News from Nita Jo's Place ~ SAVE up to 10% on Nita Jo's Clinics!

January, 2011

Greetings!

As I write this from my cozy office at home in Minnesota, where I can watch my horses playing and running in the snow (now that today it isn't quite so bitterly cold), I find myself wondering how others are coping with winter. It's definitely a challenge to find satisfying, productive ways to connect and play with or ride our horses when very cold weather is an obstacle. Some of us do well riding bareback in the snow, others play on the ground (which helps keep the blood flowing in our limbs), others use the season to catch up on reading, watching Parelli DVDs, or exercising indoors. For me, it's a time to catch up on everything from email to planning the coming season's clinics to exercising (to get in shape for all that wonderful play and riding!) to reading. I find "little" ways to connect with my horses and continue our partnership development in the normal course of feeding and caring for them even if I haven't had a specific play or riding session in days or weeks. I'll tell more about this in the "Can You?" section below.

As you may know from December's newsletter, I completed before Christmas another four weeks in the Mastery Program, studying and learning at Pat's Performance Barn at the Parelli Center in Florida. I can hardly begin to tell you how satisfying this was! To be honest, it's hard work, challenging, sometimes exhausting. We don't joke about it being "boot camp" for no reason! Seriously, though, I'd rather think about it as a Parelli horseman's "outward bound." Or, better, upward bound!

One of the most gratifying things for me was coming away with so many new ideas and new things to put into practice. My focus during the Mastery Program was horsemanship, but it's almost impossible not to suddenly think of new ways to present things to my students or new activities to enrich their learning experiences during my clinics. Pat, naturally, is a master of innovation and creativity! He's also, of course, terrific at holding us professionals accountable to the principles and details of his program. It was always my goal to get my "good better, and better best" each day even though I knew that on a subsequent day, in retrospect, that might seem to be "not so good." Such is the nature of progress!

Another wonderful experience during my stay was auditing Linda's Game of Contact course and then having several sessions under her watchful, expert eye with Malin (my Swedish warmblood mare). It's gratifying to have Linda's feedback ("my, how you've progressed!") and exciting to learn so much more which will help my students and enrich my own riding.

The 2011 riding and teaching season can hardly come soon enough! I'm very much looking forward to seeing many of you again, and to meeting new students and horses.

Stay Savvy,

Nita Jo Rush
4-Star Senior Parelli Professional
www.pnhsavvy.com

Can You?

Can you play the Yo-yo Game with just one of your horse's feet? Can you communicate subtly enough with your horse to "cause" him to move this front foot back just one step - and then forward again - without him moving any of his other feet? Some of you are already able to do this. Can you develop this further and suggest through focus, energy, subtle phase 1 that your horse move this foot here or that foot there? Pick a specific spot on the ground and be particular about your horse pin-pointing that place when she puts her foot down. Yes, you'll reward her when she is "getting warmer" - remember, the process leads to product (result) but isn't the same as product - and you'll have conversations with her over time about getting more precise. This is also a challenge to us to be patient, take the time it takes, and to be (as Pat says) particular without being critical.

This is a game which is bound to catch your horse's attention and capture his concentration no matter the season. It's perfect for winter time because you can do it in the aisle-way of your barn, or in the stall, or in the snow when you go feed. Challenge yourself to create additional variations on this theme. I could offer several - however, I'd love to hear from you about what you discover and accomplish!

How To

The Yo-yo Game is the "fulcrum" game, meaning that it is the balance point, in a sense, for the 7 Games (three before it, three after it), is itself a game of balance (equalizing backwards and forwards), and is an effective set-up for other games (thus helping your horse with mental and emotional balance). For example, when you back your horse out a few steps in order to send him into a circle a common experience is that your horse anticipates and takes off on his own. Playing the Yo-yo Game works very well to change her mind, to focus her on you, and to thus interrupt her impulsiveness.

Since the Yo-yo Game is the first of the "purpose games," you'll need to use your savvy and skills with the "principle games" to talk to your horse about moving just one foot. You'll use the same principles and strategies you employed when you first taught your horse to play the Yo-yo Game or that you still use when you take it up a notch and refine it.

What combination of Friendly, Porcupine, and Driving games do you need to use in order to have this conversation with your horse? How do you need to adjust your use of firm and fair phases to help him understand? In what way does "the Attitude of Justice" affect how well and how easily you and your horse accomplish this?

These are just a few things to keep in mind as you play with this "Can You?" Put your creative thinking cap on (that elusive sixth key to success!), play with this, have fun, and do let me know how it goes! Remember, too, you can email me with horsemanship or clinic questions at any time.

Volume 2 Issue: 1

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Each date is a Saturday; times are 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for Liberty and 2:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. for Finesse. These are two separate groups and you are welcome to sign up for either or both. This is a package, so it's all or nothing - in or out.

Students are welcome to audit the half-day in which they do not participate. Beverages and water, as well as picnic space, will be provided.

Dates are: April 23; May 21; June 11; July 9; August 13; September 3.

BONUS: free lesson day for both groups combined on October 1, 2011 (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Package cost: $1,350

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Nita Jo's
2011 Teaching
& Training Schedule

January 31 - February 11
Assisting with the 1* and 2* Instructor Courses
Ocala, Florida Parelli Center

February 25 - 27
Going to Road to the Horse! Are you?

March 13 - 20
Unavailable

March 27 - April 1
Private Clinic, Morriston, Florida

April 8 - 10
Magnifcat Farm, Clinton Corners, New York
Private and small group lessons Levels 1 - 4 available for all Parelli students, whether beginner or studying Level 4, for focused, intensive study in private lesson or small group format.
Contact: Barbara Appolonia at 845-594-9915 or barbappolonia@gmail.com for more information or to register.

April 15 - 17

Corrales, New Mexico
3-day Refinement Level 3/Level 4 Clinic for those who are ready to dig into Online, Liberty, and Freestyle riding in Levels 3 and 4 to prepare for the challenges of Finesse! Hone your skills, relationship, and leadership with your horse, develop his mental, emotional, and physical fitness as you also learn about riding with rhythm, relaxation, and contact. You should have offically assessed and passed L2 for this course. Those who have passed L3 (official or by self-assessment) definitely will find themselves challenged and their savvy enriched!

Contact: Steve Komadina at 505-328-4696 or komadina@stevekomadina.com for more information or to register.
Clinic Fee: $800

April 29 - May 1

Minnesota Horse Expo, St. Paul, Minnesota

Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Note: Pat Parelli will be there Saturday, April 30th to give a demo!

May 6 - 8
Nita Jo's Place, Bowlus, Minnesota

3-day Eddo Hoekstra Dressage Clinic

Contact: Nita Jo Rush at 612-581-0240 or njr@pnhsavvy.com for more information or to register.

May 14 - 15