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