Reflections

Wow time goes so fast... I have the best intentions to blog here frequently and now looking at my blog the last entry was Dec 1..... Where does the time go??? Yikes...... As I reflect back on the year 2010... WOW what a year for change.... I quit my full time nursing job and became a Parelli Professional... living my dream.... holy smoke it doesn't seem real some days... I love teaching humans and horses and love sharing Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

My family is so supportive. My loving husband over the past 13 years...... so supportive and really drove me to live my dream and go for it. I thank him for that. Our daughter Emma who is such a blessing to our lives. So much fun and pure pleasure for us. I love spending more time with my family. It really is true if you find something you love you will never "work" another day in your life. Thank you Pat and Linda Parelli!

As a family we are always working to get our better best...... eating healthier, exercising and enjoying life. (seems like we are all under construction! LOL)

My horsemanship has certainly had some ups and downs. Fast track in Feb... wow what a shock! Realized all that I don't know.... really gives me something to focus on and continue to improve on. Glass half full........ Lordy has been a fantastic teacher. A true left brain introvert...... a challenge for an extrovert like me that wants everything.... like yesterday! He has taught me so much and continues to remind me to take the time it takes..... sigh.......

I am boarding at a wonderful private facility in Davidson. Both Follow Me Farm and the neighbors Triple Play Farm are so supportive of me and Parelli. We are planning a fantastic 2011 and lots of socials and playdays!!! Should be a wonderful and educational year. Lordy is very happy and even has a special girlfriend "Lucky". I am honored to be able to board at such a wonderful place. Thank you Nancy, Clark and Corey!!!

My horsemanship journey has been amazing.... Official level 3 and passing Finesse level 4 while in FL during Fast track was wonderful. Doing my audition live on the finesse components I LOVE!!!! At the ranch!! Amazing!!! I am playing to fill my holes on Online, Liberty and Freestyle savvys to pass level 4 completely. I have my focus on that black string in 2011......

Looking ahead:
Planning to pass auditions to obtain my level 4 and excited to assist in the Horseman Series 2 week class in April. In addition, I qualified for a wonderful Parelli Scholarship to attend the 2 Star Parelli Professional Instructor Program in FL in just a couple weeks. I can not wait to reunite with old friends and make new ones. The Parelli family is awesome and the genuine support from all is felt! I have big goals for 2011 but most of all I plan to spend quality time with family and friends, supporting horses and humans and enjoying the journey along the way!

Savvy On and Keep it Natural-
Dawn

Barrel Play Today!

Had just a short time to play today..... Lordy and I did a few things online and then went to liberty in Triple Play Farm arena..... He loves the new pedestal... (thanks Batchelor Family)

During our liberty session... once I could peel him away from the pedestal...... I ran and asked him lightly to jump a single cow flavored barrel on it's side.... he stayed straight and soared over it. Honestly and committed to the task! I was so proud of him. He so had a choice to jump or not to jump and he followed my polite ask!!! Our bond is growing between us and I could not be more excited... it is amazing what horses will "want" to do when they know you care and that you are fair and polite. It is all in the ask and mutual respect.

Keep it natural-
Dawn

Settled In

All is good.... Lordy has transitioned and settled right in to his new home. Very relaxed....... he acts like he has lived here his whole life...... I am loving him so close to home and the quiet and peaceful environment is amazing. I am working hard to keep us motivated and working on our horsemanship. Student lessons/coaching is amazing and I am loving all the great improvements in partner play! As I write I am working hard to coordinate 2011 calendar of fun events.....

Settling In

Lordy is settling in at Follow Me Farm in Davidson....... All is well and I am excited to jump back into our play sessions....... Huge thank you to the owners Clark, Nancy and Corey for making our move so warm and welcoming.... also a thank you to Kris for your neighborly support. XO

Count Down!

So excited about the BIG move on Saturday to Follow Me Farm! Whoo Hoooo.........
Great people and awesome facility! I am looking forward to getting my horsemanship back on track. The past few weeks have been very low key..... vacation really for both Lordy and me......

December is going to be the month to jump back and take care of my horsemanship so my horsemanship will take care of me! Planning lots of great things for the upcoming months. January is going to be super. Have a big day planned... Stay tuned for details!

Savvy On-
Dawn

Awaiting the BIG Move!

