This is where you can find out what is involved in a clinic and can see the progression.  If you have any doubts about where you fit in, please contact the clinic coordinator or the instructor.

 
Level One Beginner Clinic - Starting Partnership and Safety

Level 1 is about overcoming "Opposition Reflex" and about learning the basic language of the horse.  This is where you will learn to be safe with horses and to build a partnership based on mutual respect and understanding.  You will start to play the 7 Games with your horse, rather than 'work' him!  This level teaches you the basic concepts for psychology, communication, partnership and leadership.

Once you realize that Opposition Reflex is the reason you get frustrated, disillusioned, and get mediocre results with your horses, you'll move into a whole new level of understanding about what you need to learn to make incomparable progress ... and it doesn't matter what riding experience level you're at now.

This is a complete 2-day clinic that covers the foundation of Level 1 on the ground.  You will spend the day on the ground and sessions will be divided into theory, simulations and practical exercices.  We will discuss the philosophy and concepts of natural horsemanship (as opposed to normal horsemanship).

Some of the fundamentals for learning to communicate with your horse more naturally are:  understanding prey-predator relationship, opposition reflex, Approach and Retreat, the Seven Games, the Five Zones, the Four Phases, independent seat/feet development, the Six Keys to Success, building respect, learning to use the Parelli tools, trailer loading preparation and lateral flexion.

The two days of the clinic are intense and you will come away with lots of new and inspiring material!  When you get home, you can expect to see results that are way above expectations and to have the most fun you have had with your horse in years!

For Level 1 Beginner, you will need this basic equipment:  The Parelli rope halter, the 12 foot line, a carrot stick and a 6 foot savvy string.  You should also bring your saddle and pad but don't expect to ride in the first two days.  It is also highly recommended that you acquire and start to study the Parelli Success Series DVDs 1 and 2 - HorsenalityTM and Seven Games as well as the Parelli Patterns, it will greatly accelerate your learning!
Level One Advanced Clinic - Partnership and Safety - Progressing

The Level 1 Advanced Clinic is designed to give you more information and techniques to assist you in obtaining Level 1. You will grasp the concepts and details more easily now that you understand the primary principles.

Each day of this clinic is spent 1/2 of the time on groundwork and 1/2 of the time riding.  You must have a good grasp of the natural horsemanship philosophies taught in the Level 1 Beginner Clinic or in the Parelli Level 1 Partnership Pack. Students must also be able to walk and trot their horse comfortably in an enclosed area.  Auditors may be new but the participants in this clinic should not be brand new to the Parelli Levels program.

The clinic includes more advanced ground skills, more challenging concepts with the Seven Games and the Five Zones, saddling and mounting like a horseman, pre-ride checks, three rein positions to move your horse, basic natural riding dynamics, emergency dismounts, riding with focus, pushing passenger, follow the rail, trot work, one rein emergency stops, gait transitions, and much more.

For Level 1 Advanced, you will need this equipment:  The Parelli rope halter, the 12 foot line, a carrot stick and a 6 foot savvy string.  You should also bring your saddle and pad and expect to ride if you and your horse are ready.  Study or review of the Parelli Success Series DVDs HorsenalityTM, Seven Games, Safe Ride and Natural Rider and of the Parelli Patterns (Level 1)  will help you get the most out of the clinic and you will advance much faster!


Level 2 Introductory Clinic - Starting Confidence and Harmony

Now that you have passed Level 1, you are ready to learn more.  Level 1 is your basic alphabet, the building blocks to start forming a partnership with your horse.  You have made changes in the way you think, you are learning to consider your horse's point of view and to understand the predator-prey relationship challenges.  Level 2 has a lot more information in it and it's also the fun level!  In Level 2, you learn how to develop the relationship, to build confidence, to be in harmony with your horse and have it be in harmony with you, and how to gain a willing partner on line, at liberty, freestyle and finesse.

Level 1 focused on two part of the four savvies -- on line and freestyle.  It was about breaking old habits.  Level 2 begins to balance out your knowledge in all four savvies.  Level 2 continues to get you to modify your habits ... systematically building on what you've already learned.

Pat has many sayings ... such as:

These sayings will all become meaningful in Level 2.

The Level 2 introductory Clinic is a full 2 days that will cover the foundation of Level 2, on line and freestyle.  Emphasis is on transitioning to be in harmony with your horse and on how to get your Level 1 partner to be in harmony with you.  Time spent in the clinic will be 1/2 groundwork and 1/2 riding each day.  

