A great day, by Wendy Greavers

What a great horsing day on Sunday. It was even a bit warm which was a bonus, and no RAIN !

We had a play day first. It was to start at 11am, and I was all organized and had time for a bit of a groom before we even left home. I found that it meant that Gypsy was more with me and less herd bound before we even left home. I have been doing a bit of being late for the show when I do some floating with her. So I will make a mental note of that one for future. When we got to the FWRC I was 15 mins early  and there before anyone else. Gypsy was a bit keen to get out of the float, so I took the time I needed, and it was only 10 mins or so, and we just played with in and out till she was happy to "be" in the float. I must say it set the day up well !

..../

On the 22', we started with checking out our extreme friendly game, then focused on yo-yo between the gate. Gypsy was doing her level best to be crooked as she knew what was coming, but we are getting a good language on that one and it wasn't very long before she was a model citizen. Then fig 8, just at the walk, although Gypsy did offer a few trots in there.

Then the three of us played soccer with the Swiss ball where we went up to the ball but before we could kick it we had to play yo-yo away from the ball with our horses in zone 1, and then we could go forward to kick it. We had a good few goes with that until all us old ladies got a bit knackered. It was good to see Gypsy seeing a purpose for the game and putting some effort into it.

I then did some 45' circling, and Gypsy was great. Then we went out of the arena for a play then & I did yo-yo up a slippery hill & Gypsy was a really good girl. Janette arrived then with Ace and joined in with us there and we gradually went back into the arena again.

At about 12.30 I got changed and got lunch, and Tori turned up early. So we started our lesson about 1.15. Online Janette asked for help with being more refined, and I asked for help with ways of getting Gypsy trotting on the fig 8. Ridden I wanted to get some help with not doing the "giddy up a little bit", and getting a true freestyle rein & Janette just wanted some strategies on how to deal with Ace when he was up & active, as he was (he is usually really hard to get going being a LBI. He is a retired racehorse, as he just didn't make it on the track).

To get started on our online, Tori asked me a really obvious thing which I just hadn't made the connection with, and that was how was Gypsy's change of direction on line, with regard to helping us getting a steady trot with our fig 8. It was a big BFO - duh ! Of course get it going there and it will cross over to the fig 8. I had already noticed how the fig 8 had helped the change of direction - just not back the other way. So we started on the 22' and on the circling, and I asked Gypsy for a canter, and I have accepting what I get there, and Tori made a suggestion with it. Looking back I have let it go on too long, because as soon as I asked for more, Gypsy had no real issue with giving it. Mind you with Tori's help, I was asking the question the right way too. Tori suggested that I be more definite in my phases whenever she broke gait back down to the trot. As in put a definite feel on the line, and exaggerate the lead, lift, swing and actually follow thru to the touch it, if necessary every time she broke gait. It didn't take long till she got it and was happily cantering around for a number of circuits, instead of breaking gait every time and mostly putting herself back into the canter. Something else that Tori suggested that I do, was to get her to disengage from the canter. That really gelled with her, have the reward directly from the canter. Neat stuff./...

After I took on board all of that & internalized it:

1. "Feel of: Gypsy before asking her to change - get that what happens before what happens happens going from the "feel of"

2. Match her energy and be more snappy (helped by the maintain gate at the canter that we had just been working on) so that I was being the most effective I could be without any need to micromanage or make her wrong for my shortcomings

3. Make sure that I go straight back and had a focus of where it was to happen by (a bit like having that line that they don't cross on the squeeze game)

4. If it wasn't happening by the line of my focus, get busy with yo-yo down the line to get her attention and give me 2 eyes so she can do the change

5. Go straight back to my centre as soon as the change occurs, and that in itself has an energy to it and helps to maintain the gait in the change of direction

we did some more changes of direction. I went to the good side first so I could set it up for success for both of us, and have a win and have my muscle memory feel what I was going for and transfer that to our testing side. Tori was watching when we did our good side and thought it was our tricky side. I explained my thinking of doing the good side first for the above reasons, and it really paid off because when we did the tricky side, she went really well, and it almost looked like the good side. I finished on that good note, and stopped for Gypsy to do a wee lick and chew before we saddled up.

