Jenny Sheppard, August 3, 2010
AT THIS year’s World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, spectators will be entertained by a multitude of equine demonstrators.
Among them will be South Australian Clinton Anderson, who is known around the world for his training method, Downunder Horsemanship.
Anderson, who grew up in Australia, became infatuated with riding at a young age. His grandparents bought him his first horse, Casey, when he was nine.
Anderson became involved with polocrosse, which originated in Australia.
“We’ve gotten to where we have been by a lot of hard work and dedication,” Anderson said.
“I started studying the famous Gordon McKinlay training method when I was 13 and once I realised I liked the method, I decided to make a career out of it.”
Anderson decided to leave school at the age of 15 and become an apprentice to McKinlay.
After two years with McKinlay, Anderson pursued more training in reining and cutting, working for champion reiner Ian Francis.
Anderson’s success in the Australian national reining arena influenced him to take his knowledge overseas.
After making the US his second home in 1997, he began training, touring and conducting clinics – and Downunder Horsemanship took off.
“Downunder Horsemanship is idiot-proof horsemanship,” Anderson said.
“We make it simple for people to understand how to train their horses at home.”
Anderson will be giving demonstrations at the Equine Village throughout the Games, which will be held from September 25 to October 10.