Rendezvous from my perspective

I was able to steal away to the 1st International Parelli Rendezvous on Saturday and Sunday. No one really knew what to expect, but we all had a general idea. It was to be an event for the students, by the students. We could expect vendors, spotlights, and forums, but that's about the extent of our knowledge of the event.

I made it to the Jacksonville Equestrian Center after a brief 1-hour drive from Gainesville. As I got my wrist band I could hear Pat Parelli's voice over the loud speaker calling out to his students as they rode around the arena. One was chasing a motorized cow. One was doing spins here and there. All the horses were relaxed and willing. Then Pat began to explain his "Dream Horses" program. Basically, quality pedigreed horses, be it quarter horse, Frisian, gypsy vanner, etc, are trained from the ground up by Mastery students. Then these horses are made available for purchase - $1,000 to buy the horse and an additional tax-deductible donation to the scholarship fund started by Tim Sullivan. I got a glimpse of the price list and saw $150,000 required donation for one of the horses. These are world-champion horses, so their requested donation amounts are not high. I think this is a fantastic idea to offer scholarships to students.

Everywhere I went there were happy horses and happy humans. When a horse was upset or nervous, I did not see angry people smacking their horse. I didn't see nervous people hanging on for their life. I saw savvy and confidence. I saw people doing what they knew to make that scared horse feel safe or that naughty horse calm down. This scene was a far cry from what I have experienced in the past during my traditional competition days.

The environment was laid back. Mastery students, interns, externs, Pat and Linda Parelli, and many others were walking around the grounds chatting with other horse-lovers. To the left in the Salty Doc Arena there were timed games. To the right was Linda on West Pointe and Amy on Remmer just having a leisurely walk about. Up ahead there was a phototonic light forum or a chiropractice forum. Saddle makeovers, liberty games, mini-horse-drawn carriages trotting by. It was bustling, but relaxed. In the massive indoor arena were vendors, concessions, and spot lights!
The spotlights were incredible. Watching people play with their horse in front of a huge audience, not for competition, but for personal growth, was awesome! Where else do you get to see that?

Everyone was approachable. Linda Parelli walked her adorable dogs while people stopped to say hello or ask a question. Pat wandered around on a horse saying hello as he passed by. Karen Rohlf answered questions at her booth. Savvy club members were meeting in person for the first time.

This event was too cool!

Yes, there were flaws. But as the FIRST Rendezvous of its kind, I don't feel the need to bring up anything negative. These events will improve year to year and I am looking forward to attending every one of them!

Grinning Ear to Ear

There have been times when I'm typing a blog post with a scowl on my face, sometimes a pensive look, but today I am grinning ear to ear.

Concepts are starting to make sense, pieces of the puzzle are beginning to click together, connections are being made, and our expressions are changing. That choppy sloppy feeling has been replaced with smoothness and savvy. This is oh-so-cool! Hard work is paying off!

The sweetest accomplishment is seeing my mare, who I have known since she was a wee foal and has spent almost 14 years with me, change her expression from "Blah" to "Aha!"
Watching Satin go from shut down and closed off to stopping at every single object we pass and putting her nose on it with curiosity, exuberance, and impulsion.

Oh. My. God. Is this really my girl? Satin is actually beginning to enjoy herself!

We had another lesson on Tuesday with Karen. We worked on sideways and the circling game. Our yo-yo and our send are broken, but I am at the point now where I can recognize what is going on and what I need to do to communicate with my horse to make a change.

Thus far I felt like I have been plugging along, but now suddenly I feel like I've stepped up the ladder rung, shook the mud off my boots, and am walking on smooth ground. I'm definitely addicted now and there's no turning back!