In many cases, a difficult horse becomes an “at-home” project, focusing on nothing more than ridability and sometimes setting aside the competition ring altogether. But for local riders like Johnny Robb and Micaela Love, who have experienced unimaginable accomplishments through Parelli Natural Horsemanship, limiting their competitive goals was never a consideration. Both riders recently achieved United States Dressage Federation (USDF) medals, riding their so-called “difficult” horses, Zerbino Interagro and Quest.
After meeting Pat and Linda Parelli at the World Equestrian Games in 2010, adult amateur dressage rider Robb began participating in Parelli programs and developed a profound respect for the training techniques and the horse and rider communication and trust that the programs built. With Parelli’s help, Robb introduced her Lusitano gelding Zerbino to the Parelli techniques.
Before Robb and Zerbino began the Parelli program, Zerbino was known for his insecurities in the dressage ring. Now, Zerbino boasts two IALHA Grand Prix Reserve National Championship titles and Robb’s USDF Gold Medal.
The next time Robb saw a horse who was considered “too difficult,” she stopped to take a second look. This horse was, Quest, a chestnut gelding with a tricky bucking habit. He was called “crazy,” but Robb could see something else in him.
This is where Robb’s and Love’s paths would cross, creating another amazing horse and rider partnership. Love has been a Parelli believer since age 12, but although she always understood the power of natural horsemanship, it wasn’t until meeting Quest that she saw just how much Parelli could do.
Parelli Natural Horsemanship uses strategies to help horses and their owners overcome the panic default, thus allowing the horse to become a more willing partner.
To learn more about Parelli Natural Horsemanship, visit www.parelli.com.
ABOVE: Linda Parelli (center) of Parelli Natural Horsemanship helped local dressage riders Johnny Robb (left) and Micaela Love (right) overcome barriers to earn USDF medals.
