We want you to know that your local community is very fortunate to have a person such as yourself to positively foster their equestrian education and relationships!Ā 

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We are excited about your interest in hosting a clinic for your local community with Melissa Spell Deal and an emphasis on Compassionate horse training and relationship building.

Ā Clinics are a great way to accelerate learning, deepen connection, enhance confidence and create skill sets for participants, horses and auditors of all disciplines and riding/training styles. Many horses and people will benefit from learning at home or closer to home in a more familiar context too.Ā 

Ā Horses and humans are sure to enjoy your event with Melissa Spell Deal whether you are hosting a private clinic for yourself and a few friends, a personal immersion experience for yourself or inviting the public. Clinics may cover a variety of topics and activities can be discussed in advance.

Why Host a Clinic?
Clinics are a great way to

  • Accelerate learning,
  • Deepen connection
  • Enhance confidence and create skill sets for participants, horses and auditors of all disciplines and riding/training styles
  • Clinics may cover a variety of topics, skills and activities tailored to each hosts and participants interests.

Many horses and people in your local community and beyond will benefit from learning at home or closer to home in a more familiar context. Clinics are a great way to foster and nurture your own relationship with your horses and you local equestrian community too.

Clinic Host Specifics and PerksĀ 

šŸ„•Many hosts prefer a private clinic or immersion type of experience at their barn for themselves and their horse(s) or just one or two friends others feel the more the merrier. The choice is yours!

šŸ„•All hosts will receive a complimentary online coaching session prior to the clinic to help prepare for and enhance your live experience.

šŸ„•Hosts with 8 lessons or more per day receive a complimentary online coaching session or virtual lesson for each of these days, post clinic.

šŸ„•Special offers to support participants after the clinic may be provided to clinic hosts and participants AND any when feasible educational materials such as PDFs, slide presentations etc. will be shared electronically as well.

šŸ„•All auditor proceeds are retained by the clinic host.

šŸ„•50% deposit due to hold the requested date. 50% due 2 weeks before the first day of the clinic - no exceptions.Ā 

We’re more than happy to share your clinic info with our mailing list and Facebook groups if you like too.

Clinic Format

  • Note, the format can differ from clinic to clinic. Usually, the sessions are private meaning for one person and one horse per session, but other options are possible depending on the situation.
  • We tend to schedule the schedule lessons at 1 hour increments to provide time/wiggle room for: additional questions, time needed to make sure the lesson ends at the best place for the horse, restroom breaks or other unforeseen occurrences. But this can be tailored to each specific host and remain flexible throughout the clinic.
  • We will always attempt to stop the sessions when it is best for the horse regardless of time and scheduling. Science says 45 min is an optimal learning increment so we’ll certainly aim for that length of lesson.Ā However, horses have different needs and Melissa will provide flexible options as applicable.Ā 
  • Scheduling longer breaks, meals etc. may vary.

Other Clinic Experience Ideas

šŸ„•Introductory and other presentations, theory, demos, training sessions with and without horses and discussions can be highly valuable for educating the clinic participants, parents, sponsors and auditors and are a great way to start the morning of the clinic, during a break etc.Ā  as they speed learning and provide a great deal of clarity especially to those unfamiliar with compassionate training techniques.Ā 

  • A presentation, discussion and/or demo etc. may be substituted, included or added in addition to scheduled lesson times.
  • These can be inserted in lieu of lessons throughout the clinic.Ā 
  • This is true for both one and two-day clinics, and participant lunch breaks can be a great opportunity for this type of discussions too. If a discussion or presentation is scheduled at lunch, please note Melissa will need a separate time to break for lunch.
  • Topic requests should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the clinic date.Ā 

Clinic Investment and Schedule

šŸ„•625$/Day for One Day Clinic (Five 45 min-ish lessons or equivalent contact time. If group lessons, this time might be split for 2Ā  groups to enjoy sessions of ~ 2 hours each etc.)

šŸ„•1200$ for Two Day Clinic (Five 45 min-ish lessons/day or equivalent time per day.Ā  If group lessons are preferred, this time might be split for 2Ā  groups to enjoy sessions of ~ 2 hours each etc.)

šŸ„•Lessons in addition to 5 sessions per day may be added at the rate of $130.00 / each(1 day clinic) and $120.00 / each(2 day clinic).Ā 

šŸ„•Auditor fees are at your discretion as they belong to the clinic host.

Ā The investments above include ~ 45-minute lessons or the equivalent time-period to be used any way the host choses, i.e. including but not limited to personal lessons consultations, group discussions, demos etc.