I am very excited about the BIG move for Lordy and me!!! We are headed to Follow Me Farm in Davidson...... Owners Clark, Nancy and Corey are so warm and inviting and I am so eager to get settled in.... Lordy is going to love his new home... It feels like we are going "home"...........

Thinking......

Spending some time to think.... working to gather a plan for overall horsemanship and good health. At times it can be overwhelming since both areas are so large and of course who wouldn't want it all...... yesterday...... LOL

I feel good as I am slowly making progress. I feel that December is going to be my month. Next couple of weeks are hectic but after Nov 27 Lordy will be settled in his new house in Davidson. I am looking forward to being part of Follow Me Farm and Triple Play Farm. Both farms boarder each other and owners and family are amazing. I am so blessed to be invited to be part of their families.

Moving into December great things are coming. Lots of exciting demo opportunities and playdays. I am just so excited..... stay tuned for details and photos......

XO
Dawn

Family Time

The last few weeks have been wonderful. Focused on my human family...... Just returned from the beach with my husband and wonderful daughter Emma. She is so much fun at 2 and half years old. Says the funniest things...... nothing like the innocence of a child.. they speak their minds.... We enjoyed beautiful weather and wonderful accommodations.

Funny moment. My daughter in her car seat..... as we pulled up to a parked car she looked out the window... spotted a woman in the drivers seat...... Lighting a cigarette her eyes were glued to the window I watched..... then the woman exhaled a giant puff of smoke... Emma turned in horror and said mommy mommy... that lady is on fire... smoke... smoke.....

I guess I realized my daughter had never been around someone who smokes... way too funny... Kids say the funniest things....... It is the small things in life...... enjoy the moments..... XO

22 Foot Feather Lines

Brand new item from Parelli! I love these lines... they are so light weight. Awesome for ground driving....... Highly recommend them.... Thank you Pat Parelli for sharing an amazing tool to help us humans communicate better with our partners.....

If you would like to shop Parelli click here.

Keep it natural-
Dawn

Teaching

Just a note to say how blessed I have been since September to have found some amazing students to teach! I am honored to be part of their journeys and they know who they are........ The improvements are amazing in such a short time. The Parelli Program is awesome and putting purpose to principle is what it is all about... foundation before specialization. Wow is that ever true. It is amazing to see how quickly things come together when the foundation is solid and is built brick by brick........

I absolutely love coaching humans to be better partners for their horses! Never ending self improvement in all aspects of life..... wow is that powerful!

I am really living my dream and as I told Pat Parelli personally in August thank you for giving me the opportunity to never work another day in my life!

Parelli Rendezvous - Florida

Wow what an amazing 3 days in Jacksonville Florida! A huge thank you to Pat and Linda Parelli and the whole team for making the weekend about US! Yep...... It was a weekend of networking and fun for students, instructors.... everyone.... It was wonderful to see horses and humans at all levels enjoying their time together. Everyone was cheering and supporting each other throughout the tournaments and games....... I had such a wonderful time and so wished I had brought my horse Lordy... NEXT TIME for sure.........

What was most amazing to me from being a former competitor of dressage where tension can run high.... Everyone was so friendly and supportive! It felt like I was on another planet at times. A Parelli Planet! LOL

Ground Driving

Playing with 2 line ground driving..... with the 45 foot line......

Patterns really do help to increase the communication! It is a work in progress..... Finding my holes and where Lordy needs to be lighter on the lines..... Watch for more updates.....

Savvy On-
Dawn

Humbled

The day after the wonderful 45 foot play session.... I decided to play early in the crisp morning air in the upper field.... on the 45! Well Lordy is a true LBI highly motivated by food and so the lush thick green grass of the hay field had his attention..... As I started to play and began to politely suggest he "not" eat grass his energy and sassy play drive started to surface. After a few suggestions into ask and then tell.... well do I have to say more... as he "knew" thata promise was soon to folllow... he decided to zag when I asked him to zig and the line crossed over his back and he had the upper hand and so I had to drop the rope...... Lordy took off like a rocket through the lush green field at top speed with the 45 foot white snake dragging at his side. I did my best to recall him back...... yep... nope.... he was on a mission - straight back to the barn!

Down the hill and through the field he flew... what more could I do but drag my carrot stick and my butt down the hill and back to the barn to fetch him... without emotion... LOL

There his big butt was.... standing in the center of the barn... saying who me? So I asked him to catch me and off we went back to the field.....

