The last Christmas at the Six-0 Ranch

Well, it is over. This was the last Christmas ride at the Six-0 Ranch in Cleburne Texas. I didn't know it was going to happen. Heck, most people didn't. But, that is okay, at least for me. I am not going to secretary anymore anyway. I want to ride. It has just been posted that the Christmas ride will be held at Parrie Haynes next year and I love riding there, so no working for me!

As for this past weekend. Summer did me proud. Barbara and her made a wonderful team, she even threatened a couple of times that she was going to sneak Summer onto her trailer and take her back to Oklahoma with her. They had a great time. Summer even took 2nd place in the largest class at the ride. Unfortunately, unless I can loose 60lbs by March, the points she earned this weekend won't count for anything. But that is okay. Barbara had a great time and she and Summer took great care of each other. Had it not been for Barbara, Summer would have sit home anyway doing nothing. It was also Barb's birthday, so that was nice that she got to enjoy a beautiful weekend on a beautiful horse. Okay, I know, I am bias! (smile) When the pictures get posted I will post one on here. Barb has also already made me promise that I will let her ride Summer in an Open class this year. I told her okay. She will have to ride Open Heavyweight as that is my division. So we will have to weigh the saddle down a bit.

I am only wanting to do 4 or 5 rides this year. Course, I liked them all and it will be hard to choose. I figure that if I go to the Land Run, I will let Barbara ride Summer there since she wouldn't have to spend any gas money to get there. I would just have to bring Summer to her. I want to ride at 7IL the Girl Scout Scamper and Deep in the Heart of Texas. I also want to do Indian Territory since I have never been there. And I want, I want, I want. AAARRRGGG....CRAP! I knew I would get too hooked. Now I don't want to do any driving events this year, I want to do more NATRC!!!! I guess I will just have to see what my finances will be. I wish I was rich and didn't have to work, then I wouldn't have to worry about it!!!!

Well, gotta go for now!

Edited December 16, 2008: Photo above is Barbara and Summer. I loved how the picture is in blk and wht. They made a great team.

Loretta Lynn concert and Thanksgiving holiday

Well, it was a very nice concert. I just can't believe that she is 74 years old and still sounds so good. And I just love that accent. Listening to her talk makes me miss Tennessee and my grandma.

Mom had a wonderful time. The concert didn't start until 10:30. So we ate at the cafe in Billy Bob's, then we went a played some games, went to the gift shop, looked at all the hand prints of singers who have played there and at 9:00 was the live bull riding. Mom had never seen that, so we took her. Amanda had a blast because all the cowboys were her age. Mom also got to see a good wreck, the cowboy walked away tho, so that was a big sigh of relief.

We had a nice Thanksgiving. I made a 15lb turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and gravy. Mom and Dad made the rest. We ate at their house. We ate till we were full and then watched Jeff Dunham's Christmas DVD. He is a hoot! Here is a sample of his comedy. Achmed sings Jingle Bombs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wskT6YfVB6E

Friday I drove for Billie in Frisco Square. I drove Dolly. She is a Belgain mare. She is my favorite of her horses. I don't know why, but I like her best. Unfortunately, she coliced, again. This is her third time to colic after a job. I told Billie I think she needs some Long Slow Distance conditioning. Or known to distance riders as LSD, but not the bad one. (smile) So, Dolly may be coming to my barn in the next week or two for some driving and riding to condition her. She is about 20 years old, and that would be like asking a 60 year old person to walk 5 hours if they aren't used to it. So, I really believe that some LSD will really help her with her job. BTW, Dolly doesn't drive every weekend and this is the first time she had been driven in months. So Dolly may have a rude awakening for her own good.

I have been getting ready for the Christmas at Six-0 ride. I am the ride secretary. I am having a lady named Barbara Cooper ride Summer. I have talked about this before, but I am still a little nervous about letting someone else ride my horse. I just hope Summer doesn't act like a moron and I hope Barb has a nice ride. As for the ride, I just can't wait for it to be here and over. It is a hard job. Now don't get me wrong, I love seeing all the riders have a wonderful time, but putting it together is a booger. Trying to remember everything and get everything done. Heck, I left the house this morning and forgot the paperwork I was supposed to copy today! Now I have to go home during lunch to get it. Oh well, it will get done.

Well, TTFN

STC, Christmas ride, Loretta Lynn and my mom

Let's see...

On November 8th, Summer and I competed in an Supreme Trail Challenge. It was okay. I wasn't to fond of the way the P&R's were done. But again, that is why we have so many different types of trail competitions to choose from. Her first two P&R's were horrid. She was not held, but they were high. However, on a good note, I know why they were high. Excitement at the first one and a HUGE spook right before the second one. The third one was right on and good.

