At the beginning of the year, I hurt my back, so no sorting for 3 months. Trying to play catch up, and then had my accident in May. Slammed into a solid steel piped fence at about 25mph head first. Thank God I wear a helmet when I ride as I know I wouldn't be here today had it not been for said helmet. I was able to qualify for finals, barely. But during that time, I received a phone call from the secretary of SWTPA. A board member had resigned and I was next on the list, so I took it. As the year went on, a lot of members got to know me better because I worked a lot of the gates and always tried to make them smile when they entered and left the pens. I also became known as "helmet head" due to the fact that I am the only one that wears a helmet. Not the most flattering of nick names, but I am proud that I love myself enough to wear one. Oh, and the threat of my husband that if I don't, he will sell the horses. So I am blessed in knowing that he loves me enough to keep me around. LOL Anyway, I'm off track...
When the time came for our elections, we had 12 spots coming open. (We have 14 spots total). I was nominated again. To my surprise, I was elected back into the BOD for SWTPA. My motto is, "I want what is better for the whole of the organization, not just what is best for me". Because what is best for the whole, will be in the end, what is best for me. I want the organization to succeed and grow, not be tore down. Okay...My mind is wandering again...
Anywho, at our first of the year meeting, I was nominiated and elected as Treasurer. (No one else wanted it.) But, it is a big responsibility and one that must not be taken lightly. So I will do the best job I can.
To be honest, this is a nerve racking just being on the board. You literally learn the meaning of: "You can't please all the people all the time."
Anyway, should you read this and are interested in Team Penning or Ranch Sorting and are close by (North Texas), come on out to a show sometime for Southwest Team Penning Association. Our shows are the forth Saturday of every month with the exception of February, it will be the third Saturday. Our web site is http://www.swtpa.net/home and we would be happy to see you and answer any questions about our sport.
Showing posts with label SWTPA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SWTPA. Show all posts
Friday, January 11, 2013
Friday, November 18, 2011
November 2011 pre SWTPA
Well, it's finally here. The finals. What a great year it has been.
Granted, I haven't done that great but let me tell you what this year has given me. New friends, a new horse, a couple of checks, better riding skills, and lots of great memories.
I have decided that I am only going to compete in the class I started in. The 3 sort. With all the stress that is bearing down on my shoulders right now, that is all I need to do.
So, I will get there early, cheer for my friends, ride my pony, and have fun. Because like I have said before, if you ain't having fun, go home.
Wish me luck. (and by luck, that I keep the horse between me and the ground) lol
Granted, I haven't done that great but let me tell you what this year has given me. New friends, a new horse, a couple of checks, better riding skills, and lots of great memories.
I have decided that I am only going to compete in the class I started in. The 3 sort. With all the stress that is bearing down on my shoulders right now, that is all I need to do.
So, I will get there early, cheer for my friends, ride my pony, and have fun. Because like I have said before, if you ain't having fun, go home.
Wish me luck. (and by luck, that I keep the horse between me and the ground) lol
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
SWTPA Octobert 2011 and other news
What a pretty good month it's been.
On Sunday, Oct. 16, my Aunt Joyce, Uncle Wendell, my mom and my friend Brandi came to the barn to enjoy my horses. I actually got pics of my mom and aunt on my girls together. That is going in a frame! They stayed for a few hours and played with some baby mini's we have out there. After that, Brandi and I went for a ride in the pasture. This was Brandi's second time to be in a saddle. She took a real shine to Shelby, so I let her ride her. I was a tad nervous as I didn't know how Shelby would do with a green rider, but she was awesome! I was so proud of both my girls that day for taking good care of my family and friend.
Mom on Shelby, Aunt Joyce on Summer
Brandi and Shelby
I went to a sorting jackpot last Wednesday Oct. 19th. I was just gonna ride around in the arena as I hadn't ridden hard since I hurt my back last month the day after the last SWTPA show. So I was just going to lope Shelby a little and work on my role backs, stops and turns.
There were several of my friends there and I wanted to so some visiting as well. Vicki told me that if I wanted to sort that she had some openings in the novice class.
Well, if you keep up with my blog you know I couldn't resist. So I signed us up. Then Courtney asked if I had any open rides and I said, "sign us up!". Then I went ahead and asked Mike (Vicki's husband) if he wanted to ride, so that made three rides. Then Katy (Mike and Vicki's niece) asked if I wanted to ride. There's four. LOL What the heck, Roy takes checks. LOL
Vicki and I got 7 head. Courtney and I got 6. Mike and I busted : (. And Katy and I got 8.
The only run I had for the short go was with Katy. But I was very happy with all my runs. In the end, Katy and I placed 4th and earned a little money back. So my $80 tab only came out to $45. And that run earned Katy some points for the belt she is going for.
This past Saturday was our Oct SWTPA show. I was only going to pen as I wanted to go buy some hay afterwards. Ron, a boarder at the stables, wanted to go with me and see what went on at these shows. He was very impressed and even had a good chat with the arena owner, Roy.
Before the 12 penning started, that is the open class and what I believe is too much for me to handle right now, needed 2 novice riders. Ron and I were sitting next to the announcers booth. I look up at ReeDee (the announcer and judge) and she looked down at me. I said, "Don't look at me like that." She then said, "you can do this Tammy." Oh, all right then. Shelby was already saddle and all I had to do was warm her up. So I did it. I was teamed up with two open riders. I believe they are either siblings or cousins. Trent Field and Morgan Field. Trent is rated a 6 and Morgan a 5, so they could only use a 1. Those kids are good. And I mean GOOD. Trent got the first cow and and the other two cows with our number was standing to the far left and side by side. Morgan picked them both up and off we went to pen. We got 3 head in 20 second for the fast go of that class. That means we automatically got a $25 check and 1 extra point. Well, due to a rookie mistake, we did not get any cows in the short go. We did have them and one shot past me. So Morgan went after it. Trent was in the hole and I was the wing. I didn't know what to do and stood in the gate waiting on Morgan to either bring the stray cow or push it back across the foul line. Then I heard DK and Trent telling me to get out of the hole. They said it several times but didn't tell me where to back too. So I backed towards Trent. Wrong move. The other 2 cows came out and shot off like rockets. Now we are trying to pick them up again and we ran out of time. : ( DK later apologized and said that they were telling me to back up but never told me to back up where. She said had they hollered get to the wing, I would have known where to go. But, live an learn. We placed 7th. But, at least we placed I guess. I just felt bad cause these kids are used to winning a check and I sure would have like to get my first big association check on Shelby.
After the 12 class, Aunt Joyce and Uncle Wendell showed up and watched me do the sport and I quickly coming to love. So that was pretty awesome.
I did 3 runs in the 6 pen class. I drew up with a girl named Amber and Sid, then Sid and Jason and then Jason and David.
Jason, David and I would have had 2 head and a short go, but David didn't realize we had 2 cows when I started yelling to pen. We went to the end to pen and we had 1 Angus and 1 Charolais. David didn't realize that the Charolais was a good cow and let it slip past him. So we only got 1 head. He kept apologizing. Oh well. Poop happens. Just glad it didn't happen to this rookie. LOL
I had no short goes in the class and was actually grateful for it. I was starting to feel sick.
After I paid out, I took Shelby home, hosed her and put her up. Went home myself and vegged for the rest of the day.
About 7pm, David and I went back out to the barn and fed. I was felling much better so we went to the arena and visited and watched some sorting. I think David kinda likes to watch that as it is a speed thing. I really think he would like the penning as there is so much more speed involved. Maybe next month he will come watch me at the finals. I hope.
This past Sunday, Oct 23, Aunt Joyce and Uncle Wendell came out to the barn and spent about 3 hours. I hooked Summer to her cart and took Aunt Joyce for a ride in the pasture. She said she could see how you could get lost in thought in that beautiful place. Just you and your horse.
We got back to the barnyard and I gave a ride to Uncle Wendell and our new boarder, Al. They really enjoyed themselves. And Summer was on very good behavior.
After that, I saddled Summer and let Aunt Joyce play on her a bit and gave her a mini riding lesson.
When they left, I took Summer back out to the pasture and just enjoyed a leisurely ride.
That evening, Tracey came out and I had Shelby saddled. I asked her if she wanted to join me in the pasture since it had been months since she has been out there. Shelby was awesome, of course, but I am a bit biased. : )
What a wonderful month October has been. Thank you Lord!
And thank you for reading. Much love and blessings upon you.
Friday, September 30, 2011
September 2011 SWTPA
This was a good day for Shelby and I. Once again, I tried out what penning skills I may or may not have and I was very happy with the end results.
I knew I was going to do one run in the 6 penning, which is for novices only. However, right before the 10 pen was to start, they needed 3 novice folks to round out the class. (the 10 class is for Pro/Am and novice) They asked me a couple of times and I said no. This class is for much better riders/competitors than I. Well, they kept calling out that they needed 1 more novice rider. I looked at Anthony and said I just wasn't good enough for that class. He then told me I was and I should do it. So I did. I drew up with 2 guys and then learned that one of them was well known across the states as one of the best penners there is. WOW! Now I was nervous! I told Anthony who I drew up with and he told me how to ride with him. DK also gave me some etiquette advice on how to act when running with folks of this caliber. That way, they learn to respect you as someone trying to learn if you respect their talents/abilities. I was totally okay with all the advice I was getting. So when it was our turn, I told them that this was only my second time and said what DK told me to say. Both guys were very nice and very helpful. Mr. Lesh then told me how he wanted me on the flank of his horse and how he wanted me to work and it was spot on what Anthony had already told me. Well, we got all 3 head on our first go! It was wicked awesome!!! There were like 25 teams in this class. On our second go we only got 1, but that is okay, I still had a blast. I think we got like 5th place. So I ain't complaining!
In the 6 penning, I drew up with Jason, who boards his horses at James' and we have sorted together before, so I knew he was a strong rider. And I drew with Sid again, just like last month. There were 18 teams in this class. We knew to qualify for the short go we needed 2 head, so that is what we did. On the short go we got 1 head and 3rd place. Once again, not complaining! I can't believe that I have only penned 3 times ever and have placed all 3 times. I am starting to think that maybe penning is my true calling and not sorting.
