Enjoying my time at the Parelli Ranch in Florida. Teaching in the Flex Track is a wonderful experience. The students are eager to learn and the fellow coaches amazing. I am learning so much from everyone. Great nuggets of information every day! The environment is encouraging and welcoming. It is wonderful to meet up with old friends and make new ones.
I have had the privilege of auditing bits of the "Wow for Cows" course taught by Pat himself. Cow work looks like fun and who knows maybe Lordy and I will be cow herding superstars! I am game for anything and learning is always fun!
Looking forward to returning home after a few weeks of gathering nuggets of goodness to share to all...... XO
Dawn
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Travel to Ocala!
4-16-11 Today was a long drive down to the Parelli ranch in Ocala FL with my fellow instructor and good friend Marie Pruden. We enjoyed the stop and go traffic on I-95 the best we could by taking the time to catch up....... We are both thrilled to be assisting in the 2 Week Horseman's Series course starting Monday. This week is also Wow with Cows course taught by Pat Parelli himself. We are excited to attend the the orientation tomorrow and meet the students for this special course.
We are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones....... Stay tuned......
XO
Dawn
We are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones....... Stay tuned......
XO
Dawn
Connection of Rapport & Respect
4-14-11 Today was an amazing day! I had one of the most memorable sessions with Lordy. We headed out to the sandbox to play online to start. Due to space constraint we played on the 22 foot line with the focus of maintain canter on circle game with me in neutral. We had several wonderful laps. Changes were wonderful and prompt. Yoyo game with only a phase one....... focus on lightness and respect without losing any rapport. Can be a challenge at times.... balance......
Moved on to some liberty play! Lordy and I are always challenged by keeping a connection at the circle game and increasing the distance between us. Lordy being as independent as he can be likes to leave the circle just so he can canter off and then loop back and zoom towards me...... His recall is wonderful but he really should not leave in the first place. So today when I could keep him connected on a 20 foot circle around me and then for a few moments he offered the canter... I was thrilled..... We are building our rapport and respect...... It is slow at times but today showed me how important it is to take the time it takes.....
I felt an incredible connection with Lordy today in both our online and liberty play. His reward was Winnie Cookies at the end...... He just loves them... almost too much. XO
Moved on to some liberty play! Lordy and I are always challenged by keeping a connection at the circle game and increasing the distance between us. Lordy being as independent as he can be likes to leave the circle just so he can canter off and then loop back and zoom towards me...... His recall is wonderful but he really should not leave in the first place. So today when I could keep him connected on a 20 foot circle around me and then for a few moments he offered the canter... I was thrilled..... We are building our rapport and respect...... It is slow at times but today showed me how important it is to take the time it takes.....
I felt an incredible connection with Lordy today in both our online and liberty play. His reward was Winnie Cookies at the end...... He just loves them... almost too much. XO
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Liberty Jumping
4-12-11 What a fun day! Lordy put so much effort into our play session today. It was quite motivational! We started with a warm up and to engage mentally and emotionally on the 22 foot line. Our focus was the power of neutral. We played on the 22 foot circle with focus on Lordy's responsibilities. His canter is really developing. At one point when I was in neutral as he passed behind by back he did the most fluid change with a flying change and his expression was priceless. You would have thought he just got away with something big!
After that we took off the halter and played stick to me at liberty. The arena had numerous stadium jumps set up. One cross rail and the rest straight rails about 2 - 2.5 feet. At my suggestion Lordy jumped the cross rail. His energy came up and I played with increasing his draw to me after the fence at both trot and canter. I proceeded to suggest a straight rail and as Lordy approached at the canter he slid the brakes on at last moment.... stopping dead in front of the jump. I paused and then started to quietly suggest he back up some to take another attempt and he backed up 2 steps and then proceeded to trot off and around the jump picking up the canter and went straight over the cross rail then looped back to me. He had an expression on his face that said..... I didnt think I could do that one jump but look I can do this one... It was so funny... priceless! We then played some more and he did jump everything with such a great attitude and off the slightest suggestion from me. He partnered up beautifully. I owe his love of jumping to Parelli. He had NEVER been jumped before starting our journey in PNH. Everything he has learned he has learned naturally. He outwardly shows how much he "wants" to jump! There is never a "make" moment...... It is such a wonderful feeling when you see your partner offer so much all on their own. I am looking forward to doing a natural liberty spotlight at the May Parade of Barns Tour!
After that we took off the halter and played stick to me at liberty. The arena had numerous stadium jumps set up. One cross rail and the rest straight rails about 2 - 2.5 feet. At my suggestion Lordy jumped the cross rail. His energy came up and I played with increasing his draw to me after the fence at both trot and canter. I proceeded to suggest a straight rail and as Lordy approached at the canter he slid the brakes on at last moment.... stopping dead in front of the jump. I paused and then started to quietly suggest he back up some to take another attempt and he backed up 2 steps and then proceeded to trot off and around the jump picking up the canter and went straight over the cross rail then looped back to me. He had an expression on his face that said..... I didnt think I could do that one jump but look I can do this one... It was so funny... priceless! We then played some more and he did jump everything with such a great attitude and off the slightest suggestion from me. He partnered up beautifully. I owe his love of jumping to Parelli. He had NEVER been jumped before starting our journey in PNH. Everything he has learned he has learned naturally. He outwardly shows how much he "wants" to jump! There is never a "make" moment...... It is such a wonderful feeling when you see your partner offer so much all on their own. I am looking forward to doing a natural liberty spotlight at the May Parade of Barns Tour!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Day of Coaching
4-9-11
Just a quick note to thank all the folks who came out to play yesterday. The Expo/Coaching Event was lots of fun. Even with my graceful wipe out over the rope and stick going backwards........ I am a firm believer that you have to be able to laugh at yourself and be humble.......
What an honor to coach side by side with other professionals. I have to say that is one of the things that makes Parelli different is that we are ALL going the same direction and team teaching is not a threat to us. Instead we look at it as an honor. We learn from all of you and from each other. Every day is an opportunity for never ending self improvement. Having 4 professionals in one place is unique and I am proud to be part of a team experience!
The weather was great and of course we all thank both farm families for hosting us all. Triple Play and Follow Me Farms rock in Davidson! Thank you all.
Savvy on and enjoy the ride.........
Dawn
Just a quick note to thank all the folks who came out to play yesterday. The Expo/Coaching Event was lots of fun. Even with my graceful wipe out over the rope and stick going backwards........ I am a firm believer that you have to be able to laugh at yourself and be humble.......
What an honor to coach side by side with other professionals. I have to say that is one of the things that makes Parelli different is that we are ALL going the same direction and team teaching is not a threat to us. Instead we look at it as an honor. We learn from all of you and from each other. Every day is an opportunity for never ending self improvement. Having 4 professionals in one place is unique and I am proud to be part of a team experience!
The weather was great and of course we all thank both farm families for hosting us all. Triple Play and Follow Me Farms rock in Davidson! Thank you all.
Savvy on and enjoy the ride.........
Dawn
Monday, April 4, 2011
Warm and Windy!
4-4-11 Today was warm and windy! What a change from all the rain. We saddled up since we were tight on play time today....... we headed right out to play under saddle in the sandbox. Started with follow the rain on a casual rein. Using phases to assist Lordy in learning and maintaining his responsibilities. Although a short session Lordy was great considering the last 6 days off due to weather and then my need to pack in student lessons to make up for 4 days lost due to rain. I am sure he didn't mind being left to graze on lush green grass and relax.. LBI's most favorite thing.. doing NOTHING AND EATING... heck sounds like my favorite thing..... LOL
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