Cameron B participated in his first Joel Conner clinic this past March alongside Sienna, and reflects on the experience here:
“Working with Sienna during my first Joel Conner Clinic was an incredible experience and one I’m truly grateful for. Throughout the three-day groundwork portion, Sienna quickly became my guide and teacher, patiently demonstrating how important clear and intentional communication is.
Sienna was exceptionally responsive, provided I asked correctly and brought the appropriate feel. She genuinely enjoys doing well and showed an eagerness to understand what I was asking and wanting from her. We focused heavily on finding the “good deal” or sweet spot of bringing energy without excess pressure, and by the second day, our connection and mutual understanding had significantly improved.
Specifically, we spent considerable time working on her bend on both sides, helping her with confidence in changing eyes. Initially, she had a slight preference for bending in one direction and not so much willingness to bend on the other. With consistent guidance and correct feel, she showed significant improvement in balancing out her bend and becoming more comfortable transitioning from one side to the other.
We also put effort into refining her hindquarter yield. With the correct ask and intentionality from me, Sienna quickly grasped what was needed, demonstrating how responsive and engaged she could be when provided with clear instructions. Her willingness to yield and move accurately highlighted her sensitivity to subtle cues.
The third day brought its own lessons, Sienna started to test my consistency and clarity, pushing me to recognize how carrying expectations from previous days could influence our interactions. Joel’s coaching here was invaluable, emphasizing the importance of adapting my approach based on how Sienna responded in the moment.
Reflecting on this experience with Sienna, I’m left with immense gratitude for Sienna’s willingness, patience, and the valuable technical lessons she imparted. Working with her has solicited my passion for horsemanship, and I look forward to continuing this journey with horses for the rest of my life.”