I sorted 5 times and did not have one short go. Not all the busts were my fault, but I'm just not doing very well right now in sorting. Robin used to talk about that "wall" you run into, I think I am not only running into it, but slamming into it head on! LOL
I am not giving up on sorting, but maybe I need to take a step back, re-group and quit over thinking it. I really do think that I am way over thinking it.
I knew I was going to do one run in the 6 penning, which is for novices only. However, right before the 10 pen was to start, they needed 3 novice folks to round out the class. (the 10 class is for Pro/Am and novice) They asked me a couple of times and I said no. This class is for much better riders/competitors than I. Well, they kept calling out that they needed 1 more novice rider. I looked at Anthony and said I just wasn't good enough for that class. He then told me I was and I should do it. So I did. I drew up with 2 guys and then learned that one of them was well known across the states as one of the best penners there is. WOW! Now I was nervous! I told Anthony who I drew up with and he told me how to ride with him. DK also gave me some etiquette advice on how to act when running with folks of this caliber. That way, they learn to respect you as someone trying to learn if you respect their talents/abilities. I was totally okay with all the advice I was getting. So when it was our turn, I told them that this was only my second time and said what DK told me to say. Both guys were very nice and very helpful. Mr. Lesh then told me how he wanted me on the flank of his horse and how he wanted me to work and it was spot on what Anthony had already told me. Well, we got all 3 head on our first go! It was wicked awesome!!! There were like 25 teams in this class. On our second go we only got 1, but that is okay, I still had a blast. I think we got like 5th place. So I ain't complaining!
In the 6 penning, I drew up with Jason, who boards his horses at James' and we have sorted together before, so I knew he was a strong rider. And I drew with Sid again, just like last month. There were 18 teams in this class. We knew to qualify for the short go we needed 2 head, so that is what we did. On the short go we got 1 head and 3rd place. Once again, not complaining! I can't believe that I have only penned 3 times ever and have placed all 3 times. I am starting to think that maybe penning is my true calling and not sorting.
I sorted 5 times and did not have one short go. Not all the busts were my fault, but I'm just not doing very well right now in sorting. Robin used to talk about that "wall" you run into, I think I am not only running into it, but slamming into it head on! LOL
I am not giving up on sorting, but maybe I need to take a step back, re-group and quit over thinking it. I really do think that I am way over thinking it.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
August 2011 SWTPA / NATRC
What a great show!
I FINALLY worked up the nerve to team pen. And it was AWESOME! I loved it! I love the speed of it and the action of it.
I had been wanting to try for sometime now, but just never worked up the nerve to throw my name in the draw. Well, I finally just did it. I rode with a man named Syd and Felicia's son, Coy. It was so fun! There were 14 teams and we got third place. No money as it only paid first and second, but I earned another 8 points for year end. Won't matter much tho as I only have like 14 points anyway, but now I have 22. LOL
We had 3 head on our first go. Syd and Coy got 2 head and the third one just pealed it's way out of the herd right in front of me. So I started hollering pen, pen, pen. I was the hole person and Syd and Coy were the wing and swing. One of the cows got past Coy and ran back towards the herd. It was too late to do anything so we penned the 2 we had. On our second go, Coy pealed out one good and one trash. I didn't stop the trash so had to haul butt after it down the arena wall. I finally headed it and turned it back and chased the crap out of it. Again, Coy pulled one good and one trash out of the herd. We were running out of time, so brought them both down to the pen. This time Syd was the hole and Coy was the wing and I was the swing. Coy took off after the trash and hollered at me to pen. So I penned our 1 cow and threw my hand in the air as we waited on Coy to push the trash back past the foul line. We finished the a total of 3 head and third place. Yes, I am hooked!
I sorted 3 times in the 3 class. My partners were Vicki, Mike and my draw was Katie, their niece. Mike and I got 3, Vicki and I got 4 and Katie and I busted. No short runs for me this month. But I wasn't distraught about it. The cows were tough and we did the best we could for novices. Even though I had no short goes, I was real happy with our performance. Shelby and I are starting to click. Slow as it may be, we are getting there. I am finally learning to set her back and then turn her when working the hole and we didn't let one cow get past us even though the pressure was on!
The Wednesday prior to the show, I did take a lesson with James and it was a good one. He only corrected me once. My moves were good, Shelby and I are working better as a team all the time, so I am real happy with that. James even commented on how Shelby has really calmed down. He even said again that he knew I would be good for her.
Summer is really coming along and getting fit for our job as Safety Chair for the Benefit NATRC ride in September. It is the weekend of the 10th. We do about 3 good conditioning rides a week and on the weekend we do long slow distance in the pasture with some moving out. Even if we have to hit every trail 3 or 4 times. I may get bored, but it is for her benefit and health.
I bought Hank the Hackney Pony back. Hank has dropped a considerable amount of weight. David was very upset a couple of weeks ago when he saw him. When I was leasing him from Barb, he was being fed twice a day as he is a hard keeper. I wish he was an air fern, but he isn't. When I relinquished my leash on him, Barb only fed him once a day. That wasn't working, and he started loosing weight. Then she was going to sell him. He was in no condition to sell as he needed to gain about 50 pounds. I literally wanted to be sick every time I thought about him leaving. So I talked to her about him and asked how much. She told me. I told her I wanted to buy him out right. So she cut the price in half and starting crying as she was so happy I was buying him. Even David was glad that Hank is back with us. Plus, when we get our own place, Hank will be the third horse I was planning on getting anyway as I wanted a companion horse for when Summer or Shelby had to leave for work.
Chompers has a new home. I have given him to my driving instructor Denise. Her barn isn't ready yet, but should be done in fall, then he will be leaving. I love that little pony, but she will take him somewhere as far as showing. He will be awesome in the show ring and Denise is the one that can take him there! So I am excited as they will be a good match, much like Hank and I.
I FINALLY worked up the nerve to team pen. And it was AWESOME! I loved it! I love the speed of it and the action of it.
I had been wanting to try for sometime now, but just never worked up the nerve to throw my name in the draw. Well, I finally just did it. I rode with a man named Syd and Felicia's son, Coy. It was so fun! There were 14 teams and we got third place. No money as it only paid first and second, but I earned another 8 points for year end. Won't matter much tho as I only have like 14 points anyway, but now I have 22. LOL
We had 3 head on our first go. Syd and Coy got 2 head and the third one just pealed it's way out of the herd right in front of me. So I started hollering pen, pen, pen. I was the hole person and Syd and Coy were the wing and swing. One of the cows got past Coy and ran back towards the herd. It was too late to do anything so we penned the 2 we had. On our second go, Coy pealed out one good and one trash. I didn't stop the trash so had to haul butt after it down the arena wall. I finally headed it and turned it back and chased the crap out of it. Again, Coy pulled one good and one trash out of the herd. We were running out of time, so brought them both down to the pen. This time Syd was the hole and Coy was the wing and I was the swing. Coy took off after the trash and hollered at me to pen. So I penned our 1 cow and threw my hand in the air as we waited on Coy to push the trash back past the foul line. We finished the a total of 3 head and third place. Yes, I am hooked!
I sorted 3 times in the 3 class. My partners were Vicki, Mike and my draw was Katie, their niece. Mike and I got 3, Vicki and I got 4 and Katie and I busted. No short runs for me this month. But I wasn't distraught about it. The cows were tough and we did the best we could for novices. Even though I had no short goes, I was real happy with our performance. Shelby and I are starting to click. Slow as it may be, we are getting there. I am finally learning to set her back and then turn her when working the hole and we didn't let one cow get past us even though the pressure was on!
The Wednesday prior to the show, I did take a lesson with James and it was a good one. He only corrected me once. My moves were good, Shelby and I are working better as a team all the time, so I am real happy with that. James even commented on how Shelby has really calmed down. He even said again that he knew I would be good for her.
Summer is really coming along and getting fit for our job as Safety Chair for the Benefit NATRC ride in September. It is the weekend of the 10th. We do about 3 good conditioning rides a week and on the weekend we do long slow distance in the pasture with some moving out. Even if we have to hit every trail 3 or 4 times. I may get bored, but it is for her benefit and health.
I bought Hank the Hackney Pony back. Hank has dropped a considerable amount of weight. David was very upset a couple of weeks ago when he saw him. When I was leasing him from Barb, he was being fed twice a day as he is a hard keeper. I wish he was an air fern, but he isn't. When I relinquished my leash on him, Barb only fed him once a day. That wasn't working, and he started loosing weight. Then she was going to sell him. He was in no condition to sell as he needed to gain about 50 pounds. I literally wanted to be sick every time I thought about him leaving. So I talked to her about him and asked how much. She told me. I told her I wanted to buy him out right. So she cut the price in half and starting crying as she was so happy I was buying him. Even David was glad that Hank is back with us. Plus, when we get our own place, Hank will be the third horse I was planning on getting anyway as I wanted a companion horse for when Summer or Shelby had to leave for work.
Chompers has a new home. I have given him to my driving instructor Denise. Her barn isn't ready yet, but should be done in fall, then he will be leaving. I love that little pony, but she will take him somewhere as far as showing. He will be awesome in the show ring and Denise is the one that can take him there! So I am excited as they will be a good match, much like Hank and I.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
July 2011 SWTPA weekend
Well, I don't know about everyone else (yes I do) but I had a fun weekend. It was hot, but I kept my pony watered, she was well hydrated due to me putting electrolytes in her feed for 4 days prior to the show and we just went in with the thought of having fun. Because if you don't have fun, you might as well not come at all.
I entered the 3 class with Mike and Vicki and I did 2 draws. I drew a lady named Kim (very nice lady) and a guy named Keith (also very nice). Mike and I busted, Kim and I busted (and there was nothing we could do as the cows were tough!) and Keith and I busted (my fault per James as I didn't take the pressure off fast enough, my bad!) Vicki and I however, got a whole 3 head. And with 63 teams in our class, I was sure we didn't have a "go back", but we did. All but 20 teams busted and it was a 20 team go back. So we went back in and got another 6 head. I thought it was a very good run for a couple of novices. After our run I sat back and counted how many folks busted and how many got less the a 9 head total. When we were done, I told Vicki we were sitting in 8th place and I was right. We were very happy with that as that is the first time we have placed as a team.
