A bunch of women from all over Scotland, and even one from England got together in June to gather forces for the first L3 course in Scotland, taught by Eddy Modde, Dutch 3* Parelli Instructor. I dont know what anyone else thought, but I had a ball!

The course began with a mixture of L2 and L3 students ready to soak up savvy. Eddy knew he was in for a tough time as soon as he heard the hysterical laughter erupting from the bothy. The first morning was spent introducing ourselves and our horses, and then showing off our online skills to Eddy so that he could spot our bad habits and how to help us help ourselves. We warmed up how we wanted before being called over to the trailer, where a few of the group cringed at having to perform in front of the group, whereas others took to it like ducks on water. We were encouraged to try something we hadnt done before, perhaps back your horse into the trailer. The purpose was to spot holes in our principle games-friendly, porcupine and driving. To patch those holes we had to go and use our imagination to think of 20 different ways of playing friendly and porcupine, and 10 of driving; Imagination and arithmetic at the same time?! Thankfully the whole group was female.

In the afternoon we saddled up and prepared for some riding-little did we know we would be doing flying lead changes, or at least preparing for them. So, we set off in convoy at walk, trying to feel for our horses footfalls and picking up the correct lead over the logs in the centre of the figure of 8. The convoy picked up speed and began trot, then canter and went on to do simple lead changes. After this the group moved onto rib bending, as some of the horses were falling into turns rather than using their whole body. Or, was it the people who were falling into the turns?

The day ended on a good note. Everyone was happy and had a lot to lick and chew over. The standard for the next 4 days was set.

Tuesday morning started with the usual Q&A session, where everyone had a chance to ask questions, make comments or make requests. Everyone had seen the 4 round pens in the honeycomb, and so liberty was keenly requested. At liberty, respect must be high-on both sides, not just our horses! Before we played at liberty, it was important to get the balance of draw and drive just right. We needed 80% draw and 20% drive, or chances are your horse wont stick around.

So, we headed out to the field where we played online. We played lots of games involving draw. Becky and I were challenged by Eddy to circle our horses while we both stood on the tyres-with 45ft ropes. We were in more of a muddle than the horses were-they were merely perplexed by what on earth was going on. For a good allow, a good send is required. How light can your horse be on the send? Energy, a slight turn with the body and a pointing finger enough? That was our target. Then, does your horse read different levels of energy? How about, how much energy is needed for a depart at the walk, trot and canter?

After everyone had been playing with the send, we dashed to the sandschool to play the property game.

One 40m x 20m sandschool and 6 people with horses. We each had our own plot of sand to care for. If someone else entered your property, you were fully responsible for getting them off your land again. For some, this included people as well as horses! Everyone had great fun with the challenge of playing the seven games in a small area. Becky took to playing extreme friendly with Max by jumping on and climbing all over him. I took to remembering There is no spoon and conquering my issues with jumping on Frankie from the right hand side. Alison and Ellie played with a jump, and Gill and Briar needed to use their imagination to play with a hula hoop. How good is your imagination?

In the afternoon, our task was sideways. What did we have and how can we improve it? Can you ask for sideways with less of a lean and more of a follow my feel. Toes were found to be very useful-point them in the direction of travel and miraculously sideways got better! We were then sent away in pairs to have a go at walk and trot half passes. Remember the most important thing here was to look sexy! Or did I just get the wrong idea?

Lead changes were next. We worked on simple lead changes, either in figures of 8 or on straight lines. Or, if the lead changes werent working, why not? Were druthers the problem? Ingredients are most important so everyone worked on what they felt they and their horses needed to do.

Day three began with simulations. We looked at what our bubbles were like, and worked on sensing other peoples bubbles. Why do some people have big bubbles and others have small ones? What size bubble do you have? Next we tried the same task, walking around, but with our eyes closed. Dont use your eyes-which means no peeking- or your ears. Simply feel! Then, we paired up and mirrored each other. Could the other person take over leadership without a fight or without it being obvious?

Once we had the horses out and warmed up, Eddy called us over to demonstrate with Tara how to combine the yo-yo, circling and squeeze game. We were sent off to play with that or with any of the games on their own. Then, onto circling with six

horses!

 
The owners stood inside a circle of tyres and tried to send all the horses out on a circle, with hilarious consequences. Ellie (the pony) became tangled in all of the ropes as she tried to take the inside track. Lisa lost her footing and tripped up in the tyres. Everybody else was wrapped up in 22ft lines...Oh dear, what a bunch of misfits we were.

