Ron McLoughlin, born on a quarter horse ranch in Petaluma, California, has dedicated his life to the art and science of horse handling. His early experiences, influenced by his father’s military career, included dressage lessons in Germany. Ron’s journey into professional horse instruction began in 1967, and after serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, he established McLoughlin Horse Handling in Towanda, Pennsylvania, in 1972. This establishment, still operational today, serves as a testament to his enduring commitment to horsemanship. For more information, please visit McLoughlin Horse Handling.
Foundational Influences and the Foreman Humane System
Two pivotal figures profoundly shaped Ron McLoughlin’s approach to horses. Dr. Francis C. Sullivan, an equine veterinarian with unparalleled wisdom, provided the bedrock for Ron’s philosophy on horse breeding, care, stable management, and veterinary practices. Simultaneously, Monte Foreman, a world-renowned horse scientist, filmmaker, author, and trainer, entered Ron’s life with the force of a “stampede.” For twelve years, Ron collaborated extensively with Foreman, contributing to research, videotaping, and assisting at riding clinics across the United States. This deep immersion led to Ron’s certification as a ‘Foreman Instructor’ in 1978.
In 1998, Ron and his wife Lisa relocated to Pearce, Arizona, where they founded The Classical Stock Seat School of Arizona (C.S.S.S.A.) in 2006. The school’s curriculum is firmly rooted in the ‘Foreman Humane System,’ a science-based methodology emphasizing footwork and fundamental movements. Ron continues to engage in active research, building upon Monte Foreman’s pioneering work.
Extensive Experience and Impact
Over his career, Ron McLoughlin has instructed thousands of students, many of whom are now prominent figures in the equine industry. He has conducted numerous mounted law enforcement training schools, including specialized training for the U.S. Border Patrol Mounted Division. To date, Ron has led more than 991 three-day horse handling clinics throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Further details about Ron McLoughlin’s Horse Handling (R.M.H.H.) can be found at McLoughlin Horse Handling.
The McLoughlin Team: A Depth of Expertise
Lisa McLoughlin: Instructor and Head Trainer
With 54 years of horse ownership, Lisa McLoughlin possesses an intuitive understanding of equine behavior. After studying under various clinicians in California, she discovered the profound sense-making system of Ron McLoughlin’s clinics in 1992, leading her to The School. The ‘Basic Handle’ technique, which significantly improved her horses’ balance and agility, cemented her belief in the Foreman/McLoughlin system. Lisa is dedicated to training both young and experienced horses using this method, fostering willing, athletic, and solid equine partners. She manages the school horses, provides culinary services for resident students, oversees the office, and assists Ron in various programs at C.S.S.S.A.
Mary Jani: Dedicated Instructor
Mary Jani brings 35 years of experience in the horse business. Her journey with the McLoughlin lineage began in 1975 when she spent 11 months as a student-staff at Ron’s Pennsylvania school. Subsequently, she was hired as barn manager and assistant instructor, where she managed the barn, trained horses, started colts, and oversaw breeding and lesson programs. Mary also trained under Monte Foreman, becoming one of his youngest Accredited Instructors in 1979. She has applied the Foreman Basic Handle training philosophy to successfully train hundreds of horses and riders across numerous states. Mary continues to contribute her expertise to C.S.S.S.A. and has been working at the Santa Lucia Ranch in Amado, Arizona, since 2011.
Dana Jo Fitch: Instructor and Demonstration Rider
DJ Fitch, having spent most of her life with horses, found a transformative approach to training and instruction with Ron McLoughlin starting in 1992. She attended numerous resident schools, focusing on training, instruction, and horse management. Returning to Florida in 1999, she established her own training and instructional facility, DJ’s Horse Handling. DJ excels in both showing her horses in dressage and reining and maintaining a rigorous training program for the school. She also assists Ron at various programs and performances, hosts workshops, and offers a comprehensive lesson program. DJ can be contacted at djshorsehandling@yahoo.com.
Other Esteemed Instructors
The Classical Stock Seat School of Arizona also acknowledges the contributions of retired instructors Shelia Ellison from Gadsden, Alabama, and Kathy Stafford from Nemo, Texas, as well as the late Chuck Warren from Ojai, California. Their dedication and expertise have been invaluable to the school’s legacy.
