Expert Dell Hendricks stages two-day clinic

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By Ryan Clarke

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Brittany Lawson gets pointers from Dell Hendricks on how to better hold the reins.

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World class horse reining champion Dell Hendricks and his wife Terri were in town for a horse reining clinic.

One of the world's top horse reining champions was in town last week to share his unique knowledge on the subject.

A two-day horse reining clinic featuring Dell Hendricks was held at Princess Louise Park Show Centre May 21-22.

Reining is a style of competition based on the rider's ability to control the horse. Points are awarded based on the horse's ability to listen and perform the moves.

The course had 12 students divided in two groups, with two sessions a day for two days.

New Brunswick Codiac Reining Association president Rachel Roy said she saw Hendricks in the United States at a National Reining Horse Association convention and thought he would be worth booking for a clinic here in the Atlantic region. And so she did.

Roy said Sussex was the perfect place to hold the event. "The show barns in Sussex were the only places large enough to house the program. The clinic helps critique riders and horses so that they can improve their technique and skill to better perform at contests."

Roy would not disclose how much it cost to get him, but Hendricks told the Kings County Record he charges $2,000 a day plus expenses.

As part of the clinic, Hendricks had one rider out at a time, watching and giving pointers on how the rider could improve. Spectators could watch for a fee. Some of the spectators took notes on the advice Dell was giving the riders.

Hendricks, who lives in Tioga, Texas, has been riding horses all of his life and at 20 decided he wanted to do it as a career. "I rode all sorts of styles but when I decided to do it as a job, I chose reining and focused all my attention on it."

He had early success, winning third place only the second time he ever competed. The prize was $100,000.

Now, with total career earnings over $1.25 million, he plans on continuing his success.

"I would like to win NRAH futurity one more time, but I don't think I will ever retire."