Really exciting stuff getting into the grey matter !

Something that Tori really helped me with was how I was holding the rein. I had asked for help with my "giddy up a little bit" tendency when riding, "ask and you shall receive" ! She asked if I had heard what Pat calls the way I was holding the rein. I was holding it up slightly off Gypsy's neck so that it wasn't true freestyle, as in my hand down on her neck and her being free from contact, nor was it real contact or any effective form of communication. Of course I wanted to know, and the answer was Pat calls it the "BS rein". Very humbling, because it was exactly that - BS. It was in no mans land, of not quite trusting Gypsy to let her be truly freestyle, and not trusting myself enough, thinking that I didn't know what to do to be able to zig when Gypsy zigs, and zag when Gypsy zags, and not trusting myself enough that I could shut her down should she go too fast that I become uncomfortable./...

And of course when I did get true neutral (more of the time that is - I had to keep vigilant to keep it that way) all of a sudden I noticed a whole lot of changes for the better. For starters Gypsy was needing virtually no corrections to be able to keep to the the ride the rail pattern. I had been doing about 10-12 corrections per time around the arena and that reduced to about 2-3 corrections - the best ever ! It was like all of a sudden she knew the pattern, when in reality she knew the pattern all along, but I was continually interfering with her and taking her off the pattern - duh ! Then her transitions got snappier. Partly that could be attributed to the work we did on line, but 9 tenths of it was that she wasn't being interfered with all the time. Sigh. No giddy up a little bit, just giddy up. Also when I did lift the rein it meant something because there was a difference between the down and neutral position, and the lift, as in prepare for a change.

I have always admired the way Pat is so consistent with that on every DVD you see him in, he is in true neutral when riding, and eventually even the slightest lift or change means get ready for something. So for, I think, the first time ever, I had an harmonic of that, and it felt soooo good !

Basically that was the end of our lesson as time was up, but Janette and I kept on riding for another half hour or so because it felt like we were just getting going. Tori gave Janette permission to remind me if my BS rein crept back in. Before Tori left we had a trot too, as Tori was interested in seeing us trot. Gypsy was pretty stable and rhythmic, and came back to the walk with very little effort. She offered a few canters and I accepted them till they ran out, not making her wrong for offering them. Gypsy is just so comfortable to ride, smooth and easy to sit to. Janette and I trotted and walked and halted quite a bit more while riding the rail. I got to a place where I felt that Gypsy was going consistently well, and left riding the rail then. We then went on to have a bit of a play with fig 8 ridden, and that was really good too. I then purposefully chose to stand still and do nothing for a while before hopping off. Janette did a bit more, and then we finished up.

What a great session !

And still no rain, although it had cooled down by then.

Then off home with the warm fuzzies all the way thru me, and by the way that Gypsy is looking at me and relating to me since then, she has  the warm fuzzies too.

Wendy Greavers

Game of Contact: Rachel Robertson's perpective

A friend and I recently attended Linda’s Game of Contact Course in Sydney.

We both have dressage backgrounds and found Parelli in different ways. I have been in the program for about 3 years, and up until now I found that I had to unlearn more stuff than I could have imagined.

My dressage horse, I thought was pretty good, until I started in the program! Game of Contact, well I have this all sewn up (ha ha). Does my horse accept the bit? – Well he doesn’t fight it! Does my horse travel straight? – well mostly! Does my horse round his back and power through from the hind end? – Well who needs all that power anyway?!! Is my horse consistent in the contact? – well, yes, except for when he’s not!

So maybe we don’t have it all sewn up, maybe I have gotten away with a few things over the years because he looks nice and is obedient (don’t you just love a RBI?)

I have trained with English and Spanish trainers and took my own things out of it. A horse I inherited was so heavy on your hands that I locked my (crappy) elbows by my side and hoped for the best! He didn’t even know how to walk on a freestyle rein!

