To register for any of these classes, please scroll towards the bottom of this page for the on-line registration form.

Classes are approximately three hours long, usually on a week night.

For any desires not mentioned here, please let me know and we'll try to work out something. Sometimes we can, sometimes we can't.

Fees are based on what it's worth to you. That's mostly due to the cost of gas to get here (5 miles north of 120th Avenue and 6 miles east of I-25 on Highway 7; or, 3 miles west of Highway 85 on Highway 7.) If you feel obliged, I do have house payments to make and would really like a new truck and trailer. And I can't wait to quit my day job. There will be a coffee can labeled "what it's worth" sitting on the back table at class. Good checks and cash are welcome!

Really, this is the best way to get honest feedback on how the classes are going. I truly appreciate your business!

Please be courteous of your facilitator by signing up for only those classes you are definitely going to attend. If no one signs up, then no class. That's why pre-registration is so important.

Class cancellation by your facilitator will only happen in case of human or equine emergency - maily, death - mine - in which case I couldn't call you anyway. Just step over my weary bones and enjoy the coffee!

In the event of any necessary cancellations, the class will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

The only other requirement is just good old fashioned courtesy to other attendees.

OTHER STUFF...

These are simple classes in an informal classroom setting - actually a garage-turned-into-studio. Each class offers a formal presentation which includes several opportunities for discussion and questions.

Wearing barn clothes and Corral #5 is quite acceptable. Please scrape off the bigger chunks.

If the desire is there, we can make arrangements to have a "working class with your horse" for a reasonable haul-in rate at a local indoor arena. The last time I checked, the haul-in rate was $20 per horse. My fee would remain on a "what it's worth" basis.

Honest class evaluations are greatly appreciated.

I provide appropriate handouts. Please bring a writing utensil and something to use it on.

You are encouraged to bring snacks and food. If you bring chocolate, please remember your facilitator. Class potlucks are possible, as well!

I found it rather difficult to write something about myself so I asked a friend of mine to do it for me. This is what he came up with, based on talking with people who have attended some of my clinics and classes.

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Your facilitator, Vickie Weigel, grew up on a 1500 acre cattle ranch in the Columbia Basin of Washington State. Most of her summers were spent on the ranch riding fence, rounding up strays and camping out with the "old timers". What she learned during those summers was the understanding that sometimes the only way out of a bad situation was to be on the back of a good horse. Both literally, and figuratively.

Vickie started training horses as a professional at age 16 and had several horses qualified for national competition by age 17. During her competitive years in technical riding, her interest in basic riding skills never left her. Since retiring from competition, Vickie now instructs clinics and seminars on topics ranging from purchasing your first horse and competitive riding to back country trail riding and wilderness survival skills. She incorporates the lessons learned on the ranch into her teaching philosophy of "back to the basics".

The best compliments she has received about her classes and clinics are that her sessions take on a life of their own. She starts with a general topic and game plan, and where it ends up is entirely up to the participants. No two sessions have ever been the same.

As a facilitator, Vickie has the reputation for creative program design which encourages adult learning. As a competitor, Vickie has extensive experience at both the regional and national levels. As a clinician, Vickid has designed and facilitated seminars, clinics and workshops for beginning riders and advanced horsemen including:

barn management
horse handling skilss for non-horse people
nutrition for the back yard horse
emergency preparedness
problem solving
behavior modification
wilderness trail riding
emergency skills for hauling
leadership skills
western pleasure and equitation
hunt seat and equitation
saddle seat and equitation
formal saddle seat
halter
showmanship
trail class
reining
cutting
communication skills