1/01/2014- Happy New Year!! Can you believe that it is starting over again?!?! Seems like yesterday I was in California for the winter and picking up my new puppy, Sandy the Wonder Pup. Now I have been here in Virginia for a whole six months, I have added two horses to my personal herd, Lil’ Grey and Coco. I also have Wyatt the Road to the Summit colt that will be with me until next September. I also am proud of my new Parelli Saddle that Letisha Glenn and her team built to my design and they did an amazing job building a great saddle. Last year was a big year of growth for me and my horsemanship. Good, Better, Best, Never Let it Rest. Play with your horses and Work on yourself. Really every year is, i guess, but I seem to remember the most recent things much easier. And as we realize all those things we thought we knew or didn’t have any awareness of, it becomes clearer and clearer the growth we are making. The hardest part is not having the words to share the pieces, the little things that have become clearer, the way it feels on the line, reins, in your seat or legs. So as Pat and so many other great horsemen would say, “Set it up and wait.” Set up the learning opportunities for horses and humans to be able to find the answer. I’ve shared about it before that it rarely works to tell anyone anything. And even if and when you do it, it doesn’t mean they are going to be able to hear it. That brings us back to the saying that we are all on our own journey, and we have to allow ourselves, others and our horses to be on their journey. If they need to be uncomfortable or run into pressure to choose growth/change then thats their journey. We shouldn’t allow our emotions to get drawn into their journey. That is the Attitude of Justice.
So how can we do that?! Well thats the question isn’t it. Time and experience sure do help. Don’t you hate that answer? A huge piece that helped me has been spending time around horsemen that are better than me. Taking coaching from them. Observing them over and over and over and over…… That awareness thing again. Observing until I understood what I was seeing so I could strive to be able to do it. And that is where we thank our horses that we have to learn on. Mine was Super Newton over the last year, bless his precious heart. Because once we can do it, we want to be able to reproduce it. And that feels really good once we are able to do it again and again with any horse. So keep setting it up, keep waiting and keep on keeping on. Positive, Progressive and Natural.
So as we move into this new year set goals, write them down, post them where you see them everyday, so you can stay motivated and get help! Stay connected with your play group, an Instructor or two or THREE. Whatever it takes to get you to your goals.
I will be starting off the year with a quick trip to ride with Mr. Parelli in Florida. My goals are focused on learning more about performance level horsemanship and working ranch type horsemanship and skills. I will be continuing to work through the waiting list of horses to come in for development. So if you are wanting help in that form don’t wait to get in touch, please, so we can get you on the list. The Experience Package, aka “Bootcamp”, is still my favorite thing as people have a chance to come in and pace themselves in growing to the next level. I have a few students who have been through that package that are working on writing about their experience so that I can share it with you on my website www.jakespeartreeranch.com. Keep your eyes on the website as I have been adding info and pictures to share with you. I also have the Pear Tree Ranch Facebook page where I share so “Like” us there too!
Stay in touch! I love hearing your updates on your progress and I am happy to help with questions. So shoot me an email or give me a holler on the old cellular phone. And as usual, I look forward to seeing you sooner rather than later!
Jake