Now let's talk about some other folks real quick. Several folks go there specifically to win money and they believe they SHOULD win. Period. If you go in with that mind set and don't win, you don't have fun. So what is the point? And what makes you think you are SO good that you should win all the time? I go in with the mind set of first and foremost, having fun. Then my second mind set is "I would just love to get 1 point", that means I would have to take 10th place. And I am totally cool with that. So for us to take 8th place and earn 3 points, well, I was just giddy as a school girl. Do you think that maybe I am not competitive enough for this sport? Well, then you don't know me. I will go in and do my very best for you. Whether you are there and serious about winning that all mighty dollar or you are there just to have fun, I will do everything I have learned from my instructor. But if I mess up or you mess up, get over it. It's just a GAME!!! And if you are there to win big cause you need to pay a bill, then maybe you ought to get a second job instead where you KNOW you will get cash coming to you. Okay, off my soap box.
Late in the evening I ran 3 times in the 6 class. Vicki, DK and my draw Katy. I was happy to have drawn her, but we busted pretty quick. Vicki and I got 5 head and DK and I got 6. There were 53 teams in this class for a 15 team "go back". Vicki and I didn't get a short run, but we were still very happy with our performance. DK and I busted, but not before we had 4 head already sorted. Had we just stopped we would have placed. But we busted. The cows were basically on top of me (I was in the gate) and we busted. I was very happy with our performance though. We did better than last month and I am hoping that means we will do even better next month.
And the highlight of my evening at the pens is when David showed up to watch. He has seen me at practice once but never at a competition. So I was happy about that. He even stayed and helped me with Shelby when it was time to leave. Then he followed me to the barn at 12:30am and helped me feed my crew then followed me home.
Sunday I woke up late so that meant no going to the barn as it was already getting hot. So David and I just hung out all day. Went to the feed store, went and looked at that property we are interested in, I took him to lunch, then a bit of shopping before we headed home.
That evening I did take a very nice ride on Summer in the pasture. We moved out several times and it was just very enjoyable. So it was a nice end to a great weekend.
I entered the 3 class with Mike and Vicki and I did 2 draws. I drew a lady named Kim (very nice lady) and a guy named Keith (also very nice). Mike and I busted, Kim and I busted (and there was nothing we could do as the cows were tough!) and Keith and I busted (my fault per James as I didn't take the pressure off fast enough, my bad!) Vicki and I however, got a whole 3 head. And with 63 teams in our class, I was sure we didn't have a "go back", but we did. All but 20 teams busted and it was a 20 team go back. So we went back in and got another 6 head. I thought it was a very good run for a couple of novices. After our run I sat back and counted how many folks busted and how many got less the a 9 head total. When we were done, I told Vicki we were sitting in 8th place and I was right. We were very happy with that as that is the first time we have placed as a team.
Now let's talk about some other folks real quick. Several folks go there specifically to win money and they believe they SHOULD win. Period. If you go in with that mind set and don't win, you don't have fun. So what is the point? And what makes you think you are SO good that you should win all the time? I go in with the mind set of first and foremost, having fun. Then my second mind set is "I would just love to get 1 point", that means I would have to take 10th place. And I am totally cool with that. So for us to take 8th place and earn 3 points, well, I was just giddy as a school girl. Do you think that maybe I am not competitive enough for this sport? Well, then you don't know me. I will go in and do my very best for you. Whether you are there and serious about winning that all mighty dollar or you are there just to have fun, I will do everything I have learned from my instructor. But if I mess up or you mess up, get over it. It's just a GAME!!! And if you are there to win big cause you need to pay a bill, then maybe you ought to get a second job instead where you KNOW you will get cash coming to you. Okay, off my soap box.
Late in the evening I ran 3 times in the 6 class. Vicki, DK and my draw Katy. I was happy to have drawn her, but we busted pretty quick. Vicki and I got 5 head and DK and I got 6. There were 53 teams in this class for a 15 team "go back". Vicki and I didn't get a short run, but we were still very happy with our performance. DK and I busted, but not before we had 4 head already sorted. Had we just stopped we would have placed. But we busted. The cows were basically on top of me (I was in the gate) and we busted. I was very happy with our performance though. We did better than last month and I am hoping that means we will do even better next month.
And the highlight of my evening at the pens is when David showed up to watch. He has seen me at practice once but never at a competition. So I was happy about that. He even stayed and helped me with Shelby when it was time to leave. Then he followed me to the barn at 12:30am and helped me feed my crew then followed me home.
Sunday I woke up late so that meant no going to the barn as it was already getting hot. So David and I just hung out all day. Went to the feed store, went and looked at that property we are interested in, I took him to lunch, then a bit of shopping before we headed home.
That evening I did take a very nice ride on Summer in the pasture. We moved out several times and it was just very enjoyable. So it was a nice end to a great weekend.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
EHV-1...you suck...
Well, I guess most everyone has heard about the EHV-1 scare going on right now. Yes, it sucks.
Our barn owner, Barb, has put a movement restriction on the facility. No new horses on and no one is to leave unless you don't want to bring your horse back until she lifts the restriction. But I wasn't going to move my horses for at least 2 weeks anyway. So no biggy for me there. I am just glad she made it a rule as what if someone else left then brought it back. My caution would be for not then.
I missed my sorting clinic, but the weather actually fixed that for us anyway. It rained real good last Friday and JB's arena was too wet and Roy already had an event at his so we couldn't use it anyway. So the clinic was canceled.
I just hung around the barn all weekend. Did some much needed chores and played with my girls and my mini man.
This weekend the SWTPA show will go on, but with one change. They will not have water tanks for you to water your horses. Which I don't do anyway. I always bring my own water and buckets. If Barb lifts the movement restrictions, I will take Shelby and keep her on my trailer away from other horses. If she doesn't life the restrictions, I will just go and volunteer my time.
That's about it for news I guess. TTFN!
Our barn owner, Barb, has put a movement restriction on the facility. No new horses on and no one is to leave unless you don't want to bring your horse back until she lifts the restriction. But I wasn't going to move my horses for at least 2 weeks anyway. So no biggy for me there. I am just glad she made it a rule as what if someone else left then brought it back. My caution would be for not then.
I missed my sorting clinic, but the weather actually fixed that for us anyway. It rained real good last Friday and JB's arena was too wet and Roy already had an event at his so we couldn't use it anyway. So the clinic was canceled.
I just hung around the barn all weekend. Did some much needed chores and played with my girls and my mini man.
This weekend the SWTPA show will go on, but with one change. They will not have water tanks for you to water your horses. Which I don't do anyway. I always bring my own water and buckets. If Barb lifts the movement restrictions, I will take Shelby and keep her on my trailer away from other horses. If she doesn't life the restrictions, I will just go and volunteer my time.
That's about it for news I guess. TTFN!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Another day at the sorting pens...
Had a great weekend this past weekend!
Worked our home trails Saturday, even with the wind trying to knock me off my horse. But she was real good while I clipped, cleared and marked trail.
Sunday, I went to sorting practice. Tracey decided to come with her horse Amira. Toni and her beau Kelley decided to come down from Decatur for some practice as it had been awhile since they have worked cows.
There was a good turn out this day. I got to run with each one of my "class mates" that showed up and with James, our instructor. I had some pretty decent runs, but my best two were with Vicki and James. Didn't do too bad with Robin except for Summer lunging out of the hole at the wrong time and at the good cow, causing it to turn back and Robin having to go get it again. But we must remember, we are aboard something with a mind of its own.
But I was real proud of Summer. She was real good. We have a lesson this next Saturday and then SWTPA the following Saturday. Let's hope she is good then too. But I did slow my brain down like James told me and I didn't over think Summer. I know that when I am pumped up, I am way over thinking my horse, her abilities and her comfort zone. She still gets nervous when we are seperating the herd, and I need to remember that and sssllllooowww down a bit while she does the job I am asking of her. Slow to seperate, but she loves it when the chase is on! Man does she love chasing them cows. LOL
Worked our home trails Saturday, even with the wind trying to knock me off my horse. But she was real good while I clipped, cleared and marked trail.
Sunday, I went to sorting practice. Tracey decided to come with her horse Amira. Toni and her beau Kelley decided to come down from Decatur for some practice as it had been awhile since they have worked cows.
There was a good turn out this day. I got to run with each one of my "class mates" that showed up and with James, our instructor. I had some pretty decent runs, but my best two were with Vicki and James. Didn't do too bad with Robin except for Summer lunging out of the hole at the wrong time and at the good cow, causing it to turn back and Robin having to go get it again. But we must remember, we are aboard something with a mind of its own.
But I was real proud of Summer. She was real good. We have a lesson this next Saturday and then SWTPA the following Saturday. Let's hope she is good then too. But I did slow my brain down like James told me and I didn't over think Summer. I know that when I am pumped up, I am way over thinking my horse, her abilities and her comfort zone. She still gets nervous when we are seperating the herd, and I need to remember that and sssllllooowww down a bit while she does the job I am asking of her. Slow to seperate, but she loves it when the chase is on! Man does she love chasing them cows. LOL
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
It's been a month since I posted last...
The last month has been pretty good.
We Texans lived through one of the coldest few days in 15 years. Lots of freezing rain, ice, sleet, snow...you name it, we got it. But after that, the next week was in the 70's. Go figure. Gotta love this Texas weather.
We Texans lived through one of the coldest few days in 15 years. Lots of freezing rain, ice, sleet, snow...you name it, we got it. But after that, the next week was in the 70's. Go figure. Gotta love this Texas weather.
I have started riding my barn owner's little Arab mare, Harper again. (that is her in the winter pic above) She is doing good, but just needs a lot of miles. I started riding her because Summer had a corneal ulcer and couldn't be ridden for awhile. So I have become a little attached to her. She has a little attitude which is kinda funny. She tries to bully but she is slowly realizing that I am not the kind that is bullied by horses. One thing I can say, she is smart as whip.
