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Lyons Legacy Latest – July 2024 Newsletter

July 2024 Newsletter

The Lyons team wrapped up three months on the road in July for a brief stint at home taking time to recharge before the August programs in Colorado kick off. We are especially grateful for the wonderful experience we had at Christian Equine Stables at the start of July. Marilee and her team have a beautiful facility and were fantastic hosts! We will be returning in July 2025 for two more 3-day clinic opportunities – both a riding clinic and a groundwork clinic. Registration is open for both these events!

The John & Josh Lyons Certification Program and the Josh Lyons Accreditation Program both begin in August. These programs include 4-weeks of intensive daily training with Josh as you build the skills necessary to reach your goals in the horse industry. Students of a wide variety of horse experience, riding skills, and ages attend our programs for both personal growth and professional development. 2025 class dates will be posted soon! Keep an eye on our Event Calendar for all new in person opportunities to train with Josh.

We have a group of great locations for our clinics coming up in October! We start the month in Hickory Corners, MI at Hickory Hollow Stables for a 3-Day Riding Clinic. Then we jump up to Warren, ME at Oyster River Equestrian Center for the third year in a row for a 5-Day Riding Clinic. Our final destination in October sends us to Derwood, ME at Unbridled Blessings for a 3-Day Riding Clinic. Click on the clinic ad below for additional details about these events or to get registered as a rider or auditor!

Recently, Josh invited Richie Wingfield as co-host of the twice monthly zoom session offered as part of our Lyons Legacy Online Training Program. One of Richie’s specialty areas is working with gaited breeds so he gave a little insight as to similarities and differences in training gaited vs. non-gaited horses. Click the picture above to enjoy the replay of that session!

Lyons Legacy Latest – June 2024 Newsletter

June 2024 Newsletter

Wow! June has been very busy for the Lyons Legacy team. We are very proud to introduce our April 2024 John & Josh Lyons Certification program graduates as members of the Lyons Legacy Trainers family: Chance Sexton, Alisha Anderson, Teresa Speer, Ava Scovel, Justyn La Manna, Liam Burnside, Lori Nelson, Richard Stephens, and Paul Wilcock! You can learn more about this crew and their future plans in our blog, titled Student Stories – April 2024 Certification Class. Our team wishes all of you success as you pursue your journey in the horse industry!

We will be returning to Boon Ranch in August for another round of programs – both the John & Josh Lyons Certification Program and the Josh Lyons Accreditation program.  We have room for additional students in both of these classes and remember, veterans can use their Veterans Education Benefits for either of these programs! Take the first step to your future in the horse industry by ENROLLING today.

July takes us to the mid-west for two clinics. The first stop is a 3-day Riding clinic at Christian Equine Stables in Bismarck, ND July 5-7, 2024 followed by a 5-day Combo clinic at Hickory Hollow Stables in Hickory Corners, MI July 16-20. The 5-day Combo clinic will have two days of groundwork followed by three days of under saddle work. We would love to have a few more participants join us at both of these events so if you can’t attend, please share these opportunities with your local horse communities! And remember, we always have room for auditors to get in on the learning.

 

Mark your calendars! Richie Wingfield will be joining Josh for a Zoom Session July 24th and it will be open to the public. They will discuss gaited vs non-gaited horse training and how they compare. More details to come in a future email!

THANK YOU to our most recent hosts – Gerry Cox Horsemanship in Corvallis, MT and Flying N Farm in Palmer, AK! We felt like family at both of these wonderful facilities and walked away with a new appreciation for the majesty of these beautiful landscapes. Until we meet again, keep Riding Like A Lyons!!

Clinics – The Key to your Success

Choosing a Clinic

In today’s market, there are a wide variety of clinicians available to the horse community. Choosing which clinic is the right fit for you and your goals can feel overwhelming! Read on for some tips about what makes a good clinician and how to get the most out of your clinic experience.

L1-Horse Training Program clinic

What makes a good clinician?

