Hi there. My name is Elizabeth Andriot and I am originally from Louisville, KY. I had an interest in horses, took lessons and showed American Saddlebreds when I was about 9-12 years old. I had to get out of that when the babysitting money was no longer covering my lesson fees.
Several years later, after college, I was out on my own and a friend from work had horses at his family farm. He said, “If you ever want to get a horse, you can keep him here.” Well, that’s all the encouragement I needed! In August 2003 I bought my first horse, Shadow. We had a trailer-loading problem the very first day we went to pick him up. An emergency vet call and $250 later, we got him home for some weeks of stall rest and getting-to-know-you time.
My first day with new horse Shadow
Some friends gave me some VHS tapes of Pat Parelli and some other clinicians to get me started. Natural horsemanship made a lot of sense to me as I was no longer interested in showing. I really just had a horse for fun and to trail ride. I am pretty natural in other areas of my life – I’m not into makeup, hair products, and manicures. I tend to eat healthy and am conscious of what I put into my body.
After viewing the videos, I went to an inspiring Parelli Event in Louisville in 2004 and was hooked from then on. I joined the Savvy Club and saved all my pennies for the Level 1 pack. In November 2005 I moved to Ocala, Florida and started working at the Parelli Campus. In 2006 achieved my Level 1 with my horse Shadow. I worked at the US campuses from November 2005 to May 2008, going back and forth each season from FL to CO.
In May 2008 my role changed (as it does) and landed me in Pagosa Springs full time! I spend my weekdays in Parelli Central and am involved in such things from Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, blogs, Savvy Club, translations, mass emails and website changes.
Shadow and I building confidence at the Colorado Parelli Campus
Shadow and I are playing around in Level 2/3 and always enjoying our time together. I have some confidence issues and am lucky enough to have received some help from Linda Parelli on this. Definitely a work in progress! This program and my role in this very special team have affected me in so many positive ways. I am learning more and more about myself every day!
Snowshoeing on Wolf Creek Pass, CO
Outside of Parelli, I enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, and getting outdoors in Pagosa Springs. I am also very involved in my church – children’s ministry, women’s ministry, and GAP. I look forward to connecting with everyone and sharing the journey. Horses are a big part of all of our lives but tell me, what do you do for fun outside of Parelli?
Until next time,
Elizabeth
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
After loosing my confidence and regaining it with Parelli, I very much enjoyed your segment with Linda on the Savvy Club DVD. Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth!
Petra Christensen
Parelli 1Star Junior Instructor
Parelli Central
Hooray, you’ve blogged!
I spend most of my free time reading, playing with my horse, or running my dog (in a futile attempt to exhaust him so he’ll go to sleep instead of staring at me like I’m supposed to be doing something entertaining). I’m finally beginning to adjust to the altitude and can make it to the end of the block without feeling like I’m going to die.
One of these days I’m going to get my art space set up so I can start drawing and painting and whatnot again, and this winter I’m planning to learn to snowshoe and cross-country ski… maybe you can give me some pointers. ;D
I was so excited to see another Parelli person with Saddlebred experience! I have one myself and absolutely love the breed. I really wish and pray someday the saddleseat arena can find a more natural way for these wonderful horses. My saddlebred is my levels partner and thanks to Linda and Pat and this program, although we are moving slow we have gained enormous ground in respect, safety and fear issues…it amazes me all the time!
Outside of Parelli, I paint and draw, love to read, raise my beautiful 2 year old son along with my “other babies” our boxer mix and our basset. I love our church and spending time with friends and family. We go on hikes and walk trails as a family (I love how my son gets excited when we pull into the state park!) My friends and I help put together a silent auction raising funds for saddlebred rescue each year. Love music and small local shops and farmers markets and local art shows!
Thank you for sharing you journey with us!
Hi Elizabeth,
You confidence issues lesson with Linda was a HUGH help to me. I am now back up on my horse and riding and playing in level 2. We just filmed our level 2 Freestyle. Will be sending it in soon.
