Tassie Savvy Soakers

We are a group of horse lovers that follow the Parelli Program and have been having playdays once a month for the last three years. Some of us have been with the program from when Pat Parelli first came to Tasmania and had his first ride on Magic, at his clinic in Launceston. We are called the Tassie Savvy Soakers and we meet at a different venue each month and we usually have lots of toys to play with that the students bring along. Our group is growing very quickly and we are supported by our lovely instructor Chris Corbidge 3*, who has been coming down once a year to do clinics and she is also coming to do a winter one for the first time for our twelve new members who want to learn more!

Two of our members, Paul and Karen Lockwood, were lucky enough to be selected to feature on last weeks Enews for the Friendly Game on Youtube competition...they won a cowbell...we are so proud of them! You can see some of our Youtube footage on the new Parelli Australia Utube site.

Belinda Park

Tasmania

A Star in the Making...

I came across young Bonnie McIntyre a couple of years ago when I went to see Pat and Linda in Sydney. Since the arrival of Parelli Connect, I came across her again and it was clear that this young girl is a star in the making. Only 18 years old, Bonnie is already a Level 4 student and is currently on her way to America to study as an Extern at the Parelli Centre. I wanted to share her inspirational profile with you all. Here’s how she describes herself:

“I’m 18 years old. When I was 4yrs I got my first horse; a naughty, fat Shetland pony who did everything he shouldn’t have. When I was 8 years old I began the Parelli Program with a local instructor because the horse I owned at the time was always running away with me! A year or so later this horse sustained a long term injury and I got Irish, shortly after I passed my Level 1 in 2002, at just 9 years old.

I spent Kindergarten and Year 1 at school before home schooling for 5 years. I then, by choice, went to a co-educational boarding school for my 6 years of high school. I completed my HSC (Yr 12) in 2010. Throughout my time at boarding school my progression in the Parelli Progam was limited. However, in late 2008 I really got back into the program and attended the Parelli Celebration in 2009, where I performed an Online, Freestyle and Finesse Savvy Spotlight.

Last year I attended the Share Parelli and since finishing school at the end of last year I studied full time with Parelli Professional, Kaye Thomas 3*, until the 21st of January. A few days later I then started as an Entry Level Residency Student at the Australian Parelli Center in order to assist me in my journey to become a Parelli Professional. During my time there, I also participated in the first ever Australian Fast Track and was given a position to attend an Externship at the International Parelli Centre, which starts on the 11th of April. I am an official Level 3 graduate and have recently passed my Level 4 Online, Liberty and Freestyle and am waiting to hear back about my Finesse! I leave for America in 2 days!!!”

See, I told you, a star in the making for sure! Go for it, Bonnie. All of Australia is behind you and we will watch your inspiring journey with great anticipation.

Sharon Parbery

Volunteer Correspondent

Parelli Social Media, Australia/NZ

A week in the life of Junior Instructors

 Kerryn and Lillan have both had incredible personal journeys through the Parelli program. Recently they came back from 12 months at Atwood Ranch Naturally, in Orland, California, where they were head young horse developers. Since their return to Australia, they have been very busy with lessons, play days, rescuing horses and offering their services for free to different studs in order to help them see what Parelli do, how it’s different, why it works, and who it benefits!

Below is what Kerryn wrote about her week:

"We spent a couple of days at the Sunshine coast last week for lessons, one in
particular has been extremely interesting for us. A half Friesian who is petrified
of life! Her new owner has made the decision to follow Parelli and "take the time
it takes" which is already paying off for them both. Its incredible to see, in a
short amount of time the amount of trust that can be gained by starting off so
simply. I can't wait to see how consistency will make a difference to this
beautiful horse.

Shona learning that being caught does not mean "stuff"

Next big adventure for the week was picking up our 2 Rescue horses from Charlies Angels. Shona and Joleena have been in care of Charlies Angels for over 12 months. Although sound and only 13 they had lost a little hope that Shona and Joleena could be re-homed as anything except pasture mates. Lillan and I feel that we can most certainly bring these girls along plus start them so they can make someone's dream partner! They are settling in well in their new home, we have been able to remove their flat halters and they have even learnt to be caught! They are not yet at the stage of catching us... but I predict it won't take long!

Joleena learning you can take time to think before you respond

Harry

Our week finished in Lowood with a 3 year old horse who has never understood his job for the farrier, and in fact his last few experiences have ended in him being tied and thrown to the ground and trimmed liked that :-( Lillan and I had our second session with him where we were able to pick up his hind legs and nipper a little. The trust and willingness he presents makes the situation even more heartbreaking. I am so happy that his owner has found Parelli and made this incredible decision for him, to help change his life. She was crying when she saw how easy it can be for horse and human once there is communication."

It is fair to say that Kerryn and Lillan are changing the world for horses and human every day of the week! 


You can follow the progress of Kerryn and Lillan; and of Joleena and Shona at the links below.

www.intuitiveconnection.com.au
www.facebook.com/naturalhorsemanship

Isabelle Greenfield

Volunteer Correspondent

Parelli Social Media, Australia/NZ

The very begining or my first trip to Narnia

Running barefoot in the snow!

I have written a lot about Parelli lately but I have never shared the experience that set me on this wonderful journey.
Imagine yourself in a little picturesque hamlet of  the Yorkshire Dale in England. It is New Year Eve 2009 and we have just arrived to the UK after an exhausting flight from Australia. The snow is gently falling and for us Aussies, it is magic. The children run out bare feet to greet their first snow, there is a fire roaring inside and the jet lag helping, we feel we have landed in Narnia. Now remember, Narnia is the land of the talking beasts!

A visit to the land of Narnia

Shortly after, I spot 4 horses in field and of course I have to go and introduce myself. In the process, I meet their owner, a young woman named Sharon and we start having a horsey chat. The next day, I am invited to come and play with the horses. Never one to turn down an opportunity to spend time with horses, I accept. The following evening, the first day of 2010, we meet at the barn and I have my first surprise. There is a collection of horse toys unknown to me, a green ball catch my eyes along with a few other strange paraphernalia. Coming from a classical background I feel slightly bemused. So, she did mean actually PLAY! I must have looked rather lost and Sharon gives me a few pointers, and end up saying "just focus on what you want the horse to do and you'll get there" So I start experimenting and have my first real conversation with a horse! We spend a perfect hour playing around, under light in the dark snowy winter night, with the horse showing me what he can do and me trying to keep up and not get in his way! I can honestly say that this was the most memorable experience of my entire life. It was the first time I had a real soul to soul connection with a horse and by the end my face was hurting, not only from the intense cold but from grinning beatifically from ear to ear. Knowing what I know now,  it is even more amazing to think that this horse, without knowing me, offered so much. He basically showed me how to play the 7 games!
 While putting the horses to bed, I am bursting with questions and Sharon mention Parelli. She lends me a couple of DVDs which I spend the evening watching. It's a very emotional night, as I discover the depth of my ignorance and grieve for the years lost.
Less than 2 years later,  I play with horses everyday, bought my first horse at the age and work as a volunteer for Parelli, in the capacity of Australian Correspondent. My all life is suffused by the Parelli ethos and there is not one day where I do not count my blessing and feel grateful. I now realise how clever Sharon was in introducing me to Parelli through her horses and let me work it out. I can't help but wondering what would have been my reaction if my first exposure to Parelli had been through a DVD, featuring a cowboy with short chaps?

The magical talking horses.

Isabelle Greenfield

Volunteer Correspondent

Parelli Social Media, Australia/NZ