Some of the things you will learn are:  more on horse psychology and how to motivate your horse, how to recognize and address thresholds, use of phases depending on the situation, how to win the seven games on the 12' line and how to ask for more on the 22' line,  how to add purpose to the games with obstacles, the 8 responsibilities, how on line prepares for liberty, make vs want.  The riding portion of the clinic will explore riding with focus, 7 Games in the saddle, freestyle transitions, change of direction and fluidity techniques.  Riders will also get an introduction to the Impulsion Program .... and will learn why impulsion is required before you ask for finesse!

Riders must be proficient with the natural horsemanship philosophies taught in the level clinics or in the Partnership Pack and be able to pass Level 1.  Students must also be able to walk, trot and canter their horses comfortably in an enclosed area.

For Level 2 Introduction, you will need this equipment:  a Parelli Halter, 12-foot Line, 22-foot Line, Carrot Stick, Savvy String and Natural Hackamore.  You should bring your saddle and pad.  It is also highly recommended that you acquire and start to study the Parelli Success Series DVDs HorsenalityTM, Seven Games, Safe Ride, Natural Rider, Natural Attraction, Beyond the Round Pen, Calm Ride, and Ride Out as well as the Parelli Patterns (Level 2), it will greatly accelerate your learning!  The Liberty & Horse Behavior pack is an excellent complementary tool to help you truly start understanding your horse's behavior and to find the right strategies when playing with him.


Level 2 Advanced Clinic - Confidence and Harmony - Progressing

In the Level 2 Introductory Clinic you learned how to improve your relationship with your horse but only worked on line and freestyle.  Here's a great chance to get supervised practice at Liberty and to continue to improve your other savvies.

Horses and humans both have responsibilities.  This clinic explores those responsibilities - both for the horse and for the human.  It's about emotional development for the partnership.

This is an advanced clinic that explores all four savvies of Level 2.  You will review on line, and be introduced to liberty, advanced freestyle riding, the impulsion program and finesse.  Time spent in clinic will be 1/4 ground and 3/4 riding.

Things you will learn:  transitions on line, changes of direction on line, sideways without a fence, 7 Games at liberty, transitions at liberty, changes of direction at liberty, advancing your riding with fluidity, focus and transitions in the saddle, more impulsion programs, lead change dynamics, simple lead changes, introducing the snaffle bit, sideways in the saddle, the 9 step backup, opening and closing gates.

Students must be proficient with the natural philosophies taught in the Level 2 Introductory Clinic or in the Level 2 Harmony Pack, and must be able to walk, trot and canter their horses comfortably in an enclosed area.  Space requirements for this clinic are greater and typically require a larger outdoor arena.

For Level 2 Advanced, you will need this equipment:  a Parelli Halter, 12-foot Line, 22-foot Line, Carrot Stick, Savvy String and Natural Hackamore.  You may also want to purchase a bareback pad and a Parelli snaffle bit bridle (optional).  You should bring your saddle and pad.  Study or review of the Parelli Success Series DVDs HorsenalityTM, Seven Games, Safe Ride, Natural Rider, Natural Attraction, Beyond the Round Pen, Calm Ride, and Ride Out as well as the Parelli Patterns (Level 2) will help you get the most out of the clinic and you will advance much faster!  At this level, the Liberty & Horse Behavior pack is an essential complementary tool to help you truly start understanding your horse's behavior and to find the right strategies when playing with him.
 

Clinic and Workshop Rules of Conduct

To ensure that everyone benefits from their time at the clinic or workshops and that you are all set up for success, be aware that the following rules are in force when conducting a Parelli event.  Please understand that these rules exist only to ensure everyone's safety and to preserve the learning environment.

A rider in the clinic must be using a horse that he can handle comfortably on the ground.  Please do not bring a horse that cannot be led or easily touched, or that has no understanding of basic ground education.  The horse must be able to be haltered, led, must be used to humans, can have its feet picked up and does not pose undue danger to other participants.  Young horses (4 years or less) can be admitted with prior permission by the instructor.  If you are not comfortable handling your horse during the clinic, you will have to leave the arena and watch from the sidelines.  There will be no refund for riders that leave the arena.  Stallions are not allowed, no exceptions.  All horses must be started under saddle.  For all other special requests or circumstances, you must contact the instructor prior to the event.

Riders must be at least 18 years old, except if authorized in advance by the instructor.  

You cannot switch horses or riders during the clinic.  If the rider or the horse are unable to complete the clinic, you cannot substitute one or the other.  No refunds will be given for riders that cannot complete the clinic as we cannot be responsible for unforeseen events.  The instructor can ask any participant to leave the arena at any time if she thinks that the participant is disrupting other riders.  No refund will be given in this case, whatever the reason for removing the rider.