Lou Roper Trail Horse Clinic Sept. 8th

Gail Lundquist and Pete

"To be shown over and through obstacles at a walk, jog-trot, and lope on a reasonably loose rein without undue restraint. Maximum credit should be given to the Trail Horse that negotiates its way through the entire course efficiently in a timely manner, without excessive hesitation, with curiosity, expression, smoothness, and style; it should show in a manner that raises the degree of difficulty with sacrificing and leaves one with the impression of being sure, safe, and a pleasurable ride over a course of obstacles." (IAHA Class Specifications)

The Valley of the Sun Arabian Horse Association invites you to attend its first Lou Roper Trail Horse Clinic on Sunday September 8^th, at Jackie Alkin's Royal Salute Training Center at 28440 N. 53^rd St, Cave Creek, Arizona. The clinic is open to all breeds and levels of experience. Come and learn the various techniques for training a winning trail horse from the world renowned trainer, Lou Roper. There will only be 10 openings for horses and riders to participate, but unlimited space is available for spectators. For further information and reservations please contact Kris Searle at (480) 899-1723.

Lou Roper is perhaps the most accomplished trail horse trainer in the Arabian Horse Industry. He has numerous National, Reserve National, Regional, and Class A Championships and Top Tens to his credit. At any particular show he wins with every horse he takes. For instance, if he takes 6 horses to Nationals, he will be National Champion and/or National Reserve Champion with the rest going Top Ten. Another credit to Lou was being nominated for the 1999 Horsemen's Awards for Working Western Trainer for his show season accomplishments: Lou won 1 National Championship, 1 Reserve National Championship, 8 National Top Tens, 3 Regional Championships, 16 Regional Top Fives, 16 Class A Championships, and 1 Scottsdale Championship (courtesy of the Arabian Horse Times, February, 2000 issue). His successful show wins have continued for 2000, 2001, and now 2002. He most recently won the 2002 Scottsdale Trail Horse Championship.

The best way to describe the success of his clinics and training techniques is to quote a participant of one of his clinics. Tanya Rossmann of Desert Wind Arabians, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada, with her horse MS Bravanka's Cinnibar+/ has hosted and participated in two of Lou Roper's clinics with achieving great success:

Tanya says, "I first saw Lou at the 2001 Scottsdale show, and was extremely impressed with what I saw. He was head and shoulders above the rest of the competitors, both in style and showmanship. When I approached him with the idea of bringing him to Alberta, he was friendly and receptive. I know that a lot of the "Big Trainers" at the larger shows are too busy to talk to us "little people". Lou was not like that. He rode his horse to keep it warmed up for his impending class, in circles around me, while willingly having a conversation with me. That was another thing that I was impressed with. He never once gave me the impression that he had the" "better than the rest" attitude. He had the time to talk even though he was busy."

"I brought Lou to Canada a couple of times now, and have had nothing but good reviews. The second time I had 5 repeat participants. I think that says a lot! My horse and I were scoring on the average of 60-61 before the first clinic, and went to 65. Now after the second clinic we are averaging 70-71. I think that says a lot!"

"Lou not only shows us how to negotiate the obstacles and get our horses taking them, but he has a wonderful way of mind set for both horse and rider."