WAYNE Caslick’s natural horsemanship clinic at Sussex Inlet last weekend attracted one of the best young riders in the state, Nikki Scott, aged 15, of Milton, who has been riding since she was two years old.

For at least two weekends out of every month, Nikki competes in the western ring in Sydney and across the state. She rides western style, and her latest successes include Reserve Champion Equestrian Youth Hunter Under Saddle on her horse Music Seeker at the Australian Quarter Horse Association Nationals at the Sydney Equestrian Centre earlier this year.  She also placed 7^th in the 3-yo Hunter Under Saddle, out of a field of 220. She has achieved AQHA Top 10 High Point Youth NSW for 2009. Her horse was also the highest point scorer in NSW for 2007. 

When she heard about the Wayne Caslick Horses Naturally clinic she decided to attend. But her parents Kerry and Danny Scott planned to travel to Gympie in Queensland on the Sunday, which meant Nikki could do only one day of the two-day clinic. However, they were so impressed by Wayne’s teaching they decided to delay the trip day so Nikki could do both days.

‘It was really good,’ Nikki said. ‘I went to the clinic to learn about natural horsemanship and I got a lot out of it,’ she said. ‘It was really different to other training because the natural horsemanship methods Wayne uses made my horse quieter and we bonded more. ‘I did the clinic to learn about natural horsemanship, to expand my knowledge and get involved in more things so I can develop my training. ‘I haven’t done natural horsemanship courses at all before and I was really impressed.’ Amanda McKenzie, 15, of Wollamia has been riding pony club and gymkhana from age 7. She was delighted with what she had learned. 

Amanda said she had been practising what Wayne taught her, how to get Dollar to stop bucking mainly, and her horse had improved dramatically. ‘I now use the horseman’s string to tap him with rather than kicking him all the time and so now I don’t have to kick him at all. ‘I want to thank Wayne for improving Dollar so much - when I got back Dad said he was a new horse.’ Amanda said she begged her father to allow her to send Dollar to Wayne for training. ‘He said if I get straight A’s in Maths he’ll do it,’ she said. ‘So I’ll do my best to get A’s then I’ll go and spend a few days in Coolah. I can’t wait.’

It is a basic requirement of Wayne’s that if he takes a horse on to train it, the owner must commit to spending at the very least two days at he and his wife Jenny’s Coolah property, no matter how much the owner knows about horsemanship, natural or otherwise. This is so he can teach them the methods he uses to get the horse to a higher level of respect, confidence and response and education.

Another participant, Belinda, from Sussex Inlet, had never done natural horsemanship before she attended the clinic. ‘I had an absolutely wonderful experience and I can't believe how much I learned in a weekend,’ she said. Before she did the clinic with her pony Candy she said she was beginning to think that horses, even though she loved them, weren't for her and her quiet nature, and she was feeling a little frustrated not knowing exactly what, how, when and why.

‘But now I have a renewed spirit and loads to practise at home with Candy,’ she said. Belinda has already begun to show her daughter Josie what she’s learned so she can follow through in the same manner. ‘Candy is a different pony now compared to before the weekend....obviously it's due to the change in me and my new knowledge and confidence that I have found. ‘But the change in her is amazing! Since being at home this week I have continued practising what I have learned and Candy is still respectful and attentive...I'm so grateful! ‘Wayne is such a patient and articulate teacher...I found it easy to listen and learn from him...also by watching how he interacts with the horses. ‘I'm definitely interested in attending future workshops,’ Belinda said.

Kaye, one of the fence sitters and mother Keira, another participant, said Wayne’s was the best clinic she had ever attended and her daughter was thrilled with the weekend. Their horse had not been ridden in years and Keira’s main aim had been to ride her with confidence, a goal she more than achieved at the clinic.