RHR Gymkhana Racing, Inc
the ultimate in Gymkhana
and Gymkhana Match Racing
The most exciting game on  horseback

Testimonials

A Smashing Success
   Our 1^st Campo clinic featuring the “Basic Handle” was presented at Bartlett Ranch in Campo, Ca on April 6, 2008.  Fifteen riders were in attendance ranging in age from 7 to 63 and all who attended expressed appreciation to RHR Gymkhana for making it happen.   But RHR Gymkhana didn’t do it alone.   Suzi Minor took care of the local preparations.  Dave and Shelly Bartlett allowed us to use their facility and the local Subway Sandwich show provided lunch.  Last but certainly not least, Orlando Alamillo traveled to Campo and taught the clinic.  Watching Orlando deal with the varied group of riders (varied not only from an age standpoint but from an experience level as well) I couldn’t help but think that his education in animal behavior and teaching were serving us all well.  He is patient, understanding, and communicates well with young and old.
  No everyone at the clinic went away knowing all that was offered, but everyone took some things home with them.   Seven year old Grace Bartlett’s legs just aren’t long enough to signal her horse to side pass but you ought to see her try to post to a trot.    Jade Miner missed part of the morning session but had no trouble catching up with the others once she arrived.    And Trevor Cox, what can you say.  He was riding a brand new horse and was able to do just about everything.    Mark Wilson came out and brought the whole family and every one of them learned to do some things.  All in all it was a real good clinic for everyone.   What did the riders think of it???   Well here are some of their comments:

 ‘Orlando you saved my life by teaching me the emergency stop!

Other Testimonials:

Orlando’s 1^st clinic on May 13^th was a big success and after a full day of riding, all went home happy, tired and for some, maybe a little sore.  The level of expertise of the riders ranged from beginner to CGA Hall of Famers but interestingly enough all agreed that they learned things they didn’t know before and as a result had better communication with their horses. 

"Thanks Orlando"
   Your clinic on May 13th brought me back to the basics of riding and for me there is nothing more important.  Starting with flexing, one rein stops, side passing, stopping, and backing up smoothly.   Do you have to jerk on your horses mouth to get it to stop??  Well,  now I have a better way to stop and it is easier on my horse.  Learning leads, once again back to basics.  Right lead, left lead,  if your horse is on the wrong lead injury is possible to you or your horse in speed events. Lead changes, picking up the right lead and changing leads when necessary, might sound simple,  but I needed to go back to the basics to improve my riding skills.  Control is the key from riding in the warm up arena,  to riding on the trail, everyone needs the basics.
Again, thanks Orlando.

Thanks Orlando,
   The clinic was great!   I learned some things I didn’t know, I learned to do some things I didn’t know I could do and you taught me how with practice my horse and I will be able to do some things we can’t do now.   All in all, you made me a not only a better rider, you made me a safer rider and it doesn’t get anymore important then that.  I look forward to your next clinic.

 RHR,
   I just wanted to thank you for referring us to Orlando for a fabulous work shop. The workshop was so organized. What I liked the best, besides all the usable information we learned,  was the fact that there where so many different levels of riders. I have been riding horses since I was 12 years old and realized I had never learned the basic handle of a horse, sure I could jump on my horse and run barrels or do pole bending, but never realized how important the basic handle would be to all the style riding I do. Orlando put the day in order so not only did the lessens make sense it made it easy to learn. The class size was perfect, and we even had the fun playing with the other students and our horses. If I was to request anything different it would be to have us all working the arena more. I wanted to apply all that I had learned over and over so I would not forget. I love the class and would recommend Orlando's training to anyone of any level of riding. When is the next one?!       Thanks again,

 Thanks Orlando
   Your clinic brought me back to the basics of riding and for me there is nothing more important.  Starting with flexing, one rein stops, side passing, stopping, and backing up smoothly. 
   Do you have to jerk on your horses mouth to get it to stop??  Well,  now I have a better way to stop and it is easier on my horse.  Learning leads, once again back to basics.  Right lead, left lead,  if your horse is on the wrong lead injury is possible to you or your horse in speed events. Lead changes, picking up the right lead and changing leads when necessary, might sound simple,  but I needed to go back to the basics to improve my riding skills.  Control is the key from riding in the warm up arena,  to riding on the trail, everyone needs the basics. Again, thanks Orlando.

