Members Testimonials, Cleve Wells, Basics of Winning, Horse Training

What our
members
are saying . . .

Basics of Winning Video Series for Training Champion Horses

Just a little testimonial on your videos... My 13 year old son, Joshua, has been using your methods since last April to train his own horse. We took a risk and bought an Investor bred Palomino filly as a 2YO knowing that a young horse & young rider usually equals disaster. But with my son's determination and natural ability we decided to give it a try. We started out with a trainer just to get her broke, but decided after 5 months we weren't progressing very fast. We bought your tapes, brought the mare home and started applying your techniques. Amazingly, he has had great success. Last summer he won year end all-around high point in the East Texas Horse Show Association and is now branching out into some of the bigger shows. In only two outings to PHBA shows and big ones at that (Tulsa - Go for the Gold & Fort Worth Stock Show) he has earned 10 points in W.Pleasure, Trail, and Horsemanship. We look forward to trying a few AQHA shows this spring to see how he does against the really good horses. Maybe we'll see you there. Thanks for all the helpful info. Keith Jarvis

Cleve, I want to thank you for your help. Over the last 2 years I have been training my horses using the methods on your videos and seeing wonderful results. I also learned a lot when my wife and I came to your ranch last May. I have never taken any kind of riding lessons in my life, my successes have all come from using your methods. It is great how everything is spelled out step-by-step on the tapes and any time I got stuck, I knew I could get help. I have won several small futurities and placed 3rd overall at Oregons Triple Crown 2 year old non-pro futurity on our filly, A Deluxe Sensation. I still have a lot to learn and look forward to coming to ride with you again in the years to come. I have recently started training for other people and look forward to sharing what I have learned with others.

Cleve . . . My apprenticeship with you was an experience of a lifetime, an experience that made me realize that a dream can become a reality when the influences of serendipity, hard work, dedication and a love for horses interact. My time at your ranch in Burleson was a tremendous validation for me that working with horses is exactly what I want to do. The challenges you provided were numerous and the learning curve was steep, but what stands out most in my mind is the fellowship with you, EH and Eric extended to me. You each made me feel like an integral part of your team from the moment I arrived at your ranch. The knowledge that I gained and the encouragement that I received from each of you has provided me with focus and direction. The experience of working with you has impacted my life, my career direction and my desire to work, to train and to learn from friends who not only work hard and love what they do, but who are willing to share their knowledge and lead by example. The opportunity you afforded me provided me with a most wonderful lasting gift - you allowed me to follow my heart and live my dream. Errin Sussey · Assistant Trainer McMillian Quarter Horses · Gainesville, Texas

Dear Mr. Wells . . . Just thought I'd drop you an email to let you know how much we enjoyed your presentation at the Horse Expo in Ft. Washington, Penn. last Sunday. My wife and I have been to clinics by most of the major clinicians across the country. You have a special way of presenting the information and of showing how to do it that makes it very understandable. It was obvious the paint you were using for the demo was at ease with you and extremely responsive to your suggestions. We look forward to seeing you at a full length clinic at some point in the future. Best wishes for your continued success! Sincerely, Chris & Diane Carlile Pottstown, Pa.

Cleve . . . I wanted to let you know of the impact your two day clinic and video tapes made on my show career . . . "2000 was my first year on my own. Prior to that, I assisted for Diane Paris during her APHA presidency, and then I assisted for Roger Deromedi and Rod Safty. I mostly showed hunt seat for my former employers and wanted more than anything to compete in the Open Pleasure. I bought two WP prospects. One was the dark Tobiano mare I rode in your clinic in Gilroy, CA, and the other was a AQHA/APHA double registered Zippos Old Gold 98 Son "Zippin Cowboy"/"Old Gold Cowboy." The mare you rode and helped me with was quite unbroke at the time of your clinic. At the age of three, we finished our Superior WP and were the 2000 CA Res. State Champion JR. Trail. The ZOG son I started with your methods learned from your videos and your clinic finished his 2 YO year with a Superior WP, and CA State Champion 2 YO WP! Thank you for your guidance! Your clinic was absolutely INCREDIBLE! I would love to do another clinic again sometime soon. Thank your for giving me the tools to be successful." Melissa Sachs

