Glad to have you back and I am happy you had a good time.
I hope you learned a lot and can share with us.
Ronda

Hi May,
Wasnt it great. Good to meet you too.
Until you actually see Monty in the flesh working on these poor horses you cant imagine the wonderful effect that he has on them, he gives them the chance that they would not otherwise have.
Lets hope that we can emulate even a little of the magic that he has.
Glad you got home safe.
Sandie

Hi Sandie,

Yes, it was great and so good we met each other in Devon.
For the once on the forum; Sandie and I met each other on Monty's demo in Devon. We were standing next to each other when I was talking to Kelly Marks. Kelly asked me my name to sign my book so I said "May" and next to me I heard sombody saying "Are you May? I hoped to meet you, I looked at the picture on the forum to reconize you..... haha....". So Sandie didn't have to look for me we were realy standing next to each other.... wasn't that funny?
Good luck with your horses Sandie and what I said horses are healing. Hope when I am coming next time to Great Britain I can visit you....
Bye, May.

Hi Ronda,

Yes, I realy learned a lot. One of the things what I saw was how relaxed Monty was. There was a demo with a horse who wouldn't load in a trailer. A team from Monty went to the lady/owner to help her loading the horse. Most of the time it takes them/the team 5 minutes, now it took them 45 minutes to load the horse. Monty said that evening during the demo; well we will see how much time it needs. I couldn't believe my eyes. Monty was so relaxed and said; you have to think that the horse goes in the trailer. Monty was walking in the trailer and the horse did a few steps on that loadingthing and Monty helped him to go back. After a few times the horse went on his own will into the trailer.....amazing....
I think you have to believe in yourself and in the possibilities of your horse. If you don't have the trust and confidence, it will not work....

Did you feel my messages Ronda, I sent to you that night? Hope you did.
If anyone wants to know more about the demo, ask me then oké?
Have a nice day everybody, May.

Hi May
It was lovely to meet you in Devon! I hope you were impressed with my Dutch?! Trouble is I only know that first introduction!
I look forward to meeting you again in Britain.
Kindest Regards
Kelly
www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk

Hi Kelly,

Yes, I was realy impressed!!! And very surprised too.
When I am coming next time to Britain I will teach you some more Dutch oké?
I started to read in your book "Perfect Confidence" and yes I will follow my dreams!!!
Hope you will come one time to Holland for demonstrations with Monty, if so tell me, maybe I can help you with some things.
Good luck on the fair this weekend.
Bye, May.

Hi May,
I want to know everything you experienced, please!!
Ronda

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, May! Can't wait to hear all about it!!! (Details!!!! Please!!!!) :) :) :)

Oké, oké.... where shall I start....

Well as you probably understand already,I had the time of my life!!!!
I went to the Grange with my friend and her husband, they are also horsy people (hope it is the right expression).We were there at a quarter to six, but we didn't have to wait till six o'clock, we just had to show our tickets and there we were in a big hall. Lots of possibilities for buying books and tools. I hoped there was the possibility to buy the books and also tools because in Holland I can't, not very easy and I like to have the English versions. And I can look into them, because I am a visualising person, I want to see it.
I can tell you it felt I came in a warm bath. All the people from Intelligent Horsemanship where very kind and helpfull.
I saw Kelly Marks and wanted to meet her. I am a member of Intelligent Horsemanship and that gives me also a lot of information from Kelly's site. Kelly Marks was so kind to me and started to speak Dutch to me "hoe gaat het met jouw?" = "how are you doing? " and I was realy surprised.
The other day I bought a card for Monty and I road in the card that I was so thankfull he is sharing his experiences with us. I wanted to give this card to him and Kelly said; No problem, I will take you to Monty. So I met Monty. What a wonderfull man with charisma!!! I told him that I come from Holland and he said to Kelly; we have to go to Holland. And Kelly said; I will organize that. Aren't they wonderfull people? They are so normal, what we say, no nose in the air. Just people like you and me. On the same level, with respect and kindness. Do you understand the warm bath now? Positive energy was flowing and I absorbed that.
Tomorrow I will write more... oké?
Have to prepare dinner now.
Speak to you tomorrow, May.

Hi May,
it sound so wonderful, what you lived through!
If you want any books or equipment, look into Annemarie van der Toorn's website, most thing she has or can order.
Looking forward to reading more!
Miriam

What a great day, May! And to meet both Kelly and Monty. Lucky, lucky you!
Looking forward to hear more!
.
Funny thing with Dutch! It's actually similar to Swedish sometimes. (Or a blend between English/German/Swedish) I don't speak it, but if I read it I can sometimes understand bits of it. :)
"hoe gaat het met jouw?" = "how are you doing? " = "hur går det med dig?"

