The most frequent request we receive is for referrals to trainers who can help folks with their natural going gaited horses. I am pleased to announce that four people have now qualified for our Level I Certified Training Partners' Program. This means that they are well qualifed, after weeks of strenuous effort, to offer private and semi-private instruction to gaited horse owners. While some of our trainers are equipped to train gaited horses, it is a prerequisite that anyone coming to a trainer that they be willing to work with the trainer and his or her own horse. It does no good to train a horse, if the rider doesn't know how to ride and maintain the animal's gait.

Our CTP's are also available to offer saddle fitting and dynamics demonstrations for both individual and group sessions. If you've been wondering what all the 'brou-ha-ha" is regarding the Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle, and want the chance to try one out personally, give your closest GOG Training Partner a call. They'll be glad to help you out in any way possible! Things just keep better and more exciting! It is incredibly rewarding to be part of a growing family of horse lovers dedicated to working humanely, and sensibly, with gaited horses. The word on our philosophies, techniques, and unique gaited horse tack is spreading like wildfire.

Our biggest challenge, to date, has been to keep abreast of the increasing demand for products and services. Requests for individual riding instruction via clinics and private lessons far exceeds our capacity. My staff and I have tried valiantly to fill in the gaps via our online Message Board (over 2,000 members, and our moderators include myself, a journeyman farrier, and several knowledgeable and helpful trainers), online articles, books, DVD’s, and public presentations. It’s a start: but just a start, since so many of you still need hands on, personal help.

Were I to accept even half the clinic requests we receive, it would require being on the road full time, with a clone or two doing the same thing. Not only am I getting too old for that stuff (:?), but my ongoing commitments to family, writing, product and method development, and the oversight of this site, (to say nothing of the simple enjoyment of my own horses), requires  that I spend more time at home than I have for the past two or three seasons.

Nearly every day we receive requests from desperate horse owners searching for gaited horse trainers in their area. It breaks my heart that we cannot confidently refer them to qualified instructors whom we know won't resort to training shortcuts or painful gimmicks.

We also have literally hundreds of horse owners who have asked where they can go to try out an Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle or Comfort Gait Bit. The best we can do is refer them to our friends on the Gaits of Gold Message Board. While most of Board members and moderators have been unbelievably accommodating (even enthusiastic!), we believe there needs to be a more comprehensive, cohesive way to approach these problems.

For all these reasons, we're embarking upon a Certification Training Program to help meet the demand for qualified gaited horse instructors and tack representation.

Fortunately, we already have a good start! I have been privileged to meet a number of folks through our clinics who demonstrate a strong aptitude for working with gaited horses and their riders. It seems that the best informed people are often our most enthusiastic participants, always eager to learn. Some of these wonderful friends have helped man our Message Board for awhile now, and are proving to be knowledgeable and helpful.

Out of these numbers are a few people who have expressed a keen interest in becoming Certified Imus Instructors. We will be keeping our readers updated on those who are qualified to work with them professionally via an online list of links to Certified Trainers. 

My staff and advisors are in the process of putting together a formal plan for those who qualify for, and are interested in, pursuing this new career goal. You should know that we will be selective: only those who pre-qualify will be eligible to participate in this program. Even then, there's no guarantee of Certification unless/until the candidate student meets stringent, specific and objective goals for formal Certification.

Those who choose to participate in this program will go through a progressive order, whereby they may first accept only personal, one-on-one students until they've become proficient enough to work small clinics. After a year or two of experience following Certification, and with ongoing support from myself and my staff, Imus Trainers may oversee larger gaited horse clinics.

This is an ambitious goal, and we’re starting slowly in order to avoid as many mistakes as possible. For now, we want to hear from those of you who are interested in working with us for Certification. Send a complete resume that lists your educational and job history, general background with horses, your professional goals, and how and why you believe you would fit into my Certification program.

Candidates must have a thorough understanding into basic horsemanship, several years of hands on riding experience, and a strong aptitude for communicating with people, as well as with horses. Those with prior experience as Dressage and Natural Horsemanship instructors, and/or have completed a course in college level Equestrian Studies, will be given priority consideration.

I  will work hard to make this opportunity accessible to qualified and talented people. Nevertheless, anyone contemplating this opportunity should plan to invest some time and money in the process. I will be working personally, and extensively, with each person accepted into the program.

We're open for suggestions, so don't be afraid to share your thoughts and ideas.


Brenda Imus

Certified Trainer Application