I won me a buckle!

Today I received my Champion buckle for the Novice group. It's beautiful!

6 Weeks is a Long Time

6 weeks ago tonight I fell off Rupert as he took off across the pasture. I'm pretty sure I passed out in fear since I knew I couldn't stop him. Bruised tailbone and related muscles are still sore and today is even worse, but it was worth it. I rode for the first time since the accident.

This afternoon, I saddled Kid up and rode in the same pasture. I was tense but that was more from being in pain than being afraid. After 15 minutes or so I was done but I am so glad I did it. Since trotting hurts right now, I'm going to use my time with Kid to start anew.

Rupert has been with a trainer since the accident and probably will remain for another month at least. I'm going to try to see him this weekend.

Playday Finals

I had a great time at the NARC&SP Finals in Bowie, Texas this last weekend. Kid was a jerk on Saturday so I didn't ride the first two events but the rest of my events went great.

Even though we loped quite a bit, I can look back and think of a few additional things we need to work on while riding:

1. Make horses stop walking like a car with frame damage
2. Become more comfortable riding with a crop or an over/under
3. Practice flags and golfette so I don't put my horse on top of the barrel and then kick it over with my foot
4. Trot and lope in the pasture
5. Get on horses without someone holding the reins. I do this about 50% of the time and the other 50% it's just easier to have help (sounds lazy)

Next playday is this Saturday in Keller if the arena dries out. I'm really looking forward to it.

2010 Wise County Wrangler's Novice Champion

Yesterday was the final Wise County Wrangler playday and I won Champion in the Novice class. While I still didn't lope, I felt my riding looked really good (my opinion :)). In October I will receive a buckle!!!! It would be great if I could wear it to Cedar Creek. Kid was awesome.

Lesson Recap

We practiced barrels today and I had a great time even though Kid did not. I trotted the entire barrel pattern several times without stopping. Yea!!!

3 Weeks and counting...

In three weeks we are having the next WCW playday. I am currently in first place for the Novice class and if I don't start loping, I am in danger of losing.

I am trying very hard to ride every day until the playday. Today I rode Kid for about 20 minutes in the pasture but had a few issues:

-he keeps tossing his head (check hackamore fit)
-he wanted to run back to the barn (made him stop and stand periodically)
-he and voodoo were both jumpy but that was probably due to the cows/bulls in the pasture

Tomorrow is lesson day!

Each post does not require a photo!

I have put off posting because I wanted to include photos but I'm not going to worry about that anymore.

Since my last post:

-Two playday events
-Rupert got shoes and a resulting abscess
-Kid has been trying on the ground but I feel like we are still making progress

I'll post details later.