Well, I am trying to do it. Manage my first horse event. A Driving Trail Challenge at B-Tex Farm. MayFlowerDTC I am getting the trails ready with a good group of hard working friends. Last night we got the Marie Laveau trail done and tonight we are working on 2 other trails. Besides getting them ready for driving we are cutting up high to get rid of the face slappers for riders.
I have 3 judges in place, I just need one more. That shouldn't be too difficult though. If you know how a horse should go, then you can judge this. If all you know is that a horse should have 4 legs, then you may not be qualified. LOL
I have some pretty cool and fun obstacles in place. Some obstacles in the pasture will be a combination obstacle, where you do one obstacle then immediately do another one. We have thought of the prizes I will give as awards. I am working on completion gifts, a high point prize and a prettiest hat prize.
I have THE best safety person on hand. Mark Cole and his horse that would run thru fire for him, Gypsy. I also have a couple of volunteers lined up, but totally could use more. So if you read this and know where my barn is, let me know! I will put you somewhere. I need a couple of P&R workers too. If you don't know what that is, it is Pulse and Respiratory. And I will teach you how to do this job. It is easier than it sounds. Mark's wife, Melinda, is working the ride too, and being a nurse, I may utilize her skills for this job as well.
It looks like I only have 4 entries at the moment, but I have several "maybe's". I have to have at least 10 drivers show up to make this work financially.
Another plan I have is, if we have a decent amount of funds left, I am going to donate a check to http://www.allstarfoundation.org/. It is a therapeutic riding center not too far up the road from us. It is a neat place. And to watch those children and adults ride those great animals, and that smile that is on their faces, is just more wonderful than words can say. When I told Barb, June and Tracey what I wanted to do, there wasn't even a second of thought that they all said that was great idea.
Thanks for reading, and contact me if you want to help!
Happy Trails!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Another blessed weekend...gone to soon.
Another sorting lesson at James'. Summer was very tense at first for about 20 seconds. Then her Quarter Horse spirit kicked in then she was all about the cow. I even had to pull her back 3 times to keep her from biting them. I let her get whisker close then tweaked her back a little.
I asked James why she is so good at his place, but gets nervous at the arena. He just said, it was all the excitement and the PA system. He said I would be surprised at how many horses are like that. He said that she would never be a Dunny (his prize horse), but she is doing things that she isn't supposed to be doing. You just don't see to many walking horses doing this sport. He gave me some more pointers on what I can do to help her. As a team I guess we are 60/40. 60% me and 40% her. My big mouth and aggressive behavior really helps her when we are working the gate/hole. Her positive role in our team is that she responds to me. Even when I feel her tense up, I give her a little spur and push her forward and she does it. She could easily, ignore the spur and just run for the hills, but she doesn't. And for that, I am grateful. I remember when we first started this, I have to say, she is MUCH better than she used to be when it comes to her fear issues.
I have another horse that I am going to take to James' when Summer and I have our next semi private lesson. She is a 9yoa Arab that is cow bred. Her sire and grand sire were cutting horses. But just because she is cow bred doesn't mean she is cowy. But all we can do is try and find out. If not, maybe Competitive Trail Riding will be her calling.
After our lesson, we got back to the barn and June, Tracey and I worked some trails out in the pasture, I was very pleased with what we got done. Also feel very blessed that those two help as much as they do. There is no way I could keep those trails up by myself.
Sunday was just spent at the barn. Sarah and I helped Barb doctor one of her horses that had a severe laceration on her left hind leg. June, Debbie and I took a ride on the mule down to the pasture to show Debbie what we get to enjoy everyday. (Debbie is June's grandson's girlfriend's mom. Whew.) Then went on a nice little ride with Tracey and Amira to finish this beautiful day.
Good weekend, hated to see it end.
Happy Trails!
I asked James why she is so good at his place, but gets nervous at the arena. He just said, it was all the excitement and the PA system. He said I would be surprised at how many horses are like that. He said that she would never be a Dunny (his prize horse), but she is doing things that she isn't supposed to be doing. You just don't see to many walking horses doing this sport. He gave me some more pointers on what I can do to help her. As a team I guess we are 60/40. 60% me and 40% her. My big mouth and aggressive behavior really helps her when we are working the gate/hole. Her positive role in our team is that she responds to me. Even when I feel her tense up, I give her a little spur and push her forward and she does it. She could easily, ignore the spur and just run for the hills, but she doesn't. And for that, I am grateful. I remember when we first started this, I have to say, she is MUCH better than she used to be when it comes to her fear issues.
I have another horse that I am going to take to James' when Summer and I have our next semi private lesson. She is a 9yoa Arab that is cow bred. Her sire and grand sire were cutting horses. But just because she is cow bred doesn't mean she is cowy. But all we can do is try and find out. If not, maybe Competitive Trail Riding will be her calling.
After our lesson, we got back to the barn and June, Tracey and I worked some trails out in the pasture, I was very pleased with what we got done. Also feel very blessed that those two help as much as they do. There is no way I could keep those trails up by myself.
Sunday was just spent at the barn. Sarah and I helped Barb doctor one of her horses that had a severe laceration on her left hind leg. June, Debbie and I took a ride on the mule down to the pasture to show Debbie what we get to enjoy everyday. (Debbie is June's grandson's girlfriend's mom. Whew.) Then went on a nice little ride with Tracey and Amira to finish this beautiful day.
Good weekend, hated to see it end.
Happy Trails!
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