Bertie

Hi All,

Many of you will remember that I bought Bertie almost as soon as I returned from the Colorado Parelli Campus. I bought him first and foremost to gain more experience, and also to help
fund my dreams when it eventually came to selling him. As it happens, he is now ready to start developing with other people, and I'm looking to part-share or sell him. Here's more info:

Bertie is a 13.2hh New Forest Pony, 6 years old. His previous owner had him since he was 6 months old, and whilst she didn't do a huge amount with him, he only had positive experiences with humans. Since he has been with me he's been exposed to children, dogs, our 6 other horses, and the general excitement that occurs in a family of 7. I started him under saddle in late March, and since then he has done plenty of hacking on road and off-road (alone and in company; although he still needs to some confidence building when hacking alone) and also some of the Parelli patterns. He is playing in Parelli Level 2. He has been handled and ridden by young teenagers and a 9 year old, and takes everything within his stride. Bert is quite a forward going chap, and could do with gaining more mileage under saddle, so I'm essentially looking for someone to regularly hack him out with me, on a part-share basis. I'd be hoping to sell him by the end of the summer, but would be open to selling him sooner to the right home. He is a lovely pony that enjoys life and relating to people.

Email me for more details.

Our young friend, Peta, from South Africa learns about Parelli with Bertie.

9 year old Kate riding Bert

Peta playing at Liberty - this was her first experience of Parelli!

Yo-yo Game

A thorough update.

Hi All!

I thought it was about time to give you an update, before I head out yet again!

The past few weeks have been so busy, that I've rarely found myself at a computer with the time to write a blog post. So if you travel back to March with me (which is when my last blog post was due! HA!) I'll give you a brief update.

March was a quiet month (the quiet before the storm?) where I ticked along with the usual routine. The exciting thing is that a new man was added to my life. It was totally unexpected, but God has a funny way of working, and my relationship with Calvin has been a great blessing thus far! Towards the end of the month, I had the opportunity to work plenty of overtime at work... nice in the sense that it gave me extra cash to fund all my activities, but it did mean many 6 o'clock starts!

At the beginning of April I headed up to Birmingham to spend a day with my close friend Mallory, followed by a week helping with the Parelli UK Celebration! The event was fantastic, and it was a wonderful wonderful experience to see what happens 'behind the scenes.' I enjoyed catching up with the USA Parelli Team, as well as meeting the lovely girls that run Parelli UK. I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed at the opportunities this program has opened up for me. As they say, Parelli is FAR more than riding....

The great thing about Parelli is that it builds a community of like-minded people. Put a bunch of like-minded enthusiastic people together, and the resulting team-spirit is unbelievable! Likewise, it draws friends (old and new) together. During the weekend of the event, I caught up with people I know from various clinics and Parelli events. It was most special to see some of my friends from my Fast Track course in America, and we had a nice catch up over a meal. Kim-Jo from Belgium came back home with me, and we spent the following week together. We had a fantastic week doing all sorts of things... riding in the New Forest, riding around here, cycling to Winchester followed by a day in Winchester, a day in Oxford, Parelling, and generally talking talking talking. We got on like a house on fire, and are now scheming about her return!

On the Sunday that Kim-Jo traveled back to Belgium, I headed down to Southampton for a week of sailing with the Ocean Youth Trust South. OYT South is a sail-training charity, whom I have been sailing with on and off for the past 3 years. We had a beautiful week with lots of sun and little wind; you can read about our trip here. I was very pleased to have passed by Third Mates' assessment. A week after that (2-7 May) I found myself back on the boat, and this time I gained my RYA Watch Leader certificate. I'm so excited to be developing in this area of passion!

Last week and this week (so far) have been beautiful and peaceful. I've had some quality horse-focused time, as well as a relationships-focus. Near the end of the last week, I found myself saying that I'd like to put a bit more structure into my horsemanship, and thus looked around at Parelli clinics for this summer. The timing and finances were in the right place for me to book 2 weeks worth of clinics - starting next Monday! It would be usual to say that 'the pressure is now on' but other than the basics like packing, Blaine and I feel so ready for this learning opportunity. I am bustling about with my Yachtmaster Theory studies, as I'm hoping to complete an assignment before I head towards Wales on Sunday.

I hope to update you soon.... but until then, keep well and excited about life!

¬Kerrin

LIFE

I'm getting to good at rambling on with random musings, that I forget to update you all on my daily doings!

Life is good. Not without it's challenges, but good non-the-less. I'm enjoying my time with my Blaine horse. We've been spending a lot of time at Liberty (without any restraint/halters and ropes) which has been the best thing for our relationship. Young Bertie presents a couple of challenges - the latest being around catching game - but the whole reason I bought him was to LEARN! That definately is happening... although one does sometimes wish learning could happen a little more inside the comfort zone!! WE've enjoyed some beautiful (dare I say it) Spring days, and have made the most of them by going for 3 hour + rides/hacks to places like cheesefoot head! Just beautiful...

Work is great. I've taken up cycling to/from work. I start 3 shifts at 6am, which involves being up at 4.30am to cycle, but I *think* I'm adjusting to it! I enjoy cycling. Enjoy feeling fit. Enjoy my mp3 player. Enjoy the ride.

Family and friends are also good. I'm getting involved with some great social activities and catching up with friends old and new.

Guitar is going well. So is Yachtmaster studies (hoping to take my final exam at the end of this month!)

I'd better get going. Catch y'all laters! Love and Blessings ¬Kerrin

What are you shouting about?!

I've been thinking a lot about purpose lately, and more specifically, how does purpose influence our lives? I honestly believe that each of us has a purpose in being alive. A niche, and passion... to put it simply; something that makes our hearts tick.