So often we find that great trainers and showmen are not necessarily great instructors.  We head to a clinic with a well known professional only to find that they are lacking in communication skills. Teaching people and helping them find success is very different than working with the horses solo. Humans and horses communicate in very different ways so it is important to find a clinician that has a proven track record of being able to communicate with the people participating in their clinic. In addition, a good clinician should be able to explain an exercise or correction in a variety of ways so that every participant, regardless of level, can understand the concept and apply it to their horse.

"Josh was amazing at understanding the level of rider I want to be with my horse. I’m not a Reiner, I’m a Ex Dressage Rider, now a National Park Trail Rider! I have many years in the saddle, Josh was able to teach me and my horse how to be a “TEAM” on the trail through his exercise drills. Confidence, Commitment and Clear Communication is what I rode away with and so did my Warmblood!!"

Another factor to consider is versatility. Does this clinic apply to all styles of riding or is it specialized to one specific discipline? We often forget that no matter what game you want to play with your horse, all horses communicate the same way. So, does the horse care if you put a western or an english saddle on them? Not at all! Good riding is good riding, no matter what saddle you are using. Find a clinic that embraces all horses, all levels, all disciplines – this demonstrates the understanding your clinician has about horse training and their capability to modify their instruction to suit your personal goals.

Getting the most out of your clinic experience

The first decision to make when choosing a clinic is – should I participate as a rider or as an auditor? For those unfamiliar, auditing is attending the clinic as a spectator and taking notes to reference when you go home and apply the concepts to your own horses. Auditing is a fantastic, low pressure way to glean amazing information with the backdrop of live riders working through their individual challenges. Often there are riders experiencing your same issues. Auditing allows you to watch the corrections in real time and see the impact it had for both the rider and the horse.

"I audited a three day riding clinic in Naples, FL this past December. I wasn’t sure what to expect but was treated with the same respect shown to the riders in the clinic even though I only paid a very affordable daily fee. Josh was approachable and very knowledgeable. I admired his willingness to describe past mistakes in his training approach over the years and how he learned from them. That is always appreciated because no one is perfect. His opening rider’s meeting was super helpful and I was included in the meeting without feeling out of place. His instructions during the clinic were broken down into basic steps along with the rationale. He gave good feedback to his class and helped with specific problems some were having."

Riding in the clinic adds some additional responsibilities to the experience – hauling, caring for your horse, and working through all that comes with a new environment. For many recreational riders, traveling with your horse may be intimidating. With the right clinician, all of this is totally worth it! A good clinician will take the time to address your specific problem areas and work to build your confidence every step of the way as well as providing a wide variety of take home tools to facilitate your continued success. So how can you be a good participant?

  • Be on time and ready to work every day of the clinic
  • Be realistic about the goals you set for yourself and your horse
  • Ask questions! More importantly, ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer
  • Research your clinician and his methodolgies prior to the event to ensure your priorities align
  • Consider bringing a friend to audit and take notes while you ride so you can focus on the task at hand

"I've never been so wowed by a family, like I am theirs! They go above and beyond just to help someone with their horse. My horse and I were part of the 2016 Hoosier horse fair in Indianapolis and the Lyons helped me so so much, from saddle fitting, to pad help, to showing me many many other things with my mare, including reassuring me and making me stray away from giving up hope!! I am certainly blessed to have personally meet this family!! I will never forget any of the Lyons and I will never forget what they did for me and my horse in the short time of being around them!! Thank you guys again so so much, it's people like you who give others hope and make some realize that there are still good people in this crazy world!!"

Upcoming Josh Lyons Clinics

You can access clinic registration pages from our Event Calendar. Clinic registration pages include specifics for the facility hosting our team. General clinic information can be found on our Clinic Page. Clinics are limited to just 15 riders so hold your spot today!

Lyons Legacy Latest – May 2024 Newsletter

May 2024 Newsletter

May has been jam-packed for our Lyons Legacy team! Our John & Josh Lyons Certification Program is in the midst of their third week of instruction at the beautiful Boon Ranch in Fort Morgan, CO. The progress we have seen in both the horses and the students has been phenomenal! If you’ve ever had a lesson or done a clinic with Josh, just imagine the progress you could make with 4 weeks of intensive training. If you are ready to invest in yourself and your future, consider joining us in August. Both the John & Josh Lyons Certification Program and the Josh Lyons Accreditation Program are still accepting new students!