Travel and Accommodations

Ā šŸ„•Fees in addition to the clinic day fee may include:

  • Flights
    • May include checking one bag depending on length of trip, weather and equipment needed but may not be required for a 2 day clinic.
    • Please communicate with Melissa on flight times and dates.Ā 
    • Ā If you prefer, Melissa can book the flights or
    • All info you need to purchase plane tickets including time frames for departure and return will be provided in a well organized document after you register. Airport parking, paid by the host, is ~ 12$ per day.Ā 
    • As a courtesy to the clinic host, no charges will be incurred for ~ travel time/gas each way to/from the airport. No charge for travel time if flying.Ā Ā 
  • DrivingĀ 
    • Reimbursement for driving time and expenses vary depending on a number of factors.
    • Per hour travel rate may be less if combined with another trip or if a multi day clinic etc.
    • TheĀ  minimum of 50$ round trip unless it can be combined with other travel

šŸ„•Accommodations and transport (if necessary):Ā 

  • Hotel rooms in something like a Best Western or Red Roof Inn or other inexpensive clean hotel in a safe area are acceptable options.
  • A clean guest house or very private quiet immaculately clean spare room with a private bath and a ride to/from the airport can work with approval, on a case by case basis (if budgets are restricted – please reach out,Ā  as it’s our goal to serve all of the positive horses and peeps that we can while supporting Compassionate Horse Click financially.)
  • Wi-Fi and quiet time in the evening are necessary for Melissa to be her best for you and your horses each moment of the clinic! Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
  • Rental cars are not necessary in most cases. Host is responsible for transport to and from the airport. Uber or host pick up from the airport are fine.

šŸ„•Provisions for ClinicianĀ 

  • NOTE: We used to have hosts provide all food etc., but because people were way over doing it and spending so much time and money buying and preparing food, we went to this instead:
    • Food per diem is 40$ per travel and/or clinic day.
    • This way, if the host wants to provide additional food, it’s fine. But, Melissa will visit the grocery store upon arrival and/or get take-out and it's no fuss no muss so the host can enjoy themselves and their horse time.Ā 
    • A quick stop by a grocery store and/or stopping for take out like Panera etc. will usually do if providing transportation to and from the airport.Ā 
    • We want this clinic experience to be EASY for the host so they can positively immerse themselves in the clinic or private immersion experience, so choose whatever option will be the simplest and most enjoyable for you. We realize some folks love to cook and entertain, but *We don’t want it to be ā€œall about the food for the humans or the horses!ā€ lol

šŸ„•Horses: Individual participants are responsible for bringing reinforcers for R+ clinics. Everyone will want to bring a variety of reinforcer types, values and volume per their horses preferences. It’s best to have a very low value food, medium and high value at a minimum. Hosts will want to have extra reinforcers on hand for those participants who may be less prepared.

To Secure your Clinic Date

šŸ„•Fill out the potential clinic CLINIC HOST APPLICATION to provide information for Melissa and to indicate that you understand and agree with the guidelines in this document in the event that you do host a clinic.

šŸ„•Request information to send deposit to reserve your clinic date!

  • Send a 50% deposit to hold the date.
  • Chat with Melissa to schedule a date and discuss other details.
  • Final payment must be received 2 weeks prior to the clinic date.

*Initial deposits to hold dates are non-refundable.*

šŸ„•Dates are held on a first paid basis only and often go quickly especially in fall and spring. If you have been given an available date, please be aware that this date is only secured when you have confirmation that the deposit has been received.

CLINIC HOST APPLICATION including link to Printable Clinic Host Info

Venue Considerations

*Clinics are rarely canceled due to weather even when no indoor is available. In the rare event that a clinic needs to be rescheduled, it must be agreed upon with Melissa in writing/text or the host is responsible for all clinic fees.Ā 

**Some hosts like to arrange to borrow a covered arena in case of inclement weather if they don't have one. While this is a lovely option, it’s NOT required. Most are held outdoors. Should weather of severe magnitude, such as hurricane or snow storm occur, we will arrange another clinic date.Ā 

***Host is responsible for collecting signed liability release forms (provided by Melissa) prior to the start of the clinic. Clinician will provide the documents via email. Participants must sign a release form. If they do not sign the release, they will not be able to participate and refunds will not be provided.*Ā 

šŸ„•It’s our mission to help you enjoy your horse like never before. Whether clinicsĀ  that are open to the public or more private immersion style are a perfect opportunity to do just that.

šŸ„•Please contact Melissa at 910-471-5445 if you have additional questions, a unique situation to discuss or simply need more info. We are happy to accommodate individual circumstances when possible.Ā 

Thank you so much for considering a clinic with Melissa! We positively look forward to a fun filled event with you, your horse, and your equestrian community!

CLINIC HOST APPLICATION includes link to Printable Clinic Host Info

FAQS

MeetĀ Your Instructor: Melissa Spell Deal

Melissa Deal is a Certified Connection Training Coach and a USDF Bronze Medalist in Dressage with an American Riding Instructor Association CertificationĀ  in Dressage, Hunt Seat, and Western since 1999

Known as "The Trainer's Trainer" Melissa guides both dedicated horse owners andĀ professionals.Ā Ā But what truly fuels her passion is helping equestrians transform their relationships and lives with their horses and beyond the barn through positive reinforcement.Ā 
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Melissas teaching style is kind, engaging and profoundly effective, ensuring both horses and equestrians feel understood, empowered and excited to learn. Her proven methods bring joy and confidence to equestrians around the world ~ producing RELATIONSHIPS and the RESULTS they want with the horses they love.Ā Her way of kindly and dynamically transferring her knowledge and expertise in R+ horse training and relationship enhancement is proven by thousands of happier horses and humans!

Join Melissa and immerse yourself in the magic of connecting with your horse like never before!Ā šŸ’™

CLINIC HOST APPLICATION includes Link to Printable Clinic Host Info