Clinics at North Gait are designed to create focused learning opportunities for riders who want to better understand their horses and develop practical skills they can apply at home.

My teaching focuses on the principles that guide all of my training—relaxation, balance, and trust—and how these ideas translate into better communication, sound movement, and confident partnerships between horse and rider.

Clinics typically include a combination of groundwork, ridden work, and problem-solving exercises tailored to the needs of the group. Riders leave with clear concepts and exercises they can apply at home to continue developing their horse.

Obstacles with Purpose

Obstacles With Purpose is a 4-hour clinic designed to turn obstacles into tools for better horsemanship. Riders rotate through a circuit of obstacles, each offering progressive levels that challenge communication, confidence, body control, accuracy, and trust. Rather than simply asking, “Can my horse do it?” we’ll explore, “How well can we do it together?” Participants work at the level appropriate for their horse, revisit obstacles throughout the session, and learn how one simple obstacle can become an incredibly versatile training tool.

Obstacles With Purpose isn't about conquering obstacles. It's about discovering how much we can learn about ourselves, our horses, and our communication when an obstacle gives us a question to work through together.

Clinic Format: 4 hours
Participants: 8 horse/rider combinations
Cost: $150 per horse/rider combination

Upcoming Dates:

September 18, 2026 9AM - 1PM

October 30, 2026 3:30PM - 7:30PM Halloween Theme And Costume Contest!

December 1, 2026 3:30pm - 7:30pm

December 3, 2026 3:30pm - 7:30pm

Come ready to play, experiment, problem-solve, and leave with new ways to turn even simple obstacles into purposeful training exercises at home.

North Gait Partnership Intensives

Sometimes an hour simply isn't enough.

North Gait Partnership Intensives are designed for horse-and-rider teams who want the time to slow things down, dig a little deeper, and work through challenges together. Rather than sending your horse away for training and trying to recreate that work when they come home, an Intensive keeps you and your horse in the learning process together.

How It Works

Each Intensive takes place over two days and includes two private, two-hour sessions with Abbie.

Day One: Arrive and settle your horse in, followed by an afternoon session.

Day Two: Return for a morning session, allowing us to see what you and your horse retained and how things feel after having time to process overnight. You'll head home afterward with a clearer understanding of your horse, practical tools, and a plan for what to work on next.

Sessions are individualized to you and your horse. We may work on groundwork, ridden work, relaxation, confidence, communication, body awareness, obstacles, problem solving, rider timing and feel—or a combination of several things.

The goal isn't simply to "fix" a problem. It's to help you understand what is happening, why it may be happening, and what you can do about it.

Your Take-Home Plan

At the end of your sessions, we'll spend time reviewing what we discovered and identifying your most important next steps.

You'll leave with a personalized written recap including:

• What we worked on and what we discovered

• Exercises and tools that were helpful

• Things to watch and feel for

• Your top priorities

• Homework to continue at home

• Areas we'll revisit if you return for another Intensive

This gives you something concrete to refer back to once you're home and provides us with a record we can build upon at future Intensives.

A Different Kind of Clinic Experience

Several horse-and-rider teams may attend during the same Intensive dates, but your scheduled working time is dedicated to you and your horse.  After registration, I will contact you to confirm your session times each day.

You're welcome to watch the other sessions happening during your stay—and there can be tremendous value in learning from another partnership—but it isn't required.

Between your sessions, your time is yours.

Relax. Spend time with your horse. Grab lunch. Explore the area. Go hiking or biking, visit one of our lakes, do some shopping, or simply enjoy having nowhere you need to be.

What's Included

$375 per horse-and-rider team

Your Intensive includes:

• Two private two-hour sessions

• Individual assessment and instruction

• Personalized written recap and homework plan

• Overnight accommodations for your horse

• Opportunity to observe other Intensive sessions

Owners are responsible for their own travel, lodging, meals and personal expenses, as well as any grain, supplements or medications their horse requires. Please bring your horse's usual tack and equipment along with anything you may need for their overnight stay.

Why an Intensive?

Because ultimately, the goal isn't for your horse to work beautifully for a trainer.

The goal is for you and your horse to work beautifully together.

Four hours spread over two days gives us something a traditional lesson can't: time to assess, experiment, practice, process overnight, and come back the next morning to see what actually carried forward.

You'll head home not only knowing what to practice, but with a better understanding of why you're doing it, what you're looking for, and how to help your horse when things don't go according to plan.

Come with questions. Come with something that's been feeling stuck. Or come simply because you'd like to deepen your skills and partnership.

We'll meet you and your horse where you are—and give you a path forward.

Cost: $375 per horse and rider team

Fall 2026 Dates:

Sept 21-22, 2026 - FULL

October 22-23, 2026

November 19-20, 2026

Special Guest Clinicians

In addition to teaching and training, Abbie opens North Gait each year to a select group of heart-centered equine professionals.

These clinicians are invited not only for their expertise, but for their shared commitment to thoughtful, compassionate horsemanship. Together, they bring diverse perspectives and meaningful learning experiences to the heart of Minnesota, creating a space where both horses and humans are supported, encouraged, and inspired to grow.