Velvet and Susan attain (original) Level 3 in Pat Parelli Program!

October 18, 2003Posted inVelvet
FIRST MISSOURI FOX TROTTER ATTAINS ADVANCED STATUS IN PARELLI PROGRAM  The Parelli program is modeled after Martial Arts program (Judo) with the different colored belts to signify the status. Velvet and Susan will be wearing a green 6’ rope, which is the mark of their status. Each level has from 20 up to 53 tasks that must be assessed by a certified Parelli instructor in person or via videotape. Velvet and Susan had to be assessed on 53 tasks in Level 3.  Most of the tasks seem simple, but none…

JR’s Journal – JR Paid for Himself!

September 27, 2003Posted inJR
This was the last day of the clinic and we were nearing the end. We got to play with real obstacles. We got to have a little jump. Well, reader...you've been with me a while and know my behavior pattern by now. I hate to put it in writing, but you might have noticed that I grandstand. Another word for grandstand might be show off. I can't help it. It's an affliction. sigh Occasionally, I get punished for showing off, er...I mean grandstanding...ham..upstaging etc. yep. I never learn, though. All…

JR’s Journal – Dave Ellis Clinic and Compliment

September 5, 2003Posted inJR
Other than Pat and Linda Parelli, Dave Ellis is one of the two highest premier instructors in the Parelli organization. We did lot's of turning (hindquarter and forequarter) ...with the human getting in time with the feet.  We did lot's of transition of trotting to a back.  We did lot's of transitions of casual rein to concentrated rein and back to a casual rein.  We did partnership riding which is like drill team riding with two or three people. The instructor always checks everyone out during the exercise.  He got me once…

JR’s Journal – JR the Wal-Mart Greeter Horse

June 27, 2003Posted inJR
What is the picture that haunts your waking and sleeping thoughts when it comes to traveling with horses. Yep, a BREAK DOWN! I’ve never had a break down. Before I go out of town with pickup and trailer, I grill my husband. Did he look at the tires? Do I need to buy new tires for truck or trailer? Are you certain that the tread is enough.. I mention at least 6 times how dreadful it would be if I broke down somewhere in the middle of no-where with horse…

JR’s Journal – Walk in the Park Horror

June 15, 2003Posted inJR
JR and I were practicing our gait last Sunday. I like to call it purity of gait practice. We rode by ourselves at James A Reed Park. The park has a lot of trails and they are flat and grassy. It's just great for consistency. We were zipping up the side of a paved road going to the trail head on the other side of the road. Out in the parking lot FLASHES a 7-8 year old girl RUNNING with a KITE! The KITE is low to the ground and…

JR’s Journal- JR the Tall is a Guard Horse

May 27, 2003Posted inJR
May 27, 2003  I was out in the pasture yesterday. The horses were across the lake. I walked way over there to see them and to trim some nasty saplings growing around the lake.The dogs came with me...as they always do. Cricket,our black dog, just got her 25lbs of hair removed in her yearly summer trim. She turned into a small short haired dog with a cute little bandana. JR saw me and started walking towards me to say HI. Then he started running to me. "WOW," I thought, "He's…