FREELANCE WRITER
COMPETITOR
HORSE SHOW JUDGING
CLINICS, LESSONS
(Contact form at bottom of page)
LESSON & CLINIC INFORMATION
Riding Lessons
- Beginner riding lessons –cover all aspects of horse care, equitation, basic horsemanship
- Lessons for show preparation – Western & Ranch, Trail, Speed, Hunter – cover what’s required, coaching for the event, warm up & show management strategy
- Individual or group lessons available
Working With Rider & Horse
- Horsemanship – Training focused
- Specializing in problem and green horses
- Trailer loading issues
- Event focus – working through issues a horse may have for a certain event
- Available for clinics at your facility
HORSE SHOW JUDGING
- Carded with OHSA Association
- Specializing in Western & Hunter
- Rates negotiable based on distance & length
Oscar the donkey
PHILOSOPHY
I’m just a down to earth horseman that’s not real fancy but has a great passion for good foundations and good safe horsemanship. As a great friend C.J. Swiney once said, as an instructor, the ultimate goal in working with people and their horses is to train ourselves right out of a job. Whether it’s giving lessons, judging a horse show, or writing an article I strive to make people think about how their horse thinks and reacts. I’m not about turning out riders that just know how to look pretty. I’m about turning out riders that are true honest horsemen in and out of the show ring, and of course that always translates over to life!
In early 2015, I started COWGIRLS WITH CURVES for plus & real size riders. Being a plus size rider all my life and having struggled with my own confidence as a rider and a competitor, my hope with CWC is to recognize, encourage, and motivate riders of all ages and disciplines that struggle with their body image and ability. I know what it’s like to struggle and my program is geared to help riders become strong and confident, not just look good!
HISTORY
With past training experience in the early 90’s with Oak Knoll Arabians, trainer Ed Lake, and MoonStar Arabians, as well as a lifetime of working with Quarter Horses I have a well-rounded background to be able to deal with a diversity of horses. I enjoy working with those horses that may be too sensitive or have too many issues for the average person as they offer opportunities to grow as a horseman. My specialty is dealing with problem horses.
In addition to training, I have 20+ years of showing experience. I periodically compete in Halter & Showmanship, Hunter, Ranch Riding & Trail, Team Sorting, Barrels, and Western Pleasure. In 2017 I plan on diving into the Eventing arena with my retired race horse, Dynamic Host.
WRITING
PUBLISHED AUTHOR – Writing under F.J. Thomas & Jewel Thomas
Multi-genre, best-selling, internationally published author – AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
Look for my new Children’s Book, FRANCINE THE WORKIN’ STOCK COWGIRL coming summer of 2016 with Dingbat Publishing!
Published in Horse & Ranch Magazine, America’s Horse, Horseman’s Yankee Peddlar
Follow FILSON-BOUK TRAINING & HORSEMANSHIP on Facebook
BLOGS
PRICING INFORMATION
INDIVIDUAL LESSONS
On the farm
- $35.00 for 45 minutes. Lessons may last longer at no additional charge
- Use your horse or one of ours
Off site (off the farm)
- $45.00 for 45 minutes. Lessons may last longer at no additional charge
- Working with you & your horse
- Up to 30 miles from the farm
GROUP LESSONS – OFF SITE
- 2 -5 Students – $35.00 per student (45 minute lesson per student)
- 6-8 Students – $25.00 per student (extended lesson time)
- 7-10 Students – $20.00 per student (extended lesson time)
- 40 mile radius for 2-5 students
- 50 mile radius for 6-8 students
- 75 mile radius for 7-10 students
CLINICS
- Although we do have long-term plans to hold clinics at the farm, we currently only teach clinics off site
- Prices Negotiable & Extremely Reasonable
- Location limitation will depend on negotiated rate & date/length of clinic – willing to travel
HELPFUL TIPS FOR SHOWING
TRAIL
Accuracy over obstacles including not knocking or hitting obstacles
Calm, relaxed horse
Reins easily & lightly on & off the obstacles
Looks like a pleasure to ride
Nice movement where the horse is using themselves nicely – no short movement or being strung out
HALTER – Judged on Conformation
Overall balance of the horse
Correct straight legs (no toeing out, etc)
Good angles of the shoulder, the hips, hocks, fetlocks
Good muscle tone & condition & weight
Good coat condition & grooming
Nice even movement when walking & trotting for the judge
Movement & conformation that is ideal for your specific breed of horse
Squares up nicely
SHOWMANSHIP- Judged on how your handle your horse
Accuracy on pattern (example–stopping at the cone instead of past it)
Grooming of the horse & handler
How well you square your horse up – is it really square?
Know your quarters & your pattern!
GO AS YOU PLEASE, NOVICE & GREEN
See Hunter, Gaited & Western Class information below
Stock – Walk/Jog or trot
Gaited – Walk/Favorite Gait or Pleasure Gait
HUNTER
Nice big long stride that covers ground with a flat knee
Rounding of the back so that the horse uses themselves and steps up underneath themselves nicely
Free easy movement that is consistent in tempo
Level headset
On the bit – not nosing out or tucking their nose in
Nice, smooth, quick upward and downward transitions (example going from a walk to a canter)
Good equitation
OVER FENCES
Consistent tempo
Relaxed over jumps
Takes jumps confidently & clears them nicely
Nice even tucked knees
Rounds their backs over jumps
GAITED
Nice consistent tempo, footfalls & movement -not speeding up or slowing down & consistent in how they move
For Racking & Walking Horses a higher knee action and reach
On the bit – not nosing our or tucking their nose in
Smooth transitions between gaits
Looks like a pleasure to ride
Style Racking is more formal & they look for more knee action & reach- looking for more of a big show horse
Country Pleasure is less showy and less action & more natural
Good equitation
**Reverses to the outside on the rail
WESTERN
Nice relaxed calm horse on a looser rein
Horses ridden in a curb (bit with a shank) are ridden ONE HANDED
Horses ridden in a snaffle are ridden TWO HANDED
No tie downs, martingales, cavesons allowed
All gaits are slower in tempo but the horse should not be short-strided
Good quality movement where the horse is using themselves – the back is not hollowed out but rounded & they are reaching
Consistent tempo – no speeding up or slowing down
Smooth & quick transitions between gaits
Level topline -head not above or below the withers
Looks like a pleasure to ride
Good equitation
RANCH RIDING
Is still slower but covers a little more ground like you would want working out on the ranch
Penalized for the head going below the withers & un-natural movement
RANCH REINING
Precision & lightness on the reining pattern
Smooth lead changes
Nice solid stops but long sliding stop not required — you don’t want to slide when you’re out on the ranch!
**We encourage everyone that wants to try reining to give it a try! You don’t have to be a pro!
WESTERN RIDING & WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP
Precision on the pattern
Good western equitation
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS
Get to the show early so that you’re not rushed — if you feel rushed your horse will pick up on that!
Make sure your horse is groomed his best and make sure your tack & clothes are neat & clean
Review your breed’s rule books to know what they look for & what you can & can’t do!
Most associations require you to ride a Senior Horse (6yrs & older) in a bit with a shank
Don’t be intimidated — get out there and try something new! We have a lot of novices at our shows, which we LOVE, and you won’t be the only one!
Copyright – 2016 Frances J. Filson-Thomas
MUSINGS FROM THE LEADROPE 