Reining Alberta annually kicks off the reining year with an Open Rider Clinic, traditionally held in February. Established as a way to thank the professional trainers who have sponsored and donated within our organization, it also offers an educational opportunity for the entire membership. Open riders participating in the clinics as well as the crowds of nonpro spectators have learned the latest techniques from NRHA reiners such as Craig Schmersal, Shawn Flarida, Francois Gauthier, Andrea Fappani and Duane Latimer.

Reining Alberta Past Open Rider Clinicians:

• 2010 - Craig Schmersal
• 2009 - Randy Paul
• 2008 – Duane Latimer
• 2007 – Andrea Fappani
• 2006 - Francois Gauthier
• 2005 - Shawn Flarida
• 2004 - Craig Schmersal

CLICK HERE for pictures

Eligibility Requirements for the Reining Alberta 2010 Open Rider Clinic 

The following conditions must be met during 2009 by professional/open riders that are members of Reining Alberta in order to receive an invitation for the 2010 Open Rider Clinic.

• Rider must be a Reining Alberta (RA) member.

• A minimum of a $250 sponsorship to RA in the year prior to the clinic
  being held. This could be in the form of a cash donation, time donation at a
  RA Clinic or Branch Show or any combination that meets the $250 sponsorship
  minimum.

• The rider must not hold an NRHA, RC or RA "Non Pro Card".

• One invitation per rider. If the rider is not able to participate, the invitation may be transferred to another rider who is employed by the initial invited rider (ie an assistant of that trainer). This rider must also qualify under condition #3.

• If there are over 12 riders who qualify for an invitation, the spots
  will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis with payment up front.

• RA values time donation as follows:
  • Clinic - $700/day
  • Branch Show Judge - $250/day
  • Facility/Arena Rental - $400/day (Note: the trainer must own or lease the facility)

Craig Schmersal at Reining Alberta Open Rider Clinic 2010
February 13 & 14, 2010

Another Excellent Open Rider Clinic

Reining Alberta hosted the annual Open Rider Clinic on February 13 & 14, 2010 with clinician Craig Schmersal.  Twelve Open Riders from Reining Alberta participated in the event while more than 100 spectators came to watch and learn.  Open riders, two at a time, worked with Craig to overcome all challenges that entered the pen.  The spectators were given many aspects of Craig’s training program in this two-day event. 

Open Rider Comments;

“I like the fact that it was 2 riders at a time….., freaking beautiful arena, WOW! …..the service we got was great as well, for stall cleaning/feeding.   As far as I'm concerned it was a huge success.” Mano Angers

“What can I say, the Facility was superb, the clinician was good, ground amazing, riding time was sufficient...it was all good!”  Wendy Nelson

“Thanks so much to the Reining Alberta members who organized the clinic and spent so much time making it a success, and I believe it was a huge success.  The facility was very impressive, the classes were well organized and on time... the clinician was awesome... he is a super rider and a super coach... I completely got my monies worth and more.”  Carola Friesen

“Craig is excellent!  He makes sure you understand how and why his training techniques work.  The facility is remarkable and the entire clinic was first-class.  I totally enjoyed the weekend.”  Gaby Klotz

“We want to thank all involved in the clinic.  It was very good and the facility was excellent.  Our special thanks to Cheryl (Belanger) and Family.  We learned alot and greatly appreciate Reining Alberta for giving us the opportunity to attend.  It was organized and run very well and hat made it great for riders as well as spectators.   Thanks Again.”    Locke and Deb Duce 

“The clinic was awesome, and well run.  Ten out of ten on everything from me!  I really enjoyed learning from Craig Schmersal.  The more experience I acquire, the more I appreciate how great trainers like Craig really are, so I was very grateful to have the opportunity to ride in this clinic.  Thank-you.”  Cheryl Mitchell

A big “THANK YOU” to Craig & Ginger Schmersal for making

the trip up to Alberta!

Feb 14-15, 2009
NRHA CLINICIAN RANDY PAUL A HIT in ALBERTA!

FEBRUARY 9th & 10th , 2008
NRHA MILLION DOLLAR RIDER DUANE LATIMER!

ANDREA FAPPANI CLINIC A GREAT SUCCESS in 2007!

Reining Alberta kicked off another great year by hosting the 4th annual open rider clinic. It was standing room only as over 100 spectators crowded into the Cochrane Ag Society arena for two days, Feb 10 & 11, 2007, to watch open riders at work with Million Dollar Rider, Andrea Fappani of San Marcos, CA.

The days were packed with information as Fappani demonstrated many aspects of his program then followed up with an individual focus, based on what each open rider wanted to work on in particular. 

Fappani's information was well received with many participants raving about their experience.

Open rider clinic participant, Christa Turel of Olds, AB, said, "I had a great time! I thought Andrea was a very, very good clinician. He didn't just share the end product with you, he showed you how to get there. He was very good at breaking the process down. You really understood how to get from point A to point B. Plus, with such a diverse group of horses in the clinic, there was a lot to see and learn. I felt like I took a lot home from it. The event was really well run. Isabel Gimber really made sure we felt secure about horses being over-nighted there. Overall, it was a good time." 



Shawna Sapergia of Cochrane, AB, agreed, "I really thought the clinic was good! I liked how Andrea taught and spoke to you - he really gets his concepts across. I liked the fact that he's got so much to say and offer and he really emphasizes his theories behind the maneuvers to make sure you understand. 

"The whole idea of letting the horse do things on its own and the emphasis he placed on softness were great. I really appreciated how much he pointed that stuff out to me. I thought he was a great instructor!" 

Sapergia added that was she dually impressed with the ground at the Cochrane Ag Society. "Whoever did the ground work at the Cochrane arena, prior to the clinic did a really great job. Whoever worked on it for this clinic did an excellent job of preparing the ground for us." 



For husband and wife duo, Jim and Andrea Anderson of Strathmore, AB, (also rider participants), the experience was one they won't soon forget. Said Jim, "I thought it was an excellent clinic. Andrea has a very good program. He explained himself very well. I was very happy. I got a bunch of new ideas to come home with. Thanks to Reining Alberta for bringing him up! I hope you bring Andrea up again. It was a good turnout for spectators. It was a very good weekend." 

Andrea Anderson echoed her husband's sentiments. "What I really liked about Andrea Fappani was his program, and the fact that he is super focused on what the horse is thinking at all times. Andrea zones in on the best way to get the horse to understand what it is you are asking. Ultimately, this makes it self-explanatory to the horse. Even when Andrea got into the advanced stuff, he still kept it simple. When he worked on the rundowns with me, it was quite neat how well he understood what my horse was thinking. I've worked on the stuff since I came home from the weekend and it's 100% better. Andrea is such an excellent teacher - I think he did an incredible job! There is a reason he is at the top. Of all the clinicians I've seen, this is by far the best clinic I've ever been to." 



From a spectator's point of view, Wendy Nelson thoroughly enjoyed herself too. "I thought the clinic was fantastic!" she exclaimed. "I was only there on Saturday, but I spent all day Sunday doing all the things Andrea was demonstrating the day before."




Spectators at the Clinic - 2006



Reining Alberta wishes to thank Mr. Francois Gauthier for instructing the Open Rider Clinic Feb 4,5 & 6, 2006. The feedback from the riders was very positive. We also would like to thank him for donating 1 day of instruction to Reining Alberta as part of the NRHA Top 20 program. His donation allowed us to provide an extra day for the open riders. 
Giving professionals a chance to discuss techniques and programs is an invaluable asset to all members of Reining Alberta.