During our program break Josh also conducted two clinics.  First was the 5-Day Trainers clinic right at Boon Ranch.  Many of our program students participated alongside a wonderful group of clinic riders who traveled from Oregon, Wyoming, and even Wisconsin to join us for the event! Then it was time for Josh to travel to Montana where we were hosted by Gerry Cox at Mountain House Stables in Corvallis. On a scale of 1-10, Gerry gave us a 60 and is on the books to host us again in 2025.

With just one more week until graduation, we are looking forward to some travel in June and July for clinics.  June will take us to Alaska and July includes trips to North Dakota and Michigan. Make sure you get registered if you plan to attend these events!

Train for success - with THE BEST!

Riders of any discipline are encouraged to join us for a transformative experience riding in a clinic – we are not just for western riders. Josh has an extensive background in jumping and dressage allowing him to help everyone progress and succeed! If you can’t join us yourself, please share these opportunities with your local horse friends and communities. 

There are boarding options available for those traveling to attend the clinic – the clinic host can provide details and make reservations for your horse. Our clinic locations are limited so if ND or MI are in your range, join us – you won’t regret it!

Please note the 5-Day Trainers Clinic in Hickory Corners, MI will be 2 days of Liberty Work and 3 days of Riding. Click on any of the pictures above to be taken directly to the clinic info/registration page.  For general clinic information, check out our Clinic Page.

clothing

Lyons Legacy Gear is available! The General Store has tons of options. The Graduate Access Store has specialized logo options for program graduates. Reach out to Kristen at 615-379-1056 if you are a graduate and need the password to access the store!

Ready to pursue a career with horses? Learn more about what it’s like to be a student from none other than our current student group! Remember, only our Colorado campus classes are eligible to receive Veterans Education Benefits. Classes are limited to just 10 students – don’t delay, enroll today!

2024 Clinics – Let’s Ride!

Our team was unbelievably blessed in 2023 with wonderful hosts and facilities for our 3 and 5 Day clinics!  That trend is carrying over to 2024 and our calendar is already full. If you are looking for an amazing learning opportunity for both you and your horse, consider joining our team for a clinic in 2024! 

Our clinics take a maximum of 15 riders; we want to ensure every rider gets the attention and time they need to understand each concept that is covered over the course of the clinic. In addition, auditors are always welcome to join in on the fun!

Cost for our clinics are: 
3-Day Rider – $900
5-Day Rider – $1250
Auditors – $25/day
These fees do not include stalls or hookups, though most facilities do offer those options for the events. Check event details for pricing – some may include facility fees.

2024 Host Facilites

Colorado Campus moves to Fort Morgan

Horse Training Certification Program

Big news – we are moving our Colorado campus from Grand Junction to Fort Morgan!  The opportunity to take advantage of a private facility was too good to pass up.  Boon Ranch is just 10 minutes outside of Fort Morgan, offering our students a wide variety of local accommodations and attractions. Additionally, there are some hookup options right on site for students that hope to utilize their LQ trailer or RV!  Take a look at these amenities:

We feel so very blessed to embark on this new endeavor with Boon Ranch!  Hosting our programs at a private facility gives our students an intimate environment where they can focus on their progression without feeling like they are on public display. Thank you Boon Ranch!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Lyons Legacy Latest – October 2023 Newsletter

What a busy month! Our wonderful training horse, No Better Cat aka Boon, has spent time with the Scottsdale Equine Reproduction Center team receiving training on the phantom in preparation for his upcoming breeding season.  He took to it like a fish to water and his swimmers tested phenomenally for both cooled and frozen shipments. If you are interested in breeding your mare to Boon or want more information, click the link below.

While Boon was learning the ropes of standing at stud, Josh travelled to Reflections Equestrian Center in Missouri for a 5-Day Trainers Clinic as well as a 3-Day Riding Clinic. We were blown away by our youngest rider – just 9 years old! These up and coming horse enthusiasts are just as hard working and talented as the adult riders.  Following the Missouri clinics, Josh then headed to North Carolina to hold a 3-Day Riding clinic at Michael Lyons Horsemanship. Not only did Josh get to enjoy working on maneuvers and finishing work with the group, but also got to spend time with family.  Thank you to both of these facilities for hosting us!

