Then for my B-day in March of 2008, my hubby bought me a club membership, and the Success Series(SS). We got the SS straight off as that is what was being promoted at the time. (otherwise I probably would have bought level 1 & 2, I figured the levels would always be there--Boy was I wrong! oh well can't change the past now; besides I have some parelli friends now that are going to let me watch their levels packs in the future.) Pat's book is a great resource, but I had a hard time fully comprehending the seven games without seeing them demonstrated--after I got the SS, the seven games DVD mostly cleared up any misunderstanding that I had of how to do them. I saw what the finished product was supposed to be like, and so was able to think about how to get there.
On the 17th of May 2008; I went to the tour stop in Billings Montana, and that gave me inspiration, as well as letting me buy the tools--I purchased the carrot stick, savvy string, rope halter, 22 foot rope, and the big green ball. Then about a week maybe two weeks later I was able to participate in a Level 1 clinic with Dan and Gretchen Thompson. At that clinic I put the finishing touches to my basic understanding of the seven games, and Gretchen wanted me to assess my level one then, she thought I was ready, but I decided to wait until the fall to try for level one because I felt that I needed more work on the riding part of level 1, and also finances were tight at the time. I did have level one pretty much down pat before going to the level 1 clinic (without realizing it)---I had gotten that far just with the SS, Pat's book, and L&HB. The level 1 clinic mostly affirmed for me that I was on the right path, and doing things correctly, with a few minor adjustments to my technique to make it clearer, and some work that I still needed on the riding--at least I thought so. The Horsenality DVD in the SS also helped me find out that my horse was more RB, and Gretchen helped me realize that he was more RBI, but went RBE when pressured. the other DVD's in the SS set helped me realize where I could go, and gave me ideas of how to keep my horse safe while riding (example- one rein stop, and pre-flight checks--
) Then my sweet hubby bought me the Liberty and Horse Behavior set (L&HB) for our Anniversary (in late May) because I was dieing to watch it. After watching that material my communication with my Bently increased tenfold. We suddenly clicked--and it was because I had learned how to read him better. Suddenly he was being a perfect angel--rarely unpredictable, rarely going RBE, and it was because I had learned to listen to him-- So far in my journey L&HB has been the biggest asset--followed closely with the clinic, and the book.
Throughout the summer I continued in Pony Club as usuall, though I incorporated more Parelli principles of course. I found that my horse did much better if I got off him and gave him little breaks while riding. I also worked on the Level 1 skills, and then started on the Level 2 skills.
Then in September I went an audited several days at another Dan and Gretchen Thomspson Clinic, and signed up to assess my level one, and only intended to assess my level one, but Dan thought I was ready for level two, so I went for it, and by golly I was ready
--mostly--I had to resubmit my level 2 liberty tasks. So, while assessing for level 1 I ended up being further along then I had thought. I was a very happy camper.I played and worked some more with my boy so that we could get the level 2 liberty tasks done before Dec 31st which was the cut off date. Mike allowed me to come and use his round pen as I did not have one, then my hubby wanted a camcorder for his b-day, so we bought that, and so then I was able to record without borrowing someone else's camcorder, and I sent in my liberty tasks on video to Dan about a week after Thanksgiving, and just found out today Dec. 10th 2008 that I PASSED! I am an official Level 2 Grad now, just have to wait for my red string! YIPPEE!
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