Quantum Savvy Student of the Month Interview- 01/2008

Shirley Holden

Area: Canungra Qld Australia
Horse: Bobby Sox & Patrick (T/Bred)
Level Achieved: With Patrick Level 1 and half of Level 2! With Bobby Level 2.

Goals:

To be the best that we can be and to be inspirational to others just by doing.

Horsie background:

Late starter. Did not have a horse until the good age of 30 and chose this as something to do with my then young children. Knew absolutely nothing about them only that they were magnificent and that I wanted to be a part of their world. Never went to pony club or any type of schooling until years later when I discovered where I wanted to be and where it felt right for me and my best friends.

Why you started Quantum Savvy

Felt that there was so much more to horses than getting on and riding them. That they had emotions and so much to give – unconditionally.

About your Journey:

About your journey; Had been involved with Natural Horsemanship for some years with Bobby Sox (my best friend) and learnt so much. Bobby Sox was a very patient and tolerant teacher and gave me such a huge insight to his world. He was what I now know to be a QUIET horse. We had so much fun and he helped me achieve my then dream of riding bareback and bridleless in a huge area (no fences) – what an exceptional feeling! I felt that if we could do that then we could take on the world, as in Dressage. However that was not to be as Bobby Sox is now in a much better place – where he can be whatever he wants and yes I miss him. But my journey has not ended – it has merely changed direction with Patrick who is a very flamboyant individual who (unlike Bobby Sox) lets me know exactly when I have been either too quick or too slow in my phases, when I am in the incorrect position, that he is very playful and loves being played with and is such a brilliant teacher because I am now beginning to think like him.

Things you have achieved with QS?

Trust in Patrick. Not being scared of his behaviour when he is expressing himself and to trust that he is not being aggressive but just trying to communicate his emotions to me. Being able to push myself through my negative emotions and learn to ‘feel’ and not make things happen.

Lets face it, we as humans are no where near strong enough to make a horse do anything without leaving emotional scarring. It is so much more rewarding and satisfying to have achieved by both of us wanting the result.

Most Important Lessons Learned:

Trust, feel, timing, patience and not being too hard on myself when things don't go according to my plan – take what is given no matter how small as this is the building block that ends up being the success.

Claim to fame:

Patrick and I are in the Lesson Packs and 100 Things Level 2 DVD and Bobby Sox and I are in a couple of the Demo Videos. Bobby Sox was QS Grand Champion at the annual show.

Anything else you’d like to add?

My journey will always be never ending and I will never tire no matter how much it tests me. I owe so much to Patrick and myself and Quantum Savvy is the path I choose because of the way it has been set up. You can achieve whatever you want – the sky is no longer the limit.