It was a good hike for both of us...... we had some brilliant moments but I was well aware of the thresh hold... and needless to say... NO munching on grass!!!! Was not even going to go there. LOL

We played with changes of directions, flying changes and yoyo 40 feet out and back at the trot. Had a fabulous time.... but I must say I am always humbled on how if truth were known... the horse is always in control. Their strength is incredible and I am always humbled when my horse decides to leave that he really does have a choice. It is naive to think that they don't!

Keep it natural-
Dawn

45 Foot Play Session!

Wow what an amazing break through today with Lordy online. We played in the sand arena with a few barrels on the 45 foot line.... His play drive was amazing - the most connected and playful to date!!! Lordy being an LBI..... I struggle to get inside his head and have him "want" to play and do versus "make" him...... If today was a glimpse at what tomorrow and the future can be.... watch out here we come! He read my energy and change of directions and responded with lightness and exuberant expressions.... bucking, leaping and rearing.... oh my.... LBI Lordy usually finds his feet well grounded... LOL

The weather was beautiful and I felt honored to be able to play so brilliantly with my partner! Thank you Lordy for allowing me to join you mentally, emotionally and physically! XO

Lake Norman Pony Club

WOW what an honor to work with 16 wonderful girls.... I was blessed to be able to share some Parelli Natural Horsemanship with these very focused and talented girls. As always I love sharing information and meeting new horses and humans.... :)

Each of them expressed a "nugget" of information that they learned during their session. Awesome..... I hope my path will cross again in the future as I enjoyed my time at the farm.

Thanks again to all for your respect, attention and focus. Remember to keep it natural when you can and enjoy the ride......

Dawn

Launch of the new website

I am excited I have just finished the first launch of my website.....
www.dawnsroth.com

Trainee to Official.....

I have had the privilege of working with some amazing horses and humans over the past 2 weeks. I have completed my 50 free hours to Parelli and I am excited to be on my way to being an official Licensed Parelli Professional - 1 star!!! Whoo Hooooo........

Thank you to all of the humans that decided to come and receive a "first" exposure to the 7 games of PNH or 7 communications... It was a pleasure to share and hope to have an opportunity to inspire, educate and empower you all..... for years to come.... Never ending self improvement.......

Thank you again for all of your support - you know who you are and there are just too many to list..... You all rock... Savvy on and keep it natural......

Dawn

Lessons have begun!

I am enjoying the thrill of teaching humans! Started my Parelli teaching journey yesterday with 4 wonderful students online. Each of them brought something special to the session..... The journey is awesome and I love the challenge of being the best coach and mentor I can be. Lordy was a super boy today during a demonstration of some of the communications we are playing with. It is a totally different experience to play and talk at the same time...... LOL

I am so looking forward to helping others live their dream with their partners and realizing Parelli is way more than riding! Possibilities are endless and most of all FUN!

Savvy on-
Dawn

Settling in.........

Well back from Parelli-Land........ and settling in..... I am busy getting things in order to gain my "official" 1 Star! I am excited to share all that I learned with others... making the world a better place for horses and humans... How exciting.....

I have had a few great rides with Lordy since I have returned.... Playing with "Game of Contact" as Linda Parelli calls it..... Her demo was excellent! Thank you...... Lordy and I are playing well with that and he is so relaxed and light.... The feeling is amazing! We are also playing with freestyle...and follow the rail... a simple concept... LOL BUT we do need work...... LOL

Every day I ride in my fluidity saddle I love it more and more. Lordy brings his back up so nice under me. He feels amazing through his back and his strides have doubled since making the change.....

Life is good...... Family is well and I am loving the quality time with my partner Lordy....
Life is ready to get busy as I share my services with some great like minded folks!

Keep it natural-
Dawn
PS. Working hard on finishing up my new website launching.. www.dawnsroth.com

1 Star Parelli Professional Course Completed!

The week has come to a close at the ranch in Pagosa Springs CO. What an amazing week. Reconnecting with old friends from Fast Track in FL and making new friends. Absolutely amazes me that everyone is bonded by a common goal.... Nobody is rude or selfish. It is such a pleasure to surround myself with like minded folks.....

