West Coast Equine Driving Clinic

Clinician Raymond Helmuth is an expert equine trainer, instructor, driving judge, professional multiples hitch driver, and #1 ranked USA single carriage driver. 

This is a RARE opportunity for carriage drivers and teamsters to learn from one of the industry's leading experts. 

Date: February 1st and 2nd, 2025
Location: Oppenheimer Family Equine Center on the beautiful Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo campus. A spectacular covered arena makes this a RAIN or SHINE event.  ALL proceeds benefit the Cal Poly Mule Packing Team.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday February  1, 2025 
45 minute private single driving lessons available beginning at 8:00 am and throughout the day. See signups below.
Clinician Presentation: Bit selection, harnessing and hitching 11:00am- 12:00pm
Arena singles rail class and judging demonstration with Q and A 3:00-4:00pm

Sunday February 2, 2025
45 minute private pairs driving lessons available beginning at 8:00am and throughout the day. See signups below.
Clinician Presentation: "What’s the Judge Looking For" 11:00am.- 12:00pm
Arena pairs rail class and judging demonstration with Q and A 1:00-2:00pm 

Saturday's lesson slots will be held open for singles until January 10th. Sunday's lesson slots will be help open for pairs until January 10th.  After that date, any lesson times that are still available can be filled by singles or pairs regardless of day.

Lesson Participants: 45 minute Private session $240- includes 2 nights of animal lodging (no feed), both days of auditing, and livestock trailer parking (no onsite camping). Add-on lesson: $150 each. Scroll down to sign up. Check or Venmo payment in advance is required for lesson participants. See PAYMENT info below. Lesson participants must complete the Release of Liability and Lease forms below. 

Auditors/ spectators are  welcome both days. $50/ day or $90 for both days. Scroll down to enroll as an auditor/ spectator. Spectator payment in advance would be appreciated so we can get a head count.  Auditor/spectators must complete the Release of Liability Release form below. 

A lunch concession will be available both days. 

Dry camping available off-site. $25 per night. Payment in advance is required.
Fully contained living quarters and RV/trailers only. 
No car, livestock trailer or tent camping. 
No restrooms, showers, running water or electricity available or provided. 

If you will need dry camping and/ or animal boarding Sunday night, please contact us. 

PAYMENTS: Mail check made payable to Jennifer Berman, PO Box 1777, Santa Ynez, CA 93460. Contact organizer, (Jen B) for Venmo handle. Please mail forms in with your payment. Check, Venmo or cash will be accepted at the event. 

About the clinician:
RAYMOND HELMUTH- Expert equine trainer and equestrian instructor, driving judge, professional multiples hitch driver, and #1 ranked USA single carriage driver. 

Raymond Helmuth is an expert horseman in all phases of training, riding and driving. Born and raised in an Amish family in Hazleton, Iowa, training horses and mules for riding, driving and farming was the focus of his life growing up. As a trainer, Raymond specializes in identifying the unique talent of each individual animal and adapting training techniques to maximize its specific abilities. He is passionate about the training process and enjoys watching the transformation of the mind and body that can make each animal an exceptional athlete in whatever discipline they are good at. He has used this successful approach in the training of his champion driving stallion, Kendro.

As an equestrian instructor, Raymond is highly effective at communicating with humans the needs and motivations of horses and mules. His holistic approach helps the rider/driver and their animal become a team- working with each other not against each other.  For students looking to become more competitive in the show ring, Raymond’s unique qualifications in all equestrian disciplines can help them understand performance from the eye of the judge. For students simply seeking better skills to gain more confidence, enjoyment and safety in their relationship with their animal,  Raymond’s patient and encouraging training style makes the process of learning achievable and fun.   Raymond’s commitment to precision and detail in his instruction enables every student to take their skills to the next level of mastery.  

As a competitor,  Raymond drove and competed for the prestigious Simpson Percherons and several other big hitches across the country  before transitioning into competitive carriage driving and riding dressage. In the sport of Combined Driving he competes at the highest level (FEI***). He is ranked #1 in the USA and is highly ranked internationally in this demanding and challenging sport. 

Learn more about Raymond at HelmuthEquine.com.