L'ann�e 2012 tire � sa fin.  Ce fut dans mon cas, une ann�e charg�e d'�motions, de grands d�fis et de r�flexion.  Il y a des moments comme �a dans la vie o� les choses ne se d�roulent pas comme on l'aurait souhait�, et cela malgr� l'�laboration d'un plan et de strat�gies qui semblaient r�alistes!  Ma patience, mes capacit�s � me concentrer sur mes objectifs et � demeurer souple face aux obstacles ont certainement �t� mis � l'�preuve cette ann�e!  La bonne nouvelle, c'est que j'en sors renouvel�e, grandie, consciente de ma force int�rieure et de ma capacit� � faire face aux difficult�s, reconnaissante envers tous ceux qui m'ont appuy�e, mais aussi mieux dispos�e � me lib�rer des choses et des gens qui n'ont plus d'impact positif dans ma vie.

Mon s�jour en Floride l'hiver dernier a �t� productif.  J'ai pu, entre autres, d�velopper ma nouvelle jument Blue Moon, participer � la formation d'un groupe enthousiaste de futurs Instructeurs Parelli 1 et 2 �toiles et suivre moi-m�me des cours de perfectionnement pour am�liorer ma posture � cheval.  Le bon contr�le de sa position � cheval et de son corps prend de plus en plus d'importance au fur et � mesure qu'on avance en tant que cavalier, et s'inscrit dans l'optique de l'am�lioration continue; j'ai pris conscience qu'il me fallait acqu�rir une assiette encore plus souple et plus centr�e pour les prochaines �tapes de mon d�veloppement en tant que femme de cheval.  J'ai donc profit� de mon s�jour aux �tats-Unis pour �tudier avec deux ma�tres en la mati�re:  Janice Dulak (Pilates for the Dressage Rider) and Colleen Kelly (Rider Biomechanics), qui sont aussi professeures de Linda Parelli. 

J'avais esp�r� profiter de ce s�jour en pays chaud pour officialiser mon Niveau 4 Parelli, mais les choses ont tourn� autrement.  J'ai d� me r�soudre � remettre � plus tard cet objectif et � trouver le moyen de faire mes auditions une fois de retour au Qu�bec.  Ce fut tout un d�fi � relever, et j'y suis parvenu, non sans avoir � travailler tr�s fort et � me relever plus d'une fois.  Finalement, apr�s avoir �t� la premi�re d�tentrice du Niveau 3 (en 2003) et la premi�re Instructeure Parelli Agr��e (2005), je suis aujourd'hui la premi�re d�tentrice du Niveau 4 au Qu�bec.  J'ai r�ussi Finesse et Freestyle avec Menina, puis suite � sa mise au repos pr�coce, j'ai pu terminer On Line et Liberty avec Blue Moon.  Vous pouvez lire tous les d�tails de cette histoire sur mon blogue.

Toujours dans l'optique d'une �ventuelle certification pour enseigner le Game of ContactTM, j'ai eu le privil�ge d'assister Amy Bowers, Instructeur Parelli Agr�� 4 �toiles certifi�e par Linda Parelli, au cours du premier stage Game of Contact canadien en avril dernier.  Malgr� son jeune �ge, Amy est une excellente formatrice et une cavali�re dou�e, et ce fut un r�el plaisir d'enseigner sous sa direction.

L'int�r�t pour Parelli au Qu�bec cro�t, mais l'engagement � participer aux formations demeure bien timide.  Le stage Initiation de mai au Lac Brome, mut� en atelier sans chevaux (� part celui qui m'a gentiment �t� pr�t� pour une d�monstration), a suscit� l'enthousiasme d'une vingtaine de personnes pr�sentes; j'ose esp�rer que plusieurs d'entre elles ont �t� inspir�es et vont poursuivre leur formation.  Par contre, le programme d'enseignement par vid�o gagne en popularit� et j'ai de plus en plus d'�l�ves qui en profitent; la majorit� d'entre eux r�sident d'ailleurs en Europe.  Il faut croire que le dicton dit vrai, nul n'est proph�te en son pays!

Je vous souhaite un merveilleux Temps des F�tes et n'h�sitez pas � m'�crire pour me faire part de vos commentaires, id�es et suggestions!

Naturellement,
Genevi�ve Benoit
Instructeur Parelli Agr�� 3 �toiles et Sp�cialiste des selles Parelli
Click and Find Me!

