Parelli Games SAVVY SPOTLIGHT Imagine playing a sport with horses that is non-predatory, encourages growth and excellence and develops within everyone the spirit to achieve and hearten others... The Savvy Spotlight is one of the four elements of the Parelli Games, a sport conceived by Pat Parelli for Parelli students seeking fun activities, social connection and personal excellence. The first official Parelli Games featuring the Savvy Spotlight will be featured during the Parelli Celebration events in 2009. Entries are welcomed from Parelli Savvy Club Members of Level 1 and above (official or self assessed). What is the Savvy Spotlight? Much like a private savvy team, it puts you in the spotlight to have fun with your horse and show us what you can do as a result of studying the Parelli Program. You can participate on your own with your horse or with family or friends as a pair or team in our Free Form class! 1. Join the Savvy Club 2. Choose your Class (5 Classes - On Line, Liberty, FreeStyle, Finesse or Free Form). 3. Choose your music (one song with two in reserve). 4. Design your performance. 5. Include the required compulsories (Seven Games). How long do you have? You will have anywhere from 1 to 3 songs to show us your savvy. (Approximately 3 to 9 minutes) Towards the end of the first song the assessor(s) will decide whether or not they would like to see a second song. If the assessor approves, you will hear an electronic horse whinny to let you know you will have ANOTHER song to show us your Savvy. Again, you will hear a horse whinny if the assessor would like for you to continue on to the third and final song. A helpful hint is to prepare a beginning, middle, and end for EACH of your three songs. At the end of any song, the assessor will applaud to signal the end of your spotlight. After this, you will approach the assessor to receive your comments and score. What are evaluators looking for? They will be looking for the quality of the relationship between you and your horse and a display of the savvy you have achieved together. It should be enjoyable to watch no matter what the level, and rather than fancy tricks the judges will be looking for harmony, skill level and originality. Marks will be awarded as follows: Horsemanship 60% Showmanship 40% 1. Relationship...35% 3. Use of Time & Space...20% 2. Savvy, Use of the Seven Games...25% 4. Creativity & Imagination...20% Horsemanship: This is about what you are able to do as well as what you do if things don t go as planed. The Seven Games should be evident and the relationship with your horse is paramount - trusting, responsive, respectful. Showmanship: The music, the props, the use of the arena, how you engage the audience, originality, spontaneity, the fun or beauty of what you are doing. 1
What do the different scores receive? In the Parelli Games and in the Savvy Spotlights, EVERYONE is a winner. The only person you challenge yourself against...is yourself! Opposite to the normal world, everyone has an opportunity to qualify for the first level. 1% to 39% = Red Ribbon Bonus Points 40% to 69% = Blue Ribbon 1 to 20 = Black & Blue Ribbon 70% to 89% = Green Ribbon 21 to 50 = Black & Green Ribbon 90 % to 100% = Black & Red Ribbon Bonus Points: Any participant can be awarded from 1 to 50 bonus points for superior performance. Who are the evaluators? In 2009 the evaluators will be nominated by Pat Parelli. This is not a test, it is your chance to show off what you have learned and to inspire others to want to do the same with their horse. We already see many similar performances sent in by students on DVD as a tribute to what they ve learned, and there are hundreds of examples on YouTube! And at every Parelli event we receive numerous requests from students wanting to be on the Savvy Team but we hardly ever have enough room. The Savvy Spotlight is the answer for this and it gives students who have performance or competitive inclinations an outlet for their ambition without having to resort to normal competition. What level should I be? As long as you are a Savvy Club Member, you can be any level - Level 1, 2, 3, 4 and above. You can even be a Parelli Professional and participate! You will not be judged against others, but on the merits of your own performance. The Savvy Spotlight is not about winners and losers, it s about having your achievements recognized and on display to inspire others, much as the savvy team has always done. But you don t need to have great expertise to be in it, this is not just for superstars. The whole point about Parelli is that no matter where you are in your horsemanship, there is something inspirational for others about your journey. What are the compulsories? The compulsories are the Seven Games. What about age? Participants must be between 6 and 80 years old. Horses must be sound and in good condition, and if ridden must be a minimum of 4 years old. How about the Free-Form, how does that work? Some people prefer to play with one or multiple horses in all four savvys. Others prefer to play with others rather than be in the spotlights themselves. This class is for both kinds! Design a Savvy Spotlight with two, three, four or a whole team of horses and/ or friends and horses. You can choose and use number of the Four Savvys. Again, you have one song and will be awarded another song if the crowd wants to see more. What if things go wrong? Just like what happens to Pat & Linda, you put the relationship with your horse first and take care of his needs rather than try to go on with the show and pretend nothing is happening. This will give you points too! 2
