Parelli Level 3: Trusting My Skills

Alrighty, here's my story about Parelli Level 3.

So, Level 1 and Level 2 were mostly about me not dying or giving up.  I got to know my tools, myself, and my horse.  I found a new layer of dedication and grit, commitment and energy to reach a goal.  By the time I finished Level 2 I had started over with 4 horses for one reason or another.  It was a long and arduous journey and, I'd say to date, one of my greatest horsemanship accomplishments.

If you remember from my Level 2 post, I had submitted my Level 2 Auditions just weeks before attending my Fast Track course and found out I passed while at the class.

Me with my Level 1 red string when I arrived at the Fast Track.

Sooo proud to have my Level 2 blue string just a week or so into the course!

One month later at the end of the Fast Track, I was holding my green Level 3 string.

I feel like saying "BAM!" is in order.  One, because I feel cool when I say it and two, because that's basically how Level 3 happened for me.  Prior and proper preparation as well as having a lot of support during the Fast Track gave me the confidence I needed to assertively pursue my next Level.

Looking back I feel like my ENTIRE journey up until that point was all Level 3.  I mean, way back when I did my Level 1 Audition, Terry Wilson had told me that I was close to Level 3.  Now 6 years later I was still working within those same skill sets, where was the progression??

Sure, I had learned new things (mostly important emergency stop and Horsenality strategies), but I hadn't really been provocative or progressive.  I had been caught up in that vicious cycle of perfectionism and lack of confidence.  I got to a point where I trusted my horse and the process, I even felt good about the idea of sending in a less than perfect Audition, being on camera didn't bother me either...  I just didn't trust that I actually knew what I was doing.  I felt that Level 3 skills were better than what I had, thought Level 3 was more.  In my mind I had a picture of what a Level 3 horse and rider looked like, and while I wasn't focused on perfection, I just honestly didn't think we were that good.

FreeStyle has always been my most challenging Savvy with Aspen because she has so much forward, and if she's not going forward she's bucking.  In Level 3 FreeStyle it becomes a lot more important to keep your rein in the mane, or neutral, while riding around.  This was especially challenging for me on my high spirited, Right Brain Extrovert as I was constantly checking her speed with my reins.  Even riding with a Carrot Stick was death defying at times because I didn't have both hands at the ready to bend to a stop if I needed.

Because we still battled these impulsion issues I knew Level 3 was a far cry from being mine.  Level 3 horses didn't have impulsion issues, it was something they said you solved in Level 3.  After several intensely fast rides in which we had no speed control on a loose rein I knew we just weren't there yet.

Bandit

I’m mostly writing this for myself, to remember and reflect on the wonderful soul that was Bandit.  I invite you to read his story and then go hug your pets, hug your family.  Time is a treasure we cannot afford to waste.

I met Bandit when I was 15 years old, the summer of 2000, in Redding, California.  He was born March 18th, I think I met him sometime in June so he was full of energy and life, and all that is puppy.  Being that he didn’t have typical markings for the breed he hadn’t sold yet.  I was fascinated with his glossy white and black coat, bright brown eyes, and his little pink snout.

I fell in love rather quickly.  He was happy and sweet with a soft and gentle spirit.  He wasn’t allowed inside the house so I spent many nights that summer sleeping outside on the trampoline so we could be together.  I remember he would be in my sleeping bag or pressed against the side of my face and together we’d watch the moon set over the mountains and the sun rise the next morning.