We didn't place, but I wasn't looking too. I was there because they needed entries and I wanted to see my friends.

I was tired too. Mentally and physically. We had just done the NATRC Last Chance ride the weekend prior. I usually take the weekend after a NATRC ride off and spend with my family. I may pleasure ride, but no competing. So I was just pooped.

Summer is enjoying her time off. She is being worked, but it is ground work. And I am working on re-bonding with her. All this competing seems to have fractured our bond. I know that sounds odd, but I can tell.

She will be competing at the Christmas ride, but Barbara Cooper will be riding her. I am not chasing points this year, so Barb is competing in Novice Lightweight. Once again I am a little nervous about letting someone else ride her. Barb has never ridden her and she has never ridden a gaited horse. However, I trust Barb if Summer starts to act silly. I have watched as her horse Roc has had little fits and such and Barb was real patient with him.

This next weekend I am taking my mom and Amanda to see Loretta Lynn in concert at Billy Bob's. My mom is so excited. I am going to take them to eat in the stock yards Saturday and maybe shopping then walk back to Billy Bob's for the concert. We have never done this before and I can put it in the same memory file as our trail riding day together. Maybe I can get her and Amanda out there this Sunday for a trail ride. That would be fun!

Okay, gotta go.

TTFN

Last Chance CTR

Summer saying to Beau, "Give me a kiss baby." LOL

Well, it's over. Thank goodness!

Summer didn't place again. I wasn't as saddened this time. Notice I said "as saddened". Yes, I was a little disheartened. We had a MUCH better ride this weekend then at Horsemasters. The vet judge was all about trailability and not metibolics or soundness. But again, I brought home a sound and healthy horse, so I can say I won this ride.

I did place 5th in horsemanship at this ride. I had never ridden under this HMS judge, so it was different. He is the only judge that didn't like the way I trotted my horse out. Oh well, I don't care, the we I do it, to me, is the most safe, and apparently, all the other HMS judges like the way I do it too. So, I will go with the majority, and stick with my one step at a time method.

Saturday was a 20 mile ride and to me, it just flew by. I felt I had a good ride, with some occasional bobbles here and there. Nothing dangerous, just little "oopsies". I rode with George and his Spotted Saddle horse Beau most of the day. These two horses pace so well together that we have ridden most of these rides together. And if one of us has to go find a pink or blue bush, the other holds both horses and they stand so quietly together. It is like the calm each other down. Sunday was only supposed to be an 11 mile day. Well, several of us went down the wrong trail. It was bad. We followed that trail for approximately 2 miles before we realized we had screwed up. Next thing I know, we are turned around and hauling butt back to where we made the mistake. George was behind me most of the time, but the next thing I knew, we lost him. I was following two Mustang riders and we were just flat out moving. It was real wooded and it felt like we were pole bending thru the woods. I bet we moved out for about 3 miles and next thing I know, we hit an obstacle! CRAP! The horses are up and ready to keep going. Well, Becky goes first and aces it. Summer steps up and it is a right handed gate. We are still working on those but she does real good. Her side pass to the right was a little bobbley, and we lost 1 point, but I was proud of her. The other Mustang would not hear of opening that gate, so the judge had to do it. Next thing I know, one of the ladies said, we are going to have to canter the last 2 miles. I have never cantered Summer that far! But my goodness, she did it! She never spooked, bobbled, stumbled or anything. And she FLEW around those trees and corners. She got a compliment from Becky (Becky and Thief were behind us cantering). Becky said it looked like Summer was barrel racing. Well, we have been working on pole bending and bending around the barrels at our barn, so I guess it did help!

We crossed the finish with about 5 minutes to spare. But I was so upset. I have never pushed Summer so hard. She was just panting. I was in tears but had several experienced NATRCers that know me and Summer pretty well tell me that Summer would be just fine. She was fit and would be okay. I appreciated it, but that didn't help. I was still upset. After about 10 minutes, her breathing was back to base line and she had drank good and was munching on hay.

When we went to line up for check out, there was a side pass, in hand to the right, over a log. Aced it! Even the HMS judge asked everyone in line, "did you see that?" I asked if I had done okay, and he said perfect. Everyone in line, including him, clapped. LOL That made me feel good. Summer checked out sound, and with good metibolics. Even tho this judge didn't seem to notice the other lame horses, I still watch closely when I am doing her circles if she takes a mis-step. And she was good.

