Australian trainer offers advice at 2-day clinic in Shelbyville

"With the right tools and instruction, you can turn your horse into the willing partner you've always wanted!"

Those are the "words of wisdom" offered by Australian trainer Clint Anderson, whose program on RFDTV -- the highest-rated horse-related show -- has earned him fans and enthusiasts all over the world.

There's more to good horsemanship than climbing up into a saddle and grabbing the reins. Anderson will be in town today and Saturday conducting a two-day clinic called the Wahl Walkabout Tour at the Calsonic Arena.

Anderson calls his style "Down Under Horsemanship," and like other famous trainers, such as the Parellis and John Lyons, he stresses the importance of understanding the horse -- its physiology as well as its psychology -- when it comes to building a relationship with it. Anderson deals with everything from behavior -- such as teaching a horse to load into a trailer -- to bonding, building a better relationship between horse and rider.

Some things that can be learned at the clinic include:

* Getting your horse to be lighter and more responsive to your cues

* Getting your horse to be respectful and safer to handle, making the time you spend with it more enjoyable

* Communicating more effectively with your horse

* Getting a horse into a trailer

* Giving your green horse a great start

* Moving ahead in training

* Getting your horse to like you more.

Anderson performs demonstrations at the clinics, both with green colts and later with his own horses, to demonstrate just how far a rider and trainer can go with the right techniques and motivation. In those demonstrations, you can learn how to gain your horse's respect on the ground and why it's essential to building a solid foundation; how to fix even the spookiest horse; and achieving softness and suppleness under saddle and how it will help you be safer and more confident as a rider.

Anderson grew up on horseback in Australia, learning from other horsemanship experts and refining his own techniques. He began touring the United States in 1998 and began producing his one-hour program on training in 2001.

In 2003 and again in 2005, Anderson faced the country's best horse trainers and clinicians in the prestigious Road To The Horse Competition, becoming the first person to win the event twice in a row.

Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.downunderhorsemanship.com or by calling toll-free 888-AUSSIE-2 (888-287-7432).

Tickets are $25 for a two-day pass, if purchased in advance. Ticket prices at the door are $50. Children 16 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Seating is general admission. No reserved seats.

The clinic will begin at 8 a.m. each day. The doors will open at 7:15 a.m. for the No Worries Club members that are attending and at 7:30 a.m. for the general public.

More than $6,000 in prizes are given away, but you must be present to win.