10/28/2026
We love to support great horsemanship as great horsemanship typically correlates to willing and good patients! This will be a fun weekend and you may even see us there for a lunch topic discussion! 🤩🐴
TWO-DAY HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC
Featuring Jesse Mayhew of Bar J Performance Horses
Hosted at Split Oak Ranch | Limited to 10–12 Riders
Join us at Split Oak Ranch for an exciting, educational, and hands-on two-day horsemanship clinic led by accomplished horseman, competitive team roper, and professional horse trainer Jesse Mayhew, owner of Bar J Performance Horses.
This clinic is designed to help riders of varying experience levels develop stronger communication, greater confidence, improved riding skills, and a deeper partnership with their horses.
With only 10–12 participating riders, the clinic offers personalized instruction, practical exercises, individual evaluations, and the opportunity to learn from a horseman with extensive experience in both training and competitive rodeo.
MEET YOUR CLINIC INSTRUCTOR — JESSE MAYHEW
Owner of Bar J Performance Horses | Team Roper | Horse Trainer
Jesse Mayhew is the owner of Bar J Performance Horses, where his passion for rodeo, horsemanship, and breeding quality performance horses comes together.
As a competitive team roper and second-generation horseman, Jesse brings firsthand experience from the arena into his training program, focusing on developing the ability, confidence, and consistency horses need to compete at a high level.
An important part of Jesse’s program is training and developing his own homegrown performance horses. From establishing solid foundations to refining the skills required for competitive team roping, Jesse takes a hands-on approach to each horse’s development.
His experience as both a trainer and competitor has given him an understanding of the timing, responsiveness, athleticism, and trust required to build successful performance horses.
Jesse believes success in the arena begins long before competition day, through patience, consistency, proper fundamentals, and the work invested at home.
Competitive Accomplishments
Jesse has competed at multiple levels throughout the equine industry, earning notable achievements including:
2025 PRCA First Frontier Circuit Finals Qualifier
2025 APRA Finals Qualifier
Multiple jackpot roping victories
Winner of saddles, championship buckles, and trailers through competitive roping
Through Bar J Performance Horses, Jesse combines his competitive experience with a dedication to training, developing, and producing quality performance horses.
His commitment to horsemanship and the Western way of life is reflected in the work he puts into each horse and his continued pursuit of excellence both inside and outside the arena.
Now, Jesse is bringing that experience and knowledge to Split Oak Ranch for an exclusive two-day horsemanship clinic!
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS CLINIC
This is not a one-size-fits-all riding clinic.
Jesse believes that every horse and rider brings different experiences, strengths, challenges, and goals. Rather than following a completely rigid training program, he will tailor instruction to the participants attending.
Each registered rider will complete a pre-clinic questionnaire covering their riding background, their horse’s experience, current challenges, and personal goals. This information will help Jesse prepare for the clinic and identify areas where participants can benefit most.
Throughout the two days, participants will focus on:
Developing clearer communication between horse and rider
Building confidence and trust
Understanding proper tack, equipment, and preparation
Improving speed control, responsiveness, and consistency
Developing softer, quieter hands
Strengthening riding fundamentals
Identifying and correcting common horsemanship challenges
Improving timing, feel, and communication
Working through personalized exercises and drills
Applying newly learned skills through practical challenges
The clinic will conclude with a Horsemanship Skills Test and awards presentation recognizing individual improvement and the progress of each horse-and-rider team.
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DAY ONE — BUILDING THE FOUNDATION
8:00 AM — Introduction & Group Discussion
Meet Jesse and fellow participants. The morning begins with introductions, discussion of important horsemanship concepts, equipment, and establishing communication expectations between horses, riders, and the instructor.
9:00 AM — Saddling & Arena Preparation
Participants saddle their horses and prepare for the first mounted session.
9:30 AM — Equipment & Tack Inspection
Jesse evaluates each horse’s tack and equipment to ensure proper fit, safety, and preparation.
10:00 AM — Mounted Warm-Up
Riders begin warming up while Jesse observes each team’s abilities, communication, responsiveness, and overall horsemanship.
11:00 AM — Identifying Areas for Improvement
Jesse evaluates each horse-and-rider combination, identifying specific challenges and areas for improvement.
11:30 AM — Group Feedback
A discussion covering Jesse’s observations, common challenges, and the skills the group will focus on developing.
