Surely everyone in the world knows that Velvet, Sage and I completed the Parelli Levels Journey from Level 1 to Level 3. If you don’t know that story, please buy the book and read about it! Susan Fox Trotter. The Level 3 pass occurred some many years ago, 2001. I’ve been involved with a few horses since that amazing accomplishment, but the desire to return to the levels journey never came back.
Until now.
I blinked and the perfect horse appeared in my pasture. Cisco, my raffle win, is the perfect horse for the Parelli Levels Journey to Level Four. It also appears I am ready for the journey to start again. I love the journey. The journey is a struggle to convince a different species to exert their mind, body and soul to my human requests. Winning the Parelli games at a high level is the ultimate experience. Having the right horse is very important to this process. Lucky Star could succeed in this endeavor before my body hits the nursing home stage, maybe. Lucky is not the perfect horse for this journey. Cisco was born for this. He is sensitive, smart and athletically talented. It doesn’t hurt at all, that he is also gorgeous. If I’m going to do amazing things with a horse, let him be gorgeous too!
Each Parelli Level is composed of four Savvy’s, Liberty (on the ground with no ropes…horse is loose) , Free Style (bridleless, neck rope allowed), On-line (ground with 45’rope and 22′ driving ropes, and Finesse (riding with a bridle). This is level 4, mind you.
I have looked over the Free Style and Liberty compulsory tasks. Liberty tasks are doable. Free Style tasks are doable with some great worry about bridleless flying lead changes. Good Lordy.
The present day Level 4 is easier than the original Level 3 and some Level 2 tasks that Sage and Velvet completed. Some of the tasks Sage and Velvet did in the original levels appear again in Level 4. I’ve been somewhat disdainful that the levels program was made easier. Now I’m really glad because I have a new horse to take through the highest level and it might not take me seven years to do it!
Yesterday, I decided to start on Level 4 liberty tasks with Cisco. The round pen is calling. I went into the barn with my carrot stick and string, thinking that Cisco would accompany me to the round pen and the games would start. Sadly, Cisco left the barn and ran into the adjoining pasture to the far side of the lake. I sighed and went back to the house.
Today, we had two sessions at liberty in the round pen. We have started. I won’t guess at how long the liberty tasks will take. I haven’t yet looked at the Finesse and on-line tasks. I will be forced to buy another 45′ lariat rope and try to love it again. You almost have to sleep with your 45′ rope to get used to it. Have I mentioned a flying lead change bridleless? Have I mentioned jumping barrels bridleless? Have I mentioned two jumps in a row holding two carrot sticks? When you are holding a carrot stick in each hand, you can’t hang on to the mane. I did this with Velvet. Cisco jumps as nice as Velvet did long ago. I have a good chance at not dying!
We start riding in the round pen tomorrow! Stay tuned.
I feel your worry and excitement! My former partner is LBI and after teaching my he’s now 30 yo and retired. My new partner is a 6 yo greener than green Severe LBI that freezes then explodes. I’ve restarted levels, and he’s so sensitive and athletic I keep going to fast and to strong for him. It’s amazing to see how he teaching me, and I teach him to trust and release. It’s a whole new world! My level 4 skills, are barely enough to get by with this new partner. I’m excited to hopefully sit on him for the first time in a few weeks, knowing we are heading to level 4+ and I am worried about putting my weight on his back is mind blowing! Exciting and challenging indeed! Oh and I’m recovering from open heart surgery- doctors say I can ride in November… So much to overcome, but so excited. Knowing how fast it will go, once all the groundwork and pieces of the language are in place!
Use all your Savvy and come along on his time! Ground games are so much fun. Thanks for commenting!
Keep at it!
I am finding OL to be the most challenging for me Susan. I communicated with an audition team member. She said the key to L4 OL is distance and lightness on phases. So I have a 20 yr old LBI that needs to be at the end of my 45ft line and walk, trot, canter, with me just suggesting. Actually my first attempt was not to bad at all. So there is promise. Slow and right. They apparently want to see most of OL L4 with the 45ft rather than the feather drive lines. Transitions and obstacles on the 45ft. She said most people just do the weave with the drive lines and trailer loading. I wanted to know what they wanted to see so I have my ducks in a row before spending the 60$ to send in my audition.
The OL is the hardest of all of the savvy’s. I just bought a slightly used 45 rope and now I have to learn how to love a 45′ rope again! Get er done Miss Suzy!