News from Nita Jo's Place

February, 2011

Greetings!

As I write this from the Parelli Center in Florida the energy and enthusiasm of the new 2* instructors fills the lodge. The sun is shining on a chilly day-its warmth is quite welcome-and everyone is eager to hear from Linda about "Humanality and Horsenality." The class of junior instructors audited Walter Zettl's lessons this morning and came away with new impressions of the challenges of Finesse and the harmony between Walter's lovely way of teaching Precision and Finesse and the Parelli horsemanship principles and foundation.

Pat riding Vision for Walter Zettl lesson.

The participants in these instructor courses have been exposed to a wide range of topics and depth of knowledge to clarify and develop their teacher-manship. A happy by-product, of course, is what they are taking away to also apply to their own horsemanship. Whether learning about what goes on at Pat's barn to testing their horsemanship theory to getting a review of bridle wisdom, these junior instructors (and the 1* trainees here last week) have been dedicated students.

Students in the 1* instructor group engage with each other in simulations of 7 Games online.

My role has been a new one for me, as well as a very pleasant one - learning how the instructor courses are organized and taught, supporting Ann Kiser and Carol Coppinger (including scoring test papers!), and leading a few sessions myself. I'll be leaving here next week with a renewed appreciation for the excellence and professionalism of Parelli instructor development as well as new twists on effective ways of teaching. Once again, I've experienced the fact that there really is no dichotomy between the experience of being a learner and a teacher/leader. (This is true for you, too: when you take a lesson or clinic, you're simultaneously learning and teaching/being a leader for your horse.)

If you think of Pat's advice - "take care of your horsemanship and it will take care of you" - and the endless self-improvement we undertake in order to become whom our horses need us to be, one can hardly imagine a better way to develop partnership with another feeling, loving, thinking creature. The results, fun, friendships, or transformations which emerge from your Parelli education are priceless. They are, as many of you already know, transferable to our lives beyond horses and Parelli. Who can ask for more from a "mere" horsemanship program?

Check out ways (below) to take care of your horsemanship this season. My clinic listings are constantly being updated - this month you'll notice that I've changed the pricing for Liberty and Finesse Lesson Series for Level 3 and Level 4 students.

Next month you'll see again the "Can You?" and "How To" sections. And, remember, I really do want to hear from you! Click here to send me a note or a question for next month's newsletter now... don't be shy or think you're bothering me; the "job" I thrive on depends on being "bothered!"

Stay Savvy,

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

Volume 2 Issue: 2

Useful Links

Nita Jo's Website

Parelli Website

Nita Jo's Portal to Parelli Web Shop

Parelli Savvy Club

Parelli Saddles

Have you created your Parelli Connect account? Log in today to see my updates and connect with me.

Sign up for both by March 15th to Save BIG!

Liberty & Finesse Lesson Series

* BRAND NEW OFFERING! *

6 monthly lessons, 3 hours each, 6 students maximum with focus for Level 3 and Level 4 students on Liberty and Finesse. No, wait! It's seven lessons - the 7th is FREE!

Each date is a Saturday: Lesson 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 - SAVE BIG if you sign up for both by 3/15/2011! 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.)

Liberty or Finesse Lesson Series $1,350

BOTH Liberty and Finesse Lessons for only $1,999!

Must purchase before 3/15/2011 for this super deal.

For those that already purchased either Liberty or Finesse - you can add the other for only $784. Contact Nita Jo by 3/15/2011 if you're interested!

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
Magniifcat 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