The Game of Contact was the turning point in the program for me. I knew I had to go back and build the foundation but where to from there? Now I know. It all makes sense. Make it a game! Resting hands, if you don’t take the contact I will, go slow, approach and retreat, four stages.

Thank you Linda, I hope the Dressage world will sit up and take notice, please no more tying horses’ heads down, no more Rollkur. To explain the unexplainable is a credit to you, Pat and the program.

 

Onwards and upwards (or never ending self improvement if you prefer!)

Now on to Steady Eddy I go!!

Introducing Parelli’s Inaugural 

Australasia Parelli Member of the Month 

August 2011

We would like to recognise Parelli Member, Alison McCreary, for her dedication to growing, and sharing, Parelli Natural Horsemanship in Alice Springs, NT.

On a regular basis Alison organises group play days as well as Clinics with Licensed Parelli Professionals, inviting Parelli enthusiasts to take full advantage of her large arena, play toys and various obstacles. She continually motivates her group, to be their best, offering support as required. She encourages those that are ready for filming of official auditions to ensure they progress. And on rainy days you will find Alison stimulating her Savvy As group by sharing Parelli DVD’s or playing games.

Through Alison’s dedication and kindness she has facilitated the growth and transformation of many Parelli students and their relationship with their horses. Alison has created a sense of team, where all are welcome, and has shown them how to look deeper into Parelli; how to apply the philosophy and techniques to their own horses, and how the program can assist them in empowering themselves.

Thank you Alison! It is through the commitment and support of individuals like yourself that Parelli is able to help create a better place for horses and humans.

 Alison McCreary

Here’s what some of Alison’s Savvy AS group have to say about her:

“Dusty and I would never have progressed and become such great friends without the support network that Alison has made possible…Alison constantly motivates us all, last weekend we went through the on line self assessment, with Alison reading and checking off what we could all do well and what we needed to work on in preparation for filming our official level one auditions next weekend. Even if it's raining Alison still keeps us motivated by getting us all together to watch a DVD (last time we watched level 4 to see where we are aiming for) or play Predator vs Partner games…”  Tania Ryan

“I was so excited when Alison started up the Alice Savvy group in 2010 as I felt I was going it alone. The weekly play dates were a must on my calendar and I was not going to miss them for anything…She offered free agistment for weeks when my neighbors were acting up… I have now moved to South Australia where I am again playing on my own but we have been out and about with strange horses, in strange surroundings, and well, my horse is a champ. Thanks Al.” Karina Cole

“Alison has been fantastic for both my daughter and myself – so generous in sharing her horses, time, expertise and facilities. I don't own a horse and never would have even thought I could attempt something like the Parelli course without her support and invitation to participate…” Nora Klinker

“I am extremely grateful to her (Alison) for all her help, patience, time, effort, and genuine enthusiasm for everything Parelli. I can honestly say that I don’t think I would have persisted if I had not met Alison, and the rest of the Savvy AS network.” Andrea Hill

“I wouldn’t be where I am now with my horse without her …Thank you Alison for taking your time and patience helping us all and most of all your friendship!!” Candice Dehne

“…She is so incredibly enthusiastic and positive that she instills the confidence in you to just give it a go. Alison has the amazing ability to pick you up, point you in the right direction and help find in you the right skills to get you where you need to be. This is in everyday life as well as in horse life!” Helen Davenport

“Her house and stables is always open no matter what day it is. She is so generous with her time, offering newcomers the support and guidance they need. Alice Springs would be lost with out her.” Simone Heenan

Savvy AS Group - from left to right: Simone Heenan on Lily, Tania Ryan, Bonsai, Alison McCreary on River, Nicky Riply holding Lauren McCreary, Kirsty Cole on Dusty, Candice Dehne holding Luke Dehne, Amber Dehne, Karina Cole on Bunji

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If you would like to nominate a Parelli member that you believe is a shining example of growing Parelli in your area please submit the details to australia@parelli.com.

