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I always loved reining! Whenever possible, I would drench myself in the shows, training techniques, videos, and books. For years I sat on the side and watched, working fulltime, raising small children, and going to night school just didn’t leave me resources to apply any consistent training to my horses. I told myself that as soon as the opportunity arose, I would stop sitting on the sidelines and participate – who would have thought that the time wouldn’t come until I was forty-five!
In 2005, at age forty-five I stopped waiting and decided to jump in and see if I could learn how to rein. I had simplistic and realistic goals; I wanted to learn. What does it take to get my horse and myself into the show pen and complete a pattern successfully? When I spoke with Linda for the first time I knew it was a fit, she explained in detail her methodology. I would have to do all of my own riding, she would instruct me but I would learn to ride, fix and work through the issues that arose with my horse.
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Instruct she did! In 2006 I won the MRHA Green Reiner Championship! Without Linda’s weekly instruction, I know I wouldn’t have had gained the ability, or knowledge to compete, let alone win that title. Even more importantly I’ve learned and learned and learned.
Words just cannot convey the knowledge that she has given me and I’ve grown to respect Linda’s highly unique gifts. Her ability to convey to riders the movement, position and posture that are needed to fix or train in any situation is amazing and I’ve never met anyone like her. I continue to be amazed by her talents, I continue to take lessons, and I continue to recommend her as a trainer to anyone who wants to learn about horses.
- Michelle from South Lyon, Michigan
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Linda’s technique teaches you not only how, but why something is happening or not happening with you and your horse. If something isn’t working, she has many tools in her “toolbox” and Linda will always find that tool that works for your horse. She will challenge you and sometimes take you out of your comfort zone, if she feels you are ready. I remember my first show… in an arena on a green 3 yr old, with 20 other horses loping around in many directions and my horse bouncing off the wind of the horses that were passing him. Talk about being out of my comfort zone! But there was Linda on the rail, smiling, giving us the thumbs up and the “You can do it” feeling of confidence.
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Another example: I never trusted my horse to guide. I felt that I had to really make contact for my horse to understand, until Linda took my horse’s bridle off to prove to me that I didn’t have to make contact to guide in a circle. And I didn’t! She showed me that all I have to do is focus on where it was that I wanted my horse to go and ride and he will follow. And now Okie and I can ride an entire pattern brideless!
I get emotional when I think about this stuff because without Linda’s help I probably would have never been able to bring the best out in my horse and I for sure would have never had the confidence to step into the show pen. Those are things you don’t get from watching videos.
Attending Linda’s 5 day camp really had an impact on my riding and put me in fast forward to where I wanted to be as a rider. The personal instruction you get in those consecutive days of being with Linda will take you and your horse to the next level. Not to mention the good times, laughs and friendships that are established.
The way I see it, Okie and I are just getting started and although we have come a long way, I have a feeling that Linda's plans for the future will take us out of our comfort zone and into success!
-Tracy from Oxford, Michigan |
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Linda is amazing! Since I have had her as my trainer I have received so many compliments on my horse on how good he is! Linda knows what she is talking about. She does everything for the good of your horse. If it isn't good for your horse - she won't do it.
-Kali from Howell, Michigan |
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If you really want to be involved in the training of your reining horse, and get to the show pen, Linda Durocher is the lady for you. You will not find a trainer who is more generous with her knowledge and time. She has many tools in her training box to help with your training issues. Her methods always take your horse into consideration.
Linda was able to sell both of my horses within 30 days. She did a great job marketing them by making custom videos/dvds for distribution, utilizing internet advertising and networking. If you need a reining prospect she can help you locate a nice horse to ride, as she did for me. Hope to see you in the show pen.
-Gary from Cohoctah, Michigan |
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I've owned and ridden horses for more than twenty years showing in open show circuits, AQHA and the Michigan Reining Horse Association.
I haven't learned so much in such a short time as I have this past year with Linda. She has the ability to see your horse for what it is and your ability as a rider. Then she combines the two to come up with a plan for you and your horse. Linda's ability to adapt to each individual horse and rider is amazing. You get to do most if not all of the actual training on your horse. It makes learning much more interesting and rewarding as you and your horse progress together.
Linda has made me a much better rider as a whole, not just in reining. I can't say enough about her and how much she has helped me. |
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Finally, years ago and unknown to her, she was my first exposure to reining and I have been hooked ever since.
Thanks Linda.
-Tim from Ypsilanti, Michigan
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Linda possesses all of the characteristics of a successful trainer and coach – she is talented, compassionate, intuitive, perceptive and generous. After introducing me to sliding stops and turnarounds on her finished show gelding, I was hooked on reining! Linda worked with my father and me to find a mare that would be suitable for green reiners, but talented enough to eventually use as a broodmare. She worked hard for us, calling upon all of her connections near and far to generate a lot of prospects. Linda was patient and understanding as she helped us filter through the pool to find the best fit for us (not an easy task!).
After helping us find the perfect match, I continued to take lessons with Linda. She has an amazing ability to detect how changes in a rider’s tension level, hand and leg position will achieve a calmer, more focused horse. She understands a horse’s signals and can adjust the rider’s approach to find the most effective way to communicate with your horse. She instructs in a clear, concise manner and draws on her diverse life experiences to express instructions in a way that makes sense to her student. She has an infinite amount of knowledge and patience. How could so many terrific characteristics find their way into one trainer? I strongly recommend Linda Durocher as a trainer and coach!
-Michelle from Dansville, Michigan |
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