Parelli Natural Horsemanship
The Parelli Method of horse training teaches expertise and success with horses based on the way horses relate and communicate in their natural world – hence the term “natural horsemanship.”
The natural approach to horse training is effective with all horse breeds, all disciplines and all styles of riding including Western, dressage, jumping, cross country, drag hunting, polo, racing, or simply happy hacking. It’s been embraced worldwide by horsemen and women of all disciplines and skill levels, from first-time beginners to international competitors and Olympic medalists.
Based on respect for and love of horses – and understanding horse nature and psychology – the Parelli method enables anyone at any level to have fun with horses and achieve amazing results...naturally. Parelli horse training avoids using force, fear, harsh bits or mechanical training aids in favor of love, language and leadership or, said another way: relationship, communication and trustworthiness.
The Parelli method allows horse lovers at all levels and disciplines to achieve success without force, partnership without dominance, teamwork without fear, willingness without intimidation, and harmony without coercion.
Gretchen Arndt
Gretchen is a 2 Star Junior Parelli Instructor.
Gretchen's youth was spent in the barn, enjoying the company of Arabian horses. She trained primarily in dressage and showed to a Regional Top 5 as a youth.
During college, horses continued to draw her interest. She was a member of the equestrian team at Truman State University as she earned a B.S. in Agriculture and a minor in Equine Science. During and after college, Gretchen worked with Tammi Jay and other professional Arabian performance trainers. She has Regional and National experience in several disciplines, including Western pleasure, Hunt, Dressage, and Saddleseat.
In 2003, she was introduced to Parelli Natural Horsemanship, and began an incredible journey towards really understanding the horse. Her focus changed as she attended the Parelli International Study Center in 2004 and 2005. In 2009, she graduated Level 3, and completed an Externship in Pat Parelli's Mastery program.
Now a Two Star Parelli Professional, Gretchen can help students at all levels and in all disciplines build a better relationship with their horses.
Gretchen offers private instruction and small group instruction.
Michelle Manshardt
Michelle is a 3 Star Parelli Instructor.
Michelle has been teaching Natural Horsemanship and dressage for the last 11 years, having been introduced to the Parelli system in 1997, even before there were Levels packs! Prior to her complete immersion into the Parelli program, Michelle started out showing Arabians in a variety of disciplines. She worked for several nationally competitive barns, training horses that won National titles in Dressage, Show Hack, Hunter Pleasure and Hunter O/F.
She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, where she was president of the Prince of Wales Club (the oldest continuously-run equine club) for two years and also managed the annual three-day long charity horse show for two years.
After graduating with a BS in Equine Business Management in 2000, Michelle returned to southern AZ and dove headlong into studying dressage. She was an officer in the Tucson Dressage Club for 5 years and also helped organize and graduated from the year-long USDF “L” program for judge training, judging many local level shows. Outside of dressage she taught Pony Club meetings and helped manage a 30,000 acre cow/calf operation in the summers.
In 2004, Michelle delved into the Parelli Program and hasn’t looked back! She has participated in and coordinated many clinics for three different Parelli Professionals and has spent a total of 30 weeks studying at the Parelli centers, including graduating with distinction from the Extern program and subsequently being invited into the Mastery program. Michelle would love to help you on the next leg of your horsemanship journey!
KELLY MESSERA
Kelly is a 2 Star Junior Parelli Instructor
As long as I can remember I’ve always loved horses. On the way to my kindergarten we would pass a field of horses that included a paint pony. Every day I would tell whoever I was with that the pony was going to be mine. It was not until high school that I finally did convince my parents to help me purchase a horse. I still remember the day that we bought “Al.” I was very excited to finally have a horse of my own to love and ride. Al was an off the track Thoroughbred with a list of baggage a mile long but I loved him and he taught me a lot. It was on his back that I decided that I wanted to always have horses in my life and to make them a career.
After high school I pursued my dream of working with horses by attending college at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC and in 2006 earned a degree in Equine Business Management. While at school I had the honor of participating on the dressage team and riding in the Inter Collegiate Dressage Nationals in Lake Erie, OH. It was at St. Andrews that I was first introduced to Parelli Natural Horsemanship. I had the distinct honor of rooming with an advance Parelli Student who set an example of horsemanship that I had never been exposed to. When I watched her with her horse I knew that the relationship that they had was something that I wanted with my horse.
In 2008 I took a job at the Atwood Ranch where Parelli Protégé Kalley Krickeberg was the head of young horse development. There I was the horse health specialist and oversaw the care of close to 200 horses. Working with Kalley was a life changing experience as it was at Atwood that I decided to continue on the journey of instructorship.
In spring 2009 I participated in an 8 week Horseman’s Class at The Parelli Center in Ocala, FL. Following that I studied for 8 months with Natural Horseman Tony and Jenny Vaught in Fair Play, MO. There I was able to see the practical application of the Principals of Natural Horsemanship applied to colt starting and performance horse training. Winter 2009 I returned to the Center in FL to study first hand in Pat Parelli’s Barn. After 22 weeks in the Parelli Mastery Program and endless years dreaming I earned my 2 Stars as a Licensed Parelli Instructor.
Now out in the field teaching I’m very excited to share what I’ve learned and continue to expand my knowledge. Come join me on this never ending journey as we see where the horse can take us!
THE PARELLI
PROFESSIONAL'S PROMISE
RELATIONSHIP FIRST
I promise to put my relationship with you, my student, first.
And I promise to help you put the relationship with your horse first.
Rather than perfecting the task we will care more about
confidence, trust, motivation and willingness...as true horsemen do.
FOUR SAVVYS
I promise to help you become well-rounded in your savvy
both on the ground and riding.
to prepare you for success at every level,
to read your horse, understand his Horsenality and
develop your savvy skills OnLine, in Liberty, in Freestyle and Finesse.
NEVERENDING SELF-IMPROVEMENT
I promise to inspire and support your quest for never ending self-improvement.
The Parelli Pathway and Savvy Club will guide you to success and
help you measure your progress every step of the way.
Fees
Hourly lesson $65/hr
Lesson package of 4 lessons for $235
Shared hour long lesson with 2 participants $40 each
Shared hour long lesson with 2 participants in package of 4 $288 ($144 each)
Hour and a half lesson $100
Package of 4 Hour and a half lessons $360
Kids under 16 $50/hr
Kids package of 4 lessons for $180
Classes and Workshops are a great value!
Classes are $225 (early bird pricing) for 8 total hours of Instruction
*Discounted Class pricing of $200 for Boarders at The Horse First Farm
Workshops are $120 for 3 hours of focused Instruction
*Discounted Workshop pricing of $90 for Boarders at The Horse First Farm
Kids workshops are $75
**Lesson horses available for an additional $10 per lesson, class, or workshop**
The ‘Licensed Parelli Professional’ name and logo are trademarks of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc.