Black Creek Ranch Symposium

In June Black Creek Ranch in Horsefly BC had Sarah Southwell return to host the first 4 day Black Creek Ranch Symposium. A Symposium differs slightly from a clinic in the sense that it is a combined experience for all who attend. It is a coming together of the ideas, feelings and techniques that is shared through the senses. We listened, we experienced and we felt all while enjoying the company and support of each other, the land around us and shared a delicious meal under the early summer sky together. The meal was made with love by local rancher, clinic attendee and Mom to three littles Rhiannon Swinburne. 

We had riders from all backgrounds and experience levels attend. From   working cowboys and ranchers developing their bridle horses, to competitive show and dressage riders. To say all the clinic attendees were amazing and kind is an understatement it was such a great group of people who created a safe and supportive space we all could learn in. We all shared a common goal on our own independent journeys. Seeking and Craving to go deeper with the relationships we share with our horses. 

(Sabrina and Sammy)

The horses that joined us varied from colts doing in hand work and first rides all the way to more finished horses transitioning to the spade and two rein setup. We had QH’s/paints, an Appaloosa, Aztecas, Friesen cross and a warmblood attend. all showcasing diversity of their breeds and settling into more functional movement patterns. 

(Michelle and Calla)

When you first meet Sarah you will notice her beaming smile and welcoming warmth. Sarah teaches and Rides from a place of Love. There is no room for anything else. 

Sarah has an expansive background in riding and developing horses from working cow horse to Classical French Dressage, spending the last 10 years riding and learning with Dominique Barbier. She creates horses ridden using only your intention. Not riding from the physical but from the mental language you create with your horse over time. She teaches how to ride a functional horse for any discipline. 

The goal is self carriage (bridle horse (western) or double bridle (english) it is the same horse. Balance. Lightness. Softness. 

With her vast knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, massage therapy and cranial sacral work she knows what the horse needs just by looking at the horses conformation and movement. 

(Fergus 5 and Arrow)

Always a student of the horse Sarah is constantly reading and learning from the words the great masters have left behind. Baucher, beudent, Oliveira, Dorrance and hunt to name a few. Sarah is constantly dissecting, questioning and challenging the standards and evolutionizing the way horses are ridden for the betterment of the horses well being and only from love. She has an innate sense of feel and timing and is able to explain it in a way we can understand it at the exact moment we are feeling it. Feel being one of the hardest things to learn and almost impossible to teach, Sarah has the gift to teach it to others. 

As one of the Auditors stated “Sarah is someone you just want to sit beside, she is Pure Kindness.” 

Sarah will be returning to Black Creek Ranch in September for another 4 days of JOY and learning September 14,15,16 &17. The clinic setup consists of 10  private lesson spots each day at $120/spot. see the add in Saddle up for contact details. We would love to have you join us. 

(Sarah and Natalio WL)