I took her to sorting practice this past Sunday. She will be 10 years old in about April or so. Never been near a cow and I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. She is an aggressive mare towards other horses and other kinds of animals. (She is only 14hh so I think she has little horse syndrome lol) Tracey watched as she chased a squirrel out of her pen. So with that news, I was hoping she would do the same with cows. She was a bit hesitant about going to get her cow, but once we were on one, she laid those ears flat back and she was off. She even unseated me a bit by lunging at a cow.
We did 4 runs and her owner came to watch as we did the best of the 4 so I was pretty happy about that. Barb (Harper's owner) talked to James (my instructor who is also a horse trainer) and he told her things he wanted in a horse before he took them on to train. So Barb and I are going to start Harper's ground work and get her ready. If she really takes to this, I am sure Summer will be happy for the break away from cows.
Summer and I competed in the February SWTPA and didn't place. I did 7 runs with her this past Saturday. Once it was all said and done, James told me to slow my brain down. In other words, I was going too fast for Summer's comfort level. Summer doesn't like to move into the herd too fast and I was putting to much pressure on her. All of the busts and what-not were not my fault, but there were a couple that I put too much pressure on my partner while they were in the hole.
I did have one short run in the 3 sort, but my partner couldn't keep them out of the hole cause they were coming from both sides. And on another plus note, I did run in the 8 mix twice. Once with James. He had 5 runs in that class and if I'm not mistaken, I was the only one of his runs that didn't bust. We only got 3 head tho, and it took 5 to go back. Oh well, I was a bit nervous as that was the first time he and I have competed together. I can't wait for our next lesson. Maybe I can learn to ssslllooowww down for Summer's sake. LOL
But in the end, I had fun. Isn't that what it's supposed to be about anyway? Because if it isn't fun, what's the point.
TTFN!
I took her to sorting practice this past Sunday. She will be 10 years old in about April or so. Never been near a cow and I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. She is an aggressive mare towards other horses and other kinds of animals. (She is only 14hh so I think she has little horse syndrome lol) Tracey watched as she chased a squirrel out of her pen. So with that news, I was hoping she would do the same with cows. She was a bit hesitant about going to get her cow, but once we were on one, she laid those ears flat back and she was off. She even unseated me a bit by lunging at a cow.
We did 4 runs and her owner came to watch as we did the best of the 4 so I was pretty happy about that. Barb (Harper's owner) talked to James (my instructor who is also a horse trainer) and he told her things he wanted in a horse before he took them on to train. So Barb and I are going to start Harper's ground work and get her ready. If she really takes to this, I am sure Summer will be happy for the break away from cows.
Summer and I competed in the February SWTPA and didn't place. I did 7 runs with her this past Saturday. Once it was all said and done, James told me to slow my brain down. In other words, I was going too fast for Summer's comfort level. Summer doesn't like to move into the herd too fast and I was putting to much pressure on her. All of the busts and what-not were not my fault, but there were a couple that I put too much pressure on my partner while they were in the hole.
I did have one short run in the 3 sort, but my partner couldn't keep them out of the hole cause they were coming from both sides. And on another plus note, I did run in the 8 mix twice. Once with James. He had 5 runs in that class and if I'm not mistaken, I was the only one of his runs that didn't bust. We only got 3 head tho, and it took 5 to go back. Oh well, I was a bit nervous as that was the first time he and I have competed together. I can't wait for our next lesson. Maybe I can learn to ssslllooowww down for Summer's sake. LOL
But in the end, I had fun. Isn't that what it's supposed to be about anyway? Because if it isn't fun, what's the point.
TTFN!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January 2011 SWTPA. What a way to start the year!
Well, Summer and I got to the arena at about 9:30ish thinking that they penning had already started as it is supposed to start at 9am. But no. Computer issues caused the show to start an hour and a half late. Oh well. Lot's of extra time for visiting. Not that I am a penner anyway, but at least I got to watch some of the beginning of the competition.
But I think next month, I am not gonna get there quite so early. Think I'll sleep in a little later and leave my barn about 11am next time. At least that way, I can stay all night to help with the rest of the show and help tear down when it is all done.
Summer and I have taken a couple of lessons, gone to 1 practice day and have attended 1 clinic since I have been back to sorting. I had to stop early last year due to time constrants, finances and then my back decided it was going to go out for a few months. So here we are, picking up where we left off.
While at the arena this past Saturday, I saw a new friend that I had made last year at a SWTPA show. He was a draw back then. His name is Buck and he's a real nice fella. Reminds me of a little older version of my friend Mark. That's what I like about draws though. You really do make new friends. I saw Buck and we said our howdys to each other and then he asked if I wanted to run in the 8 mix sort with him. Cool. Okay.
The 8 mix sort is a new class that they started this year. It is a man/woman team only and your ratings together cannot equal over 8. He is a 2 and I am a 1. There were 46 teams in this class and he was the only one I was running with. He had 2 runs in this class. Myself and a new friend I made, JoLynn. Well, he and I finished the first run with 4 head which gave us a run in the short go. I didn't do to well in the short run and we finished the class with a total of 5 head. I felt bad, but, it is still anybodies game. And sure enough, out of 15 teams in the short go, 7 of them busted. So, Buck and I ended up in 8th place! Not a check, but it will give us points for the year end.
Next was the 3 sort. My regular class. I had one partner, Robin, and 4 draws. Not a whole lot of folks know me or know what Summer and I can do yet. But maybe they learned a little more about me and my girl this day. I had 3 runs in the first set and 2 runs in the third set. There were 72 teams so that made it 24 teams in each set. The first three runs were clean with three head each. My forth run was with a guy named David. Now, let's talk about him for a minute. I am sure I was his draw. Poor guy. I am sure when he saw he was going to have to run with the lady wearing the bucket on her head he was like, "okay, let's get this over with". Sometimes, I can just imagine what is going threw these cowboy's heads when they see me comin'. LOL Well, we got 4 head. On my last run, my partner busted on me. It happens. There were 20 teams that went back in the short run. David was my only short run. He had two, me and a guy he was running with named Frank. Well, David and Frank went before David and I and they finished with a 10 head total. I knew I had to get at least that. That's what I wanted anyway. So I rode up to David and told him that I took lessons from JB and that I was just gonna run with him the way I do JB. He said, okay. And we got 6 head for a 10 head total. I was happy with that, but several folks finished with a 10 head total. Our times would place us. 1st place finished with 12 head, 2nd with 11 head, 3rd with 10 head....and they called mine and David's name! I let out a squeal! OMG! I just couldn't believe it that we had the fastest time. I was just elated! My first SWTPA check! And more points!
That evening made me decide to quit telling people what breed of horse Summer is. I tell them to prepare them. But what I am really doing, is expecting to fail my partner. Summer may be a TWH, but she can sort, chase, and with the help of my big mouth, work the gate. And that night, they also saw, that just because I wear a helmet, doesn't mean I can't whup and ride with the best of them. Maybe I wear a helmet because I whup and ride harder than the rest of them. Yea, that has to be it. ; )
But I think next month, I am not gonna get there quite so early. Think I'll sleep in a little later and leave my barn about 11am next time. At least that way, I can stay all night to help with the rest of the show and help tear down when it is all done.
Summer and I have taken a couple of lessons, gone to 1 practice day and have attended 1 clinic since I have been back to sorting. I had to stop early last year due to time constrants, finances and then my back decided it was going to go out for a few months. So here we are, picking up where we left off.
While at the arena this past Saturday, I saw a new friend that I had made last year at a SWTPA show. He was a draw back then. His name is Buck and he's a real nice fella. Reminds me of a little older version of my friend Mark. That's what I like about draws though. You really do make new friends. I saw Buck and we said our howdys to each other and then he asked if I wanted to run in the 8 mix sort with him. Cool. Okay.
The 8 mix sort is a new class that they started this year. It is a man/woman team only and your ratings together cannot equal over 8. He is a 2 and I am a 1. There were 46 teams in this class and he was the only one I was running with. He had 2 runs in this class. Myself and a new friend I made, JoLynn. Well, he and I finished the first run with 4 head which gave us a run in the short go. I didn't do to well in the short run and we finished the class with a total of 5 head. I felt bad, but, it is still anybodies game. And sure enough, out of 15 teams in the short go, 7 of them busted. So, Buck and I ended up in 8th place! Not a check, but it will give us points for the year end.
Next was the 3 sort. My regular class. I had one partner, Robin, and 4 draws. Not a whole lot of folks know me or know what Summer and I can do yet. But maybe they learned a little more about me and my girl this day. I had 3 runs in the first set and 2 runs in the third set. There were 72 teams so that made it 24 teams in each set. The first three runs were clean with three head each. My forth run was with a guy named David. Now, let's talk about him for a minute. I am sure I was his draw. Poor guy. I am sure when he saw he was going to have to run with the lady wearing the bucket on her head he was like, "okay, let's get this over with". Sometimes, I can just imagine what is going threw these cowboy's heads when they see me comin'. LOL Well, we got 4 head. On my last run, my partner busted on me. It happens. There were 20 teams that went back in the short run. David was my only short run. He had two, me and a guy he was running with named Frank. Well, David and Frank went before David and I and they finished with a 10 head total. I knew I had to get at least that. That's what I wanted anyway. So I rode up to David and told him that I took lessons from JB and that I was just gonna run with him the way I do JB. He said, okay. And we got 6 head for a 10 head total. I was happy with that, but several folks finished with a 10 head total. Our times would place us. 1st place finished with 12 head, 2nd with 11 head, 3rd with 10 head....and they called mine and David's name! I let out a squeal! OMG! I just couldn't believe it that we had the fastest time. I was just elated! My first SWTPA check! And more points!
That evening made me decide to quit telling people what breed of horse Summer is. I tell them to prepare them. But what I am really doing, is expecting to fail my partner. Summer may be a TWH, but she can sort, chase, and with the help of my big mouth, work the gate. And that night, they also saw, that just because I wear a helmet, doesn't mean I can't whup and ride with the best of them. Maybe I wear a helmet because I whup and ride harder than the rest of them. Yea, that has to be it. ; )
Friday, January 14, 2011
First SWTPA show of 2011
Am I ready? You bet!
Is Summer ready? I sure hope so!
