PARELLI CAPTURES HORSE'S HEART AT
"IN A WHISPER" CHALLENGE
In 106 degree heat in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, three of the world's top
equine clinicians demonstrated their colt-starting expertise in front of a
crowd of 2,000 hot but happy people.
"We're all winners," said first-place Josh Lyons. "Pat Parelli, Craig
Cameron and I all had different horses and different techniques, but we all
won."
Long-time trainer and respected horseman Jack Brainard said, "Pat Parelli
showed us how to invest in a colt for the future, not just for today. He's
put a real foundation on that colt."
The three gentlemen spent two hours and 15 minutes in round pens with
two-year-old colts that were not even halter-broke. Pat Parelli took his
time playing with the roan bay colt, using Parelli Natural Horsemanship
ground techniques before putting the saddle on during the last 20 minutes
before the competition began. "I'm glad to see the old methods being
replaced with this new Natural Horsemanship," said Texas rancher Bob
Morehouse. "Pat's got the toughest colt out there," said horse trainer and
clinician Chris Cox. "But I think that's what Pat likes!"
After the round pens were removed, Craig Cameron was the first to take his
colt through the challenge course. The obstacles included roping and
dragging a bale of hay; doing a figure-eight around barrels; a zig-zag pole
course; taking the horse in three gaits in each direction; stopping,
standing and backing; walking or jumping the horse over a raised pole; and
dragging a log. Extra points were awarded for creativity.
Pat Parelli was the second contestant. After completing the course, he went
for extra points by side-passing his horse to the gate, standing up on the
horse's back, taking his shirt off and swinging it over his head! The crowd
loved Pat's showmanship (not to mention courage) and rewarded it with
resounding applause.
Three judges had the difficult task of placing these three gentlemen. The
initial colt starting process was not judged; only the challenge course
portion of the event was given points. The final placement was Josh Lyons
first, Craig Cameron second, and Pat Parelli third. "I wanted to win the
horse's heart," said Pat Parelli, "not necessarily the competition. This
horse needs to go on to be a good working horse tomorrow and every day after
that --- not just win this competition tonight."
Pat's closing comments to the crowd were, "Remember, keep it Natural, and
may the Horse be with you!" And as Josh Lyons so eloquently said, "We're all
winners!"
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