Reflections on a Clinic, a Successful Show, and the Barefoot Advantage

This excerpt from our August 2025 newsletter shares a note on our recent Dave Ellis clinic--where Mary rode several of her hunter-jumper trainees, a bit of team pride for our current Hoof Beats Competition team, and also Mary's thoughts on the advantage that barefoot horses have in the show ring. -ed.

...This has been such a full and wonderful summer and there’s so much more to look forward to. 

Hunter-Jumper trainee Marcus rates his cow.

Our clinic with Dave Ellis was the best yet. Like I said last letter, he is so good at finding the little pieces that make the big differences. We started with a general discussion about what we were doing with our horses and what we wanted to improve on. My desire was to improve my trainees’ flying lead changes, and Dave really delivered! His consistent focus on communication and lightness was perfect; both my young horses came away better prepared for their future in the show world. Enjoy the photo album!

We followed Dave’s clinic with the Evergreen Classic Horse Show in Cle Elum, where our Hoofbeats Competition Team dominated their divisions. Lily Robertson, Elly Dam, Hadley Wolslegel, Daniela Dam, and Bella Greimes rode like young professionals, winning champion, reserve champion, and top-ranking slots in nearly every class they entered. In timed events they placed consistently within fractions of a second of each other for those 1st, 2nd, and 3rd slots, and consistently several seconds ahead of other competitors.

I couldn’t be more proud! Lily, Elly, Hadley, Daniela, and Bella have worked for their success—not only in their focus and dedication to horsemanship and Hoof Beats team practices, but in their personal care for their horses as well (Ruby, Harriet, Mimi, Zeus, and Pixie). There is so much that goes into preparing for competition that it is impossible to cover, but one thing I believe contributes is our connection to nature through our approach to horsemanship, and how we strive to honor it. The horse show experience for young people involves connecting with their horses through grooming, walking, bonding; along with caring friendships and their parents’ attention and support, it was more than a competition, it was a shared effort and very special experience. 

I was so proud of our team staying true to the belief that barefoot horses can compete, and with due diligence, can outperform the shod horse. Because all the pathways from the barn to the arenas were extremely rocky, everyone booted their horses’ feet to minimize wear on the long walks back and forth. Once at the arena where the footing was less abrasive, we removed the boots for their warm ups and competitions. This was an extra step in our preparation but everyone chipped in to make sure the horses feet were protected. 

The barefoot advantage. We have been showing barefoot for almost 30 years, and I am convinced the horse can make better split second decisions when their feet are not encumbered with heavy metal shoes. In competition it comes down to milliseconds, and those milliseconds add up with each stride. Without the weight of metal shoes, the hoof connects with the ground naturally, expanding and contracting and promoting blood flow through the extremities. When a horse is in great shape and properly trimmed, and when they connect with their rider as our horses do, barefoot horses have the advantage. And in closing, our students do their own trimming—a real testament to their dedication as riders and knowledgeable horsemen. 

Here is a link to a video I did on the subject some years ago. Everything I said in it, still true! Enjoy.

 

Hoof Beats competition riders trimming their own horses' feet.

Hoof Beats Competition Team with Coach Mary. Well done!