Josh is now enroute to North Dakota for another set of clinics at the brand new and heated Twin Buttes Fairgrounds arena. We are so appreciative to the tribe for allowing us use of their beautiful facility and look forward to some great events!

Our next adventure takes us to Naples, FL! This clinic has space for two more riders and auditors are welcome for just $25/day. Join us for a fun and informative event! Click the picture for more information.

Arizona clinics ready to register riders! Click the picture for info or to register, auditors can sign up by clicking here.

Horse Training Events
Horse Training Events

Ready to pursue a career with horses?  Join us in 2024 to earn your certification!  We are excited to announce our Arizona programs will be held at a private facility in San Tan Valley, AZ.  We are still taking applications for these upcoming classes:

Remember, only our Colorado campus classes are eligible to receive Veterans Education Benefits. Classes are limited to just 10 students – don’t delay, enroll today!

Lyons Legacy Latest – September 2023 Newsletter

September is flying by and fall is upon us. Congratulations to our recent Accreditation Program graduates – Ellie Shirey, Ridge Romine, Mira Carr, Alisha Anderson, and Angel Ramirez!  We are very proud to have you join our family of Lyons Legacy Trainers and wish you all success in your new careers. If you’d like to find these graduates or any of our trainers, check out our Trainers Directory.

Josh, Jana, and family have been enjoying some time at home in Arizona after a very busy summer schedule.  We have met some wonderful people in our travels and are preparing for the next road trip to see old friends at Reflections Equestrian Center. This beautiful facility has hosted us many times, they always make us feel right at home. Team Lyons is very excited to be returning for both a 5-Day Trainers Clinic and 3-Day Riding Clinic! We still have room for more riders – join us for an intensive learning experience.  Auditors are always welcome to get in on the fun as well.

We have added a button for All Events to our homepage to help interested riders find upcoming events.  Not only are Josh’s clinics and programs listed, but you will find John Lyons events listed there as well.

For those of you enrolled in our Lyons Legacy Online Training Program – our next Zoom meeting is scheduled for September 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM MST. Don’t miss out on a great Q&A session with Josh. 

We are blown away by how quickly our 2024 calendar filled with events! If you want to host a Josh Lyons clinic in 2025, get your requests in ASAP! Click the picture for more info or to fill out the host application.

Horse Training Events
Horse Training Events

Ready to pursue a career with horses?  Join us in 2024 to earn your certification!  We are excited to announce our Arizona programs will be held at a private facility in San Tan Valley, AZ.  We are still taking applications for these upcoming classes:

Remember, only our Colorado campus classes are eligible to receive Veterans Education Benefits. Classes are limited to just 10 students – don’t delay, enroll today!

Intensive Horse Training Workshops in Scottsdale, AZ!

Attending a workshop with Josh Lyons is an incredible way to improve your horsemanship and your relationship with your horse.  Workshops are designed to meet the needs of each individual rider – no student is overlooked or gets lost in a “production line”. Our small class size allows everyone to find SUCCESS!!!

During the course of  3-Day Workshops you can expect that both horse and rider will learn foundation exercises, lessons, and principals covered in the conditioned response program offered at Lyons Legacy. Riders will first and foremost learn to effectively control their horse.  No matter if you have been horseback for years or rode a horse years ago, all riders have the same common goal: to improve the level of control they have in regards to the horse they are riding.  Lyons Legacy is here to help you reach that goal and take your horsemanship to the next level.

The cost of our 3- Day Workshop is $900 per horse and rider.  Auditors (Fence sitters) are always welcome for $25 per day.

5-Day workshops are 1 Week of totally immersive hands-on instruction. The instructor will utilize the see
one, do one, and teach one training methodology. Instruction and demonstrations will be given
during the morning and afternoon sessions. The riders will then train on their horse to perform
the exercises. Small class sizes allow coaching and evaluation to build your skills in a fun,
supportive setting.

The cost of our 5- Day Workshop is $1250 per horse and rider.  Auditors (Fence sitters) are always welcome for $25 per day.

Check out our EVENTS page to find a clinic or get signed up!