Got her SMB's (boots) cleaned this morning and they are lying on the counter drying. Washing my jeans and getting things ready tonight.
I get a bit nervous the day before a competition like this. Besides trying to do my best for Summer, I have a human partner that is counting on me too. I pay $25.00 per run and so do they. I always think that I don't want to waste their money. But then I think, if you can't afford to loose it, don't compete. Cause odds are, you're gonna loose it. There are more losers than there are winners in this game.
Then I ask myself, why on earth do I spend all this $$ just to loose it? Maybe I know deep down that Summer and I do have the right stuff. And with the right partner and good cows, we will bring home some money someday. We have won in other, smaller jackpots, why not in a big one? I'm not saying we are U.S. worthy because I know better, but we might have a fighting chance here. We did place last January and the other two shows we did, we had short goes at each one of those.
But most of all, it's not the money, it's the sport itself. If I could do this all day long, I would. I just love ranch sorting.
Now dust off your jeans, tighten up your spurs, grab a good horse and chase some fresh cows!
Is Summer ready? I sure hope so!
Got her SMB's (boots) cleaned this morning and they are lying on the counter drying. Washing my jeans and getting things ready tonight.
I get a bit nervous the day before a competition like this. Besides trying to do my best for Summer, I have a human partner that is counting on me too. I pay $25.00 per run and so do they. I always think that I don't want to waste their money. But then I think, if you can't afford to loose it, don't compete. Cause odds are, you're gonna loose it. There are more losers than there are winners in this game.
Then I ask myself, why on earth do I spend all this $$ just to loose it? Maybe I know deep down that Summer and I do have the right stuff. And with the right partner and good cows, we will bring home some money someday. We have won in other, smaller jackpots, why not in a big one? I'm not saying we are U.S. worthy because I know better, but we might have a fighting chance here. We did place last January and the other two shows we did, we had short goes at each one of those.
But most of all, it's not the money, it's the sport itself. If I could do this all day long, I would. I just love ranch sorting.
Now dust off your jeans, tighten up your spurs, grab a good horse and chase some fresh cows!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Awesome sorting clinic this Saturday!
About a month ago, my friend Robin called me and said they had a spot open in their sorting clinic and asked if I wanted it. Of course I jumped on it and said yes!
They started this clinic a few months ago with just 8 people as the coordinator said that is a good number for everyone to be able to get some good runs in and some good one on one training with the clinician, James. James is also the person I take my regular 2 hour lessons with.
Anyway, Summer was a bit nervous as she separated her first herd, then settled into it very well when she remembered what she was supposed to do. We all got to run with each other one time then run with James when the clinic was over.
This was a very informative session and I learned a lot of why Summer does some of the things she does. Rider error! I have always noticed that when she and I are working the gate, she starts moving and getting real antsy. Well, it is me. James showed me what I am doing with my hands when we start working the gate. My hands are all over the place so to speak. So I need to quiet my hands and quit "talking" to her. We also learned team work. And by that I mean, if you have a cow that just absolutely will not go through the gate and your partner is working it and there are no other cows around, then go in and help your partner push that cow through the gate. Mike and I had this happen to us several times and it was a fun lesson to work on.
What was also good about this clinic was the cows we used were "fresh". Meaning, they had never been worked like this so they didn't know the "rules" of the game, which made it more challenging for us. I loved it!
I also got more than one compliment on Summer's abilities. I told one guy, before the clinic started, that she was a Walking Horse and he "jokingly" apologized for that. After he saw us run a few times, he came up to me and said, "She's pretty good." Well duh! LOL
After the clinic, I told the coordinator that I would love to be the first on the second list of folks to be called if there were anymore cancellations in the future. She said no problem. She told me, with Robin standing there, that 8 was a really good number for the clinic that way everyone got to run 7 times and then with James. I had absolutely no problem with that and told her I would be honored if they called me again.
After I left the arena, I guess it came to James' attention about what Connie (the coordinator) had told me about only 8 people taking James' clinic. Robin said that James seemed a bit put out/frustrated about that and told Robin to call me and tell me that I was invited to all of his clinics and then said he would call Connie and tell her that too. WOW! I was so happy! I just hope Connie won't be put out by this as I was totally okay with what she had told me about me being the first call on the second string. But it is his clinic and he is the one getting paid. I just felt very honored that James would invite me to come to all of his clinics as I learned so much Saturday about the sport that I love and doing it with a horse that technically wasn 't built physically or designed mentally to do. I sometimes feel like I am wasting his time when he could have others in there with better trained horses and such. I have even asked him personally about this. I told him privately at our last lesson, that I had a thick skin and he wouldn't hurt my feelings if he told me the truth, so I asked him if I was wasting his time and to please let me know. He said I was NOT wasting his time.
I'll never forget our first lesson with him. There were 4 other ladies there besides me and all of them were on stock horses. After our lesson, he pulled me aside and told me I was his strongest rider that day. And here I was on my little ol' TWH. But I have to say, I am a pretty aggressive rider and I just LOVE this dang sport!
Now that we are getting back into sorting, I put Summer back on a joint supplement. She has been off of it for several months so I decided that if we are competing again, I must protect her joints. I am sure she will appreciate that.
This weekend is our SWTPA show for 2011. And if Summer is good physically, we will be there with our boots on! (Which I finally got dirty this weekend! See pic above!) YeeHaw!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
I hope this isn't a sign of what is to come in 2011!
January 2nd, I go riding at Six-O with Liz. We ride the rocky side first and Summer just doesn't seem "right". She is off a little. It's felt like riding a barefoot horse over gravel. Very tender and tip toey. In the grass, she seemed better. After about 4 miles, we head back to the trailers to meet Mary and grab a quick bite. I pick Summer's feet and find a stone in one about the size of a shooter marble. I figured that was her problem and we head back out to the other side of the ranch. She is moving much freer now and seems like her old self. Even picked up a wonderful QH lope without being asked. We ride another 8 miles or so and head back in. Besides the first 4 miles of Summer feeling funny, it was a wonderful ride. Summer cantered and gaited so nice on the second half of the ride.
Well, when I get her home, she is off again. Doug, my farrier, checked her Monday night for me and gave me an idea. But the main consensus is that she has a stone bruise in her right frog. There is also a tad bit of swelling in her pasturn. No heat, just fill mostly.
Tuesday night I slather Ickthamol in her hoof and make her a boot out of gauze, vet wrap and duct tape. Before I do this tho, I notice she is walking a little more freer and natural, and I even walked her over gravel and didn't see any tip toeing. I also noticed the fluid in her pasturn was gone.
Last night I pulled the boot and all was about the same. She was walking okay and even out walked me. I did notice some slight fill back in that pasturn and rubbed some Thermaflex on it.
When I got home last night from the barn, my back decided it had had enough and started acting like a jerk. I took some pain meds and crawled into bed to let it rest. I have a sorting clinic on Saturday and sorting on Sunday. Our first SWTPA show is on the 15th. I just pray that my back and her hoof are ready by then. As I sit here and type this, my back is reminding me it is still there. Stiff and sore.
I just pray that these two issues that Summer and I are having aren't a sign for things to come in 2011.
Well, when I get her home, she is off again. Doug, my farrier, checked her Monday night for me and gave me an idea. But the main consensus is that she has a stone bruise in her right frog. There is also a tad bit of swelling in her pasturn. No heat, just fill mostly.
Tuesday night I slather Ickthamol in her hoof and make her a boot out of gauze, vet wrap and duct tape. Before I do this tho, I notice she is walking a little more freer and natural, and I even walked her over gravel and didn't see any tip toeing. I also noticed the fluid in her pasturn was gone.
Last night I pulled the boot and all was about the same. She was walking okay and even out walked me. I did notice some slight fill back in that pasturn and rubbed some Thermaflex on it.
When I got home last night from the barn, my back decided it had had enough and started acting like a jerk. I took some pain meds and crawled into bed to let it rest. I have a sorting clinic on Saturday and sorting on Sunday. Our first SWTPA show is on the 15th. I just pray that my back and her hoof are ready by then. As I sit here and type this, my back is reminding me it is still there. Stiff and sore.
I just pray that these two issues that Summer and I are having aren't a sign for things to come in 2011.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Jaws at James', Minnow at the Arena...
I think it's me, but not sure.
Summer is a shark at James' during lessons. But is more timid at the arena. Is it me?
At James' she is pinning those ears and snaking that head and has on occasion, bit a cow in the rump. Our last lesson she was right on those cows, pushing them and just showing all kinds of cow horse potential. But this past Saturday at the competition, she was tense, and nervous about going to get our cow. I mean, we did have two short runs out of 77 teams, so I am not complaining there. But what's different?
Is it me? Or is it the difference in James' place verses all the action at the arena?
I know I am more relaxed during lessons which I know transfers to her. And of course, during any competition, I get butterflies in my stomach. Which again, I know transfers to her. But during our other sports, she still does fine even if I am a bit nervous.
Maybe it is just a combination of both. My nerves and the location. Just something I need to work on. She has proved too many times that she can do this. Maybe not to the caliber of an open cow horse, but definitely a novice cow horse.
Thanks for reading and Happy Trails!
Summer is a shark at James' during lessons. But is more timid at the arena. Is it me?
At James' she is pinning those ears and snaking that head and has on occasion, bit a cow in the rump. Our last lesson she was right on those cows, pushing them and just showing all kinds of cow horse potential. But this past Saturday at the competition, she was tense, and nervous about going to get our cow. I mean, we did have two short runs out of 77 teams, so I am not complaining there. But what's different?
Is it me? Or is it the difference in James' place verses all the action at the arena?
I know I am more relaxed during lessons which I know transfers to her. And of course, during any competition, I get butterflies in my stomach. Which again, I know transfers to her. But during our other sports, she still does fine even if I am a bit nervous.
Maybe it is just a combination of both. My nerves and the location. Just something I need to work on. She has proved too many times that she can do this. Maybe not to the caliber of an open cow horse, but definitely a novice cow horse.
Thanks for reading and Happy Trails!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
What a "fantabulous" weekend!
