ALBION, Mich. – A clinic devoted to demonstrating good horsemanship techniques will be hosted by Albion College's Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center and Albion equestrian students on Saturday, November 13, from 7-9 p.m. at the Held Equestrian Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

Respected clinician Marianne Briggs is a John Lyons Wrangler-certified trainer and offers training methods that focus on teaching individuals the skills needed to train their own horses.

“This is our first clinic since the Held Equestrian Center opened October 15, and I am very excited,” said George Halkett, director of the center. “Because our students train in so many disciplines, I wanted to have a clinic that everyone can benefit from. Learning about good horsemanship is important for every rider in every discipline.”

Albion College is the only private college in Michigan and one of a handful of private colleges in the Midwest with a full-service equestrian center.

According to Briggs’ biography, several years ago breeding and showing Quarter Horses became Briggs’ passion. She successfully showed her horses in Yearling Lounge Line and 2 year old Snaffle Bit Western Pleasure. Her young horses placed well in the futurities and at the 1996 All-American Quarter Horse Congress. In 1998, she showed her Palomino colt in Yearling Lounge Line, finishing tenth in the nation in PHBA.

Her biography states that Briggs developed philosophical differences with some traditionally accepted training methods and she began to search for another way to train her horses. After studying the methods of many well know trainers, she thought that John Lyons’ methods were just what she was looking for.

In the fall of 1999, Briggs began studying with Tracy Young, a John Lyons Select/Certified Trainer from Xenia, Ohio. In September 2000 Briggs attended a one-week clinic taught by Josh Lyons in Parachute, Colo. She was so impressed with the training principles taught by Lyons that she decided to become a certified trainer herself. This was no small decision for a 62-year-old woman. She attended the certification program held in 2001 and became its oldest graduate when she received her certification of completion that October.

Tickets to the clinic are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Trainers who bring five or more of their students will receive their ticket for free. Girl Scouts and 4-H clubs who come as a group of five or more (with leader) will receive their tickets for $5 each. For more information, visit http://www.albion.edu/heldcenter/11-13-04_clinic.asp .

The Held Equestrian Center is located at 11039 29 Mile Road, Albion, Mich. The center can be reached by driving south on Hannah Street from Business Rt. 94/Michigan Avenue in Albion. At the end of Hannah Street, turn left/east on Haven Road. Turn right/south at first intersection—29 Mile Road (flashing traffic light), then turn right into the drive for Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center.

For more information on the Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center, visit www.albion.edu/heldcenter/ .

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