Keep up the great work on the Savvy Times. The minute it reaches me I thumb through it and then read what interests me the most first and so on until I have finished the whole magazine!
God Bless You,
Colleen
Great job Colleen! Well done on filming your Level 2 FreeStyle! Wahooo!
Hi Elizabeth,
It’s Way More Than Riding….
It’s Way More Than Religion….
They’re BOTH about the Relationship!
Blessings to You,
Karen Walter
Amen sista! There are so many similarities, especially the relationship part. =)
Hey Elizabeth!
From one Parelli Lover/Christ Lover to another…..the two go hand in hand and we REALLY are living our dream! This life is a slice of heaven!
Blessings!
Danna Ayers
Yreka, CA
Hi Elizabeth,
It is so nice to read about you, after having had your help on numerous Savvy club issues in the last few years via e-mail and phone. It’s hard to admit, but it’s true; I am envious of your stage of life – - I hope you know how fortunate you are to be working with the Parellis both as an employee and as a passenger on the Journey with Shadow.
As for what else I do with my own time, my husband and I own a health club in New Hampshire, USA that takes up a bunch. Recently, though (like last week to be exact), we moved back to Paris, France after six years in the States. I like to use PNH is my relations with our parrot and our cat, and I used to practice it with our horse (who is still in the States for now) and our backyard hens. Furthermore, I used it extensively in my role as human resources director at our health club!
I can relate to your natural approach to life. My children (ages 11 and 13) were both born drug-free and at home. Our first was breech. I believe it is disrespectful to ignore the many clues given to us by the world at large, and yet that is what is often taught by the academy, or formal education. Studying with Pat and Linda has opened my eyes to the many forms of communication around us, if only we can learn to listen.
Thanks for all you do to further their efforts, Elizabeth. You guys are the best!
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth
Great post, my first horse was called Shadow! I also really loved your lesson with Linda – I have been using those same techniques to prepare my youngster for the saddle (and me for him lol)…
Vicki
hey elizabeth! great blog post. love the old pict of you and shadow. can’t wait to hear more about how you get on. you are such an inspiration!!!
Hi Elizabeth,
Of couse we are FB friends but it was really nice to read your blog about the history of how you came to be at Parelli. The horse “Shadow” that you had confidence sessions with is the double of my QH – Ruby. So beautiful……..You are so lucky to have firsthand help from Linda – I’m sure you make the most of it LOL. Talk soon
Karen
Hi Elizabeth, Enjoyed your bio. I know we have talked and emailed a number of times over the past several years. I hope your will be at the Rendevous so that I can bring Louisville best wishes to you when I come down in October. I don’t think you mentioned that you are from Louisville during previous communications. We have been here for 20 years. Despite KY’s reputation as the equine capital, I learned very quickly that it is NOT the capital of natural equine living. Eleven years in the Parelli program have seen some changes, but not enough. Great to know that you are out there helping to build a better life for horses. Sharon Abbott
Hi Sharon, Glad to know you are from KY as well. It’s a small world isn’t it? No plans as of now for me to attend the Rendez-vous, but things can always change. Thanks for keepin it natural in KY!
Elizabeth,
Enjoyed your post, as we did the Savvy Club episode in which Linda coached you. My wife Kathy and I have also appreciated your responsiveness and friendliness when we’ve called or visited Parelli Headquarters and are looking forward to seeing you again in September. You and your colleagues at the home office are great!
Thanks Ron. Looking forward to seeing you again in Sept as well!
Hi Elizabeth!
Great post. I have a Saddlebred – I love all horses!!! BUT I am especially fond of American Saddlebred horses : ) Outside of Parelli I really enjoy my church also! Our Golden Retrievers and walks to the lake we live near. Friday night date night with my husband. Good times with friends over great coffee. Reading and listening to great music! and last but not least my work. Keep up the great work at Parelli Central – all of your creativity and communication is appreciated! Donna