Parelli Game of Contact Course A Huge Success

THREE days of learning, fun and thought-provoking discussion were on the agenda at an enlightening Game of Contact course hosted by Linda Parelli on a summer visit to the UK.

After intensive dressage training, with world renowned dressage instructor Walter Zettl over the last three years, Linda has decoded the secret of getting horses to willingly accept bit contact.

Linda’s skills and in depth knowledge were brought to life in front of more than 150 students, instructors and spectators at the UK Parelli base at Stoneleigh Park.

Said Linda: “I call it the Game of Contact because it’s about the psychology of getting your horse to want to engage mentally, emotionally and physically, causing it to be their idea rather than something forced on them.”

Throughout the three days Linda’s sessions consisted of a mix of classroom based theory, simulations and working with course students and their horses during practical demonstrations.

The Game of Contact naturally solves several riding issues such as horses behind the bit, not coming through and over the back, inactive hind leg, horses afraid of bit, inverting and hollowing out, choppy strides, tongue displacement issues and not wanting to go forward.

“Contact is all about the trust and feel from the horse’s point of view and basically holding hands,” explained Linda.

“It is way more than just about the bit and problems can easily be disguised with bitting and nosebands. We can all have opinions but the horse will tell you what is right and wrong.”

Talking about the responsibility of the rider Linda added: “It is important that rider’s do in their body what they want the horse to do in their body. It is the rider’s seat and energy that does the communicating, when a rider engages their seat, this engages the horse’s hind quarters.”

Covering a broad range of topics from rider body alignment to the correct feel on the rein, the secret of an elastic contact and hand position, Linda held the audience with ease and her natural teaching skills as an educator came to the fore throughout the course.

Fifty percent of the proceeds from the Game of Contact course have been donated to the Parelli Horsemanship Fund helping to create a better world for horses and humans.

For further information contact the Parelli UK team on 0800 0234 813, visit www.Parelli.com or join in the fun at ParelliConnect.com