NEWDALE – Misty Ridge Stables and Homestead will once again host horse trainer Natalie Hagler for her Fundamentals Clinic Aug. 16–17. The two-day camp, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., focuses on helping riders and their horses break bad habits, build trailer-loading confidence and address reactive behaviors through desensitization and other training exercises.
At just 23 years old, Hagler has more than 17 years of riding experience and has trained with more than 20 highly qualified instructors, including ex-futurity riders and ex-grand prix jumping riders.
But her journey to becoming a skilled trainer hasn’t always been smooth. Early in her career, a mare she purchased flipped on her during their second ride, injuring her left leg. Rather than stepping away, Hagler pushed forward, eventually joining the world-famous Clinton Anderson Academy in Texas.
“I went straight from getting flipped over onto boot camp,” Hagler said.
Clinton Anderson, an Australian-American trainer, developed the Downunder Horsemanship method, an approach built on respect and clear communication between horse and rider. It places heavy emphasis on groundwork, something Hagler admits she once underestimated.
“As a 16 or 17-year-old, that was just the most boring thing I could have thought of doing,” she said. “I was on jumping teams and barrel raced, and I just thought groundwork was a waste of time.”
With time, however, Hagler saw the value of returning to the basics.
“Even with horses I’ve had for years, going back to groundwork has made a huge difference,” she said. “I will never not consider myself a beginner. I will never not be open-minded, especially when it comes to horses.”
That dedication to continual learning shapes the way Hagler works with people as well as horses.
Hagler says her clients are her first priority before money, fame or reputation.
“Their safety and their love of horses come first,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do to help other people’s journey be a little less painful than mine, then that’s my goal.”
Hagler’s teaching style blends patience, clear communication and a strong focus on safety. She works closely with each rider to understand their goals and challenges, tailoring her approach to fit both horse and handler.
The Fundamentals Clinic at Misty Ridge Stables is open to riders seeking a safer, more confident connection with their horses.
Her camp is Aug. 16 and 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Misty Ridge Stables in Newdale.
