From Australia to Pagosa: A Fast Track Story

Antoinette Archer wrote this excellent blog describing her journey and experience at the Parelli Campus in Pagosa Springs, Colorado last summer.

It all started with a phone call at 4:00 in the morning, as I was rubbing my eyes trying to comprehend what I was hearing. “This is Ryan Rose from Parelli, do you know who I am?” I thought I was dreaming! I wasn’t… I was one lucky girl, to be given the opportunity of a lifetime, to go to Pat and Linda Parelli’s ranch in Pagosa Springs to attend a Fast Track. It all happened so fast, without warning, but of course I embraced it. As I approached the ranch, I saw the symbol that we have learned to love; how unbelievable… I was really there. People call this the Gateway to Horsemanship.

I arrived!

The ranch was everything I expected and more. Check-in was full of many excited people and horses coming from afar. In the August Fast Track, there were about 35 people. I am very lucky to have met many new Parelli friends from all over the globe.

Our head instructor was Ryan Rose, who was assisted by Australia’s own Tanya Bennett and Bonnie McIntyre. Each had their own style and experiences but each one of them made us all feel so welcome and helped and challenged us during our savvy stay.

I had a wonderful lease horse, Caballero, a nine-year-old Arab – I have added him to Parelli Connect if you want to see our journey together. He was such a wonderful, super athletic horse who tried his heart out for me. He was pretty confident and offered me a lot. He loved the Touch It Game and offered his foot on everything and anything. He was very good at putting his feet on things and was able to get all four feet on a railway sleeper and inside a tractor tire!

Caballero, demonstrating his talent!

I don’t think I realized what I learned at the ranch just until recently. The course was about doing things excellently – what we should all strive for. How good is your Phase 1? It should be a whisper (unseen to the untrained eye). And do you really mean it? I truly believe my knowledge has been embedded at an entirely new, deeper level. One thing that really resonates with me was “Get in harmony with them, so they can get in harmony with us.” That was Ryan’s mantra, and I now feel it is the fundamental of natural horsemanship. This way your horse has the opportunity and the choice to stay connected. If you are interesting and provocative enough, your horse won’t want to lose that connection. If you get the mind, you will get the feet; this works for everything (On Line, Liberty, Freestyle and Finesse).

While in Pagosa, I was lucky enough to watch Ryan and the savvy team give a demonstration at the local show and also a demonstration that the Externs had prepared for us. Pat and Caton also competed in a cutting competition not far away; we got to hear about the Wild Horse Taming event in Reno and got to see Linda and her magnificent horses.

I was also able to compete in the Parelli games and we got Level 4 ribbons for On Line, Liberty and Freestyle – boy was I surprised! We got a few other ribbons for the times games, which was great fun.

There was so much to see and do, from the Mighty Bronc seat builder and riding past Scooch Mountain to having a BBQ and singing along with Pat and Linda at the campfire, as well as playing volleyball in the arena and soaking in the hot springs. A big thanks to Pat and Linda for creating such an amazing program, and to all the instructors that have assisted me in my journey towards being the best me – and horse person – I can be, and showing me the pathway of never-ending self-improvement.

Tagged as: Isabelle Greenfield, Parelli Media