Saturday morning I borrowed David's truck as I didn't feel like unhooking my SUV from my horse trailer to go get a round bale. Got to the barn, wormed my ponies as they were in much need of a good worming, hooked up my barn owner's round bale picker upper trailer thingy (did ya like that? hehe), and headed to the feed store a whole mile and a half away from the barn. Got a round bale loaded on it and headed back to the barn with Summer's buffet.
While I was doing that, Barb and June headed to Rio Vista and picked up 60 square bales of some of the most beautiful hay I have seen in a long time. 10 of those bales were mine so when they got back, I helped unload and stack them all. My little feed room is now full and I have enough hay to last me hopefully till the first cut of the year. My ponies only go through about a bale a week and Summer's round will last for approximately 5 weeks.
After we got done with the hay, I realized it was a few minutes after 1pm. I loaded up Summer and headed to our sort lesson. Got there, unloaded Summer (and she was very good doing that), tacked up and Robin and I headed out for a few minutes in the pasture. After about 15 minutes, we saw James heading to the arena with a tacked horse so we headed that way ourselves. He brought 10 head of what appeared to be Angus cross cattle up to the pens. He got them in and Robin and I assisted him the best we could (without getting in the way) getting the cows in the squeeze shoot and placing the numbers on them. Before we got started doing this though, James warned us that these cows had never been worked before and we were to watch ourselves and be careful. (James also told us that the cows we worked the weekend prior, were also like the ones we were preparing to work and that is why folks were having a bit of a problem).
Once we got started, we had a good lesson. Summer was a bit spooky on her first entry, but wasn't a complete idiot. Being that these cows had never been worked before, they had no clue to the rules of the game. But that really gave me some learning and I loved it. Another good thing about these cows was, once you pushed them through the hole, they wanted back to their herd and since I had that same problem the last two SWTPA competitions, it gave me a chance to learn to watch the cows behind me while working the hole.
4 of us showed up for the lesson and it was a very nice day. I got to make one run with Allison and we did very well. Allison is the partner that I placed with in January and I think if we had more pratice time, we would do really well when competiting. Praying that Roy starts the Friday nights back up!
Robin's little mare Taz, has learned a new trick that terrifies me every time she does it, and she is doing it a lot. Rearing straight up and pawing the air. I have lost a friend to this and I will not loose another. James is going to put 30 days on Taz and I really hope he can stop this. I can tell this is breaking Robin's heart as she really cares for this horse and loves sorting. I pray that James can stop Taz from this dangerous habit.
All in all, it was a productive day for Summer and I. For the most part, we did better this day than the previous Saturday. But now I know what to watch for as the cows we are preparing to work may have never been worked before this day, and to not just go in balls to the wall. James also gave me something I can work on at home too using our barrel racing barrels.
Sunday was a semi work day at the barn. Barb, June, Tracey and I moved the dressage arena over. Now, you may think this a simple task, but this is not a normal arena, everything has to be precise. So that took a couple of hours, just moving markers on the ground, but it is done! Then I got my few chores done, saddled up and went for a nice ride on the trails with Tracey and another boarded.
It was a great weekend filled with horses and horse activities!
While I was doing that, Barb and June headed to Rio Vista and picked up 60 square bales of some of the most beautiful hay I have seen in a long time. 10 of those bales were mine so when they got back, I helped unload and stack them all. My little feed room is now full and I have enough hay to last me hopefully till the first cut of the year. My ponies only go through about a bale a week and Summer's round will last for approximately 5 weeks.
After we got done with the hay, I realized it was a few minutes after 1pm. I loaded up Summer and headed to our sort lesson. Got there, unloaded Summer (and she was very good doing that), tacked up and Robin and I headed out for a few minutes in the pasture. After about 15 minutes, we saw James heading to the arena with a tacked horse so we headed that way ourselves. He brought 10 head of what appeared to be Angus cross cattle up to the pens. He got them in and Robin and I assisted him the best we could (without getting in the way) getting the cows in the squeeze shoot and placing the numbers on them. Before we got started doing this though, James warned us that these cows had never been worked before and we were to watch ourselves and be careful. (James also told us that the cows we worked the weekend prior, were also like the ones we were preparing to work and that is why folks were having a bit of a problem).
Once we got started, we had a good lesson. Summer was a bit spooky on her first entry, but wasn't a complete idiot. Being that these cows had never been worked before, they had no clue to the rules of the game. But that really gave me some learning and I loved it. Another good thing about these cows was, once you pushed them through the hole, they wanted back to their herd and since I had that same problem the last two SWTPA competitions, it gave me a chance to learn to watch the cows behind me while working the hole.
4 of us showed up for the lesson and it was a very nice day. I got to make one run with Allison and we did very well. Allison is the partner that I placed with in January and I think if we had more pratice time, we would do really well when competiting. Praying that Roy starts the Friday nights back up!
Robin's little mare Taz, has learned a new trick that terrifies me every time she does it, and she is doing it a lot. Rearing straight up and pawing the air. I have lost a friend to this and I will not loose another. James is going to put 30 days on Taz and I really hope he can stop this. I can tell this is breaking Robin's heart as she really cares for this horse and loves sorting. I pray that James can stop Taz from this dangerous habit.
All in all, it was a productive day for Summer and I. For the most part, we did better this day than the previous Saturday. But now I know what to watch for as the cows we are preparing to work may have never been worked before this day, and to not just go in balls to the wall. James also gave me something I can work on at home too using our barrel racing barrels.
Sunday was a semi work day at the barn. Barb, June, Tracey and I moved the dressage arena over. Now, you may think this a simple task, but this is not a normal arena, everything has to be precise. So that took a couple of hours, just moving markers on the ground, but it is done! Then I got my few chores done, saddled up and went for a nice ride on the trails with Tracey and another boarded.
It was a great weekend filled with horses and horse activities!
Monday, February 22, 2010
February's sort
Well, I did exactly what I did in January. I got to the arena around 8:45 or so and set up Summer with her hay bag and water bucket. Got her good and groomed, tacked up, then I left her to eat her hay and I went in to visit and watch some penning.
We didn't start our class till about 4:30 or 4:45pm, almost like last month. There were 55 teams in my class again. I ran the maximum of 5 times, 3 partners and 2 draws. I partnered with Anthony, "M" and Allison and my 2 draws were "B" and "S". Both of whom were very nice and a pleasure to compete with.
I was totally off my game this day. The morning didn't start out to great as there was a bit of an accident at the barn before I got Summer loaded up.
Let's take a step back to Thursday night. I realized Thursday night that it had been almost 5 weeks since I had worked Summer on her trailer training. My bad. However, she was really very good when we practiced Thursday night. She went in front feet only then stepped out. Then I made her completely load up and asked her to back out. She got half way out, then sort of blew out. I told her in a very calm voice, "No, that is not what I wanted." So I loaded her back up and asked her to back out again. She backed out like a champ. We were done. End on a good note.
Back to Saturday morning. I asked her to load up, she got half way in, she had a momentary relapse and she blew backwards, she didn't hit her head, but when she did that, she lost the footing in her rear feet while her front feet where still in the air, she sort of spun around (not intentionally) and landed full on her right side. She jumped up and looked at me and I thought, "Oh crap, she is gonna bolt and I am gonna have a chase on my hands". But she didn't, she trotted off a few feet and I could tell she scared herself, but when I told her whoa in a calm voice, she just stopped and waited for me to come get her. I asked her if she was done and apparently she was as after that, she loaded right up. When we got to the arena (remember, it's only 4 miles from my barn), I fulled expected her to unload with no problems, and she was wonderful.
Anyway, Summer was working pretty good while warming up, so I figured she was fine from that mornings mishap. I even lunged her and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. However, she is in season and was somewhat apprehensive when sorting the cattle, which took precious seconds away from us. But there was no lacking of pilot error as well. I went into the herd too fast and didn't let her have time to think about what was going to happen. I was too far away from my cow when working it. I didn't read my cow fast enough at times. I am sure the list goes on, but I also have to say, those little buggers will a little tougher than last month.
With 2 of my partners, we weren't able to sort any. I went in first, worked the number called, after the 30 second buzzer went off I hollered "switch" to my partner and that takes about 3 seconds to switch which gave them 27 seconds to work it and they still couldn't cut it from the herd. One of those was with "M" and the other with "B".
With Allison, I had brought her the first cow and when she went in, she just couldn't get hers. Once she finally got it, that one and a trash cow came at the hole and even tho Summer actually seems to do pretty good in the hole, we just couldn't stop them. They both pushed through her and the fence.
With my other bust, it was another rear bust. Remember last month when that one cow came back thru the hole once it had been sorted, well it happened again! I thought those were rare!?! Well so far, I am 2 for 2! LOL That one was with "S". She brought me one, it was clean and I moved out of the hole, she pushed it thru, I went out, actually got my cow pretty fast and it was a clean one, she left the hole to go to the herd as that's how clean mine was, but when she moved out of the hole, the first cow was right behind her and shot right back out the hole! OMG, not again! LOL She kept apologizing and I told her unless she had eyes in the back of her head, to quit saying I'm sorry! LOL
With Anthony, we only sort 1 head. Not near enough for the short go.
Robin was there, but didn't sort as Taz was having some issues of her own. But we will be sorting next month. Heck we may be going to Gainsville this Saturday if the weather doesn't get too crappy! Yee Haw!
On a down note, I won't be sorting with "M" again, at least not as a write in partner. It may sound petty, but when she came to me after our ride and said we should have switched sooner, that really put me out. It was the way she said it, it was in her voice that it was my fault we didn't sort any. WT...? I won 2 jackpots, and a second place out of the 5 I entered last year, which means money in my pocket with all 3 and we placed last month. She as been doing this longer and hasn't done either. So don't sit there and make it sound like you are better than me when I was being nice when you came to us looking for partners and everyone else that was with me said their rides were full. I will take my chances with a draw next time. That just rubbed me the wrong way. If she is a draw next time, I will just make the best of it, but if she says something like that to me again, I will call her on it. She is no better than me and we both have a lot to learn, so, I will respectfully decline if she asks me again. Okay, off my soap box now. Had to vent. Sorry.
