Craig Johnson Reining...Let It Rein Newsletter
Craig Johnson Reining
Lesson of the Month Newsletter
Merry Christmas
Craig Johnson Reining wishes you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas...
 
 
and a Happy New Year!!!
Quick Links
 
 
NOW AVAILABLE!! 
 
Online PDF version of my new book:
Step Up or Step Off 
 
Our Valued Newsletter Subscribers receive $5 back when you order this digital version of my new book! See store for details.
 
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Would make a GREAT last minute Christmas gift for the horseman or horsewoman in your life!!!!

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More Christmas gift ideas!! 
"Pocket-sized protection for your money". New way to keep your money at your fingertips without the bulk of a billfold. Keeps bills clean and in order.
 
NEW BLOG!!!
With  my busy training and showing schedule I decided to put a blog up on the website so that you could all come and see what is going on at the shows throughout the month. Please sign up and leave your comments and I will be writing in weekly with updates.
Photos of the new barn at Santa Hill
Here are a few photos of the barn in progress at Santa Hill.
 
New Barn1
 
New Barn2
December/ 2008
Greetings!

It feels pretty good to be listed among a group of men and women who have crossed the million dollar rider milestone. What a thrill. I would have never guessed when I began reining that a figure like that was possible. For that matter even necessary. By that I mean that the reality of the number is it's simply a way of measurement or a way of letting others know where you are, not who you are....kind of like a tracking number on a shipping package. You now know where I am.  
   It comes as a result of having a goal. Not to win a million, but a goal of creativity and experimenting to see how well you can get a horse broke. That and tenacity.
   Over the years there were times it seemed rather easy. Perhaps it was simply horsepower. Other times it was a considerable challenge....also horsepower, or lack of it. Yet in every case on every horse, and there have been many, the goal was reached. They got broke.
   Of course through those years a lot of stories were created. Some were fun and paved the way to a million. Others, like the $40,000 missed lead departure were detours. Yet looking back I wouldn't trade one ride for any amount. What I've learned about myself and horses is priceless. 
   I'm very much looking forward to wherever this leads and whatever lies ahead. I still have so much to learn, so much to share, and am quite sure that there will be many stories yet to be written.
    My thanks to all the customers over the years whose horses I experimented on taught me so much. Thanks to my family who kept me grounded, who never really thought it was that important in the grand scheme, other than a way to pay the feed guy. Thanks to the feed guy who used to be patient. And thanks to NRHA for giving me a sport I love, a place to play it, and for keeping track. Until recently, I really never did.

Let It Rein,
Craig
A Note From Craig...
We are happy to announce the opening of Santa Hill Ranch!!!
 
Santa Hill Ranch is committed to providing the very best care and training possible for your horse. A capable staff of horsemen and women have been assembled to help maximize your equine athlete and friend to become all it can be. We use the concepts of reining to develop them mentally, physically, and emotionally as well as eliminating the resistance's getting in their way. The acceptance of their individuality and dignity allows us to search out their gifts, or lack of, and play a fair game using natural principles mixed with high expectations. Our goal is to see how broke we can get each horse by riding like we M.E.A.N it. Maximize, Eliminate, Accept, and Never quit.
 
Our team also provides coaching for you. Be prepared should you choose to seek our help. You will learn all aspects of how to build and maintain your horse right along with us. In essence, we will teach you to be a trainer as well and be involved in the creation. You'll also develop your own inner abilities to handle pressure, victories and defeats to become a bigger you. Our hope is in the end, you won't need us anymore. Though we are here for tech support. We want you to win.
 
The sport of reining is our specialty. Our head trainer, Craig Johnson, has won well over one million dollars in competition. He has been training, showing, giving clinics, writing books, and producing DVD's on the subject for nearly 30 years. Feel free to check out his web site at www.craigjohnsonreining.com. He oversees all aspects of training and coaching at the ranch and continues to show the best of the Santa Hill horses. Our assistant trainers are hand picked by Craig and ranch owner Bob Santagata for their natural abilities, fair training principles, hard work, and most of all, friendliness. You won't find a better crew anywhere.
 
The ranch also has a number of outstanding horses for sale from weanlings all the way to solid finished horses. You may at first think them a bit pricey. You'll also find them confident, incredibly broke, amazingly well bred, and spectacularly well cared for. We create winners at all levels. That's priceless.
 
Call or drop by Bob's brand new Santa Hill Ranch facility near Middletown, NY, just one hour from New York City. What began as a relaxing hobby for Bob Santagata has evolved into a quest for the best. He invites you to share in the dream and promises you'll receive undivided attention and at the very least, an educational adventure.
 
Check out the web site at www.santahillranch.com. You'll find the email address to write us. Call us at (845)294-3662. Drive by the ranch just off hwy 208 North of Goshen, NY or fly into Stewart Airport in nearby Newburg, NY. We'll pick you up. We look forward to helping you.
 
   Santa Hill Ranch. A shift is happening.