Now, I am an anal person when it comes to calculating points. If I am correct, for year-end points, Beau is in second place and Summer is in third. For horsemanship, I am in second place and George in is third. When you add our points up for team awards, both George and I have an added total of 164 points, which means we would tie for second place in the team awards! Wouldn't that be cool!!!! Both of us getting a red our first year competing on our gaited horses! I so hope my calculations are correct. It would be such an honor for me, if Summer and I tied with George and Beau.

Well, I will just keep my fingers crossed that I am correct and finish this year tieing with such a nice man and wonderful horsemen.

Last CTR of the season...

...is slowly approaching. Last Chance at the OK Corral in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It is a nice ride. The Oklahoma Land Run was there this spring.

The last couple of rides, I have felt that I have become too competitive and I don't like it. I think I said that in my last post. I have been telling myself that I am just going to go and have fun at this ride and do the best I can.

I started reading my In Touch magazines yesterday. They are Christian magazines by Dr. Charles Stanley. I read one article yesterday that helped me put some things in perspective. I know it sounds kooky, but it made me realize that what is going to happen is going to happen. Even something as simple as NATRC. I will just go out, do the best I can with Summer, and that's that. If I place, I place, if I don't, well then, I don't.

Summer looks good. I was worried about her night before last. She showed no interest in her feed, even with the cup of sweet feed in it. But last night she scarfed it down. Feed, beet pulp and some alfalfa cubes.

Hank was colicy last night. That worried me. I called Barb and she gave him a shot of Banamin. He wasn't real bad, but you could tell, even Barb and Paula saw it. He was interested in eating, but kept laying down. Not thrashing, but he looked a little bloated. I haven't gotten a call this morning from June, so I am sure he is just fine. I am sure it was due to the drastic weather change. I am sure he isn't the only one that didn't feel good because of the weather. It got COLD Monday night. Down in the 30's I believe.

My friend Billie who owns http://www.christiancarriage.net/ (that is me sitting next to her in the top picture of the site wearing top hats) called me yesterday. She had a bad accident in Mexico while showing the new owners of some Percherons she sold him, how to handle and drive them. She busted her knee and has had two surgeries already. A few months before that, one of her drafts knocked her down causing her break her shoulder. They are gentle giants but I swear they don't know their own strength. Well, she asked me if I could drive her carriage a few times in December, I said of course. It is extra Christmas money and I do enjoy her company.

Well, gotta go.
TTFN

Spoke to soon...shame on me!

Well, we went to the Horsemasters ride in East Texas this past weekend.

To make a long story short, I was heart broken. I thought I had a bad ride and that everything that was bad, happened because of rider error. I figured Summer would do fine, but I was wrong. She did not place at this ride. However, I was SHOCKED that I placed 2nd in my class. I just knew that she would place and I wouldn't. The way everything looks now, she may have been bumped down in yearend standings right now. I am maintaining 2nd, but she may be 4th again.

When I got her card, I expected it to be horrible, but was surprised that it was a 96. She received a 96 two weeks ago that placed in her the 2nd place position.

I think, no, I know, I am getting too competitive and I don't think I like it. I don't like feeling disappointed if Summer doesn't place. Or is that just human nature to be competitive? But I just hate this disappointed feeling. She competed against the same horses she competed against 2 weeks ago. I know that they just did better than her this time, so for the last ride, we need to step it up. Course I say that now, and we will crap out again.

As for my title, "Spoke to soon", read my last blog where I said that Summer was out of her slump! AAAARRRRGGGGG...Why did I say that?!?!?! (smile)

On the up side, Alice Yovich's husband Peter, took some fabulous photos at the ride. Thanks Peter!!!

Region 4 Benefit Ride

What a great weekend. Beautiful weather, wonderful friends and fantastic horse.

Okay, where to start.

I took off work at noon and headed to the barn to load Summer and take off. I love this ride as it is only about 1 1/2 hours away from my barn.

I got there about 2:30pm and Tracey had me a spot saved so I could park near her and plug an extension cord into her trailer for my little fan. I must have my little fan to be able to sleep at night now. Another plus was that there was a water hose right behind my trailer as well. A great plus was I was surrounded by some great people. Elaine, Tracey, Candy, Kate and Jenny.

I set up camp and got Summer all spit shined and ready for check in. I have to brag, it was the best check in we have done to date. I took it one step at a time and we did great. Summer got a 3 on her MAW score, so I was real happy with that. If you check in with a 4 and check out with a 3, you loss a point. So 3 is where I like to be.

Saturday morning we rode out and there was an immediate obstacle. A down hill, cross log without touching and up hill. I was down in the saddle so lost points, but got an excellent on the log. The up hill part, Summer was a little "up" and, I believe, went up too fast and made me bobble in the saddle. So points lost on the hill. But good on the log.

