Matt
Sheridan is a fifth generation horseman who for the past 22 years has
successfully trained and shown horses in a variety of breeds and events.
Matt is keenly interested in advancing others’ knowledge of horses and
horsemanship through clinics, training and lessons.
His focus is teaching others to have responsive horses that move well
beyond the basics of the present horsemanship movement. Matt uses his horses to help others see what they can achieve through
practical applications to riding.
Having
a diverse background growing up riding cutting, team penning and roping horses
as a youth to training ranch and wild horses in Nevada as an adult, Matt has
developed his own unique approach to horses and people.
He believes that riding should not be a complex set of rules but a
pattern of good guidelines. In other
words, the emphasis is on being consistent with ones horse in order to educate
the animal. This concept also holds
true with people.
After working with some of the industries top trainers and from years of experience,
Matt has come up with a variety of training clinics geared towards many
different riding styles and ability levels.
He likes to think of his brand of horsemanship as “Practical
Horsemanship”, that which can be put into practice on a daily basis.
It does not matter if you are a weekend rider or working for a big ranch.
The principles are the same. What
makes a great horse is foundation, fundamentals and finish.
He calls these the 3 F’s. Matt
puts the emphasis on the first two “F’s”, the third reflects the practice.
Training should be goal oriented, much like any formal education.
As your trainer and teacher, Matt will provide you with a road map to
success.
In
2007, Matt has decided to introduce riders to his latest approach to riding
which he calls the Four
Steps to Better Body Control. He has found that
riders at all levels are experiencing success with this revised approach to
principles that he and other great clinicians have been teaching for
years. In "Four Steps" Matt addresses correct hand, leg, and
seat position, as well as, when and how to know that your horse is responding correctly.
Too often riders go through the motions without knowing exactly when and why
their horse did things. Matt uses his methods to enable riders to advance
in their ability with the horse.
Aside from being a successful trainer of horses and people, Matt also spends
part of the year as a Special Education teacher. He
believes that this classroom experience is what sets him apart from other
horsemanship instructors. Instruction
is taught to many different learning abilities and styles.
Matt’s background provides the much needed patience to accomplish great
things with horses.
Much
like his experience in the classroom, Matt has also been successful in the show
pen. He has shown many different
breeds in a variety of classes. He
has been successful in each. For
Matt success in the show pen and his clinics comes because of a supportive and
loving family. Matt is supported by his wife, Jennifer, and his two
daughters. They often travel with him or will be assisting you when
you call to book a clinic or lesson.
Because of his care for the horse and human
relationship, Matt works hard to enable people get more out
of their horses with less effort and more understanding.
To
read
testimonials about Matt's training and ability Click
here
Media
Appearances
The
Horse Show on RFD-TV - 2007/2008
Western
Horseman Magazine - November 2007
The
Horse Show Radio Program - Fall 2007
The
Horse Show Radio Program - Fall 2006
Model
- APHA World Show Poster - 1999
Recent
Accomplishments
2008
Nevada Mustang Trail Futurity - Champion
2008
SKRRC Versatility Ranch Horse Open - 1st place
2008
Western States Mustang Challenge - 3rd place
2007 BVSHA High Point Trail
- Champion
2007 BVSHA High Point Western
Horse - September
2007 OFQHC/NFSSP 3 y/o Trail Futurity
- Champion
2007 OFQHC Versatility - Reserve
Champion
2007 OFQHC High Point - Novice
Horse
2006
OFQHC/NFSSP 3 y/o Trail Futurity - Champion
2006
OFQHC Novice Trail Horse - 2nd/3rd
2006
OFQHC 2yo In Hand
Trail Futurity - 4th
2001-2008
Trainer of 6 Rodeo Queen contestants - 5 Queens,
1 - 1st runner up, 3 California and Nevada State Rodeo Queen qualifiers, 1 - 4th
runner up at California State, 1 Nevada Rodeo Queen Horsemanship winner.
Appearances
and Judging
2008
Judge - Extreme Mustang Makeover Yearling Edition
2006-2008
Featured clinician, The Western States Wild Horse & Burro Expo
2003-2007
Featured clinician, Back Country Horsemen of California's State
Rendezvous.
2007 Judge -
Versatility
Ranch Horse, Southern Kern Riders Ropers Club
2004,
2006 Judge - Trail, Bakersfield Open Horse Show Saddle Series
2003-2005
Judge - Arena, Trail, Antelope Valley Desert Riders Horse Show Series.
2005
Judge - Arena, 4-H regional horse show.
Current
Memberships
American
Quarter Horse Association
National
Stock Horse Association
National
Foundation Quarter Horse Association - Life Member
Equestrian
Trails Int.
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