Renowned horse trainer here for one-day teaching session
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Horse trainer Matt Gable conducts a private lesson Sunday afternoon with "Chalk Talk," a Drum Stallion owned by Tanya Bryson.

Matt Gable has a favorite saying when it comes to training horses to a rider's will.

"The weaker mind will move where the stronger mind wants it to move," said Gable, a horse trainer based in western North Carolina.

Gable gave a private lesson in basic horse control Sunday afternoon for Tanya Bryson, owner of the Drum Stallion "Chalk Talk." With his beautiful white feathered mane, "Chalk Talk" is primarily used to pull carriages in weddings.

The lesson took place at Doeridge Farms in Cherokee County where Gable trains Friesian horses owned by Ruthey Shumate.

Gable will hold a clinic and training session March 15 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Doeridge Farm. The clinic is not open to the public.

There are four slots remaining for horse owners interested in a $90 private lesson.

For a $10 fee, Shumate said she will allow someone to attend the clinic as an auditor.

A maximum of 25 auditors can watch the clinic. Auditors will not be allowed to participate.

Tanya Bryson works with Chalk Talk" on Sunday afternoon during a private lesson from trainer Matt Gable.

Any profits from the clinic will be donated to the Corinth Volunteer Fire Department.

Shumate has been a horseback rider for 40 years and has participated in competition horse shows. She owns several Friesian horses, a breed from the Netherlands known for its black appearance, graceful movement and body control.

Friesian horses were most recently seen in the popular movie "300."

"It takes a full-time commitment. You never perfect the training of a horse," Shumate said. "There are Olympic horses that receive lessons five days a week from trainers."

Shumate moved to Cherokee County last year after operating a farm in Greensboro, N.C.

She has been instructed by internationally known equestrian Charles de Kunffy and gone horse riding with Arthur Kottas Heldenberg from the Spanish riding school in Vienna.

One of Shumate's prize horses is Annabelle, the offspring of famous Breyer horse model Friesian Goffert. She hopes Annabelle will be ready to enter competitions following a year of training,

Shumate said she hopes to hold more horse clinics and training sessions in the future.

For clinic reservations, contact Shumate at 336-681-4351.