2014 Accomplishments

Greetings from the Parelli Education Institute...
2013 was the first full year of operation for the Parelli Education Institute, and a full, busy
year it was. I thought you would be interested in hearing what we’ve been up to, and
learning a little bit more about the significant work being done by our wonderful educators
and volunteers across the country. Believe me, it’s been a whirlwind!
Fundraising Outreach
This year we welcomed our first donors into the Pegasus Circle, honoring their
legacy gift donations to the Institute. These are individuals who understand the
importance of structuring a legacy gift as part of their will, trust, or life insurance
policy. Contributing legacy donors will be invited to an annual private gathering
with Linda and Pat Parelli.
Fundraising continues to be a focus for our instructors, who gave generously of their time in 2013, holding
two dozen fundraisers and raising nearly $40,000 including $12,000 from the tremendous Texas Rally
Round Up. We’d like to thank all of our instructors who held fundraisers in 2013, including:
Debbie Adcock
Meggie & Steve Andrews
Kerri April
Julia Bell
Matthew Bohman
Jerilyn Caldwell
Alex Denzik
Patty Devencenzi
Ashley Dudas
Dave & Jody Ellis
Isabelle Farmer
Robin Harris
Anna Hill
Don Jessop
Richard Knapp
Bekah Koutsos
Cath Langley
David Lichman
Jodie Newell
Carlos Osorio
Maureen & Todd
Owen
Julie Payne
Christi Rains
Dan & Christa Roser
Dawn Roth
Tiffany Rowe
Nita Jo Rush
Teri Sprague
Patty Woodyard
The 3rd Annual Ellis Cow Working Event Susan Nelson
Maurice Thibault
As you’re doing year-end financial planning or looking ahead to 2014, please keep the Institute in mind for
donations and contributions. Whether small or large in size, we appreciate every dollar, and we will make
sure they're wisely spent.
Tour Stops & Summit
In 2013, we presented and manned a
booth at 10 events: Tour Stops as well as
the Summit. All were staffed with
instructors, volunteers, and our Campus
Administrator Ann Kiser. I traveled to
every single Tour Stop in 2013, and
enjoyed meeting many of you. As you
can see from the schedule below, in 2013
we crisscrossed the entire U.S.
January
Decatur, AL
April
Queen Creek, AZ
May
Rancho Murrieta, CA
May
Des Moines, IA
May
Lexington, KY
June
London, Ontario
June
September
September
October
October
Denver, CO
Pagosa Springs, CO
Mesquite, TX
Upper Marlboro, MD
Tunica, MS
Therapeutic Horsemanship: Horses Helping Humans
In August, we held a very successful Horses Helping Humans clinic at InStride Ranch in Florida, led by
Donna Blem, Executive Director of InStride and Parelli Professional, and co-taught by Shannon and
Richard Knapp and Parelli Professional Dawn Roth.
This was the first-ever clinic teaching Parelli Professionals the principles of therapeutic horsemanship
programs, and teaching therapeutic horsemanship staffers the basics of how Parelli natural
horsemanship can help their programs. We had 23 in attendance; with 18 supported by our scholarships.
These programs continue to help children with physical and learning disabilities, veterans coping with
post-traumatic stress disorder, and teens looking for a natural way to improve their communication and
social skills. To see the impact this is having on participants is truly life transforming! We are proud to
help educate people who are passionate about both sides of the equation, as to how Parelli natural
horsemanship and therapeutic programs can create great synergy.
We welcome Kris Batchelor from NC, the hard working volunteer leader of our Therapeutic Programs.
Lauren Barwick
Our wonderful Parelli instructor and Institute spokesperson, Lauren
Barwick, a Canadian gold and silver medal winner in the Paralympics,
conducted four presentations for us in 2013 in Florida, New Hampshire,
and Ohio. These culminated with her appearance in Orlando at the
PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship)
International Conference. Lauren inspired the crowd with her incredible
connection with her horses. After her awesome performance, the
audience gave her a standing ovation; which was well deserved! We
hope to support more of Lauren's presentations; contact us if you would
like to host one.
Youth Programs
Under the leadership of Ashley Hayes, our volunteer
Youth Program coordinator, things are taking shape! In
January, our committee will be traveling to Bend,
Oregon to learn about youth specialties from Kali and
Les Kiger and their very successful program: Pony
Pros.
Several Youth Adventure Camps, with 2-day advance
workshops for Parelli Professionals, are also in the
works for 2014. Many Licensed Parelli Professionals
who are passionate about teaching kids and young
people are now listed on our web site. And, we have a
Yahoo group dedicated to homeschooling with natural
horsemanship. This active group of parents is
exchanging ideas on the subject every day.
