Spring 2010Winners

Your Online Source for Information on Foundation Training!

Plus, here are archives of past articles that Charles has written on Foundation Training and other subjects for external publication. Archives are sorted with most recent publications shown first.

	Foundation Training Basics
	Frequently Asked Questions
	Virtual Training
	Ride! Magazine Monthly Columns : Solving Problems with Foundation Training
	Riding Magazine Monthly Question & Answer Columns
	Miscellaneous Horsemanship Articles by Charles

Charles Wilhelm on DishTV!   Charles is pleased to announce that he is back on television with a weekly program!   For those with DishTV you can tune in to Charles on: Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday: 9:00am Pacific and Wednesdays at 4:30pm Pacific.   Pour a cup of coffee, grab a bowl of cereal and sit down for an educational and entertaining half-hour hosted by a man who is respected world wide for his equine knowledge and experience.   Charles' show will be broadcast on 9411 (think 9-information), a unique television channel dedicated to education.   Send us an email to cwtraining@comcast.net and let us know what subjects you would like to see Charles address during his program. We will do our very best to cover your favorite topics.   Remember to tune in this weekend to DishTV, channel 9411 at 9am PST! Testimonial: My name is Samantha Jepson. I just purchased a book about your training program, Building Your Dream Horse. I just wanted to say thank you! I got it in the mail today and read the whole thing this afternoon! For my entire life, I have wanted to be a trainer. I have ridden on the east coast at English stables, working off my lessons to become a three day eventer. When I moved out west, I started riding western, and began a short-lived rodeo career. My riding skills allowed me the opportunity to train with some great trainers, some high level reining and working cow horse folks, as well as some world class western pleasure/hunter hack folks. I spent time on the race track, training and working as an exercise rider (never could get down to jockey weight!). Long career story short, I have ridden for years, for more people then I care to name and worked on more horses then most people meet in a lifetime. I always felt as if something in the methods used by every person I rode with, were missing something. A lot of what I saw and learned were what not to do's, and I saw a lot of horses wash out of training programs because the trainer was unwilling to yield their methods to accommodate a horse who required more time, had a higher energy/emotional level, or had some gap in training that needed to be addressed before they could progress. I have finally broken out of being an assistant trainer, and while I am by no means a world class rider at this point, nor am I ready to shoot for a worlds show, I am having more fun then I have in years. And one of the things I have found that is giving me joy in my work, both with the horses and the clients, is that I finally understand what was missing before. Your book described that more comprehensively then another book, movie, dvd, trainer I have ever run into. The emotional control and aspect of training is a real thing! And control of the mind through trust, consistency, and pressure/release, creates a calmer, kinder, more willing mount.  It isn't magic, and it's something every horseman can and should strive for. But it is something which can be hard to put into words, especially when dealing with heavy handed riders. Your description of natural horsemanship was also spot on, it is not a discipline oriented method, but a way to create a solid foundation on every horse, if they are racehorses headed for the gates, or a trail mount, or a team roping horse, or headed into the dressage ring. And I am going to recommend your book to every client that comes to me! I pieced together a program which is very similar to yours, from years of observation, trial and error, lots of clinics, reading, and whatnot. I had a great role model in my father-in-law, who is an amazing horseman and trainer, farrier and teacher. But I wish I had found your material sooner, it would have solidified that I was on the right path in my methods, and saved me a lot of mistakes! About four years ago, I started making a living getting hired on ranches to teach the hands how to properly start colts, I wish I had had your book at that time. Trying to describe what you did without being looked at as an overly emotional woman is beyond trying in that situation! Explaining to a group of men why tying a horse to a telephone pole and sacking them out while the horse dies inside from fear and a lack of release is an ugly sight, and trying to explain a better way to train is a hard task. Your book makes this easy to comprehend, and to understand why it is important, and is going to be a staple in my recommendations and required reading for consistent students. Thank you again, and I am greatly looking forward to reading and watching more of your material! -Samantha Jepson -more Testimonial Your five day women's horse camp has changed my life and my relationship to horses will always be the better for it.  I do not exaggerate to say that the five days spent at your facility and under your tutelage were among the most special of my life.  I am now back at my barn doing my best to apply the foundation principles you taught. The change in my horse and my own confidence is nothing short of remarkable.  I now begin every session with the basic groundwork I learned, and Rosie is noticeably more calm and responsive... both from the ground and under saddle.  No more eggshells under my feet!  I know that I am a more competent, responsible and safer horse owner than before. Although you are clearly a master of horsemanship, your clear teaching puts good horsemanship within the reach of anyone willing to listen.   Like a colt well started, I appreciate the start you have given to me and I am anticipating my next opportunity to work with horses at your beautiful facility.  -Cynda Unger   -more   Testimonial Just wanted to say thank you for all your very informative clinics we attended this past weekend.  The Expo always falls on my birthday weekend, so that's what we do every year.  I really enjoy it! I won the horse clippers on Friday and thank you for that, too.  It was a nice surprise. Looking forward to using your techniques on our horses.  Will pass along how it goes. Also looking forward to seeing you next year at the Expo. Safe journeys.   -Claire Endicott New DVDs are finally here! We now have Ground Manners, Leading and Loading and Colt Starting available. Buy any 4 DVDs for $110.00.

'STARTING BABY JAZ'

After a few short months on the market, Charles' new book 'Starting Baby Jaz' is receiving excellent reviews from publications like 'New England Horse Talk', and 'Quarter Horse News Weekly'.

Charles Wilhelm changes the lives of horses and humans. My horse, a four-year old Arabian mare, had been under the saddle for almost one month when I brought her to CWT. Barely a month later when I picked her up she had undergone remarkable changes. From an adorable but slightly bored horse, she had become an alert, interested and strong horse. In other words, she was way ahead of me. With me Charles had a tougher nut to crack: some habits picked up in the course of many years had to first be un-learned before I could even understand what he was teaching me. There's something infectious about Charles’  commitment and sense of humor that helps me to absorb the new knowledge. The premises are strikingly clean and well organized, and all the horses seem totally engaged. There is a good pace to the trainings, the lessons and the cleanups. At any time of the day one can witness Charles smack in the middle of the arena, training a horse and, with a few words and gestures, directing others. He obviously has a finger on the pulse of every detail in his stable. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and it is apparent that everybody likes to work for him. - Caroline Van Tuyll

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View complete 2010 Schedule

SonRise Equestrian Foundation’s Wine and Equine Festival

You Can Train Your Horse With Charles Wilhelm

Charles trains horses and their riders in every discipline and at every skill level. He is noted for his ability to teach “problem” horses. He will work with your horse on a monthly basis solving such issues as bucking, bolting, buddy/barn sourness, trail problems and more. You can have him start your colt with his Ultimate Foundation Training or do schooling in Western Pleasure, Ranch Versatility, or Reining. When a horse is in training with Charles and his professional staff you also participate and are able to reproduce the same exciting results at home.