Come to a screeching halt !!!

Well, I'm disappointed in myself . . . . after having gone great guns and got the assignments in (and passed two :-)), I haven't done anything more! Reason: my 85 year old Dad had a fall, had to have minor surgery and I've had several trips to Melbourne for doctors' appointments. I'm trying to find accommodation for him somewhere closer (2½ hrs drive each way at the moment).
Christmas is looming all too quickly and I haven't started any Christmas shopping yet . . . and I've got extra hours at work so I'm going to wait until the New Year and pick up where we left off.
There are just not enough hours in the day!!!

Skills Check at Liberty

This is my first attempt and Meredith's comments were that "it was pretty darned good" . . . . but just needed to get the sideways departure sorted out. Also, forgot to show contact up and down. This exercise really shows the importance of your position and belly button focus (that's why I had trouble with the hindquarter yields).


Second attempt . . . . Yeah!!! I passed

Assignment 2 - Spirals


Assignment 3 - Loading


Assignment 4 - Contact Challenge


These are my first attempts at the next Level 2 assignments. It was great to put them in and get feedback . . . yes, I have to resubmit, but I was really happy with what Meredith had to say and some of the comments I expected . . . . watch belly button focus, more impulsion, watch phases.
Level 2 is all about positive reflex meaning only phase 1 or 2 (no stick!!!).
I have noticed a difference in Max since starting the Level 2 work . . . . he's more interested, yes we are getting some impulsion (not always consistent but at least it's coming).

Level 2 Assignment 1 - Short range yields

This is the first of my Level 2 Assignments - Short range yields. I passed this one (which was a very nice surprise) with comments that I just need to watch my "belly button focus" . . . better focus and the drift in fore and hindquarter yields won't happen and I should now back off with the phases. Also, my sideways departures need to be snappier. Level 2 is now about building impulsion and positive reflexes.

Journey to date . . . .

Well, Max and I are part way through our journey, having completed Level 1, so I'd better go back to the beginning . . . . .

I was first introduced to the concept of "natural horsemanship" when a friend asked if I would like to come and watch her ride in a PNH clinic (Parelli for the uninitiated). That was about 10 years ago and I found the concept of developing a positive relationship with your horse very exciting. I joined the local savvy group and progressed to Level 2 with my QH gelding Doc . . . . I thought he was to be my "horse for life", but there are horses for people and people for horses and it took me 12 years to finally realise he was not the horse for me, so he was sold, we did the seachange thing, and Max came into my life.

Max was a green broke 3 year old QH gelding . . . . very handsome, quiet . . . . but green. We puddled along . . . . . and then at Equitana in 2005, I met up again with Shane and Meredith Ransley, the principals of Quantum Savvy. I was very excited to see what they were doing (Shane and Meredith had been instructors with Parelli and I had attended a few clinics with them) and joined Quantum Savvy (check out the Quantum Savvy website . . . it's amazing . . . . the Forum addictive!).

I formed a QS practise group in the area we were living in and with my friend Adele, we started our journey through the Foundation Program in March 2006.

Max and I completed Level 1 in October 2006, moved again in February 2007 (back to the country and a bit of land) and have only really now started seriously working towards Level 2.

For those who are interested, I am posting videos of my Level 2 assignments with feedback (might be abbreviated though).