Horse Welfare Programs
Under the volunteer leadership of Tammy Barth, we are putting the finishing touches on our first
"Rehoming For Life" pilot clinic to be taught by Parelli Instructors John and Kathy Baar, tentatively at the
world-famous rescue, Best Friends Horse Haven, in Utah this March. Also, thanks to extensive research
by Marilee Donavon, more than 200 equine related internet websites were reviewed to determine the top
horse welfare issues in the United States, and on our web site we have collection of great resources that
are addressing those issues.
Grand Educational Giveaway
This year, we distributed more than 428 packs of Parelli educational
materials to therapeutic centers, horse rescue organizations and youth
groups, around the world, giving away $1 million of value in natural
horsemanship educational materials to promote our mission. Grand
prize recipients will be announced December 14, 2013 at the Annual
Benefit in Ocala, and on our web site. Our volunteer team worked
hard at this project all year, culminating in our Office Manager Kathy
Giordano and her husband Mike packing and shipping hundreds of kits
from our small office in Arizona!
The Pagosa Springs, Colorado Campus
2013 was our first season managing the Pagosa Springs, Colorado campus and it was a success! We
managed the campus through smoke from forest-fires and some heavy rain and mud; persevering
through it all to keep our educators and students on track to complete their training. We had more than
185 students participate in 2013 Institute courses, and we thank each of you. At the Institute, our Extern
and Intern courses are now approved vocational programs by the State Board of Education in Colorado.
New Courses in 2014
We’re adding some terrific new courses for 2014, including:
 “Colt Start” led by Pat Parelli himself, and hosted at a special ranch in Texas. Space for auditors
still available.
 “Advanced Liberty” lead by 5* Master Instructor David Lichman & 5th generation circus trainer
Katja Schuman. Space for auditors still available.
 “Instructor Horsemanship” with 6* Master Instructor Carol Coppinger
 “Horsenality/Humanality” led by the original duo Patrick Handley and Linda Parelli
So whether you are a Parelli Professional, aspiring to be, or a Parelli follower sincere about advancing
your horsemanship learning, we have a course for you.
2014 Road to the Summit
The 2014 Road to the Summit is underway, launched by
the generous donation of eight colts from Atwood Ranch in
California. Eight Parelli instructor teams are working with
these colts, leading up to a series of competitions and
exhibitions at next year’s Summit. On the last day of the
Summit, the colts will be auctioned off, with 30% of the
proceeds going to the instructor teams in appreciation of
their year of work and expenses, and 70% coming to the
Parelli Education Institute.
Organization & Administration
All of these events and activities wouldn’t be possible without a solid organization, administration,
instructors and volunteers. We held 50 weekly “all hands” working group teleconferences,
three full-day board meetings, along with many planning and idea sessions, creating our
road-map to success. It paid off in so many ways, including managing our organization
within budget and receiving the coveted Guide Star Silver Recognition award.
And last but not least…….
We couldn’t do all this great work without our wonderful
volunteer teams spread out across the country. Thanks to all of you who
helped us so much. We appreciate your commitment to the Parelli
Education Institute! With all this going on, I didn’t get much time to ride my
horses this year (pictured here on a ride with my mom), but I eagerly
anticipate the good things that we will all do together in the future. Have a
wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2014.
Lori Northrup, Executive Director
716-474-7580
[email protected] Thanks to our volunteers, staff and past volunteers, all of whom have been a huge part of making 2013 such a success:
CURRENT VOLUNTEERS Sue Weir Jones; Kris Batchelor; Tammy Barth; Ashley Edmonds Hayes; Dan Rexroad; Anita
Dolan; Seth Burgess; Anna Hill; Brian Inman; Kathryn A. Smith; Mary Mielczarek; Marilee Donovan; Lorraine Filoseta;
Valerie Bennett; Nancy Meyers; Kelly Cozby; Lisa Trueblood; Becky Giacomazzi; Kristi Smith; Donna Blem;
Shannon Knapp; Cindy Skelton-Hodge; Michelle Fetters; Debbie Adcock; Holly Williams; Jean Wyer; Jean Denson;
Elizabeth Cabral; Karen Swim. EMPLOYEES: Ann Kiser; Kathy Giordano; Mary Lou Johnson BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Kris Fulwiler; Edwin Alderson; Carlos Osorio; David Rentfrow; Lori Northrup PAST VOLUNTEERS: Trish Lambert; Greg Cumberford; Harriet West; Katie Navarra Bradley; Charlene Kowalczewski;
Juliette Watt; Lori Bruno; Koree Massey; Shannon Brame; Margaux Miller; Joan Rasmussen; Joanne Newsome;
Karen Lyons; Robin Kroc; Jim Kiser; Julie Free; Regina Preciado; Susie Blackstock; Maggie Errea; Debbie
Fredrickson; Linda Hiller Deppe; Jamie Saults
www.ParelliInstitute.org