I moved to Austin from California in 1998. At the time I had one horse who had just broken a splint bone in her rear leg. I was going to retire Heidi anyway as she was 27yo at the time. I sent her to a friend's place in Northern CA and headed to Texas without my constant companion for the last 18 years. Needless to say I was in counseling within a few months. My friend was no longer able to care for Heidi and so on Thanksgiving that first year we rented a trailer and drove out to pick her up. Heidi fully recovered from her injury and enjoyed her final 7 years in retirement here in Texas. I am sad that I did not discover Parelli until after she was gone and I hope she will forgive me for being such a 'normal' owner.

I had always been horse 'shopping' after we lost my dad's Appy gelding in 1992, but never found a good replacement. Since I could not ride Heidi anymore I wanted to find another horse and lurked around on AgDirect. I saw an ad for a 'Cass Ole' registered Arabian mare. There wasn't a price or even a picture, but I called anyway and drove up to Waxahachie just to 'look'. There I saw a green broke 4yo grey mare that I had no intention of buying, but when I was asked how much I would pay I casually said $800 and before I knew what happened the lady shouted SOLD! That is how I ended up with 'DL Gazelle Ale'. She is a typical right-brained extrovert and her sensitivity makes me look good.

I found my next horse on AgDirect as well and although I was not really in the market for another horse I could not resist buying 'Rose'. At the time her name was Rouge. She was an unbroke 2yo and the prettiest thing I had ever seen so I tried the same technique and ended up buying my second horse for $800. I kept her a secret from my hubby for several weeks as I knew he would not be happy about the acquisition. She is a complete opposite as a left-brained introvert but this has made me better at learning and teaching.



In 2004 I went to my first Parelli tour stop in San Antonio. Of course their marketing worked like magic on me and I signed up with the Savvy Club and attended the Parelli Conference in Pagosa Springs. There I bought the 'new' Level 1 pack and I've attended every tour stop for the last 4 years. This year in Belton I was motivated by a Savvy Club in East Texas to start networking here in Austin.

I attended a one day clinic with Sharron Lindy in Georgetown and I have taken a clinic with Christi Rains and some private lessons with Kerri Joosten. I have passed my Level 1 and my goal is to pass Level 2 at the next assessment clinic at Kerri's. I love to 'help' others with their Parelli journey and having a support group was invaluable to me on my path toward enlightenment!


pictured above: Pretty Rose