Lessons Learned: Ian Francis Consistent Practice

Clinton Anderson from Downunder Horsemanship has developed a way to train horses, regardless of their past problems or traumas. It all begins with training the owners so they can gain their horse’s respect and understand how to properly control them. Join Clinton on his weekly endeavors of tackling some of the most challenging situations with problem horses, and problem owners. This week, we watch as Clinton tells us about a few of his lessons learned from Ian Francis.

Clinton still first saw Ian Francis in person in 1990, after years of seeing him in magazines and books. However, he didn’t meet Ian until he was about 16 years old after he started attending various horse shows with Gordon McKinlay. Clinton tells us that Ian was a lot like Gordon in many ways. They both had a phenomenal work ethic and, like many Australians in that generation, they were just tough—it’s the only way to call it what it was. Clinton tells us that then they had to be tough to survive, especially in such a competitive business. So, Ian’s work ethic was as superior as Gordon’s, and he explains that that’s one of the biggest secrets to why they were both successful.

Clinton reminisces on a time when Ian would go to a lot of horse shows and be gone Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. He wouldn’t get home until Sunday night about one o’clock in the morning, then on Monday, he’d be back out riding his horses. On one of these occasions, Clinton went outside and asked, “You don’t take a day off when you come back from a horse show?” And Ian responded, “No. Think about it, if I’ve gone to 40 horse shows and each time I come back, I take Monday off, my competitors that are riding on Monday will have 40 more rides on their horses than me when it comes time to show at the futurity. I can’t afford to let my competition have 40 rides more practice than me.”

So, Ian rode every day he was home. He was consistent with his training and riding his horses because he knew if he wasn’t, his competitors would surpass him. That’s why when Ian was competing in Australia and really at his peak, he was dominating the competition. Clinton says that nobody could really touch him and he could dominate in lots of different events. His work ethic truly struck a nerve in Clinton, and he realized that regardless of if you were tired, or got home late, getting back in the barn in the morning to ride your horse is essential in the long run. That type of consistency is the best way to train your horses and become a better horseman.

Clinton Anderson has spent the past 20 years of his life devoting his time to creating the best training tools and videos available to horsemen all over the world. Unfortunately, you can’t bring your TV into the arena to watch videos. That’s why Clinton and his team have been hard at work developing a new platform to deliver the training in a whole new way that brings 20 years of horsemanship and puts it in the palm of your hand. Now, you can access the mobile method and get everything at the touch of a finger.

Always have access to the Downunder method, even when you’re on the go or at the barn. The Downunder Horsemanship app gives you access to your digital training kits. It allows you to download videos and training content directly to your mobile device or view them on your computer. The Downunder Horsemanship app also offers over 100 hours of free in-depth training content. No Worries Club members will have full access to Clinton’s ever-growing training library and many members-only features and information. And the best part is that you can view and interact with each lesson on your mobile device or computer, giving you the ultimate access to the method anytime and anyplace.

To learn more about the Downunder Horsemanship training method, become a member of the No Worries Club, or get information on any of the products seen on our show, head over to our homepage and download the Downunder Horsemanship app today!