Parelli Natural Horsemanship Student Excels
Del Mar, CA (March 23, 2011) – Canadian Para-Equestrian Team member Lauren Barwick dominated the Grade II division at the 2011 Dressage Affaire at the Del Mar Horsepark during the CPED13* Para-Equestrian Dressage competition, riding away with the blue ribbon on Off To Paris and the red on Ferdonia 2 in the Individual Test. Barwick also took home top honors in the Freestyle, riding Ferdonia 2 to first place with a high score of 75.167% and earning second on Off To Paris with a 73.333.
Barwick’s success in the Para-Dressage spotlight has been aided by mentor and coach Pat Parelli, founder of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc. Barwick is a Senior Protégé and mentor in the Parelli Natural Horsemanship’s Mastery Program.
“Lauren is an outstanding horsewoman and has the ability to easily connect with her horses,” Parelli said. “At the Dressage Affaire in Del Mar, Lauren had only been riding Off to Paris and Ferdonia for 10 days so it was quite an accomplishment to win first and second in both classes. Lauren knows that building a relationship and developing a great partnership with each horse is paramount, and she is dedicated to putting the horse’s needs first which shows each time she rides.”
Barwick was thrilled with her rides on the new horses. Off to Paris, who spent four years in Germany before coming to Wellington, Florida, was purchased by Equine Canada. Barwick bought Ferdonia 2 from Highlife Farms, a sport horse breeding farm in Orlando.
“Lauren has a natural approach to working with horses and has done very well in our programs,” Parelli said, adding that he and his wife, Linda, have built their Natural Horsemanship program based on in-depth equine psychology and common sense communication techniques between the horse and rider. “Our program is a holistic approach to horse training based on developing a natural relationship by understanding your horse’s nature and how your horse views the world. Lauren has found success with our program and we are really proud of everything she has accomplished.”
Barwick, who grew up in British Columbia, began riding horses as a seven-year-old and rose quickly through the ranks of Pony Club. She competed in eventing and show jumping and dreamed of becoming a professional stunt person specializing in horsemanship. In 2000, however, Barwick’s life was changed when a bale of hay from a stack fell on her and broke her back, paralyzing her from the waist down. Thanks to her “can do” attitude, one year after her accident Barwick switched her focus to the sport of Para-Equestrian.
In 2008, Barwick was a Gold and Silver medalist at the Beijing Paralympic Games and now has her sights set on London in 2012. Barwick participated in the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, where she also was thrilled to be part of the Parelli demo team. Barwick said she is a strong believer that the principles of Parelli Natural Horsemanship helps horses build the kind of foundation necessary for a performance horse to achieve their optimum potential.
“The sky’s the limit for Lauren with her two new horses, and I can’t wait to see her in London in 2012,” Parelli said. “Lauren is a true inspiration and we are thrilled that she is part of our Parelli team.”
Parelli added that he was also thrilled for another one of his Parelli students, Jody Schloss of Canada. Schloss won the Grade Ia Team Test and the Freestyle aboard Inspector Rebus. “Jody was the overall winner for the Grade Ia division at the Dressage Affaire and we are so proud of her also,” Parelli said.
For more information on Parelli Natural Horsemanship, visit the website www.parelli.com.
About Parelli
The Parelli Program, founded in 1981 by lifelong horseman and teacher Pat Parelli, combines in-depth equine psychology and common sense communication techniques into the ultimate recipe for horse and rider success. The Parelli method allows horse owners at all levels of experience to achieve success without force, partnership without dominance and harmony without coercion. Pat and wife Linda’s mission is to make the world a better place for horses and humans, working to inspire, empower and educate through natural horsemanship. Their award-winning educational TV series can be seen on cable and satellite in the USA and UK. To learn more about Parelli, visit www.parelli.com.
For more information contact:
Parelli Natural Horsemanship
Toll Free: 855-PARELLI