Wow May, consider me suitably impressed! Good on you :-)

Hi again,

Thank you Miriam, I will remember that, but she is not a Certified Instructor of Monty anymore, did you know that?
Well what happend then, let me think.... oh yes.... I bought 2 books... one from Monty "I'm Shy Boy" and one from Kelly "Perfect Confidence", but they were not signed, so...... again I went to Monty who signed my/his book and he told me that I would realy enjoy this book. I went also to Kelly again and she signed it too by saying "keep following those dreams". And I will follow my dreams!!!!
And that's where I met Sandie, who was standing next to me and she nearly jumped up and down, because I think she was so surprised she found me.
I can imagine that it is surprising, because there were so many people. I think round about thousant. And how is it possible that we were standing next to each other at Kelly Mark's signing table. Unbelievable don't you think?
For me it was strange that somebody called my name. I am there from Holland, know only my friend and her husband and somebody out of the blue ask me are you May? Are you realy May? It is so good to see what it also does, being a student of Monty. And Sandie thanked me for reacting on her question on the forum. It looked like we knew each other longer then just there.
Probably the same will happen when we would all meet each other. Don't you think? We are talking to each other and there are a few brave ones under us who are putting video's on You Tube, so we can see and watch... Hopefully we will meet each other somehow, one time.
Well.... to finish my meetings with Monty and Kelly and Sandie there was one thing I didn't have and that was a picture.... So I asked Monty if that was possible and even that was no a problem.... my oh my..... Can you belief how happy I was. And the only thing what I was thinking of was going to the demonstration and not all the possibilities I had upfront. I hope I don't sound like a fan who sees there idols, haha. But I will frame this picture and will hang it with my "medal" for being a good student in my study.
In the meantime it was round about quarter past seven and I had to go to my seat. There I saw the lady Sue Palmer from the massages, so I asked her a few questions as well and bought the DVD Horse Massage for Horse Owners.
After all these excitements, I sat down and was waiting what was coming. THE DEMONSTRATION.
I continue my story tomorrow, oké? So wait Ronda, Kicky, Gen, Miriam you will hear more and ofcourse all the other ones who wants to know more.
Have a nice day, May.

Excellent, looking forward to it May :-)

May, it brought tears to my eyes reading your post about meeting Monty! I am so happy for you!

Hi May,
Wow!!!
I wish I could see Monty and that he would say, I'm coming to Canada.
I'd probably drop in a faint, I'd be so happy and so would
Star.
Have a great day, May.
Ronda

Sounds good, May! :)
You sure got your moneys worth out of that evening before it even had started. :D

So.... half past eight it all started for a lot of us, but for me it was part two, hihi.
The demonstration.
Kelly introduced Monty and there he was in his blue shirt, beige trousers and cowboyhat.
This man is so amazing. I wish I had just a little bit of his relaxed attitude. Well probably that will come in the years when I practice a lot of Monty's methods, ha.
I was sitting realy in the right place. I could see everything. Nobody in front of me, so I didn't miss anything.
Monty started in the round pen. He showed us join-up and follow-up. Here above you can read about the two horses he was working with. Also Alex was working with Monty and he helped/assisted Monty.
Monty came after the break on Copy. Monty's favorite horse in Britain. It is a beauty of a horse and Monty showed us how to work with the mountingblock by getting the horse to it. We can see it in the lessons how this works.
Monty asked the audience to make a lot of noice (and trust me there was a lot of noice by clapping our hands and stamping our feet and yelling) and Copy with Monty in the saddle was not reacting. It didn't do anything to him. So amazing.....
Well and then there was an end coming to this wonderfull evening.
Monty gave everybody the possibility to have one free day on the Uni. Hopefully a lot of people will do this and see how perfect this Uni works.
I will tell you, I know what it is to do business, and I will immediately feel it when something is commercial.
This evening was not to be intent to be commercial, like; "we want to sell a lot, because that is our goal". No, noting of that. What it was: It was a wonderfull evening, without pressure, stress or anything else. There was a lot of possitive energy and intention.
Excactly how it has to be, with love, respect and attention not only for the horses but also for all the people who came to this demonstration in Devon. It looked like this was the first evening they were doing the demonstrations. That's how it has to be.... it is not a job it is following your dreams and enjoying every minute what you are doing. It gives you energy and then you will be never tired.
I relise now how much I learned from that as well.
Hope you all enjoyed my story and experiences of meeting Monty and Kelly and the demonstration.
I am reading in I'm Shy Boy now and I love the story.
I am also reading in Kelly's book and she gives me a lot of idea's.
Let me tell you that Kelly did a lot of work as well on all the demonstrations. Sometimes you don't see what somebody is doing, but also her work and energy made this demonstration to a succes.
Can you immagine how suprised I was that she wrote me this note above on this page? How lovely that she found me on the Uni and took the time to say hello.
Thank you Monty and Kelly for the wonderfull evening and I realy hope that I can come again to one of the demonstrations. Maybe in Holland and otherwise I am going to Britain again.
Ronda, Sandie, Gen, Kicky, Miriam, Ruthy thank you so much that you are interested in my experiences and that you are happy for me.
Hé Ronda, did you feel my messages that evening, for you in the morning of the 2 november?
I hope for the once who never met Monty and/or Kelly there will be an oppertunity for you one day!!!!
Bye everybody, May.

Thank you May for thinking of me, I really appreciate that.
I wish I could have been there with you, maybe some day we'll meet at Flag is up Farm, eh!!!
The best to you,
Ronda

Yes, one day......we'll meet. When we belief in our dreams it will happen!!!

You know I just read all your comments from your visit to England and realised how lucky I am to live here and how much easier it is for me to see Monty and Kelly as regular as I do, I have done the 5 day foundation course with Kelly and the team in oxford, and also several other courses and they were just the best thing I ever did, and i have seen Monty every year when he does his tour here in tje uk. He is just amazing and now I am working through this university on line and enjoying every minute of it. It has been so useful with my new very young horse, Jack has benefited immensely from this course, and it's lovely to have the support on the forum. Thanks everyone

Hi Viv
.
Yes, you are VERY lucky :-) I often wish I lived somewhere that was close to people like Kelly and Monty - or even one of their other Instructors.
.
I've read through your post a couple of times now May, and its just wonderful to share your experiences.
.
Kind regards,
.
Gen

Hi Genn,

When I started to write about my coming back from Devon I didn't relise that I could make so many of you happy as well, just by telling my story.
Bye, have a nice day, May

Hi May and everyone Else!
So lovely reading through this thread. First one I've really picked up on since being a Uni member, it was Devon that caught my eye, May!
I was helping at that Demo (have now been attending Monty demos for nearly 20 years!) and it was a wonderful night and so glad you enjoyed it.
Kelly and Monty are such lovely people and greet everyone with such warmth and enthusiasm. I took my Work placement Student with me that night as she hadn't heard of (yes that is what I am saying not heard of!!)Monty Roberts!!She was overwhelmed by it and beside herself when she had her photo taken with Monty and then they went off for a little chat! It was so wonderful for her. Yes Viv we are so lucky in the UK as I too have done my foundation course here and some of the day courses. In fact have a course next week, I get so excited!
Now I'm planning my annual leave from work in Feburary as Monty is back in England again. I hope to fit in 2 demo's this time by staying with the in-laws for the West Sussex one and the Clevedon one is 20 mins up the road from me!Would so great if Kelly and Monty went to Holland.
Oh also I'm very lucky that I only live a couple of miles from "Copy" the horse Monty rides at the demos.
So lovely to catch up with all through the Uni, hope to maybe meet some of you in the future,
Kind Regards
Katie

Hi Katie,

It is lovely to hear that. Prob. we saw each other but didn't relise we are students from Monty. Hope we will meet each other next time in Britain.
Yes, you and Viv are very lucky girls..ha...
Even I who are not living far from Britain can be lucky to have the oppertunity, to go.
Is Monty coming in february again to Britain? If so, what is the date?
Cheers, May.

Thanks, May, for letting us share the evening through you!
People in England are really lucky, not just to eb so close, but that Monty comes so often. I am still waiting and hoping for the next time here in Sweden - and keeping fingers crossed it will be close enough for me to go!

Hi All!
Thank you for such nice comments! At the moment I am involved with making another Top Marks programme for Christmas which is fun! Horse and Country put the last series on their website http://www.horseandcountry.tv/search/apachesolr_search/top%20marks
and we're doing our best to put together an 'education and entertaining' one hour special called Top Marks - Rising Stars about our new young demo rider and a couple of my young horses.
Don't forget you can keep up with me on 'Kelly Marks and Intelligent Horsemanship' on facebook as well and it is always lovely to meet Uni uses so do come and say hello but I'm not really very good at different languages!
Kelly xxx

Hi Kelly,

I am looking forward to that.

And to all of us, yes look at Kelly's website and facebook it's realy interesting and there are also funny things on it. Just have a look.
Cheers, May

Hi May - I've been really enjoying all the comments on your post since you came back from Devon. I too went to a Monty demo (a couple of years ago) - that was before me and my hubby took on the 3 rescue ponies.

At the demo I felt a bit of a fraud as I didn't own any horses - only a dream of one day having a horse of my own. Who would have guessed I'd end up with 3 ponies! I bought a copy of Monty's book "From my hands..." and I asked him to sign it but I didn't have the courage to speak to him.

