COVER STORY Musical, Magical and Educational David Lichman and his Liberty Horses Headline Washington State Horse Expo Senior Team at Cavalcade of Horses, California State Fair. Julio, Scotty and “13”. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID LICHMAN EXCEPT WHERE NOTED by Lynn Jenkins “A A fiery horse with the speed of light… Hi-yo, Silver, away! s a young boy, my hero was the lone ranger,” says David Lichman, Five-Star Master Parelli Professional who specializes in liberty horses and is the featured presenter at the Washington State Horse Expo, March 2–4, 2018. “Or more ac-curately, I was a huge fan of Silver.” According to this renowned horseman his passion for horses be-gan at an early age, but access to them was limited. “I was able to rent a horse now and then, attend a summer riding camp, and later muck stalls in exchange for an occasional riding lesson. I even tried to convince my father to convert our suburban two-car garage into David and Senior Team member, accommodations for a horse — it was a no from Dad.” Julio, an Andalusian. Fast-forward a couple of decades, during which time Lichman toured the US as a bass player, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, worked as a software engineer and got married. It wasn’t until 1981, display of affection, bonding and respect. Music is a big part of the teaching concept. It establishes the when he was 32 years old, that he finally realized his dream of owning his own horse. In fact, two horses — both Tennessee Walkers. Just a “Rhythm of the Ride,” a concept developed by Lichman and Grammy-few short years later, he and his 5-year-old gelding, The Artful Dodg-nominated singer-songwriter Mary Ann Kennedy to help a rider or er, won the World Grand Championships in the Light Shod Pleasure dancer synchronize with a horse’s natural motion. “Music creates a joyful sense of connectivity. There is no dancing without music. If you Horse Division. Lichman’s curiosity about natural horsemanship began in 1986 want to dance with your horse — and I do — you need music. Plus, when he watched Ray Hunt start a different colt on each of the 18 music lifts your spirits.” “I don’t see them as horses. I see them as friends. They have days of the California State Fair. “I’d been fooling with horses for a couple of years by then, but when I watched Ray, my jaw dropped,” names, desires and needs—as do I. Friends help fulfill each other’s Lichman says. “I’ll never forget. It was my miracle moment.” The fol-needs and desires.” Lichman will be bringing some of his friends to lowing year, Lichman watched Pat Parelli do colt starts. In 1994, he the Washington State Horse Expo at the Clark County Event Center in Ridgefield, WA. became part of the first group of certified Parelli The Northwest’s premiere equine event, the instructors in the United States. Horse Expo will be featuring an all-new lineup of “I have taught thousands of students,” says Li-nationally ranked clinicians and speakers includ-chman. “From Canada to Costa Rica and from Aus-ing Lichman, Mustang Maddy, Louis Bruhnke and tria to Australia. I’ve been teaching courses all over Jennie Fiendish. And, of course, all your favorites the world for over 20 years.” Lichman has refined will be returning—Steve Rother, Brandi Lyons, Jes-his craft in two areas of expertise: gaited horses sica Wisdom, and Morgan Wagner with Endo the and performing liberty routines to music. He is Blind. New this year, Steve Rother is designing a the only clinician at the national and international competitive equine challenge. level to use natural horsemanship to train gaited Expo goers will be treated to amazing acts per-horses and the only gaited horse trainer to special-formed by beautiful horses each day of the Expo. ize in natural horsemanship. And with even more riders and spectacular horses, “I try to help people connect with horses so the very popular Saturday night show will be big-that it’s fun for both the human and the horse,” ger and better than ever. This year’s Red, White and says Lichman. “By asking instead of telling them to Senior Team (L-R) Julio, Scotty (Tennessee Walker), David and “13” Blue Showcase promises to be a “can’t miss” event. do things,” he puts his relationship with the horses (Tennessee Walker). PHOTO ©COCO Bring the family, watch a clinician in action and above all else. In addition to being at liberty, the horses have to adjust to unfa-then meet them in the presentation pen; attend a seminar; shop in the miliar surroundings without the round ring enclosures typically seen Marketplace for the latest products; stop by the Kid’s Corral; eat at the in a circus show. According to Lichman, the show is improvisational. Chuck Wagon or catch an entertaining equine performance. The 2018 Although there are specific things the horses know, they have a say Washington State Horse Expo promises three full days of activities in what happens depending on how they are feeling. The result is a and education for the horse enthusiast. NWHS 6 January 2018 The Northwest Horse Source www.nwhorsesource.com
The Northwest Horse Source NWHS 0118 Issue: Page 6