The afternoon started with simulations again. This time we had human horses. We had great fun playing about with simple lead changes, flying lead changes, half passes, isolating front end and back end, haunches in and shoulder in-very interesting and useful! We were advised not to speak until the end, when we discovered from our talking horses what they felt. Was it clear what we were asking or did they just do something and hope for the best? Most of us realised we dont use our bodies as much as we should. We rely on legs and hands. Do in our body what we want our horse to do...Duh! How many times have we been told that?!

With the horses we played with lots of different things: isolations- can you move the front end and back end with just your eyes and your bellybutton? ; Direct and indirect rein, getting the movements quicker and lighter; and speeds within gaits. When you have your fast and slow in that gait, medium will be in-between. However, it may not be your horses natural speed within that gait.

Saturday, the penultimate day came with rubbish weather!-horizontal rain. We started off in the living room and we tried out the fluid rein with each other-verbal feedback is very useful. It really helped us understand the concept of asking our horse to stretch into the bit. Eddy then talked over the idea of Liberty Track. The humans guard the centre of the honeycomb while the horses were allowed to move as a herd around the outside track. It was very interesting thing to do. We could see how the herd split into the boys and their mares, and how they defended their girls. We asked for changes of direction several times before moving them into the centre of the honeycomb to catch us. However for Frankie and Max, the problem of this town aint big enough for the both of us arose. As interesting as it was, we didnt need to have any injuries so I jumped in and took Frankie out of the equation. We had lunch then headed back out to have another go at liberty track-this time with Carey, the highly-strung Anglo Arab of mine. She was Eddys for the day. This time went much smoother. We knew what we were doing, so did the horses. I highly recommend watching the DVD. Each time you watch it you spot something new.

The riding that afternoon consisted of sideways with the suspension rein and those good ole duck landings. The sideways with the suspension rein can help calm impulsive horses and cause under-impulsive horses to have a bit more go. The technique of lifting the inside rein and asking for your horse to take a couple of steps sideways proved to be very useful. Soon, Carey was walking happily, whilst others found they did actually have a go button again. Duck landings were preparation for slide stops, though the same concept can be applied to simple lead changes perhaps through canter to walk. The idea was to get the butt of the horse really underneath you. Apparently stickin out your bum and shakin it about isnt the idea anymore.

We woke to fab weather on our last day. Typical! We headed straight out as soon as possible to play with obstacles, and to improve our circling.

(Tara, is she unconfident or sensitized?shelley)

Eddy played with Tara, Shelleys horse, to demonstrate what you could do to help the horse with circling and how to go about asking for canter on the circle when your horse thinks they cant do it. Those with short horses found this very beneficial and went off to have a go themselves. Becky and I were challenged to play with the 45ft rope around our horses zone 2. We had a go at circling and at jumping!

Liberty next! We headed to the round pens and played the seven games at liberty. Everyone had fabulous results. Shelley & Lisa, Alison & Gill, and Becky & I took to circling two horses at a time in the round pen- in the same direction, and in opposite directions. The macho men Frankie and Max had to decide who was going to back down and move into the inside of the circle. The sun shone brightly, and everyone felt very content. A great way to end the morning.

In the afternoon, we rode as usual. Some warmed up with the fluid rein while others practiced tasks from previous days. When Eddy called us in he said  Ive run out of things to do. No worries Eddy! We managed to think of something that would combine working as a group and putting to practice everything wed done during the course-Follow the leader!!! We went into sheds, over bridges, between trees, into trailers, round the round pens, and anything else we could think of. Eddy then took us to do some flying lead changes, which were magnificent- especially Princes. Dont forget the wonderful Pirates of the Caribbean music alongside! Thanks Becky. All feeling satisfied with our lead changes, we went to take some imaginative photos in various different places. These are in the gallery along with other photos of the course.

Once we were all back at the bothy, reminiscing about the past 5 days, we ate cake! Not just any cake though. This was a celebration cake-celebrating Alison Christie passing her level 2! Well Done Alison!

So what did we get from those 5 days? For me, I know where Im going with the rest of my level 3. I found out things about my habits- how I dont allow enough undemanding time online, how I need to lengthen my phase one, and how to expect a lot, accept a little, reward often. These are just a few things I learned. Oh, and not to play silly buggers! A sprained ankle is what you get when you mess about.

So thats some of the things I learned. What about you???