Week finished out and I passed the course! WHOOOO HOOOOO... I am in the process of finishing paperwork to start the 1 Star Trainee process....... Can't wait to share this amazing program with everyone I meet.....

Lordy and I sure have our homework cut out for us... Freestyle is at the top of the list and following the rail.... LOL I realize the importance of never ending self improvement..... and of course foundation before specialization... but most important.... Put the relationship first!

I miss my family and I am anxious to get home..... Emma and Michael...... So signing off for now... but watch up for regular blogs on my journey which has just begun as a Parelli Professional! XO

Day 2 of Instructor Course

I am absolutely loving the 1 Star Instructor Course. It is such a pleasure and honor to reunite with so many friends from the Fast Track Course in FL. Such wonderful people..... it is such a priviledge to become an "Instructor Team" with these special folks! The journey is amazing...... and at times I find it hard to find the words to describe it......



As for the actual course....... wonderful. All the instructors are excellent and the info presented is very helpful and practical. Obtaining tools for my tools box..... and learning so much. For me personally it centers around learning to be a puzzle solver! And also teaching my horse to become a puzzle solver as well..... I am having a wonderful time and right now find myself speechless...... DUDE its KILLING ME! LOL

Journey to Colorado

Wow it has time gone fast... I am here is Durango Colorado..... getting ready to start the 1* Parelli Professionals Course in Pagosa Springs... Needless to say... I am living my dream. When I visited Durango and Pagosa with my husband just over 4 years ago.... and toured the Parelli ranch..... I dreamed of coming back to become a professional..... WOW be careful what you wish for..... It has been a long road with lots of decisions and choices... but worth every one.. some easy and some hard to make..... I thank my husband, family and friends for their support! I can not wait to learn more and increase my knowledge base to help others! I look forward to returning to my local community to spread the "savvy"! All I can say is believe in the power to LIVE YOUR DREAM... whatever it might be....... XO

LKN Savvy Club!

What a wonderful gathering of like minded people for our first savvy social hosted at Triple Play Farm in Davidson NC. We had a great time meeting each other and planning a variety of activities for the future. Thanks to all that took time to come on out and enjoy some delicious desserts! Keep it natural- Dawn

Run Away......

Well today was humbling to say the least but what a learning experience. I decided even though it was hot to hike my way up to the upper field to play with Lordy instead of the using the close by arena. Once up the long steep hill and into the wide open grass field... Lordy was like a different horse. His play drive came up and he was wonderful. I was playing on the 22 foot line.... hum..... large horse, large open zillion acre field and the 22 foot line.... most likely not the best choice for length of line..... Needless to say..... play drive up and zig and zag and away he went........ Took off galloping with the 22 foot white snake at his side...... made a big loop (several acres wide) and came flying back my way... I attempted to catpure his attention and draw him back to me... but right brained he was and he glanced my way and then headed for "home".... left me standing there....... LOL. I hiked back to the barn to find him standing in the aisle flirting with Scats his girlfriend. I asked Lordy to draw to me, played friendly game, changed the line to 45 feet and headed back up the blasted hill in triple digit weather...... Once we were back up in the field we had an awesome session...... Flying change of direction, all kinds of good stuff........ Looking back it was a great learning lesson for me.... and to never forget.... horses really are the ones in charge and making our idea their idea is what it is all about! Keep it natural and have fun!

Could it get hotter!

Wow.... the last few days or more like weeks have been so humid..... near triple digits.... Lordy likes the cold much more than the hot... and being an LBI........ Lets just say the heat has been a challenge...... We play for short sessions and work mentally and emotionally rather than physically....... Life is good.... We enjoy our sessions so much and life outside the competitive dressage arena is so much more than I ever thought it could or would be..... PNH has been an amazing journey and never ending self improvement is an understatement...... When Lordy runs to the gate to greet me or catches me in the field instead of the old way of me catching him... it is an amazing feeling.... I am working to post regular blogs... but in honesty I forget..... LOL Well hopefully tomorrow will be a slightly cooler day... 95 would be nice.... :)

Approach and Retreat

Wow what an amazing concept......I have been playing recently with this in combination with jumping and Lordy is just so willing to jump all on his own. It is like he cant wait to get to the jump.... so very weird for a dressage pony! LOL

Just getting started

I am thrilled to say I am ready to blog my journey from "normal" to "natural"...... bear with me as I get things set up and rolling.....