got plenty of elk in my life, plenty of deer. This is the truth, you know."

Enjoy some home videos from the Herd Boss's family by following this link.

A look back at 2017...

1/25/2018

 
Enjoy this slideshow of photos from 2017 events with MJB Clinics. Thank you to all of the venues who hosted us, the riders who joined us and all the folks who supported us along the way. It's such an honor to have you ride your ride with us! We look forward to the new memories to be made in 2018! 
CLINIC SCHEDULE

Clinic Tools for Success...

5/24/2017

 
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I've been teaching horsemanship and have been a clinician for several years. Coaching riders to excel in their desired arenas as well as build successful partnerships with their horses is a real passion of mine. I'm blessed to get to participate in peoples journeys and it really is a privilege. We see many new faces each year at our clinics, several familiar ones who we now call friends and those who go on to new adventures that we wish well. While I find new drills and things to keep my clinics interesting, the core principle of horsemanship prevails year after year. I don't profess to be anything but an old cowgirl--who has accumulated tools that I'm happy to share with those who want to listen. Since it's prime clinic season, I thought I'd take a moment to share a few of those tools with folks who are looking to get the biggest bang for their buck when they come to learn from me or any other clinician...

Come with space in your cup...
If you have paid your money to learn from a clinician, make sure that you have space to do so. Certainly we should approach any task with common sense and safety. That said, a person should be careful not to view our learning or our riding in absolutes. Often we become so set in our ways that anything new receives a knee jerk reaction to say, "That's not how I've been taught" or "So and So said _______." Take the time to listen to what your clinician is saying and try it! If you already know everything you're interested in knowing, save your money and go for a trail ride instead. If you're interested in getting better and becoming a more knowledgeable horse person, then be prepared to glean the information you receive. Besides, they say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. If what you're doing isn't working, perhaps it's time to try something new!

Be a cheerleader...
Often people get excited about their growth and want to help others too. This is great! However, there is a time and a place. Realize that your fellow participants also paid good money to learn from the clinicians. They didn't sign up to receive your input. So, as hard as it is for all of us at times, hold your tongue and just encourage your fellow riders don't boss them. Bring your pom-poms not your qualms. If you see something that is concerning, let the clinician or event management know and they can handle. Besides, you aren't paying to have to solve other peoples problems, so let the people who are earn their money. Now this isn't to say that if you see a major safety issue to stay mum, just that you avoid becoming the dreaded know it all who spends more time telling everyone else what to do instead of working on getting better themselves. If you really want to help lead by example in attitude and aptitude. Trust me on this...everyone will appreciate your cheers and good attitude much more than criticism. This may just save your friendships too! A good way to know when to give advice is to wait until you are asked for it.

When you're not sure...
There may come a day when you sign-up and attend a clinic that, after the first little bit, you're wondering what you got yourself into. Maybe the clinician is a little out there or maybe you're just unsure if you're ready to buy in. So long as you don't feel the direction of the clinic is unsafe for you and your horse, this is the time for you to settle in and see what you can learn. If you immediately decide this isn't for you and you're not going to learn, you're probably right. But you paid your money, so why not get the most out of it. I think you can generally learn something from everyone...good or bad. Both are valuable lessons. Be discerning but not so closed off that you don't give yourself room to grow. If you can just learn one or two things from a clinic, then you've accomplished something. You've added tools to your collection that you can call upon for years to come. And you just never know when or what may come in handy some day...so enjoy your time, enjoy the people and enjoy the process! 

If you need clarification, just ask...
Don't be afraid to ask questions! Please do so with tact and thoughtfulness of timing, but do ask. As clinicians we are doing our very best to give our participants all the information we can. We work diligently to provide all the detail and tools we can in a short span of time. But we might miss something or not explain something in a way you understand. So be sure to ask for clarification when you need it. Any clinician worth their salt will want to help you, but they aren't mind readers. My Facebook clinic page once received a negative review from a participant who complained that they weren't given instruction on a particular topic. We would have been more than happy to answer their questions or cover the topic if they had only asked. Unfortunately, they left disgruntled and didn't express this until they got home to their computer. Don't let this happen to you. If you have specific goals going into a clinic, ask them in advance or let the clinician know during the event. Chances are (as long as it is within the realm of what they are covering) they will be happy to include it or at the very least answer any questions you may have directly. 