Dear Mr. Wells . . . Hi, my name is Colton Smith. I'm 12 years old . . . "I emailed you last year and you helped me stop my horse from troping (loping in the front and trotting in the back). I'm writing this letter to say THANK YOU! I worked on what you told me to and this past show season was the best I have had yet! I showed at the Illinois State Fair. There were 54 in my western pleasure class and I made all the cuts and took 4th place! I also showed at the Youth Charity Show in Springfield, IL. There were 80 in my western pleasure class--I made all the cuts, and took FIRST PLACE!" "Sending you a picture of me and my horse to show you how well we did. I couldn't have done so well without your videos as I don't have a trainer and I do it all myself. I really like your videos. I watch them a lot."

Hi Cleve , I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you that I very much enjoyed your clinic again . . . "This year, as in last, I found the fact that there was some new and interesting ideas that you had added to your program , since last year. The fact that even with the tremendous success that you have had in the show pen, you are still always improving on what you are doing is excellent!" Thanks again for the help Dan

Dear Cleve, Last spring I attended a seminar you held in Franklin Furnace in Ohio. . . I came away from there feeling like I was lost. Everything I had been taught up to that point really did not count for much. Basically, it was because we were not hooked up with a very competent trainer prior to this. Well, at Congress 2000, I purchased the rest of your videos and decided I had no choice but to start all over again. We had purchased a couple of your videos the year before at Congress also. I started watching the tapes and applying what you were saying not only to our older horses, but also to our yearling stud colt. I talked to you about sending him down to your place, but I think we found someone that is gonna work out. This way I can go weekly, and if he was at your house that would not have been possible. Anyhow, after our colt was there for a couple of weeks the trainer said he was by far the farthest ahead of any of the other two years olds he had. (At that time there were seven.) With your program, we already had him going in the driving lines and had been getting on him. We had been sacking him out and taught him to longe. He was in several futurities last year. We are by no means "trainers", but by following your advice, applying your priniciples, and switching trainers we have come along way in a short time. At Congress you gave me advice to be patient because I was wanting instant success. Well, I just wanted to thank you because you certainly have "bigger fish to fry," but I wanted you to know that you have made a huge difference in our progress and goals. I also took my black mare there to the same trainer. I am hopeful our two year old will have a good year, and that this trainer can help me reach my goals. Thanks again for your advice and videos. I am hoping you will write a book sometime soon. Not only do you have wonderful equine advice, it also can be applied to sports or just wanting to succeed in other areas. Rhoda Carpenter Lewisville, OH.
First World Show - 2 World Championships - 1 Reserve Champion Dear Cleve, Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your secrets.... I attended your clinic in Minneapolis last February. I purchased your videos and came home to totally revamp my training sessions. As a result, I went to my first World Championship Show - The Buckskin World with my three year old mare, Causinacomosion. We won the World Championship in the 3 Year Old Western Pleasure Snaffle Bit Class, (2 firsts and 1 second under 3 judges), and the World Championship in Junior Western Pleasure, (2 firsts and 1 second again). My daughter is a Novice Amateur, and she won Reserve World Champion Amateur Western Pleasure on the same mare. We were totally shocked at these results. We were hoping to get in the top 5 but never expected to win. The arenas down there are huge compared to what we ride here in Canada. It was actually overwhelming. But my mare hung together and continued to lope slow and relaxed despite the distance down the rail. We had a great year - winning 4 out of 6 futurities I entered. Unfortunately, I missed qualifying for the AQHA Show by ½ a point. Hope to see you again - this time at the AQHA World Show. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. I would highly recommend your clinics and videos to anyone. It totally changed my approach to western pleasure. It changed the way I think when I am training. Sherry Clemens Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I am a 43 year old mother of 3 teenage boys... " I work full time and I try to ride every extra minute I can find. I ride novice. Last fall I started looking for a trainer to start my 2 year olds. I decided on someone who I had known for a few years. He had been to your farm for one of your first trainer clinics. He tragically passed away shortly after I made plans for him to do my training. I felt lost on what to do with my horses. I bought your first training tape and loved it. I now have 4 of your tapes . When I ordered the last tape the person I talked to told me about your internet training and I became a member. In January I started my 2 year stud colt out of TNT Fluid Fred. He walk, trots, lopes, pivots his shoulders, hips and sidepasses. I could have never done this without the things I have learned from your tapes and internet training. I have been able to work through all my problem from what I have learned. Thank you for the help!" Gina

