Level 2 Adv/Level 3 Clinic - August 26-30, 2009, Bowlus, MN       

by:  Cheryl A.

“Expect alot, accept a  little and reward often”… was the focus, not only for our horses, but also for ourselves in our 5 day clinic with Nita Jo. Even the weather cooperated, giving us day after day a beautiful Indian summer. The volunteers were outstanding and did a wonderful job!

L2 Adv/L3 is definitely moving into a “New Level of Incompetence”.  Refining by doing less to get more, to get lighter and smoother and going back to Level 1 with excellence. As Pat says, “Level 2 is just a better Level 1 and Level 3 is an even better Level 1”.

Nita Jo’s consistent statement of “remember it’s a process to the product, not the product first”, was the theme for all of us. Most of us found we really needed to improve and move our Circling Game to the next level, getting a nice respectful send and a soft allow. At one time during the clinic, four of us actually got our horses to play the Circling Game all together with us standing back to back and our horses moving out at a trot. It took a few times, but all of us including our horses found their place and harmony together to make it work. It was awesome!

We had many firsts, like first bareback ride, first trail ride, opening gates, backing thru keyholes. We played and worked on our Liberty skills, Impulsion Games, Transitions and Leading from Zone 5!!!! There were challenges and successes in every aspect of the Games. Confidence levels in horses and humans were built up every day.

We had a great variety of horsenalities and personalities. RBE’s to LBI’s, from the coolest little pinto pony to a Level 4 dressage horse and everything in between, with a common denominator being that we ALL want the ultimate goal, “To be in harmony and partnership with our horses”. Doing what is best for them and ourselves.

Confidence building, emotional fitness, challenges, problem solving, compliments and refining us, as horsepeople was Nita Jo’s goal in helping us achieve our goals. One thing we all know is that without the Professional eye and wisdom it would be harder and take longer to achieve the level of “horse-man-ship” each one of us strives for. And as always, this program is “Way more than riding, way more than horses, it is a program in Continuing Self Development”.

Thanks Nita Jo from, Cathy and Matrix, Lisa and Beamer, Julie and Lulu, Diane and Jordan, Sally and Rainy, Cheryl and Izzie.