Pat Parelli UK Master Class a Resounding Success
THIS year’s UK Master Class with Pat Parelli was a huge success with spectators and participants travelling from all over the country to learn from this true horseman.
And it was a special occasion for Pat too who celebrated his 63rd birthday during the Friday evening welcome gathering, before the two day celebration and learning got underway.
During the informative, fun and enlightening sessions Pat covered a host of topics on natural horsemanship while encouraging the audience to question their thinking and philosophies when training, working and playing with their own horses and ponies and the journey they take.
Held at Oakridge Arena, Newark, Nottinghamshire, 13 students got the chance to ride and work alongside Pat throughout the master class weekend at this fantastic venue with nearly 300 spectators enjoying the weekend.
Said Pat: “It has been a fantastic couple of days and there has been huge development since my last visit.
“The community feeling among everyone here is just great and the knowledge and increased level of horsemanship is just brilliant to see and watch.”
Student Sarah Richardson from North Yorkshire brought along her 17-year-old welsh cob cross, Charlie and had a great time.
Said Sarah: “I was going to come along and spectate and then decided to have the opportunity to ride with Pat was a once in a lifetime chance and thought I should make the most of the opportunity.
“The Parelli program is a great way for both horses and riders to progress and learn new skills and I had a brilliant time.”
Caroline Young from Hampshire rode her mare Sadie and added: “Pat picks up on everything, you can be riding around the arena and think he isn’t watching when he suddenly comes along, gives you a tip and everything improves so much quicker.
“The aim with taking part was for me to become more effective with Sadie as there are times she can take advantage of me and become the dominant leader.”
Throughout the sessions Pat constantly interacted with the audience, asking them questions and setting them challenges.
Said Pat: “I always ask – who would like to be really good with horses? – and of course we all would. The weekend was about giving everyone some structure, setting goals and overcoming challenges so that in the end the relationship between horse and rider moves to a different level and new dreams are fulfilled.”
A session on getting the horse to yield proved captivating while understanding the five active zones of the horse brought great improvement from the riders.
Energy management, empowering the Parelli Seven Games and understanding patterns was all covered before Pat finished off with a session on hacking and trail riding to round off a fantastic and very full UK master class.
Said student Annette Ansell: “It has been unbelievable, there were times when I was very much out of my comfort zone but it has also been a great boost and I wouldn’t have missed this great opportunity for anything.”