	Pam Melany of Donna, Texas riding Checked by Dynamic, says . . . "My most recent circuit was very successful, winning 4 AQHA All Arounds and the Novice High Point All Around buckle. Best of all, two people came up to me and complimented my horse's lope transitions as 'beautiful' and 'excellent'!" "Your program makes so much sense and isn't stressful on the horse. My nervous, tooth-grinding horse, is now cool and calm and is willing and able to perform at his best. I don't have to ride his legs off and he is happy to do his job - he is indeed a pleasure to ride." "I know that good western pleasure training is the foundation of my all around success. Frequently people ask me about your clinics and videos. I tell them the clinics are intense (and lots of fun!), and the training videos will help anyone's performance."

Riley's trainer, Amy Lund says . . .

"I knew that we had purchased a really nice western pleasure horse for Riley to show, but the horse was so broke, after going through Cleve's program, that Riley was able to start showing in the Western Pleasure and the Horsemanship right away. We've already started a lead change on him. Because he had such a solid foundation of basics, he adapted very easily to the different events we began to show him in. It was a very easy transition for him into my training program."

Riley Zarda from Kansas
on her horse Procreate

Thanks to your tapes . . .

"I bought a seven year old mare last year that had a very successful show career in western pleasure. I rode her and liked her, but she had two years off from showing and I wasn't sure if she would perform to that level again. We had more problems than anticipated. She was hardly ever rode or showed for that matter one handed. In February, we took her to a top pleasure trainer. She was coming along slowly, but things happened to set her back. The trainer gave up all hope in showing her and told us we should look for a new horse. We brought her home in May and began going through your tapes and starting doing the things you said. The progress came quickly at first and then began to slow down. We decided we should try and show her. Her first show wasn't the best, but we did manage to place in a very tough amateur class. As the shows went on (we kept doing things on the tapes), she began to get better and better. You could see a little progress at every show. Needless to say, towards August, we began winning the senior and amateur pleasure classes with her. Over the winter we will work on her more because she still is not the most consistent, but a 100% improvement from the first show. I just wanted to say thank you for putting out your tapes. A lot of people gave up hope in her, but with your help maybe we can recreate her past success."

Five years ago . . .

" I purchased my first horse being bit, kicked, thrown ( several broken bones),spent a bundle of cash on horses and trainers, hence learning from the school of " Hard Knocks" I decided not to give up. I didn't know it at the time but I was intentionally set up from the beginning for failure. I went to my first show and was completely humiliated and laughed at! I cried almost all night. MY poor husband had to suffer through it all. Through research and hours of listening, watching and reading I became aquainted with your success and purchased your tapes! Having a late two year old, which I purchased as a weanling, I spent the best part of fall and winter viewing your tapes. (My husband is surprised they still play!!). It's amazing how much I learn each time I go through and analyze them. I started in the fall and figured I could use them the following Spring. I decided to board this winter.

I started from the beginning even though I had been riding her since fall. We are now doing transitions and advanced calisthenics. She is so calm and relaxed!!! I am looking forward to showing my HOME GROWN model. I cannot thank you enough. You have helped me in more ways than you will ever know. I don't think ANYONE will be laughing anymore, in fact I catch people peering into the arena to watch.