The demo was similar to what you described above and I know you will agree when I say it was a truly magical experience. Watching join-up and Monty working with horses with issues was spell-binding. Also, I really enjoyed the segment that Kelly Marks did with her horse Pie who is gorgeous - so full of character. She seemed like a lovely lady but I never spoke to her - again, I was too shy! Also, I didn't own any equines at the time so I felt completely out of my depth with all these horsey people and with all their knowledge and experience!

One other thing to add. I have been posting under the thread 'Striking out' telling you all about the trials and tribulations of taking on the rescue ponies as a novice. Everyone made the valid point that I needed to get a daully halter asap to have any hope of working safely with my ponies. I bought a dually through Kelly Mark's site and I have to say the lady who I dealt with - Brenda - was an absolute gem of a lady. Having bought the dually I wanted to use it straight away with the horses and asked her if I could collect it from her. Kelly's office is approx. an hour and a half from where the ponies are - Brenda offered to meet us at 8.30am on a Saturday morning (outside office hours) so that we could collect that dually. What a lady! She is a credit to Kelly. Do you know, since I became an owner of these ponies I have never met such lovely people as a result? So many kind, helpful people on the forum, the trainer(who trained with Kelly)and Kelly's staff. It has been so heart-warming to hook up with so many wonderful people.

Will definately look out for the Top Marks Horse and Country programme. If I could afford it I'd do the courses that Kelly runs too - they sound fantastic and I get the impression that she would be a kind and patient tutor.

Anyway, thank you May for telling us all the details of your trip to Devon and for giving us the opportunity to share our experiences of the demos and the lovely people involved in Monty's training.

You are right, those of us who live in UK are so lucky to be able to get to demos or courses - I know I for one don't ever take it for granted. It is a real privilege.

Best to all, Lizzie x

Hi Lizzie,

Wauw, you to, living in Britain, lucky you......
Maybe we can meet one time. Then we are going together to a demo and we are going to talk to Monty and Kelly. THE DON"T BITE!!!! hihi.....In what area are you living?
.
Well let me tell you I don't have my own horses. Renske, Luuk and Senna are horses from my neighbour and I am in the very luxury position to take care of them. I love it and one of my biggest wishes came through, to be with horses and take care of them and ride them.
I am a student of Monty now for half a year and with my half year of knowledge I can tell you that I don't feel ashamed or shy or frightend. That's because of the forum and the lessons I learn from them and Monty.
When I went to the demo I didn't have the feeling to be a fraud, but I can understand what you mean. Maybe the Dutch are not so unpretending, but it was more that I was so happy to see them and it looked like I knew them for a long time. Yes, for six month, haha.
.
About Brenda... she is an angel. I talked to her on the phone when I wanted to subscribe as a member, but was a little bit difficult to do that through the website. She helped me and she was very kind.
.
I am sure that the people you will meet are people who understand to deal with horses.
They treat you the same as the treat their horses!!!!
With patient, love and respect.
So.....Now you are not shy anymore Lizzie, that's great.
.
When I ask the forum questions, I never had the feeling to be stupid or because I don't have my own horses I am not one of them or didn't have the right to ask.
It feels that we are all together with our joy and little and big problems/questions and that we are standing with our nose in the same direction and trying to help each other.
Every day I am looking on Monty's site if there are new things and check the forum. I am studying my lessons and see if I can learn more to read books.
.
Hope we will meet one time in Britain.
Have a nice day,
May.

Hi May - wouldn't that be something - to meet up at a Monty demo sometime? You'd go up to Monty and kelly and I'd be hiding behind you LOL!!

Funnily enough I haven't felt bashful asking all my questions on the forum (and believe me, I've asked loads and keep asking!) Everyone has been so helpful and kind - I look forward to logging on to the uni site to see if anyone has answered one of my questions or to read other people's posts. I suppose the bottom line is that we all want to do the very best for our ponies - and we all have a common goal - to treat them with honour and respect and no harshness, so there is a common thread that runs through all of our horse management.

I truely thought at the beginning of my post ('Striking Out') that people would think it was madness taking on 3 ponies with little money and no real experience (and on paper it IS madness!) but everyone has been so big-hearted and spent a lot of time posting me their advice and not critising our decision to take the ponies on. That has been a really pleasant surprise.

Anyway, lovely to talk to you May. Catch up again soon! Lizzie, x

Hi Lizzie,

Yes, we will.
Have a nice weekend, May.

Hi Kelly,
I went to the sites suggested and I found horseandcountry.tv
What a site, I love it.
There are many interesting things on there and much to learn.
Thank you so much,
Ronda