Wilde Field

HISTORY

The Wilde Field Horsemanship Scholarship started with long-time student and friend, Denise Wilde. When she could no longer physically participate in clinics herself, she offered to anonymously sponsor a clinic spot for a young rider with a rescue horse. All she asked for in return was a small write-up for what the young rider had learned. 

Denise was so touched by the impact this had for the rider that she continued to anonymously sponsor one clinic spot for a rider and horse in need for years to come. With her generosity, along with other contributors coming on board along the way, the program grew into what is now the Wilde Field Horsemanship Scholarship Program which is making an impactful investment, on their behalf, in the right person and horse who can carry the gift of knowledge forward contributing positively to the equestrian community for years to come. 

THE SCHOLARSHIP & APPLICATION PROCESS

The scholarship covers participation in a clinic, camp, one-on-one training directly with Jonathan, or a Wilde Field Scholarship Program event. This may include ongoing educational opportunities for the horse and rider as well. Funds are awarded based on need and will cover between 50%-100% of the cost of the event or training fee, depending on the needs of the scholarship recipient.

Individuals may apply for this scholarship on behalf of themselves, or a person/horse they would like to nominate. Applications will be accepted throughout the calendar year, however applications will only be reviewed every 6 months. If the number of approved applicants exceed available scholarships, we will hold a draw-based lottery to select those who will be awarded a scholarship for the upcoming spring (January-June) and fall (July-December) terms.

To apply please submit the following:

1. 
 A completed Scholarship Application Form (Click Here)
2. A photo or video of the applicant/nominee and the horse. Video preferred.
3. A document (500 word max) outlining their background, horsemanship goals, reason for applying, and why the individual or horse may be a good candidate for this scholarship. 

* Applicants for a clinic must be willing and able to travel to an existing Jonathan Field Horsemanship event location. 

The successful applicant(s) must be willing to submit a post event summary (500 word max) identifying what the event meant to them, 3 key lessons learned, how their horse has benefited from the program/education and how they plan to carry it forward. Recipients must submit a photo of themselves and their horse for use by Jonathan Field Company ltd. This is key to help celebrate the success of our participants and share with program contributors the gift of knowledge and insights they had a part in creating.  

SELECTION CRITERIA

Scholarship recipients will be carefully selected by a Wilde Field Scholarship Committee. Selection will be based on one or more of the following criteria:

1. An outstanding contributing individual, youth, or organization like a horse rescue. The key is the applicant would struggle to have financial means to pursue an education within the Jonathan Field Horsemanship program. Riders must be at least 16 years of age and both horse & rider must meet the minimum requirements for a Course 1 clinic.
2. Preference will be given to individuals or groups who contribute within the equestrian community and have significant potential to help horses for years to come. This person/group must demonstrate a commitment to the ongoing betterment of the horse and horsemanship community.
3. In the case of an equine scholarship recipient, it must be a unique horse who is not otherwise able to be helped but who has potential to develop into a partner and lead a positive life. The horse will be pre-approved by the Wilde Field Scholarship Committee, then submitted to Jonathan Field for final approval and development of a training plan.
4. Scholarship recipients and/or the horse must be capable of travelling to either the Field Horsemanship Centre in British Columbia, or to another Jonathan Field Event location.
5. Recipients must have the capacity to embrace ongoing learning opportunities beyond a single event.

Once a scholarship recipient has been selected, they will be contacted by the Wilde Field Scholarship Committee to confirm scholarship details, including appropriate event dates and locations.

Anita Markiewicz & “Go On Red”

With humble gratitude and deep appreciation of the opportunity given to me.

There are no words to express what is going through me as I reflect on my amazing weekend with Jonathan Field.  Thank you is not enough.

I was so surprised when Jonathan offered me a spot in one of his clinics, here in California.  I have participated and audited several of his clinics and have always gained so much, with this generous scholarship, I was beyond ecstatic.