"B" (the other one I sorted with and got 0 cow) was super nice about our run. He actually apologized to me later cause he said his horse locked in on the first cow it saw and he couldn't get the horses focus on the cow we needed. Heck, no ones fault, just wasn't our luck. No biggie. We'll do better next time. And he said he liked that I switched cause he knows of times when the first sorter goes in and can burn up the entire 60 seconds cause they are so tunnel visioned. I took that as a compliment. Thank you sir. I hope to have the privilege of sorting with you again someday.
Anyway, all in all it was a real nice and fun day. I really enjoyed seeing my friends and just watching those extremely experienced guys, gals and their horses working those cows.
Thanks for reading
We didn't start our class till about 4:30 or 4:45pm, almost like last month. There were 55 teams in my class again. I ran the maximum of 5 times, 3 partners and 2 draws. I partnered with Anthony, "M" and Allison and my 2 draws were "B" and "S". Both of whom were very nice and a pleasure to compete with.
I was totally off my game this day. The morning didn't start out to great as there was a bit of an accident at the barn before I got Summer loaded up.
Let's take a step back to Thursday night. I realized Thursday night that it had been almost 5 weeks since I had worked Summer on her trailer training. My bad. However, she was really very good when we practiced Thursday night. She went in front feet only then stepped out. Then I made her completely load up and asked her to back out. She got half way out, then sort of blew out. I told her in a very calm voice, "No, that is not what I wanted." So I loaded her back up and asked her to back out again. She backed out like a champ. We were done. End on a good note.
Back to Saturday morning. I asked her to load up, she got half way in, she had a momentary relapse and she blew backwards, she didn't hit her head, but when she did that, she lost the footing in her rear feet while her front feet where still in the air, she sort of spun around (not intentionally) and landed full on her right side. She jumped up and looked at me and I thought, "Oh crap, she is gonna bolt and I am gonna have a chase on my hands". But she didn't, she trotted off a few feet and I could tell she scared herself, but when I told her whoa in a calm voice, she just stopped and waited for me to come get her. I asked her if she was done and apparently she was as after that, she loaded right up. When we got to the arena (remember, it's only 4 miles from my barn), I fulled expected her to unload with no problems, and she was wonderful.
Anyway, Summer was working pretty good while warming up, so I figured she was fine from that mornings mishap. I even lunged her and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. However, she is in season and was somewhat apprehensive when sorting the cattle, which took precious seconds away from us. But there was no lacking of pilot error as well. I went into the herd too fast and didn't let her have time to think about what was going to happen. I was too far away from my cow when working it. I didn't read my cow fast enough at times. I am sure the list goes on, but I also have to say, those little buggers will a little tougher than last month.
With 2 of my partners, we weren't able to sort any. I went in first, worked the number called, after the 30 second buzzer went off I hollered "switch" to my partner and that takes about 3 seconds to switch which gave them 27 seconds to work it and they still couldn't cut it from the herd. One of those was with "M" and the other with "B".
With Allison, I had brought her the first cow and when she went in, she just couldn't get hers. Once she finally got it, that one and a trash cow came at the hole and even tho Summer actually seems to do pretty good in the hole, we just couldn't stop them. They both pushed through her and the fence.
With my other bust, it was another rear bust. Remember last month when that one cow came back thru the hole once it had been sorted, well it happened again! I thought those were rare!?! Well so far, I am 2 for 2! LOL That one was with "S". She brought me one, it was clean and I moved out of the hole, she pushed it thru, I went out, actually got my cow pretty fast and it was a clean one, she left the hole to go to the herd as that's how clean mine was, but when she moved out of the hole, the first cow was right behind her and shot right back out the hole! OMG, not again! LOL She kept apologizing and I told her unless she had eyes in the back of her head, to quit saying I'm sorry! LOL
With Anthony, we only sort 1 head. Not near enough for the short go.
Robin was there, but didn't sort as Taz was having some issues of her own. But we will be sorting next month. Heck we may be going to Gainsville this Saturday if the weather doesn't get too crappy! Yee Haw!
On a down note, I won't be sorting with "M" again, at least not as a write in partner. It may sound petty, but when she came to me after our ride and said we should have switched sooner, that really put me out. It was the way she said it, it was in her voice that it was my fault we didn't sort any. WT...? I won 2 jackpots, and a second place out of the 5 I entered last year, which means money in my pocket with all 3 and we placed last month. She as been doing this longer and hasn't done either. So don't sit there and make it sound like you are better than me when I was being nice when you came to us looking for partners and everyone else that was with me said their rides were full. I will take my chances with a draw next time. That just rubbed me the wrong way. If she is a draw next time, I will just make the best of it, but if she says something like that to me again, I will call her on it. She is no better than me and we both have a lot to learn, so, I will respectfully decline if she asks me again. Okay, off my soap box now. Had to vent. Sorry.
"B" (the other one I sorted with and got 0 cow) was super nice about our run. He actually apologized to me later cause he said his horse locked in on the first cow it saw and he couldn't get the horses focus on the cow we needed. Heck, no ones fault, just wasn't our luck. No biggie. We'll do better next time. And he said he liked that I switched cause he knows of times when the first sorter goes in and can burn up the entire 60 seconds cause they are so tunnel visioned. I took that as a compliment. Thank you sir. I hope to have the privilege of sorting with you again someday.
Anyway, all in all it was a real nice and fun day. I really enjoyed seeing my friends and just watching those extremely experienced guys, gals and their horses working those cows.
Thanks for reading
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
SWTPA February sort...here we go again.
I can't believe it is this coming Saturday. It has been almost 5 weeks since our last sort and Summer's last contact with cattle. I hope she is mentally ready for this Saturday. My game plan is to get up there early again (even tho they are talking more rain) and just do what I did last month. Just hang out, ride a bit, tie her to the trailer with a hay bag in front of her and just let her chill before the sorting starts. That really seemed to do the trick last month as she was very relaxed and her game face was on.
If her game face is on this month, I will be more aggressive this time. I really wished I had been more aggressive last month as I really think we would have done even better than we did. But my nerves got in the way as I was afraid to mess up and bust.
I plan on doing 5 runs again and hope to get the partners that ran with me last month, Robin, Anthony and Allison, and do 2 draws again. I want to do some penning, but really would like to just get Summer moving thru 30 head of nervous cattle before I possibly waste my money and others money before I actually sign up to compete. I need to see what 30 cows will do to Summer's mind first. She may take it like a champ or say "forget you, I'm outta here!". You just don't want to waste others time if your horse isn't going to do well at it. I mean, it took several months before Summer's nervousness settled down in the sorting pens. But with my determination and aggressive riding in the pens, she has really learned to just do it and trust me. My instructor was impressed at how responsive Summer is to me. And I am always humbled by his compliments to me and Summer as he is a very good competitor. I believe her "inner cow horse" has really come out to shine.
My last two blogs were borrowed from a web site that I found and those tips REALLY helped me and I hope they help others as well.
Watch the blank and have a blessed week...
If her game face is on this month, I will be more aggressive this time. I really wished I had been more aggressive last month as I really think we would have done even better than we did. But my nerves got in the way as I was afraid to mess up and bust.
I plan on doing 5 runs again and hope to get the partners that ran with me last month, Robin, Anthony and Allison, and do 2 draws again. I want to do some penning, but really would like to just get Summer moving thru 30 head of nervous cattle before I possibly waste my money and others money before I actually sign up to compete. I need to see what 30 cows will do to Summer's mind first. She may take it like a champ or say "forget you, I'm outta here!". You just don't want to waste others time if your horse isn't going to do well at it. I mean, it took several months before Summer's nervousness settled down in the sorting pens. But with my determination and aggressive riding in the pens, she has really learned to just do it and trust me. My instructor was impressed at how responsive Summer is to me. And I am always humbled by his compliments to me and Summer as he is a very good competitor. I believe her "inner cow horse" has really come out to shine.
My last two blogs were borrowed from a web site that I found and those tips REALLY helped me and I hope they help others as well.
Watch the blank and have a blessed week...
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Our first SWTPA competition
Where do I start? Well, I guess at the beginning....
Summer and I started sorting about 6 months ago. It was just for fun to see if we could even do it. And look where we have gone. Entering 5 beginner jackpots and getting 1st place in 2 of them which put money back in my pocket. That was way cool! Now I have joined the SWTPA and we have competed in our first organized event. Wow, never saw that one coming. Never dreamed that we would be competing with all those stock horses and be the only non-stock horse there. That right there is cool in its own right. At least it is to me.
So, here goes my story: January 16th, 2010, found me loading Summer in the trailer and pulling out of the barn at about 8:20am. We arrived at about 8:30am. I know, that 10 minute drive is a booger! LOL The team penning started at 9am and sorting was to follow. Since I had never been to one of these events, I just wasn't sure when I needed to be there. But it was fun to watch the penning and now I am jonesing real bad to do that too. There were 4 penning classes and 5 sorting classes. I was in the "3 sorting" class. What that means is this; you are rated by your abilities and the ratings go from 1 to 6. (they actually have a board of directors that rates you) I of course, am a 1. The 3 sort means that only 1's and 2's can compete in this class. 1's can run with 1's and 2's can run with 1's, but 2's cannot run with 2's as that would equal to 4 and this was a 3 sort class. Confusing, but I understand it now. Anywho, I was only going to run 3 times. I was going to run with Robin and her husband Anthony and do my one manditory draw. But, I got brave and decided, what the heck, run 5 times! (which is the maximum you can run). So, I put in for 3 draws and my two partners. Well, Ken Stoker was there as was his wife Allison. He is a director for this association and is TWH knowledgable as his father raises and shows plantation walkers in Arkansas. He finally talked Allison into competing and using his QH, Salty. So she was my third partner and I changed to 2 draws. (hope this isn't too confusing).
Our class started about 5pm. There were 56 teams just in my class! OMG, all I wanted to do was not bust on my first go 'rounds. My first run in was with a draw. He was an older gentlemen (well, older than me) named Sam. We got 2 head, but didn't bust. I was happy with that. What I wasn't happy with was my performance as I got past my cows point of shoulder which caused her to turn around. That took up precious seconds to go get her before she got back into the herd. But we did it and I was proud of that. Summer was hauling butt and we headed her right before she got to the herd.
