TSB caught up with horse trainer and author Clinton Anderson a few weeks before he’s scheduled to appear at “The Road to the Horse” Colt Starting Competition in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, February 25, 26, and 27. If you haven’t heard about this event yet, it has been dubbed the “Legends” competition, as it pits Clinton’s impressive training skills against those of Pat Parelli and Chris Cox.
Clinton tells us about his first two appearances at “The Road to the Horse” in his bestselling book LESSONS WELL LEARNED (15% off this month during our SHAPE UP YOUR HORSE sale special). He pulled out impressive wins both times with difficult horses, so we just know this year’s competition is going to be super exciting. We also think his new show on Fox Sports Net is super exciting–the man continues to amaze us with his energy…how does he do it all? See what he thinks about his new television gig, as well as read a couple other little-known Clinton stories in the interview below:
TSB: You have a brand new show on Fox Sports Net. How does it feel to have Downunder Horsemanship broadcast far beyond the devoted audience you’ve gained over the years on RFD-TV?
CA: It feels wonderful, and we’re very excited that FSN invited us to be on their network. It’s an incredible opportunity to spread the Downunder Horsemanship Method and to help more people reach their horsemanship goals and stay safe while doing it.
TSB: What are your personal goals for 2011 and beyond?
CA: I want to spend more time at my ranch in Stephenville to do more filming and teach horsemanship clinics. I recently just completed building an all-new clinic facility that includes an obstacle course. I have a lot of fun working my own horses over the obstacle course as well as watching my students create better partnerships with their horses as they work through the obstacles. I also plan to show my reining horses a lot more. I love to compete.
TSB: If you were trapped on a desert island with a horse and a book, what breed of horse would it be and which book would you choose?
CA: A Quarter Horse, and Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz.
TSB: What’s in your refrigerator at all times?
CA: All kinds of meat.
TSB: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
CA: Being able to stay home and do nothing but train my reining and cow horses all day.
TSB: Tell us about the first time you remember sitting on a horse.
CA: I can’t remember the first time I sat on a horse, but I do remember the velvet softness of touching a horse’s nose for the first time. My grandmother, who was very influential in getting me started with horses, used to lead me around the paddock on her Thoroughbred mare.
TSB: What is the quality you most like in a friend?
CA: Loyalty.
TSB: What is the quality you most like in a horse?
CA: Trainability.
TSB: What is your idea of the perfect meal?
CA: Lamb chops at Del Friscos.
TSB: If you could have a conversation with one famous person, alive or dead, who would it be?
CA: J.D. Wilton–a famous Australian trick horse trainer.
TSB: What is your motto?
CA: To get ahead in life you have to work harder and smarter than everybody else.