Thursday, May 27, 2010

Mounted Shooting - horse training videos with Denny Chapman

I've had countless requests of level 1/beginner mounted shooters to repost some videos of our mounted shooting horse training process. Here are five videos of me working with five different horses - from the first introduction to noise with bullwhips and our custom 1/4 - load training blanks, to galloping a shooting course with full-power competition loads. It is very important to keep your horse slow the first year, seasoning him right and letting him build confidence to go faster later without spooking or getting too "hot" as you gain the ability to shoot and run faster in higher levels. Shoot out to the sides, at the "3 o'clock" and "9 o'clock" positions or slightly behind the horse in the beginning. As a level 1 competitor, it's rarely necessary to go faster than an easy lope to be successful - and you're building an important foundation of confidence in your new mounted shooting horse that will pay off for years to come...



Desensitize them to the noise, building their confidence for a good foundation ("Gigi"):

http://www.westernshootinghorse.ning.com/video/taylors-tip-of-the-week

Start them at the walk ("Jack"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCyR4-TC4dg

Work up to a trot ("Casey"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fZtHxubX_s

Season your shooting horse easy and quiet at a lope ("Forrest"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Oo6My73cc

Step it up when the time is right ("Spanky"):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SfPTNfKhwQ




Happy Trails,

www.DennyChapman.com

Friday, May 21, 2010

Denny Chapman on History Channel show...


I can't discuss too many details, but I've been told I can finally announce some cool news - I'm on a new show coming up on the History Channel! It's called "Top Shot" and will premier June 6 at 10pm Eastern. Here's a link to a promo commercial: http://www.history.com/shows/top-shot. There will be 10 episodes airing Sunday nights on History!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wild West Entertainment performs for Hands and Hearts for Horses










Here are some photos from our performance in Pavo GA last weekend. This wonderful event raised funds for the therapeutic riding program, Hands and Hearts for Horses. Our apprentice performer/trainer, Stephanie Cons, and I performed a tandem ride and drive, roman riding, fire jumping as well as trick horse and mounted shooting clinics. Next weekend, we'll be representing our sponsors while competing in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association event in Marianna FL. Wayne Williams will be interviewing us for his show, Speaking of Horses, the following week - then we'll be announcing the FJRA Rodeo Finals in Ocala. We've been training mounted shooting horses and conducting lessons/clinics between appearances - Lot's going on at Wild West Entertainment!