Game of Contact avec Amy Bowers

2012 Recap!
2012 is coming to an end. It has been for me a year filled with emotion, great challenges and introspection. There are times like this in life when things just won't go as planned, not matter how well you have prepared! My patience, my ability to keep focusing on my objectives and to remain flexible when faced with obstacles have certainly been tested this year! The outcome is positive:  as a result,  I have been able to renew my commitments, to grow as an individual and to take stock of my inner strength and my ability to face challenges.  I am grateful for all the wonderful people who supported me, but I am also learning to let go of things and people who no longer have a positive impact in my life.

My winter in Florida was productive.  Among other things, I was able to put a foundation on my new mare Blue Moon, to participate in the training of an enthusiastic group of upcoming 1 Star and 2 Star Parelli Instructors and to focus on improving my riding posture as part of my own continuous education.  Good control of our position and body while riding becomes increasingly important as we advance, and fits in with the principle of never ending self-improvement. I realized that I needed to improve my seat, to become stronger, suppler and more centered in order to keep progressing as a horsewoman. I took advantage of my stay in the USA to study with two masters of rider posture: Janice Dulak (Pilates for the Dressage Rider) and Colleen Kelly (Rider Biomechanics), who are also both teaching Linda Parelli.

The warm weather of the South should have provided ample opportunity to complete my Level 4 auditions, but things did not quite work out that way. I had to postpone my goal and find a way to prepare and film Level 4 back in Quebec. It was quite the challenge, and I succeeded, but this project ended up requiring huge time and effort, and the strength to get up more than once.  Finally, after having been the first Level 3 Graduate (2003) and the first Licensed Parelli Instructor (2005), I am now the first Level 4 Graduate in Quebec. I passed Finesse and Freestyle with Menina, and following her early retirement, I completed On Line and Liberty with Blue Moon. You can read it about it on my blog.

Still aiming for a future certification as Game of ContactTM Instructor, I had the privilege of assisting  Amy Bowers, Licensed Parelli 4 Star Instructor and Certified to teach Game of Contact, at the first course held in Canada last April. Despite her youth, Amy is an outstanding instructor and gifted rider, and it was a real pleasure to work under her guidance.

There is growing interest for Parelli in Quebec and Ontario, but here in Quebec, the commitment to attending clinics remains quite timid. The Get Started clinic held in May in Lac Brome, converted to a one day horseless workshop (except for the horse graciously loaned for a demo), was very well received by the 20 or so students who attended; I hope they got inspired enough to continue learning the program. On the other hand, the Video Coaching Program is gaining momentum and I have a growing number of students who are benefiting from this format, most of whom are in Europe.

As a result of the survey sent out earlier this fall, I will modify my service offerings for Parelli training, which is still at the center of my work and remains a subject that I am passionate about!  I also have a few new ideas swirling in my head that will take shape shortly. However, the Parelli program needs you commitment as well to be able to grow, first and foremost as participants.  We also need more motivated students that are willing to invest a bit of time and effort to organize clinics! Clinics remain the ideal format to share this wonderful program with the greatest numbers, to build a support network of like minded people and to offer affordable training opportunities in a large number of areas. No instructor can possibly offer suitable courses on such a large territory without the help of dedicated students who are ready to engage in the growth of the program. I invite you to think about organizing a clinic at a barn near you. You will find on my web site under Downloads detailed documentation to help you get started and we have put together a system to support you which includes forms, checklists and even a poster template. Don't forget that the clinic organizer can participate at no charge if the clinic meets the minimum number of participants. 

Please note I am available for clinics throughout the country, and since I have already made plans to be in Ontario in June for the Horse & Soul Tour Stop, I am taking Ontario bookings starting June 10th.

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season and I would love to read your comments, ideas and suggestions!

Naturally,

Vous �tes d�termin�s � continuer � progresser cet hiver?  Vous avez acc�s � un man�ge int�rieur?  Je vous offre une belle occasion pour la p�riode hivernale D�cembre � Mars - un bloc de 12 heures de cours pour 780$ (plus taxes) est offert � tous les �l�ves membres de Parelli Connect qui sont situ�s dans un rayon de 250 km du code postal G3H 1M4.  Vous choisissez comment utiliser vos heures de cours et � quelle fr�quence!   
Contactez-moi pour vous inscrire.

You are determined to continue learning this winter?  You have access to an indoor arena?  I am offering all Parelli members within 250 km of postal code G3H 1M4 a super deal for the winter December to March - a 12 hour lesson package for $780 (plus applicable taxes).  You choose how to use your hours and when!
Email me to subscribe.
Please note that travel fees apply and will be split equally between students taking lessons at the same location.