Is this a new wave of me being positively impressed upon by equestrians? It must be my lucky month because I've had the pleasure of meeting a fantastic horsewoman just before September rolled in and now I can count my lucky stars and say that Manolo Mendez may also have won a place in my heart… and he barely did anything to get there.
Despite my initial “wow, I like this guy” reaction to seeing photos of him riding, reading about clinic experiences and even tracking down videos of him riding and working horses at clinics, I haven't been able to dig up enough dirt to discredit my positive thoughts about this man. Unusual, I know.
Don't get me wrong, there are usually positive points I can find in many equestrian trainers and clinicians, but to be without a large enough mar to make me veer slightly in the opposite direction over time is not nearly as common.
Perhaps I will have to eat my own words in the future, but for now it stands to reason in my little brain that all the signals I'm picking up on this horseman are great. I'm plugging in what I could scrounge up around the web to share with you – I like saving leg work when possible..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjAAsHY7-rY
Source: Manolo Mendez video playlist
Join 3,000 Equestrians
Receive New Articles In Your Email
I’ve had many trainers and Manolo is one.
My horse is often overlooked because he isn’t a “flashy” warmblood, but Manolo actually stopped a lesson to come and look at my horse, gave him a pat on the neck and told me he’s “a nice pony”. That was my first experience with him.
My horse used to be a bit of a pick to work. Easily distracted, big and despite being a gelding, more than a little coltish. Manolo just worked him gently, praised me for the work I had done with his transitions and after wards showed me how to check for soreness and prevent it. While doing that he lectured many of the people in the stands about incorrect muscle development and showed them how my George was developing well and evenly. He also said to me (and the fence sitters) “once he settles, he is very willing. You’ve done well.”
You won’t find dirt on him. He’s wonderful and isn’t full of ego. He just loves horses and classical dressage!