11:45 AM — Horse Break & Auditor Questions
Riders put their horses away for lunch while Jesse answers questions from auditors.
12:00 PM — Group Lunch
An opportunity to enjoy lunch together, share stories, discuss experiences, and ask questions in a relaxed setting.
1:00 PM — Afternoon Riding Session
Riders return to the arena for focused instruction on speed control, quiet hands, communication, responsiveness, and developing a better feel for their horses.
3:30 PM — Practical Riding Drills
Participants work through exercises designed to reinforce the day’s lessons and improve consistency, control, and communication.
4:30 PM — Individual Rider Evaluations
Jesse meets with riders individually to discuss their progress, personal goals, and the areas they want to focus on during Day Two.
5:00 PM — Unsaddling & Horse Care
Riders finish their mounted activities and care for their horses.
5:00–6:00 PM — Auditor Questions
Additional time for auditors to ask questions and discuss the day’s instruction.
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DAY TWO — DEVELOPING SKILLS & PUTTING THEM TO THE TEST
8:00 AM — Morning Meeting & Game Plan
Review Day One, discuss progress, and establish individual goals for the second day.
8:30 AM — Individualized Horsemanship Training
The morning focuses on each rider’s specific goals and the challenges identified during the first day.
Jesse will help participants improve their horses’ responsiveness, communication, confidence, and consistency through personalized exercises.
11:15 AM — Horse Break & Group Discussion
Riders put their horses away and gather for a group discussion covering progress, challenges, and lessons learned.
12:45 PM — Final Riding Preparation
Participants return to their horses for final instruction, adjustments, and preparation for the afternoon skills challenge.
2:00 PM — Horsemanship Skills Test
Riders participate in approximately 4–5 patterns or events designed to challenge the horsemanship skills developed throughout the clinic.
Exercises will emphasize communication, control, accuracy, responsiveness, and teamwork between horse and rider.
The purpose is to demonstrate progress, encourage growth, and celebrate improvement.
4:00 PM — Skills Test Concludes
Participants complete their final exercises and prepare for the awards presentation.
4:30 PM — Awards & Recognition
The group gathers to celebrate the accomplishments of clinic participants.
Planned awards include:
Horsemanship Skills Test Awards
Most Improved Rider
Most Improved Horse
Most Improved Horse & Rider Team
We hope to have sponsors contribute prizes and donated items for participants.
5:00 PM — Final Questions & Closing Discussion
Jesse answers final questions, discusses continued development, and shares guidance for riders to continue improving after the clinic.
6:00 PM — Clinic Wrap-Up & Cleanup
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RIDERS & AUDITORS WELCOME
Rider Participation — Limited to 10–12 Teams
Registered riders will participate in mounted instruction, individual coaching, group exercises, and the final skills challenge.
The limited number of participants allows Jesse to spend meaningful time observing and working with each horse-and-rider team.
Auditor Participation
Don’t have a horse or prefer to learn from the sidelines?
Auditors are welcome to observe the clinic, listen to Jesse’s instruction, learn from demonstrations, and participate in designated question-and-answer sessions.
Auditing provides a valuable opportunity to gain horsemanship knowledge without participating in mounted activities.
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MORE THAN JUST A RIDING CLINIC
Great horsemanship isn’t simply about what happens in the saddle. It’s about understanding your horse, recognizing the importance of timing and communication, developing consistency, and creating a partnership built on trust and respect.
Jesse’s experience as a second-generation horseman, professional trainer, and accomplished competitive team roper brings a practical perspective to these fundamentals.
Whether your goal is to become a more confident recreational rider, improve your horse’s responsiveness, overcome specific challenges, or develop the skills needed for competition, this clinic is an opportunity to learn techniques you can continue applying long after the weekend ends.
Two days. Limited riders. Individualized instruction. Real horsemanship.
Join us at Split Oak Ranch for a weekend of learning, growth, and a shared passion for horses and the Western way of life.
Advance registration required. Only 10–12 riding spots available!
Jesse Mayhew is the owner and trainer of Bar J Performance Horses, an independent equine training facility. This clinic is hosted at Split Oak Ranch and instructed by Jesse.
The schedule, exercises, and instructional topics are subject to adjustment based on participating horses, rider experience, individual goals, and clinic conditions.