First off, let me introduce myself; my name is Anita Markiewicz and I run a non-profit equine transition facility.  Hope for Horses, Inc. is a 501c3 Organization, our goal is to transition horses (and people) from where they were to Great Futures.  We take in horses from many different situations, from Off the Track (Thoroughbreds), neglect/starvation cases, displaced/unwanted horses to unhandled Mustangs.  Part of our program is teaching others (mostly teens) how to do better with these horses to help them transition into new careers and new homes.  As a non-profit, where funds are hard to come by, educational opportunities like participating in this clinic are highly prized and greatly appreciated.

Go On Red is the 2009 OTTB gelding I brought to the March 9-11, 2019 Course I and Beyond Clinic located at Marsh Creek Stables, in Brentwood, CA.  This was a great adventure.

The insights gleaned:

The Whys and The How’s, why we do what we do and how to do we do it.  Ground Training Benefits: Understanding Leadership; being a “Good” Leader.  Helping a horse build Willing Yields, a Flow.  If we want our horses to be in sync with us, are we being “in-sync-able” Are we presenting a place where our horses can get in sync with us to create that flow? All of these were part of the learning.  Jonathan is excellent in bringing awareness to how we are either part of the problem or part of the solution.

As I watch my horse warm up on my lead rope, I ask myself: “Would I like to ride this horse at this moment. And if not, what can I do, to influence the change needed. Using energy/focus, can the horse listen to me now?  Can I create a re-connect, cues to help the horse “check back” to me? Can I create a “Listeningness” to me, a flow to me?

Horses are always looking for a place of Harmony, of Comfort.   What is happening under the surface, can I look at things through a different lens?  Am I being specific, not picky?  Am I settling, “Good Enough Seldom Is”? Am I allowing enough time for the horse to understand, to comply. Am I being consistent?  Horsemanship is more about teaching the person to make the changes needed.

We understand horses are nomadic animals, they find comfort in movement.  Can I use the physical aspect of movement to gain the mental connection, providing comfort?  Do I use the mental aspect to gain the physical?   Am I taking in both the mental and emotional consideration of my horse, not just “Can You Sit On The Horse?”

The discussion of the difference in the mechanical aspects of riding and the “connectedness” of riding, the feel in respect of the nature of the horse (mind and emotional) was referenced all throughout both weekends.  I saw and felt the changes in myself and then in my horse.  Being appropriate, creating “Just Enough Pressure”, and letting them find comfort both in movement and in stillness. The “Connectedness of Feel” improved the mechanical aspect of riding.

My equestrian discipline is Classical Dressage; now being applied in many types of saddles with the adage:  good riding is good riding, the original translation of dressage.  Jonathan is a master, his ability to impart his knowledge in such a simple way, keeping it perfectly Classical, is incredible.  The tools he gave me are easy to use, simple in their application.  I worked on my timing, my position and adjusted accordingly.  It is age-old and new at the same time, concepts became clearer as I saw how well my horse responded, how relaxed he became. Using many gymnastic exercises to create a learning environment for both I and my horse, I now have more tools that will be used in my programs, with my students and volunteers.  The horses in and coming into the Transition Program will benefit greatly and will become better equine partners for those who adopt them.  Again, Thank you, and Thank you pales in the gratitude I feel.

I was asked to speak at The Right Horse Summit in Kentucky this May and will be using examples from my experience at Jonathan Field’s Clinic.

Sincerely Yours,

~Anita Markiewicz
President/Founder
Hope for Horses, Inc.

Mary Ellen Ajtony & “Rev”

One of the things that stood out in my mind from the weekend at Jonathan’s clinic happened after one of his entertaining and educational stories, a quote from (Tom Dorrance?)

“Well a feller could do that ….
Don’t know if he’d like the outcome.”

I am a volunteer with New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society, a non-profit organization that accepts thoroughbreds retiring from the race track. New Stride volunteers prepare these horses for adoption into homes where they can have new careers or even retirement. The lovely horse I was able to bring to the clinic is a 9-year-old mare who has a tendency to get a little worried and a little anxious at times, but who has a very sweet nature.