The second run was with Anthony, Robin's husband. He is experianced at this and is also a penner. Well, we got 3 head and he was trying to bring me the forth, but steer number "0" wanted to cross the hole real bad. It was all Summer and I could do to keep him back. We timed out with only 3 head. Anthony really complimented me and said I did great though. That steer wanted past me real bad and we didn't let him past. Summer kept up with "0", lunging at him, cutting him from side to side. I was real proud of Summer's performance with this steer.
My third was with Allison. She was riding Ken's horse, Salty. We had never rode together before, so I was a tad nervous. We went slow and deliberate and got 4 head. I feel a little bad though as Summer was really on. I should have pushed myself and her a little more. We probably would have done better than just 4 head.
My fourth was with Trevor Brooks. He was my second draw and is only 10 years old. He is a little feller. Looks like he could be 7. His grandpa is the president of SWTPA. What was funny was, I was more nervous riding with him than with anybody else. If you ever see this kid sort, he is good. He is better at sorting than working the hole. So that was our plan. I was to work the hole while he brought me the cattle. He is wonderful at that. He brings you a clean cow almost everytime. Well, the first one he brings me is #9. I get out of the hole and he pushed it through. He goes and gets #0. It is a clean one again so I get out of the hole so he can push it through. Just as I moved out of the way, #9 bolts back to the herd! OMG! Bust! Those busts are rear, but they happen and hard to control if no one warns you. I felt bad as I am sure we would have had a good run. Maybe next time.
My fifth and final was with Robin. Now, if you have read my blogs about sorting, you will know that Robin and I always seem to bust when we jackpot together. So that was our goal, DO NOT BUST on the first go 'round. And we didn't! We got 4 head, which qualified us for the second round. I was real proud of us and that alone was a personal win for both of us.
I qualified for 2 go backs with Allison and Robin, and Allison qualified for 2 with me and Heather. I think there were 15 or 20 go backs. (BTW, not sure if you call them "go backs" but that is what I am calling them right now) Anywho, Allison and I got another 4 head for a total of 8 and Robin and I got 2 head for a total of 6. However, Allison and Heather got all 10 head on the second round! It was amazing and was total, luck of the cow. They already had 7 head and were working on the 8th, when the person working the hole moved wrong and all 3 head ran past her. Everyone watching was like, "awwww" in disappointment until the judge announced that the cattle ran thru in the correct number order! OMGosh! It was crazy! LOL That is what they call "luck of the cow". So they finished with a total of 16 head and for 1st place!
In this sport, they place the top 10, which is unusal for me as anything I have done only places up to 6th. So, you can imagine my surprise when Summer and I with my partner Allison, got 8th place! Remember, there were 56 teams in my class. So yes, we took 8th out of 56!
I think had I been more aggressive, we would have done even better. But since this was my first time, I was a little nervous and held back when maybe I shouldn't have. But no matter, I am real proud of our first time. Once again, I am just so darned proud of that mare of mine.
I keep hearing from some of the guys that I will need to get a QH eventually when I start moving up in this sport. And they are being real nice about it and totally not trying to hurt my feelings, but I think,"Really? Why?" Honestly, who says a TWH can't do this? Who says they can't keep up with a stock horse? Isn't it all just "cow sense" anyway? If she learns to rate them and keep up with them, why would I need to get another horse? I mean, maybe I will someday, I don't know. But let me just see how far Summer will take us. You just never know...
Thanks for reading
Summer and I started sorting about 6 months ago. It was just for fun to see if we could even do it. And look where we have gone. Entering 5 beginner jackpots and getting 1st place in 2 of them which put money back in my pocket. That was way cool! Now I have joined the SWTPA and we have competed in our first organized event. Wow, never saw that one coming. Never dreamed that we would be competing with all those stock horses and be the only non-stock horse there. That right there is cool in its own right. At least it is to me.
So, here goes my story: January 16th, 2010, found me loading Summer in the trailer and pulling out of the barn at about 8:20am. We arrived at about 8:30am. I know, that 10 minute drive is a booger! LOL The team penning started at 9am and sorting was to follow. Since I had never been to one of these events, I just wasn't sure when I needed to be there. But it was fun to watch the penning and now I am jonesing real bad to do that too. There were 4 penning classes and 5 sorting classes. I was in the "3 sorting" class. What that means is this; you are rated by your abilities and the ratings go from 1 to 6. (they actually have a board of directors that rates you) I of course, am a 1. The 3 sort means that only 1's and 2's can compete in this class. 1's can run with 1's and 2's can run with 1's, but 2's cannot run with 2's as that would equal to 4 and this was a 3 sort class. Confusing, but I understand it now. Anywho, I was only going to run 3 times. I was going to run with Robin and her husband Anthony and do my one manditory draw. But, I got brave and decided, what the heck, run 5 times! (which is the maximum you can run). So, I put in for 3 draws and my two partners. Well, Ken Stoker was there as was his wife Allison. He is a director for this association and is TWH knowledgable as his father raises and shows plantation walkers in Arkansas. He finally talked Allison into competing and using his QH, Salty. So she was my third partner and I changed to 2 draws. (hope this isn't too confusing).
Our class started about 5pm. There were 56 teams just in my class! OMG, all I wanted to do was not bust on my first go 'rounds. My first run in was with a draw. He was an older gentlemen (well, older than me) named Sam. We got 2 head, but didn't bust. I was happy with that. What I wasn't happy with was my performance as I got past my cows point of shoulder which caused her to turn around. That took up precious seconds to go get her before she got back into the herd. But we did it and I was proud of that. Summer was hauling butt and we headed her right before she got to the herd.
The second run was with Anthony, Robin's husband. He is experianced at this and is also a penner. Well, we got 3 head and he was trying to bring me the forth, but steer number "0" wanted to cross the hole real bad. It was all Summer and I could do to keep him back. We timed out with only 3 head. Anthony really complimented me and said I did great though. That steer wanted past me real bad and we didn't let him past. Summer kept up with "0", lunging at him, cutting him from side to side. I was real proud of Summer's performance with this steer.
My third was with Allison. She was riding Ken's horse, Salty. We had never rode together before, so I was a tad nervous. We went slow and deliberate and got 4 head. I feel a little bad though as Summer was really on. I should have pushed myself and her a little more. We probably would have done better than just 4 head.
My fourth was with Trevor Brooks. He was my second draw and is only 10 years old. He is a little feller. Looks like he could be 7. His grandpa is the president of SWTPA. What was funny was, I was more nervous riding with him than with anybody else. If you ever see this kid sort, he is good. He is better at sorting than working the hole. So that was our plan. I was to work the hole while he brought me the cattle. He is wonderful at that. He brings you a clean cow almost everytime. Well, the first one he brings me is #9. I get out of the hole and he pushed it through. He goes and gets #0. It is a clean one again so I get out of the hole so he can push it through. Just as I moved out of the way, #9 bolts back to the herd! OMG! Bust! Those busts are rear, but they happen and hard to control if no one warns you. I felt bad as I am sure we would have had a good run. Maybe next time.
My fifth and final was with Robin. Now, if you have read my blogs about sorting, you will know that Robin and I always seem to bust when we jackpot together. So that was our goal, DO NOT BUST on the first go 'round. And we didn't! We got 4 head, which qualified us for the second round. I was real proud of us and that alone was a personal win for both of us.
I qualified for 2 go backs with Allison and Robin, and Allison qualified for 2 with me and Heather. I think there were 15 or 20 go backs. (BTW, not sure if you call them "go backs" but that is what I am calling them right now) Anywho, Allison and I got another 4 head for a total of 8 and Robin and I got 2 head for a total of 6. However, Allison and Heather got all 10 head on the second round! It was amazing and was total, luck of the cow. They already had 7 head and were working on the 8th, when the person working the hole moved wrong and all 3 head ran past her. Everyone watching was like, "awwww" in disappointment until the judge announced that the cattle ran thru in the correct number order! OMGosh! It was crazy! LOL That is what they call "luck of the cow". So they finished with a total of 16 head and for 1st place!
In this sport, they place the top 10, which is unusal for me as anything I have done only places up to 6th. So, you can imagine my surprise when Summer and I with my partner Allison, got 8th place! Remember, there were 56 teams in my class. So yes, we took 8th out of 56!
I think had I been more aggressive, we would have done even better. But since this was my first time, I was a little nervous and held back when maybe I shouldn't have. But no matter, I am real proud of our first time. Once again, I am just so darned proud of that mare of mine.
I keep hearing from some of the guys that I will need to get a QH eventually when I start moving up in this sport. And they are being real nice about it and totally not trying to hurt my feelings, but I think,"Really? Why?" Honestly, who says a TWH can't do this? Who says they can't keep up with a stock horse? Isn't it all just "cow sense" anyway? If she learns to rate them and keep up with them, why would I need to get another horse? I mean, maybe I will someday, I don't know. But let me just see how far Summer will take us. You just never know...
Thanks for reading
Friday, January 8, 2010
First SWTPA sorting event next weekend!
AND I AM SO NERVOUS!
Summer and I haven't worked any calves since December 8th. I so hope she has her head on straight next weekend. This will be our first "real" competition with an organization that I have to join (if I don't chicken out). It is $25 per run and a $10 a day fee. We have a 2 run minimun and a 5 run maximum, that is, if I can find 5 #1's and and #2's to run with. I know of 2 partners I have already, Robin and Kimberly, but, 1 person you run with has to be a draw. This means, they draw your partner from a hat. Oh fun. I just have to remember to tell them mine and Summer's weaknesses and our strengths.
I am gonna give James a call today and ask for a lesson/refresher course for this next Sunday when it warms up a bit. Just need to make sure Summer has her head on straight. I started thinking about next weekend last night, and the butterflies started. Geeshe! Why do we get nervous about this stuff? I am always telling myself, it is just a game. But maybe because this is a game where you have another person counting on you. You don't do this one by yourself like you do in CTR's or driving events. But I have to imagine that the other persons who are as new as I am and even newer in some instances, are just as nervous, and worried that they may let me down. But, in the words of a very wise man that I talked to about this, "if you can't afford to loose then don't play the game." Words from my hubby David. And I remind myself of those words all the time when I am playing the sorting game.
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