Dear Orlando
   I want to thank you for the very informative Riding clinic. I have a new horse and the day we spent riding the clinic taught us a lot about each other.  We learned each others cues and learned how to communicate with each other much better.   I have been riding for over 30 years and a 3 time CGA Hall of Famer.  I learned a lot going back to the basic.  Even a seasoned rider should go back to the basic and sharpen there skills.  Thank you again.

I Thought My Family Was Crazy
   When my family suggested that I ride in Orland’s De-sensitizing/Bomb proofing clinic I thought they were nuts.  After all I don’t ride that much and I’m still afraid when I do ride.  The thought of what might happen if a plastic bag should blow into my horse or if someone kicks a volleyball into my horse or if I need to ask it to do something it has never done before scared me.   But after having Orlando help me do some ground work with my horse, I began to gain confidence that we could get through most of those situations.   Then came the afternoon and we had to get on the horses back and try these things.  I was a little hesitant about this part of the program but with Orlando’s help my horse did everything I asked it to do in a safe calm manner.  I actually had fun.  I don’t know who learned more at the clinic, my horse or me but because of what we learned, I now feel confident that when something unexpected happen we will be able to get through it.    Thanks Orlando for helping me.  It was a lot of fun.

 Thanks again Orlando,
   Your  second clinic was very impressive, seeing the riders from the first clinic and what they had learned from you and improved their skills on was the proof of the pudding.  All the riders were amazed at what you did with the horse that would not take a step backwards or flex his neck.  By the end of the clinic the rider had the horse backing and flexing it’s neck with only the slightest  pressure.  Taking it up a notch to be able to accomplish correct leads, simple and flying lead changes was my favorite part of the clinic and I am really looking forward to your clinic on “bomb proofing”.

   The De-sensitizing/Trail Obstacle Clinic on August 18 was for us an eye opening experience.  We do a lot of trail rides, Gymkhana, ETI events and in my case I got Bud from a roper. We have done team penning; he also jumped English one year and went to Vegas for four days to run barrels. When I saw the arena with the blue tarp, the foam mattress, the plastic bag with cans, the plastic bag on a stick and the basketball I was a little nervous. My horse is not real happy with plastic of any kind, but Orlando had a real easy way of stepping through things to build my confidence along with my horse. Towards the end of the day walking over the plastic and mattress was no problem. We still have some work to do with the plastic bag and basketball, but with the methods Orlando showed us I am really looking forward to the next few weeks to over come and practice these obstacles.  As far as Kathy and Lucy, Kathy was concerned about trotting Lucy over the large tree obstacles.  Lucy has done trail courses at horse shows and done very well but that was a different rider, and since Kathy came off once while going over a large obstacle, Lucy will not go over them with Kathy on her back.  After Saturday’s clinic Lucy seemed to gain confidence in Kathy and so she would trot and even loped over the wagon wheel.  All in all it was a very good day for all.  Once again it was a learning day for us.  Thanks, Orlando.

Thanks Orlando,  Because of your clinic, my horse and I communicate better and I’ve found out that my horse if more then willing to do what I want.  I really believe that my horse and I are better friends now then we were before.   It was a profitable – fun day for me and my horse.

Thanks Orlando,
   The clinic was great!   I learned some things I didn’t know, I learned to do some things I didn’t know I could do and you taught me how with practice my horse and I will be able to do some things we can’t do now.   All in all, you made me a not only a better rider, you made me a safer rider and it doesn’t get anymore important then that.  I look forward to your next clinic.

Thanks Orlando,
   I wish I had a nickel for  every time I use one of the maneuvers you taught us.   Every time I find my horse "slipping" back into old undesirable habits, I bring him back with a "basic handle" maneuver.   I can't believe I rode all those years without knowing these fantastic exercises.