19 February 2008
Famous horse-trainer Sid Cook spent three days in Corsica last weekend to offer locals and European visitors the opportunity to learn his unique training method.
Cook is an expert in ethology; he bases his training on communication with the horse and is opposed to the brutal methods once used by horse-trainers.
The Canadian trainer chose to offer his first workshop in Europe at Balanin riding school in Monticello, in northern Corsica.
Sid Cook owns a ranch in Canada near the Rocky mountains, having been trained by pioneers of international horse-training, Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt.
The public became familiar with this new method in 1998 through the novel and consecutive movie The Horse Whisperer.
Cecile Degioanni, president of the association Lucky Horse Centre told Corse Matin that the visit would have implications for future training methods on the island.
"Following this Corso-Canadian workshop, the Balagne will see the creation of an American riding school," she explained.