It is hard to remember all the obstacles in the order that we did them without my cards in front of me. So I will just write what they were as I remember them. There was a mounted obstacle where you could ground mount, use a mounting stool or a stump. I used the stool and Summer stood like a rock and I got an excellent. Then a trot out for soundness. We had to do that twice as Summer was using every gait she had! LOL - We had a steep up hill and stay between ribbons, got an excellent. She really listened to me and took her time going up. - There was a soundness check Sunday morning, where you were mounted, trotted or gaited in a large circle, halt, turn on the forehand, and trot/gait the opposite direction. I was so proud of her on the turn. We have only done that a hand full of times and she did great. Her halt however, lost us a point or a minus, I don't remember. - Our horsemanship judge likes to hide, so there were a lot of hidden obstacles where we lost a few points or gained pluses. Our vet judge did several metabolics and Summer only lost one metabolic point all weekend. She lost no pulse and respiratory points, so I was REAL happy about that. The grass lands is FULL of gates, so we were all shocked that there were no gate obstacles.

Summer had some buddy issues on trail. But I think I am learning how to handle that without having a big ol' fight with her. I just turn her to opposite direction and just wait. Just let her settle. When she drops her head and takes a breathe, then I turned her back around and we moved on. That really seems to work with her. No circling, no fighting, just turning her around, and relaxing. Of course the only place I couldn't do that was the 2 mile marker, but she was great there. She got a little excited when a horse passed us in the 2 mile, but she just did a fast flat walk of about 6mph. She had that head nod going and was just moving. I told her if she wanted to wear herself out, go ahead, we were almost done anyway.

Once we timed in on Sunday, she seemed tired. Got her to the trailer and she ate her beet pulp and drank heavy. I was a little worried because she kept yawning. After I let her rest and cleaned her up, I took her up to check out. I bet we stood in line for 30 minutes or better. But I stood with good company as Kate L was behind me. Summer grazed and ate her hay while we stood there, then next thing I know, she was dozing off. I just knew I was going to have a hard time getting her to even trot out for the judge. But boy, did she surprise me. I trotted her out and started her right circle and she bucked and popped up in the front and started into a canter. I had to snatch her up as some judges don't approve of that. But I secretly loved to see that she still had that much energy left in her. Well, remember when I said she checked in Saturday with a 3, well she checked out Sunday with a 4! No points lost if the MAW goes up. I loved seeing my girl feeling that good. I had some open riders tell me that I needed to take her Open. I am sure she could handle it, just don't know if my butt could handle it. But I am thinking about it.

My big thing is, I would love to have her earn at least one Novice first place ribbon. I would love to be good enough to actually novice out and then I would HAVE to go CP or Open. I would probably be Open. All I can do is just keep praticing and just trying to be good enough to help her win.

Okay, I am making this a long blog.

Anyway, I had some GREAT horses and riders in my class. There was (horses) Lilly, Beau, Gus, Misty, Red and so many more great horses in my class. It was like when I watch drag racing with David, it is nice to watch a real competition. And boy did I have one this weekend. I felt honored and a little nervous having so many good horses in my class.

During awards, once again, I wasn't really concerned about me. I know that a good horseman helps their horse, so I did the best I could to help her do her best. I got 3rd in my class out of 14. The bad part is, for the last several rides, I have been placing better than Summer. So me getting 3rd actually made me feel even more nervous about her placing. Once they started calling Novice Heavyweight horse, I had a sick feeling in my stomache. After they got to 4th, I really started feeling sick. I KNOW I should not be this competitive, but I so just wanted Summer to do well. Kate L put her hand out for me to hold. I grabbed her hand and squeezed. I remember the last time I held a friend's hand like that, I was in labor! LOL They called third and I thought it was over for me. There were just SOOOO many good horses, then they called 2nd and it was Summer!!!!! She is out of her slump! She has been 5th for the last 3 rides! I was soooo happy. Of course, Lilly got 1st again. But I don't care, she is a good horse with a good rider. So I am happy to come in 2nd to such a good horse. I actually went up to Justin after awards and bowed. He laughed and we hugged. Summer has come in 2nd after Lilly one other time this year. So I know that I have one of those great horses too. It is just be consistant with her and doing all I can so she can do the best she can.

We have two more rides for this season. She had yesterday off and is getting the next three days off as well. Saturday we have the Rides for Strides ride at the Grasslands, but that will be a nice relaxing ride. Then back to work after that. Horsemasters is the 18/19 of this month and Last Chance is 1/2 of November. Then a Texas Trail Challenge on Nov 8th. Then, she is getting a professional massage from Dana. It will be $65 well spent. Summer deserves it.

Thanks for reading!