I know I have taken forever to update people on my
Parelli job interview. In ways, I am still processing my experience. It was a whirlwind of emotions for me. I flew in to Pagosa Springs, Colorado and met with Mark Weiler, CEO of Parelli and Sue Shoemark, VP of Parelli. We talked about everything "horse." Mark is very personable and I liked his energy. He made me feel so welcome and important. I think Sue is a kindred spirit, I liked her right away. On of my highlights is slipping away with her to get coffee. I felt I was out with a good girlfriend, not a potential boss. The morning flew by quickly and they had arranged for me to go visit Pat and Linda for lunch. I can't talk about specifics of our meeting just to preserve the confidentially of the interview, but I can tell a little bit about my experience. This is a story I will cherish and feel is fun to share for people who enjoy and practice
Parelli. Mr. Weiler and I arrived at Pat and Linda's house and we went in. There was Linda, making lunch and Pat was just wrapping up on a video shoot. I put my nerves in check. They are important people to me, having been my inspiration for the past 3 years to become a better person for my horse. Not to mention, in my business, television news, I have been hired over the phone 4 times. Interviews are a new thing for me. I reminded myself to breathe, relax, and enjoy the opportunity. I think many would be surprised to know what an amazing cook Linda is. She started chopping things and whisking them into bowls. Within minutes, she had prepared a wonderful tuna salad and a cabbage salad with seemingly little effort. We sat down and talked horses and social media. We looked at many of your blogs. In particular,
Mustang Diaries and
Grey Horse Matters, I pulled you both up to show Pat. I enjoyed sharing with them the horse blogging experience and what our cyber community means to us. It was very enjoyable, but also very business oriented. I stepped out and they talked amongst themselves. I stood outside and took in the beautiful scenery of Pagosa Springs. The mountains surround you on all sides. It is a beautiful place. In that moment, I panicked a little. Could I be the right person for the job? Would they like me enough to offer me the job? Could I leave my life in Oregon? How would Maddy (my horse) deal with a move? Could I survive on half my salary to experience my dream job? Mark came out and we continued our tour of the ranch and then the rest of corporate. I ran into
Ann Kiser, my mentor and teacher from Oregon. She is there on a trial position. It felt so good to see her. The Parelli Ranch is an amazing place. The corporate headquarters are stunning. I think they have revolutionized horsemanship around the world and they make a conscience effort to make this a better place for horses.
So why didn't I take the job? Some days I ask myself that same question. For me, it was all about timing. It just felt "off." Things felt too perfect back in Oregon to disrupt and fears about the economy and a change in pay scared me. At the time, my decision loomed over me and kept me up at night. I quickly decided one day to just not take it. And as I hit the "send" in my email to Mark, I wondered "what have I done?" There is no way to know if I made the right choice. But I do know I will work for the Parellis one day in some capacity. Maybe I will become an Parelli instructor or a Parelli ambassador. The one thing I do know, I feel more confident than ever that I have chosen my mentors wisely and will continue to pattern my horsemanship after the two people, Linda and Pat, that have changed my relationship with horses for the better.
12 comments:
Thank you for filling us in on this...I have been wondering what happened. You have to know that just going through the process was a great experience. Your choice to stay in Oregon must have been the right one, and it is best to go with your gut. I have a feeling the Parelli connection will remain.
Quite a story. On different levels, I'm jealous of the experience, and happy that you were able to reach an important decision for the right reasons.
I'm sure you made the right decision for you at this time. In the future when the economy is better and you feel the time is right I'm sure you will work with the Parelli's in some capacity. In the meantime it was a wonderful experience and you know you have what it takes to work with them when and if you choose to. So relax and enjoy your horse and your current job for now there's no sense second guessing yourself.
Thank you for mentioning me in your interview, I'm very flattered. Have a wonderful week.
The Parelli's read my blog? (Oooooo....blushing...)
I want that arena!
And I'm glad you're still in Oregon.
I have followed your blog for some time, but this is my first comment.
Parelli techniques helped me a LOT when I first started riding my horse. I think they have a lot to offer in terms of teaching. I still use the "7 games" quite a bit in the warm ups that I do with my old man, Grif.
That said though, I can't say that I am a Parelli follower or a follower of ANY particular trainer. I enjoy learning from a lot of different people and finding the individual techniques that work for me and my horse.
I give you a lot of credit for the effort you have put into this and the work you have done with your horse. I would definitely jump at a chance to see the Parelli ranch. It has to be a pretty neat place.
It sounds to me like you are listening to your instincts in your decision not to purue this job. I truly believe that we all have those instincts for a reason and if you didn't "feel" that it was right....it wasn't.
I think you certainly have the potential to do great things with your horse and also to find a job within the industry that will be a good fit. Sometimes turning down the "wrong" job will mean that it makes room for the "right" one to come along.
Thank You for sharing your experiences!
That was roughie..this past summer huh. Higher highs and such huge decisions to make. An emotional rollercoaster.
My freind James just made the choice to move away from Oregon. We had tons of riding times this past mo and each time...he'd just "oou and awe" over our great area..he has soo enjoyed for the past 12 years.
After he was all packed up on Sunday, nothing but leg wraps to do... we sat in the yard..him crying saying, "What Have I Done??!" Your comment of the same, made me think of it again.
It is all an unknown and emotions are a fickle dance partner..they change with the wind. But PEACE..that is a truer partner.
You went hand in hand with her, this is good Jules~
You really have made huge steps all around, and the Parelli's will be there later on, too.
Glad to hear the news girl.
Kac
Mixed feelings about Parelli here, but I respect your appreciation of the training.
Sometimes you just have to weigh the pros and cons and put aside your emotions and even dreams for the sake of practicality. From what you are saying, the job offer will be there when and if you are ever ready to take that "leap of faith." The time was not right now.
Sometimes you just have to listen to your gut. You're very talented.
There will be other opportunites for you. Hopefully you'll feel more "right" about one in the future.
Thanx for sharing! It must have been a fantastic day for you on the ranch.
What a hard decision you had to make! I know, from the writings of your blog, that working for Parelli has been a dream of yours. To have it right in your hands and then to have to let go, very hard choice. But timing and feeling is everything, how well we know this from the horse. I feel that you will live your dream but at another time.
hugs to you.....
~Jane
Wow, what an amazing experience. Thank you so much for sharing with us. They sound like wonderful people and I'm sure you're right when you say that one day you will work with them in some capacity.
I too have been mulling over career options and am working very hard to not make decisions from a place of fear and rather focus on the hope.
Hard to do in these times but important. Sounds like you're pretty darn happy in Oregon and glad you decided to stay.
Wow, sounds pretty incredible, but sometimes you just have to go with your gut!
What an exciting story! I've eaten in a restaurant at the same time Pat was there - that's the closest I've come :0)
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