I am considering purchasing the dvd series by Julie Goodnight.

Does anyone have them, and how do you like them?

She has an excellent video clip on cantering and flying lead changes.

I liked her teaching style!

Any info or thoughts on this instructor are appreciated!

Julie is a neighbor of mine. I know her as a kind and thoughtful trainer who puts the welfare of horses right after rider safety. An outstanding clinician, I don't think you will go wrong with her material. I find her style refreshing, especially compared to the "my way or the highway" approach put forth by the likes of Parelli.

She sometimes comes and watches us practice cutting cattle, and never has a bad word to say, only constant encouragement for the good things she sees. I think you can count on her to stick to what she knows, while remaining open to stuff she might not know (but will learn in a big hurry if it applies). Goodnight Training Stables also sponsors the Versatility Ranch Horse competition I ride in every fall, for which I am more than grateful.

She's a good girl: go for it.

Thank you so much for your reply! That's so cool
that she is your neighbor.

I have enjoyed her magazine articles, but never saw
a video. Due to the storm, I was home. RFD/TV has
a program called horsecity-Julie was giving the lesson
on cantering. It was the best presentation I have seen.
Very professional. She has a very clear teaching style,
and a gift for working with horses.

Although I enjoy the content of the Parelli program,
I am not a fan of the presentation of the material.
I watched a half hour of their program and most of
it was not a lesson but stories and talking.
Their dvds for purchase may be more focused.
Many people enjoy the Parelli approach and the
important thing is to find a trainer you enjoy.

Gravitysfool, I really appreciate you writing to
confirm my intuition.

And yes, I am ordering it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Jahra,

You're more than welcome to my $0.02 worth (inflation adjusted of course).

Didn't mean to rip on the Parellis - on re-reading that didn't sound good at all. I do respect their ability with horses - Linda especially. And I know some pretty good horsepeople who absolutely adore them both.

I'm one of those who tries to learn something from every horse person I encounter. I've often learned things from people who would be considered rank novices as well as from some who are tops in their fields. Of course I think Julie is more like the latter than the former! Please let us know what you think once you've used the DVD to full effect - I'll tell her I gave you the "thumbs-up" on it.

Happy trails,

Jorian

Hi Jorian,

You are awesome! You were posting your message while I was on
with Julie's customer service.

My apology-I did not take the Parelli comment that way.
I have found that its helpful to find a trainers style that
you enjoy.

There are lots of good trainers out there with alot
of wonderful information. And its fun to learn via tv/dvd/internet.

I am old enough to remember when a computer took up a
whole room and you needed punch cards to run your program
at school. Now my husband can access the internet on his cell phone.

Thanks again, and please give Julie a big hug for me.
I learned more in her 20 min segment on cantering than I have
in all the years I have taken lessons.

I am looking forward to the dvds and will surely update you after review.

It looks like its shaping up to be a snowy winter here in New England,
so I will have plenty of study time.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Jahra

Just an update---

Jan 2, 08 (Wed) is the start of Horse Masters program with Julie
Goodnight at 5:30 pm EST on RFD TV

http://www.mnhorseexpo.org/

You can see her for free in MN in April!

Do you happen to know if Julie does like private lessons or training. I live less then an hour away. Thanks so much.

Yes, Julie has been known to do private lessons but her schedule last year was pretty hectic. Not sure how this year is shaping up for her. Do you want me to ask her about it? You could just give her a call at (719) 530-0531.

Failing that, I'd strongly recommend getting in touch with Sandy Carpenter Rose at Victory Hill Training Center. She's on Hwy 50 between Salida and Poncha Springs. Sandy has thirty-something years of experience training horses and people in almost every imaginable discipline, does VERY affordable private lessons and her methods are totally compatible with Julie's. Check out her website and/or give a call -(719) 530-0938

Sandy is not as public as Julie, but I'd actually prefer her for private lessons - just because of that if for no other reason. Drop me a PM if you want to know more about her curriculum.

Happy trails almost-neighbor! (Anyone within an hour of here is almost a neighbor, as you know!)