Things that stood out the most for me in this clinic have to do with our mindset as people working with horses, and have to do with creating partnership with our horses. These were best emphasized for me by things Jonathan talked about, especially the following (taken from my notes on the weekend):

To have our horses confident, curious, and listening – we have to be the ones that influence that – we have to make adaptions to make that happen. Where can I find success with this horse. Do I have to be in this part of the arena, or that part of the arena? Do I have to be on the ground or on the horse?In a quiet safe place, set the horse up for success. Start somewhere you know it will work and build from there. Don’t over challenge the horse.If you can’t swim in the pond, you’re going to drown in the lake. Get excellence in the pond and you’ll at least be good in the lake. Get excellence in the lake and you’ll at least be good in the ocean. Using the primary equine language, we can create a calmer, smarter, braver, more athletic equine partners.

It was a pleasure to work with the horse, in Jonathan’s clinic, that I was able to bring from New Stride. She allowed me the opportunity to focus on and practice the skills Jonathan was teaching us. She also provided me with a challenge here and there that allowed me to see how well, or not, I could apply the skills in those moments. Jonathan’s clinic gave me more confidence in myself, a better understanding of the primary equine language, and improved my ability to apply the skills he taught us. The horse benefitted from the clinic by having the opportunity to experience sustained relaxation in movement, a challenge for her, having extra help from Jonathan helping her find the sweet spot amidst her anxiousness, allowing her to develop better confidence and taking back to New Stride with her, a foundation she can continue to grow with. All of these things will hopefully be a demonstration of how wonderfully these horses can partner up with us and to perhaps inspire others onto a path of thoughtful horsemanship.

It was truly a privilege to be able to be part of Jonathan’s clinic. Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to attend and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it possible.

~Mary-Ellen Ajtony

Carmen Kramer & “Mark It Up Mark”

This past weekend, Mark It Up Mark ‘Mark’ and I participated in a three day Course 1 Jonathan Field Horsemanship clinic at Villa Training. “We were fortunate to take part after being chosen as a recipient of the Wilde FieldScholarship program.

Jonathan is not only a very knowledgeable coach, but also a passionate horseman. He conveys information in a clear and personable manner, and it is evident that he has a deep understanding of horses and their needs.  New concepts were presented clearly and accompanied by demonstrations to help us visualize our next steps. The attention to detail was distinctly visible in every aspect over the three days.

It is challenging to sum up this incredible weekend with only a single takeaway. The insight I gained into how horses learn was significant. It was wonderful to discover more information about the methods we can use when working with our horses to ensure that we convey what we are asking safely, effectively, and in a positive way which the horse understands naturally. In essence, I gained a deeper understanding of how to speak the same language as the horses I am working with, which will create a more positive working experience for them. I have learned many skills which will enable me to help Mark and all of our horses at New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society. Each of our horses comes to us with a unique personality and history, requiring us to design responsive training programs as they  transition from racing to their new lives and activities beyond the track.

It was exciting to have one of our New Stride horses to learn and practice with as this gave me great insight into the responses I may expect to receive from a horse who is transitioning from one  discipline to another. Mark took the new environment in stride and throughout the weekend learned and adapted to the activities as we progressed. It did not take long for him to be relaxed and attentive despite numerous horses moving about in the arena.

The skills and knowledge I have learned this past weekend will also be shared with our valuable volunteers who dedicate their time to help retrain our horses. I now have more ‘tools’ to share with my team which will result in more consistency in all aspects of training for our horses in transition. I look forward to observing the positive impact this new knowledge will have on our training program. On behalf of New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption Society, and all of our horses, I would like to thank Jonathan Field Horsemanship for the opportunity this scholarship program provided me.

Kate Lawrick & “Roo”

Field Of Dreams Fundraising Clinic

It was a fun day at Twisted Terrain Horse Park for our first “Field Of Dreams” Fundraising Clinic.

Riders learned how to teach a horse to think about the obstacles by creating distance away from the obstacle to engage the horse’s curiosity and confidence to sort out the problem. It’s not just about the obstacle but how a horse thinks – that’s how confidence is built!

Special thanks to Laurie Thompson for conceptualizing and hosting this clinic, and to all the riders and spectators who contributed. This event raised over $5000 which has provided scholarships and clinic experiences for some special riders and horses.