Picking the right clinic...
I'm an advocate for learning and becoming a better horseman. I've learned from many people over the years and look forward to continuing to learn for many years to come. I read different books, articles and horse magazines all the time searching for new nuggets to bring to my students or maybe new ways of teaching them fundamentals. In the same way I encourage people to continue their education. I have students who come to several of my clinics every year who also attend events with other instructors and I encourage them to enjoy the process. There are so many different options and only so many weekends and so much money to pay for it all! Do your homework and pick venues and clinicians that will fit what you are trying to accomplish with your horse. If you aren't sure where to begin, find someone who can help you. A good place to start is to ask riders who you respect and would like to replicate. What clinics do they attend?  Ask around and seek out opportunities where will you get lots of riding time and personalized instruction. 

Hopefully these clinic tools will help you this clinic season! Enjoy your ride and never stop learning.
MJB CLINIC SCHEDULE

Smile over the fences...

3/23/2017

 
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Mary Jane Brown sailing over fences in the late 70s.
Julie Hensely competing at our April 2017 event in Oroville, WA at Frontier Ranches.
Throughout my horse career and life, I've encountered my fair share of fences. But if you ask anyone who knows me well, they will tell you that I quickly forget the bad and remember the good. Life is too short and precious to waste time and energy worrying about the knocked over poles when there are so many victories! 

I was reminded of this more than ever when I went to Oroville, WA for a horsemanship clinic at Frontier Ranches. This is always one of my favorite events of the year because I get to see all of our friends there, especially Julie. Julie is a wonderful horsewoman and a terrific person. She takes instruction with appreciation and makes adjustments as asked. She trained her handsome palomino gelding, Hotrod, and is one of our best riders--demonstrating perfect circles, transitions and stops. Julie is also blind.

Julie lost her sight in a horse accident in her early 20s but that didn't deter her from enjoying her horse and continuing to learn. Years later, not only did she train her horse, but with a little help from friends' voices, she is able to  load, saddle and do all the regular things that come with taking care of him. She doesn't waste energy complaining or going on about how she can't do something that is asked of her. Instead, she adjusts and problem solves until we all find a way for her to be able to do whatever the given maneuver requires. She is so grateful and full of joy. I'm sure she has her ups and downs like anyone, but she chooses to smile over the fences of life! What a great example to all of us! 


"Being blind, I could just ride my horse. But then I think, why not do more?" Julie Hensley

Finding your game face...

3/15/2017

 
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Even the Herd Boss had to find her game face--circa early 1970s...
Competition brings out a little something different in everyone. I see some riders who are propelled to higher levels and some who find the same pressure to be an impediment. Regardless of where you find yourself in the spectrum of performers, here are some tips to help you find "your" game face...

Plan for adjustments not perfection...
Many times riders are so intent on achieving a perfect run, that when something doesn't go accordingly they are surprised and lose focus. All of your hours of riding and practicing have prepared you for this moment. Relax and adjust appropriately. By focusing on making the right adjustments instead of perfection, you will take the pressure off and recover much more quickly when something does go awry. 

Breathe...
As you probably already know, breathing is essential for your brain to function properly. If you're like the rest of us, we need all the brain power we can get when remembering a pattern and riding our horses. Breathing doesn't take any supernatural ability, but it will make a huge difference in your performance. If you tend to get nervous in your competition runs, have a good plan for breathing. Focusing on your breathing will help you and your horse remain calm and ready to work. Special Tip: Be sure to exhale on your stops!

Find your Game Face...
While taking tips from some of your successful fellow competitors' warm up routines is a smart thing to do, you still have to find out what works for you. My daughter used to sing to herself (sometimes out-loud) getting ready to compete in breakaway roping. It helped her hone in her focus and energy levels. Some people need to find a quiet place to visualize, some find that visiting with folks leading up to competition helps them stay relaxed. Figure out what works for you and do it. If you're the person who needs the quiet, let you friends know so that they give you some space in the moments before your run. If you're a "chatty Cathy" type, find your pals who like to gab to ease their nerves as well. Or ask someone who isn't up or has time to come sit with you before your run.

Keep it all in perspective...
Come game day, it is what is and it ain't what it ain't. You've put in the amount of work you've put in. You're riding the horse that you're riding, and you're doing what you're doing. The course is set and whoever's there, is whoever's there. Everyone enjoys winning, but at the end of the day your experience is what really lasts. Ride your ride, be a cheerful, respectful competitor and friend to all you encounter from the office staff to the person resetting the rope on course. Furthermore, like my dad always said, "Take good care of your horse and he'll take good care of you."  Life doesn't hinge on whether you place first or last. Often people forget who won what very quickly, but what they tend to remember are the kind people they met and the ones who weren't so kind. Be sure to fall into the first category. Enjoy the blessing of getting to do what you love right along side folks who go through the same nerves and hard work that you do. 


"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -Helen Keller

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