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California Riding Magazine • June, 2009 Hayden Show Jumping by Kim F. Miller |
In this era of specialization, it’s unusual to find a training program where a rider can enter as a beginner and evolve all the way to the top of the sport without having to hop from trainer to trainer along the way. Mickey Hayden’s Hayden Show Jumping is just such a program. Hayden has the chops to focus only on the highest end of the sport, but he likes having a multi-faceted enterprise. “I really believe in giving an opportunity to anyone that’s interested in jumping and has the heart to try,” says Hayden. “Lane is a perfect example of that. He came to us at 15 and we got behind him. We created a job for him, helped him find sponsors, etc.”
Mickey Hayden, Head Trainer. A diverse clientele base also makes financial sense. As the economy ebbs and flows, so does demand for each aspect of Hayden Show Jumping. So far, things have balanced out nicely over the years, enabling Hayden to maintain an excellent staff of instructors, riders and caregivers for the horses. Hayden moved into the beautiful 96-horse Nellie Gail Equestrian Center in Orange County in 1992, ultimately taking on the duties of the boarding facility’s equestrian director. Throughout the 1980s, he followed the more typical hunter/jumper model of working equally with hunter, jumper and equitation riders. For the last several years, however, Hayden has chosen to focus mostly on the jumpers. He and his staff are amenable to helping a client achieve equitation or hunter oriented goals, but Hayden prefers jumpers, largely because people of more average economic means can go further in that objectively-judged division. “It’s more fair to people and their pocketbooks,” he notes. “And, it’s more stimulating.” Wherever a rider is headed, they’ll start with a grounding in horsemanship fundamentals. Hayden has built a career out of emphasizing this approach and several years ago he formalized it by instituting a “Levels” program at Hayden Show Jumping. Designed to ensure that riders are proficient in all skills necessary at a given level of riding before advancing to the next, the Mickey Hayden Levels system provides a safe and consistent way for riders to excel up the levels.
Looking on with one of his many helpers. A rider’s level is determined upon arrival at Hayden Show Jumping and determines which lessons are appropriate for them. In conjunction with their instructors, riders set goals and have measurable, objective milestones to reach in order to test for entry into the next level. Tests are given four times a year and clients must test at least once a year to stay in their level or to be promoted to the next. Six levels are geared for beginning riders: The MH-4 level test, for example, asks students to canter a course of crossrails, canter on the flat without irons and perform a number of other exercises. At the end of the test, riders receive a verbal evaluation and review of their skills. More advanced riders take tests that correspond with USEF jumping levels, ranging from Level 1 for courses of three-feet in height to Level 9, at five feet. Doing Things Right Hayden is known as a nice guy but he admits to being picky and insisting on things being done right in every aspect of horsemanship. With a sizeable program on his hands, the levels system is a great quality control mechanism. Students get objective assessments of their abilities and Hayden has a handle on how effective his trainers are in helping their riders advance. It helps students set and achieve clear goals and eliminates any idea of favoritism.
Lane Clarke riding David at the Oaks. Hayden is an innovative teacher. “Whenever Mickey is teaching you can’t help but be drawn in and watch,” says longtime client Rose Schwary. “His methods are often different and interesting. In the end, it’s always amazing to see the positive outcome.” Learning is not limited to riding lessons. Lectures are part of the program year-round and rainy days are opportunities for impromptu talks that enlighten and broaden student’s horsemanship knowledge. Weekend field trips to Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley enable clients to tackle natural obstacles on the international venue’s derby field and big courses in its Grand Prix arena. Hayden is not shy about straying from the hunter/jumper discipline in his quest to fully educate his riders. This past December, Hayden brought in professional barrel racer Jennifer Rosenberg to share her considerable knowledge about speed and tight turns. “I grew up doing gymkhana and racing my horse along the railroad track,” Hayden says. “I believe that you understand a horse better if you have really felt how they move.”
Advising Lane Clarke with Grand Prix horse David. Hayden Show Jumping students have the hunter/jumper circuit well covered. Clarke, Branson and many amateurs and juniors are regular winners on the A circuit and their less experienced counterparts do equally well at regional and county competitions, along with the Interscholastic Equestrian League circuit for high schoolers. In addition, Hayden hosts three or four home shows a year, which are open only to students. Everybody gets a chance to shine in Showmanship, Equitation and Cross Rails classes and even a Gambler’s Choice and Ride and Drive. Hayden’s top students keep making their marks at the big shows. Clarke finished the West Coast World Cup league in 10th place and held his own at the Las Vegas Grand Prix during the Finals with a four-fault round. He continued his winning ways at the Del Mar Nationals with a fifth in the $25,000 Grand Prix aboard David, a first in the $5,000 high jump, clearing 6’ 6” on McLord’s First John, plus first and second finishes in the two Ride and Drive classes. Not surprisingly, Clarke is one of Hayden’s biggest fans. “When I started with Mickey at 15, I knew nothing about show jumping, strides, distances or tracks,” says the now 23-year-old. “Two years later I won my first Grand Prix and in 2004 I was PCHA Rookie of the Year. Mickey has had a great impact on my life and the lives of many others that he has helped.”
Giving April Branson some pointers. Hayden Show Jumping is very happily based at the Nellie Gail Equestrian Center in the Nellie Gail Ranch Community. Situated between the 73 and 5 freeways in Laguna Hills, the facility has two riding and turnout arenas, one dressage arena, a large covered Euro Walker, two bullpens, two sunning pens, and miles and miles of scenic, well-maintained trails. Graced with shady trees, the center is a peaceful country oasis centrally located in otherwise hectic, south Orange County. Many riders who sat on their first horse at Hayden Show Jumping remain clients today. Great training and a great atmosphere keep them there. “We’re a really supportive group,” says Ellen Coxe, a client for six years. “Even non-competitors come out to the shows to cheer on our riders. Mickey has done a great job of creating an environment where we want each other to do well.”
For more information on Hayden Show Jumping, visit www.mickeyhayden.com or call 949-448-0823. |