Supa Camp 2010-Western Australia by Roslyn Cumins

November 25th was the first day of the Supa Camp with Carol Coppinger.  The camp is organised by Louise Atkinson and held at her beautiful property at Bullbrooks, Whispering Sands.  This was the second camp I had attended, the first being in 2008 with Dave Ellis.  I can certainly recommend these camps to any natural horseman.  The amount of learning and growth both you and your partner achieve during the five days is phenomenal.  Leila is a pleasure to partner with, attentive to my prompts, quick to learn and very responsive to all my actions.  So responsive in fact that I need to be aware at all times of what I am communicating to her. This year I was the only one attending from Geraldton.  Leila and I travelled to Bullsbrook on the Sunday with one stop on the way due to the heat.  Arrived at Whispering Sands around 3pm and found myself a lovely shady spot to set up my camp.  Leila was placed in her allocated yard which unfortunately had no shade.  Louise has planted many trees but they are still too small.  With food she settled in immediately.  Day one began with an introduction to Carol in Louise’s shed.  Each rider was asked to tell the group about themselves and their horse.  As the day was very hot it was nice sitting in the shade.  The temperature was around the 44 degree mark with no breeze.  After the introduction session concluded we commenced the instruction session.  Each day was to be structured the same.  Private lessons (2 per rider for the camp) were to be scheduled.  These were held prior to the ground work session and after the riding session in the afternoon. The first game we reviewed was the circling game.  We were provided with information on the importance of all components of the game.  Don’t block the rhythm of your horse with moving your belly button into your horse, this says slow down.  The seven games are just that; GAMES.  They have to be fun for your horse and it is about PLAYING with them.  The carrot stick and string is for tagging.  The game is “Can I tag you”.  The contact with the tag is how soft can I be soft.  You just touch your horse the same as a fly landing on him.  No more severe than that. We were to wait as long as it takes and release when the message had gone to the brain.  Any longer was too long as the feet will follow the brain. Over the course of the five days, we went through all seven games with many pearls of wisdom given to us.  Out of the many things we learnt; the one I worked on extremely hard during the camp was PLEASED / DISPLEASED.  As leaders we need to let our horse know when we are pleased with any little try.  Too often we expect and when we get a response we expect it so we do not show we are pleased.   Our horses are trying to please us and we should reward them.  Carol words – A lot of pleased, displeased is pressure.  You don’t need to be satisfied, though you are pleased.  How wonderfully Leila responded when I implemented these few words of advice.  Leila needed so little, I know now how I had been so insensitive to her.  By showing her I was pleased with any little response no matter how minor she tried harder.  My admiration for her grows every day. Day two was another hot one.  The pool became our relief both at lunch time and after the riding.  Icy poles and cold drinks were being handed out constantly.  I have never drunk so much liquid with so few toilet visits.  Fly veils were required.  The dust from that Bullsbrook sand; what must we look like.  We were covered from head to foot in black sand.  Thankfully day 3 – 5 the temperature was in the mid thirties. For our private lessons we all chose our own tasks.  My decision was liberty.  This was the first visions I saw of Pat. He was riding Sparky bareback and bridle less; riding patterns, over jumps, up and down hills then at liberty doing spins, turns, changing gaits.  I was inspired by it all and still am today.  To be able to connect with Leila with no restraints, using only small gestures, a turn of the head or a movement in my finger this is my dream.  The lessons were for me.  I now know I do too much, at times I am in the wrong place.  Little things; like which foot I place my weight; which direction my belly button is facing; the expression on my face, my posture.  I learnt how such minor things affect your horse and the little I need to do. My bareback riding, I am working on at home. So much happened in the five days, so much information provided with tasks to assist it would be too long an article if I were to identify all.  Carol is so inspirational I cannot thank her enough for the mountains she taught me to climb and I am sure if Leila could talk she would thank her also.  Keep it natural; these words are so true when we are striving to become our horse’s partner. There will be another Supa Camp at Louise Atkinson place this year, headed by John and Kathy Baar!