Public Relations Contact: Equine Resources International, LLC
Lua Oas Southard 610-444-7554

In fact, 2000 Olympic Dressage Team Bronze Medallist, Sue Blinks has found the method particularly valuable as a way to look at and improve how we interact with our horses.

"The method truly works and works well," Sue said. "This fresh approach could have a place in every horse's training."

Internationally-recognized show jumping rider Beezie Patton Madden, and her husband John Madden, are also proponents of the innovative On Target method. Beezie has used On Target with her horses Innocence and Judgement.

"On Target has a place in our training because it allows us to reward horses for performing a specific action well," Beezie said.

On Target Training has found a spot in the hearts of many recognized equine experts, including world-renowned trainer John Lyons, international dressage rider Jane Savoie, Resistance FreeTM Training creator Richard Shrake and GaWaNi Pony Boy. Shawna and Vinton travel across the country to demonstrate their unprecedented training techniques at private clinics and consumer expos including Maryland's Horse World Expo and Equine Affaire California, Ohio and Massachusetts. The couple has given the sole, featured demonstration at the USET Festival of Champions for the past four years.

On Target Training is a breakthrough training method for horses, developed by Shawna and Vinton Karrasch, that works for any age, breed or discipline. Based on proven principles of behavior modification, this unique program uses reward reinforcement to help horses learn. In other words, when the horse performs correctly, it is given a reward. Once the animal learns the behavior fully, he will perform whether a reward is available or not. The basis is simple, but fundamental--by reinforcing desired behavior, you can unlock your horse's natural desire to perform. One of the horses Shawna and Vinton have trained with this method is Spokesman--a two-year old crossbred gelding owned by Pfizer Animal Health. Trained with the system since his earliest days, Spokesman now travels with the couple to demonstrations and events.

On Target Training starts with a 'clicker'--a hand-held device used to create a 'bridge signal.' This signal tells horses 'Yes! That's correct!' even across long distances. The method then combines the clicker with a hand-held or stationary target, which makes teaching behaviors such as haltering, trailer loading and clipping simple and safe. It works both in ground work and under saddle.

To find out more about On Target Training, visit their Web site at www.on-target-training.com or call 1-800-638-2090. You can also check out the latest magazine article featuring Shawna and Vinton: Mount Up With Ease appears in the March 2001 Horse & Rider.

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