I'm reading one of Pats books called, "Raise Your Hand if You Love Horses". It's a fabulous story of how Mr.Parelli got to where he is today. It's wonderful to hear about all the many many people who have influenced who and what he is, and that he wasn't always a master.
It's hard for me to remember that it's okay to try something and fail. Trying is better than not trying at all.

I have a drive to work with Pepper again. He's been sort of in and out of my journey for awhile now, but I would really love him to be rideable someday, or at least an online/liberty superstar. He's capable of a lot, but he can't put that brain to good use if I don't help him.
Things are continuing to progress with Tuck...he's slooowly getting more confident with zones 4&5 as I direct to and backwards from obstacles, lead by the tail, and drive from zone 5. This week has felt a little more laid back than usual, but I really need to step things up and get in shape(myself and Tucker).

I'm brushing up on the basics, and remembering to do them with excellence.
"Whatever you do, do it with Excellence. Do it with class."

It's been awhile, yet again, since we have last spoken. So here's what's up!

I am now officially enrolled for my Fast Track course next year!! This specific course is newly out from Parelli as of this year, aimed to teach those with an interest of becoming a professional. It will basically be 4 weeks of getting myself to an expert level of horsemanship with my own horse. I know the days will be long, and totally packed of lessons to learn, and things I'll change in myself, but I'm excited about what arrows I'll be putting in my quiver.
Until then, I believe I've mentioned several times before, I have a LOT to learn! I know that the more I know before I go, the more I can learn while I'm there. So there is a lot I just have to DO and get done before then as far as my horsemanship journey goes.

A few weeks ago I finally looked into what healthy-stride is. I had heard of it, but never really explored in depth. Boy did that change when I found the website! Jim Crew will be doing a series of clincs in Orland, I believe starting in Dec. I'm looking forward to that, and learning how changing my horses feet will effect his overall posture and balance.

I'm learning about loving to learn, as the thing the comes along with never ending self improvement(strange sentence, feel free to re-read it). If you're always willing to under-go self improvement, you have to be open to change, critique, FRUSTRATION, and creativity. I emphasize frustration because it seems to go along with deep learning. One of my teachers used to smile, and say that it was good when I would get frustrated because it meant I was about too learn something really good. It's not easy to be creative while you're trying to change! Like one of those puzzle games...it's hard to find a different solution when what you've already tried hasn't worked. But persistance, changing what you're doing, and being creative about it, gets the ring off that mess of triangles and chains! But boy is it frustrating...

As lovely fall weather sets in, Tuck and I are gaining leaps and bounds in freestyle! It's fantastic. Loping is going great. His strides are so long I hardly feel like we're moving.
We're ALMOST out of level 2 freestyle. I know I've been saying that for months. But I took my time to really go through the patterns, and we really are almost done know. I am soooo ready to tie that blue sting to my belt loop.
Yesterday we were trying out the question box pattern. I didn't spend a ton of time on it, because I want to make sure I'm doing it correctly. So I'll watch that pattern today. He felt so in tune, that I took the hackamore off, and went for a short bridless ride. It was fantastic, and got me to do way less micromanaging with my reins.
Now, the task will be keeping all this up without drilling him! I've had running through my head this last week, "we've all heard of horses who've run faster and jumped higher out of heart and desire".
Oh yeah! We also sent in my CO application for next summer! So I'll be awaiting a phone call about that! YAHOO!