Is there a way to lose points? Yes. The following would be considered demerits : Unnatural or harsh equipment (see application form) Lack of exuberance - unhappy horse, negative expression, excessive tail swishing. Micromanagement (vs some responsibility on the horse s part) Lack of obedience Tricks rather than communication. (The definition of a trick is a micromanaged and robotic repetition of a behavior that has no application to purpose and communication and doesn t seem natural for the horse. Breaking a Zip Tie when playing On Line or in Finesse. To test the lightness and strength of bond with which you play with your horse, we will supply you with zip ties for each point of contact (either where your lead line attaches to the halter, or where your reins attach to your bridle). The first zip tie is a small zip tie that will break with 5 lbs/2 kgs of pressure. The second is a safety zip tie that will hold up to 75 lbs/ 35 kgs of pressure. Breaking the first zip tie will result in being scored in a lower category. Savvy Spotlight Fees/Charges 1. Savvy Club Membership 2. Each participant must have a valid Celebration ticket. 3. Stall rental for the weekend - Varies for each venue. 4. Entry Fee - $20USD / AU$20 per class. a. $5 for Each Additional Team Member for Free Form entries. 5. Shavings will be available at the venue. Fees vary for each venue. 6. RV hookups available at some of the venues. Details available upon selection. What do I do next? If you are interested in participating here s what you need to do: 1. Download the Application form (PDF) 2. Fill out the application and click submit. 3. If you are selected, the Parelli office will call you to confirm your participation and process your payment. 4. We will then send you the final details for the event. 5. You will need to provide Coggins records and a valid health certificate for your horse. 3
Savvy Spotlight Free Form Application For entries with more than one person Location (City, State):* Contact Info Team Name:* Team Leader:* Address:* City:* State:* Zip:* Sex: r M r F Savvy Club #:* Age: We wish to apply for following Savvy Spotlight Class 5: Free From r Level 1-2 r Level 3-4 r Level 5-6 ENTRY FEE $20 EACH ADDITIONAL MEMBER $5 Note: Entries are limited. Those not selected will be placed on an alternate list. Music Song #1:* Artist:* Time: Song #2:* Artist:* Time: Song #3:* Artist:* Time: Alternate Song:* Artist:* Time: Note: Songs must be suitable for the public, including children, and legally reproduced. Maximum length of each song is 3.30 minutes. We will download and have your music prepared on a playlist. Once selected, you will be unable to change your music. You are guaranteed a minimum of 1 song. See pages 1 and 2 of this application for more details. Arena Props I will be using: r Barrels r Poles r Tarp r Cones r Hula Hoop r Pedestal r Trailer r Ball r Play Pen r other Note: Standard Parelli arena props available for use at the event include10 Barrels, 6 Poles, 2 pedestals, 6 hula hoops, 2 horse ball, 50 play pen. Please bring any other props you will need and make sure they are listed above. You will have 1 minute to set up your props and to clear them. 4
Team Member A Name:* r Student r Parelli Professional Age: Team Member B Name:* r Student r Parelli Professional Age: Team Member C Name:* r Student r Parelli Professional Age: 5
Team Member D Name:* r Student r Parelli Professional Age: Team Member E Name:* r Student r Parelli Professional Age: Team Member F Name:* r Student r Parelli Professional Age: 6
Team Member G Name:* r Student r Parelli Professional Age: Number of Courses cumulatively attended at Parelli Center:* Details: Number of Clinics cumulatively attended with Parelli Professionals:* Instructors names: Parelli Educational materials owned / studied: r Our horses do not have any physical injuries, impairments or illnesses. Our horses are not over or under weight and are in good physical condition.* Note: We reserve the right to prevent any horse from performing if they do not meet these conditions or if we feel it is detrimental to their health. r By checking this box, I agree the above information is accurate and correct to the best of my knowledge.* Save this PDF and email it as an attachment to spotlight@parelli.com. Please indicate venue city and state in the subject of your email. 7