Horses speak to us silently, feel our emotions, feel our pain. Horses protect us, love us and depend on us-for food, shelter, guidance, safety and discipline. (Author Unknown)
Welcome to Valhalla Farm
Heart-Centric Horsemanship™ ,or HCH, is open to the “two-legged” wishing to explore human-equine relationships through liberty play, halter play, classical “Haute École”* and Circensic Dressage.McLaurine Clarke is the owner/principal horse person at Valhalla farm and Heart-Centric Horsemanship is her creation. Mclaurine has clinicked with or been influenced by many fine Horsemen/women. Dressage and Classical Haute Ecole influences are Dinny Falkenberg, Tony Clarke, Stephanie Blockley- Clarke, Dominique Barbier, Kathleen Raine, Debbie Fornia, Sabrina Wood, Anders Lindgren, Ralph Dreitzler, Andreas Hausberger , Sherry Ackerman, Michelle Stringham, Gerd Heuschmann, Craig Stevens, and Carol Lynn McCardle. Jumping/Eventing influences are Karla Pohl, Martin Ridgeway, and Helga Roberts. Young Horse Starting/ Groundwork/Stallion Education/Handling influences are Byron Clark, Dale Offerman and Jon Ensign. Liberty/Trick Training/ Circensic Dressage influences are Derek Anderson, Lauri LaSabre Grell, Allen Pogue, Dale Offerman and Silvia Zerbini.
McLaurine is indebted to the above experts and instructors, some of whom are known internationally, for showing her technique options, some of which are useful and others which are currently questioned in international circles and blogs, especially with respect to Dressage/Classical Education. McLaurine credits Michelle Stringham with assisting in the overhaul of her seat and in defining balance in horse and rider. McLaurine credits Gerd Heuschmann,and Craig Stevens with the two significant puzzle pieces that led her to her current classically inclined technique which is similar in scope to Phillipe Karl, and the School of Legerete and McLaurine dreams some day of clinicking with Mr. Karl. McLaurine looks forward to more lessons with Carol Lynn McCardle, a graduate of Karl's Program.
McLaurine competed moderately in Dressage and Eventing from 1998 to 2004 in both schooling and A -rated shows in Washington State and California, scoring in the sixties in Dressage and placing in Eventing. McLaurine will compete again when the competition governing bodies again embrace, promote and utilize classical principals.
Currently McLaurine is creating a one-woman exhibition (inspired by Cavalia) of classical Dance between horse and human both mounted and unmounted, marrying her expertise as a classical dancer/choreographer ( BA- U Washington 1988 with high honors)and professional theatrical experience (1987-1995 Seattle, WA) in dance and musical theatre with her equestrian artistry. McLaurine, also a capable singer brings her considerable musical knowledge to her performances for equine/human dance, the likes of which have not been seen, even on Cavalia's international stage.
Valhalla Farm also stands two exceptional stallions, Von Goethe, a Friesian/Thoroughbred cross, (aka “Tigger”) is a registered Silver Medalist with FBHR, and Capricio Reggio (aka "Capri") is IALHA (½ PRE) preserving ancient Carthusian lines.
Valhalla Farm is also home to Diamond Life, a rescued TB mare from successful running bloodlines; Monte Nahar, an Iberian Warmblood gelding with bloodline fame on both sides; Friday Girl, a foundation bred AQHA mare; Valkyrie Quest, a Silver Medalist German Friesian (FPZV); and Grey Dove, an egyptian arabian.
All members of the Valhalla herd family are learning halter play, liberty play, Classical Haute École (High School) performance and Circensic Dressage. All of Valhalla's herd members display appropriate behavior on the ground and know the basics of how to be in relationship with humans. Mclaurine uses a wide array of play/work activities to keep the herd mentally, emotionally and physically balanced. As a result of this heart-centered approach not only is the Valhalla herd happy but skilled in classical fundamentals (three horses beginning haute ecole work) and all are at intermediate to advanced level in liberty/trick training.
Dale Offerman of Rockin Bar H Ranch,Arlington, Washington, home of performing Nokota Stallions Chief and Peace Pipe, commented during a clinic visit on the high degree of lightness, responsiveness and joy expressed by five horses of the Valhalla herd.
Horse-persons inspired or interested may experience more with one of our equine family of five purebreds and two warmbloods. Or bring your horse and begin a heart-centered, inspiring journey of interspecies communication and interaction.
Call 425-308-2379 for a free intake appointment.