I generally find that people with purpose have more of a focus. I may not have any knowledge or interest in their particular field, BUT the meaning they find (from pursuing/discovering their purpose) usually encourages me in some way.

Aside from the many things that make me excited about life, my faith in Jesus Christ gives me a lot of purpose. It recently occured to me that the joy I find in my faith is the result of seeing/experiencing something tangible based upon my beliefs. Perhaps 'proof' (or personal experience if you will) is what gives us something to be 'joyful' or purposeful about. Perhaps its what inspires us to press on. Either way... two of the blogs I read today reflected my recent ponderings... namely: God's creation is beautiful. That creation gives me something to sing about.
Matthew 12:34 "...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

I've enjoyed following Priscilla's blog... she's a Home Educated, Christian, Parelli Student based in America. Here's a recent post Priscilla wrote about the beauty of mountains:Priscilla's odyssey

Her blog made me think of this Bible verse:Isaiah 49:13 "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains!"

In Katie's blog 'For the Love of Life,' I read a post entitled 'The face of Heaven'

Just do it.... badly!

I came across a new blog today, and the title of the blog post I read has rested in my mind all day (so much so, that I've used it as the title for THIS blog post!)

The blog post was written by a man call Ken, and it is entitled 'Just do it... badly!'

I am a positive person. I like to focus on the joy in life, and I always seek the adventure. I do believe that no matter the circumstances, there is always an adventurous option available that will develop you, even if this option has to do with your mindset. Given the choice, I'll usually embrace the things that interest me - even if they are different and present a more challenging route. There's no such thing as 'just doing things for the sake of doing things' in the world of Kerrin....

BUT.. if I'm really honest... oftentimes, doing these 'exciting' things will come at the expense of the fun, and sometimes, the relationships. I think it comes down to a little thing that nirks at many of us, and that thing is called perfection. The 'all or nothing' mentality, that can be so wonderfully impeccable, yet can cause us to stumble and stop doing things. Ken's blog post really touches on this. I remember reading an article by Dr. Stephanie that was along similar lines.... it's called 'The Silly Bridge.'

I'm generally not affected by the opinions of others, but sometimes I need to allow myself not to be affected by the opinions of Kerrin. Of the voices inside my own head! So. Perfection.... you're getting chucked out of the window!!!

My mum pointed me to a fascinating site called 'The Zero Tuition College' I subscribe to a lot of the 'alternative' ways of learning expressed in this site.

If you really have time to mooch (like what I've been doing for the past hour or so!) take a look at my friend Darrelle's wonderful blog, I always find her writing inspiring and refreshing: beingaliveisgood

What about the Relationship?

I often hear people say something to the extent of: "It's all about relationships"... "The tasks are not important... but the people are" and so on (if nothing comes to mind, take a look at these quotes)

This may be very well, but what about the tasks and expectations that NEED to be met? Aren't those important?

Well, yes. But the relationship comes first.

I've sometimes found this difficult to comprehend, especially as there seem to be two extremes in this world. The goal-directed, walk over anybody, achieving type of people. And the 'put the relationship first, but never go anywhere type of people' (y'know the type that sit in hippy love circles all day...) mmm. Neither of these stereo types are what I want to be, but I've also found that walking a middle ground is sometimes harder than one would think. In an ideal world, one wants to have dreams, desires, and goals, but not at the expense of core values and relationships.

Humans are pretty diverse creatures. We are capable of having broad relationships. Our relationship with our world, God, animals, and fellow human-beings are some that immediately come to mind.

My horse, Blaine, has taught me a huge amount about relationship. My family have too. My faith in God is also based upon relationship.

I have big dreams with Blaine. Gaining Parelli Level 3 is one of my current dreams... which can be broken down into patterns, Parelli games, 4 savvies, lots of tasks... and don't get me started! Parelli Natural Horse Training is all about having relationship with my horse, but those tasks don't sound like relationship now do they?

As a Christian, I believe it's right to have a sound theological understanding of what I believe. Bible reading, quiet time, worship time, listening to sermons, reading books that show the Bible's historical accuracy... and don't get me started on that either. Does this sound like relationship to you?

Family involves work. Chores, time maintaining relationships, self-control at really annoying people (haha, my siblings, annoying? neveerrr..)... this isn't your dreamy, movie-like relationships now is it?

The answer to all these questions is, yes. That is relationship. You see, relationship is not the stuff that's shown in movies. Relationship is a genuine sharing of life. And life... as you probably know... is not always a ride in the sun! All these things that maintain relationships are important, but they're not more important than the individuals with whom we share relationship.

When I spend time away from Blaine, my priorities change. Instead of stressing about tasks, I miss his company. His sweet breath, his cheeky face nuzzling me. His presence is what I need and value most.

Time away from God (yes, God is ever present, but there is something about setting aside time for him...) changes my priorities too. I miss his presence.

Somehow, when I long for relationship, the nitty gritty's fade away.

And THAT's what people mean when they say that the relationship comes first. Learning to dwell in people's company. To be. To live in Kinship with life.

Precious times with Blaine...

Happy New Year

I know that I am 4 days late (gasp), but Happy New Year everyone!

2010 has been a phenomenal year for me, with so many experiences and opportunities. I am a very priveleged and blessed person!

'New Year's resolutions' seem to be quite a popular topic at the moment, and I have to say, I don't really have any 2011 resolutions so to speak. My 'goal' for 2010 was to live each day as it comes, and look at all the things from which I drank deep! I may just keep a similar focus for 2011.... this doesn't mean that I don't have big goals and dreams... but it does mean that I'm going to *try* not to be limited by timelines and direct-line thinking.

More on that another day....