My goal is to show at open and then novice amateur point shows. I attribute your tapes to helping me gain knowledge with how to and the confidence that I can. Someone once told me "In order to be successful, you have to be able to measure it." I now measuring my success in training my horse by all that I can do and not by what I can not. Thanks to you my list continues to grow!!!!!!! I look forward to posting my first successful win on your site.

Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie

P.S. My husband thanks you. He's tired of running me to the emergency room!!"

A member praises Cleve and Jana . . .

"There is no way money can repay them for allowing us to view their program from within Cleve's mind. If you have ever wished to be a little fly along for the ride, this is as close as you can come. Our farm will benefit intensely."

Testimony from a member . . . "I Finally Get It!"

Funny how a person can learn something but not really "get it" until experiencing it firsthand.

You explained that it is better not to "practice western pleasure" but to make WP the reward. You explained how not to force the correct movement on the horse, but to take a horse with natural talent and work from there.

Well, I finally really understand what you mean. I realized that by working so hard on going slow with collection, I was teaching my mare NOT to like going slow! Whenever she went slow, she got picked on--at least I figure that is how she saw it.

So, I started just going out and letting her lope, with me staying clear out of her face and off her sides. At first, she was inclined to run some. I'd let her get a little out of breath and then ask her to stop. I stopped her with "whoa" and stayed out of her face, so as not to punish her for stopping.

We did LOTS of loping circles and zigzags, etc. We did lots of lope...stop...rest...change lead/lope...stop...rest, etc.

Before I realized it, she was going slowly and correctly. It happened so gradually that I didn't even realize just how slowly until I saw a videotape of me and my mare riding together.

Here's another one from a member . . . "Thanks for an incredible week!"

We arrived home safe and sound about 3:00 am. We had no trouble sleeping. At 8:30 my daughter received a phone call from a veterinarian asking if she would come and work with him all day. She was so excited she forgot about being tired. She rode with the vet and worked with him until about 7:30 pm. Next to riding, this is her dream come true. She hopes to become a vet and seems to be well on her way. The vet has told her he will help her through high school until she is ready for college.

My daughter got home and realized there was still some daylight left and picked her next victim from our group of two year olds. Maggie was her choice and was quickly saddled and bridled with the new snaffle. Next, she attached the driving lines. Asked if I would drive her for her, since it was the first time and she wanted to make certain that if there was a problem, someone would be able to handle the mare through the problem. So I helped with the first few times around. The mare caught on fast and she was willing.

Maggie and my daughter have begun the task of getting "Broker". By this time, Jim had made it to the fence and you could see he was pleased with the process and even told my daughter how pleased he was that we took the steps to acquire the knowledge even when it meant we were not here for a week.

We have so much to work with, I'm sure questions will arise. Thanks for giving us the tools to build on.

Your clinic is the most informative, hands on, well thought out clinic I have ever attended. I have ridden with many professional trainers, been to clinics throughout the US and never have I been presented with the wealth of material and shown how to accomplish the steps from start to finish. We intend to use our knowledge by starting the ground work with the young horses and having them ready for the trainer to continue the education process. When we get to that level you will hear from us for your thoughts.

Again, we thank you for an outstanding week at your ranch. Give our thanks to all of your family of helpers, and a special thank you to Jerry for taking such good care of our culinary desires. Our other daughter says she gets to come next time. Let us know how to access your web site and what to do if we need to join.

My 3 year old gelding (halter bred, but with a slender, performance look), progress report . . .

This horse is really benefiting from the Cleve Wells philosophy of letting WP be the reward. His lope is very nice, but his jog is a little rough and fast and in need of development. (My daughter rides him more than I do, and we have both attended one of your seminar weekends).

We've been doing lots of serpentines and random changes of direction, and circles on a very loose rein, and are very happy with the progress "Ted" is making. Whenever his jog begins to get fast and rough, we change direction or do a circle. As he slows down, we allow him to go straight as the reward. We ride him out in the open, in the pasture. Usually, my daughter rides him while I ride my mare

I think this horse is going to turn out to be a right decent show horse. Thanks!

Send us Your success story . . .
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