Wrap-up

There was no time to update this on Thursday or Friday, then we were on the road, so I'm going to test my memory and try to summarize our experiences. Also, I'm adding pictures. Haven't really figured out how to add captions or how to arrange them so they are in pretty random order.

Thursday started with a workshop on putting together what we had learned to achieve the beginnings of finesse. To practice, we used the "seat builders"--think of the bucking bulls in the cowboy bars. The biggest challenge is getting on them. Once we were atop, we were instructed in collecting ourselves by a series of moves that are similar to the way ducks come in for a landing. Then we used a supporting rein which involves lifing one rein, similar to the handles on the slot machines of days gone by. So to remember this, we are to go "Quack Quack Quack--Cha Ching!" We can't wait to practice this at home. If the neighbors didn't already think we were a bit off, this should clinch it!

Then we got to ride our horses in the playground and work on whatever issues we felt needed some time. Eventually it started to rain and we prudently decided that we were ready for the more advanced group, who were working in one of the covered arenas. We finished up with our instructor, Avery, leading us on a trail ride around the ranch, which sounded fun but was really quite a workout as we were to stay in line, properly spaced, and follow the leader through a series of challening maneuvers. All in all, the day went more smoothly than the day before, and Laura and I finished up with a quick ride around the property as it had stopped raining.

Friday--last day! We packed up and moved out of the hotel and then started to pack up all the horse gear and get the paddocks cleaned. The rain we had during the week really made this a delightful chore--it was challenging to clean everything out of the mud and then to navigate the wheelbarrow down the hill without slipping.

At the morning session, the theme was highlights--we shared highlights of our time at the ranch. Some people had been there more than 8 weeks. We found our instructors, Julia and Avery, were moving on to their careers as independent Parelli professionals. Then we all got our certificates, and moved up to the big arena (the Big Top) and learned the 7 Games line dance--lots of fun even if I'm not much of a dancer!

And then it was time to leave. We got the last of the gear up to the trailer and did a final tidying of the pens. I led Cowboy and Dexter up to the loading area by the Big Top. Somehow Laura finagled a ride with Avery in one of the golf carts and went zipping by us up the hill to get the truck and trailer. Apparently Cowboy felt the same as us and didn't want to leave and refused to get in the trailer. We got a quick lesson from Julia on trailer loading, got Dexter in, and then we were on our way.

We had felt lucky that it hadn't rained Friday but our luck ran out as we got to Cortez. From there to Monticello, UT, we had thunder, lightning and downpours. Laura was driving and had her hands full. Fortunately, the weather cleared as we headed north to Moab and we wound up with a beautiful Southwestern day in red rock country. A Sonoma County Parelli instructor, Julie Cross, was also staying in Moab and we found the Spanish Trail Arena a lot more agreeable with daylight, good weather, and company who knew the ropes. The next morning we turned out the horses for a little frolic before taking off again--this time Cowboy was much more agreeable about loading. It was a long day on the road and we pulled into Suzie Creek Arabians in Elko in the early evening. We actually got underway when we planned on Sunday and were home--finally!--around 5:15. Ken met us with beer and barbecue, and the horses were excited to be home again and back in their familiar digs. Laura's other horse, Lady, was pretty excited to see the trailer and her Mom pull in--she gave a very un-typical show of energy and emotion!

So now it's back to the old routine again. When we started the course, the faculty told us that the experience would change our lives. And it has. Even though the focus was on horsemanship, the underlying theme was leadership and excellence. The staff embodied those principles--they were professional and upbeat at all times. Some of the Parelli-isms that I had heard many times before but now have new meaning:

- "Be particular without being critical" --to me this means don't settle for sloppy work, but achieve excellence in a positive way

- "Good, better, best--never let it rest"

Even though we thought that a 1-week course was stretching our time and budget to the limit, now we can't wait to sign up for a 2-week course (or longer!). And we'll need that horse trailer with the living quarters...