Decisions Made

Jason and I met up this afternoon.  I dutifully held out my advertising papers and told him what my heart felt.  (I totally didn't phrase it like that!)  He educated me about bloodlines, prices, gender and expectations.  He took me out into the field to show a 2 year old her believed was a future superstar.  And I listened.  And I learned.  He leaves me stunned with his generosity and willingness to share his knowledge.

45 minutes and some time on the Internet we had a price range and plan in place.  In December, Jason is driving to Fort Worth, Texas with an empty trailer.  In December I'll be flying down on a weekend.  From there we'll choose 10 prospect two year olds that fall into my price range.  I'll fly home.  Jason will buy me a horse.  The deal being that anything he buys will be Mr. Right.  There will be no settling.  He said if Mr. Right does not walk into the ring then we go home empty handed.

The current criteria is: (I'm paraphrasing here...)

Pedigree - dam needs to have earnings - this is the best indication of how much potential talent the horse will have.

Conformation - the horse must have the build that enables it to perform in the cutting world.

Temperament - it must have the attitude to be successful and be kind and quiet enough to pack me around.

Gender - Mare

You might be wondering why Texas??  Well, it's simple.  There are 1000s of cutting horses in the area.  There are something like 6 major sales over a couple of weeks.  This will enable me to get a better bred horse, with more potential, for less money.  More bang for my buck if you will.  If Jason wasn't planning to be there anyhow - probably not so cost effective.  But the fact that my trainer will be there scouting horses - priceless.

Chelsi - still love Hola - and if you email me a flyer I'll pop one up around here.  (We have some major fancy reiners in this area.)

Under Consideration

I've pretty much decided to follow my gut which says buy young, buy Mr. Right.  All that needs to happen now is a conversation with Jason, and some decisions to be made.  Of course, like the weather I reserve the right to change my mind...

Here are some horses I have under consideration:

Playin In Command - 2009 Grey Filly

Oakanita Listo - 2009 Sorrel Filly

Zack - 2010 Bay Stallion

Whizeroo - 2010 Red Dun Filly

and...

MyBlingsOnTheInside - 2011 Chestnut Filly

I have very, very definitive things that I'm looking for.  First and foremost - while pedigree is nice, it is not the be all and end all.

At the top of my list is confirmation - this horse must be built to be successful at cutting.

Second is disposition - this horse must have the want to work and please attitude that makes champions.

Third is pedigree - gotta have some "cow".

Fourth is height - it must mature out to at least 14.3hh - otherwise it's too small to handle the training (and I look like a dork on it.)

Fifth is price - sorry, not paying ridiculous prices for something that may not turn out...

Sixth - and perhaps the most important thing - is this horse has to "call" to me.  It must be something I can see myself having and riding for years.  Because I've decided I'm looking for Mr. Right!

Right vs Right Now

There's been an internal debate going on inside of me.  The long road vs the short road.  Mr. Right vs Mr. Right Now.  Young vs Old.  And on it goes.

Right now, as I type I should be reading the hundreds of pages (no lie - around 450 pages) of material for one of my courses.  I should be finishing up the standard September paperwork that bogs things down for work.  I should be doing some pre-reading of one of the three other textbooks I need to read over the next few weeks.  Instead I'm thinking about horses.  At this particular moment in time I'm taking two graduate level courses, working full time, trying to keep my young dogs training up and trying to continue my weight loss battle with healthy eating, sleeping enough and running.  Ha!  Did you see horses anywhere on this list??  Hmmmm.....

Yes, I know this is crazy talk - but I feel the need to spend some time pondering horses.  Here's the deal... there's this huge, massive part of me that wants to have a young horse go through training to become my Mr. Right.  The thought pattern around this is time.  Even if I buy Mr. Right Now will I have time to ride, enjoy and learn??  I'm on the cusp of formally applying for my graduate program.  I think I have it narrowed down to what and where I want.  This is a two year process.  This process will cost around $15 000.  


So here goes...


If, biiiiiiig if, if I buy something young that Jason can train the right way, then that something should hypothetically be ready for me when I'm ready to ride.  As a stop gap I have Bacardi to ride and play on.    And I'll have the pleasure of knowing the horse's background.  No pesky worries about soundness or strange quirks.  I'll have been the captain of the ship.  


The negative is that then I'd hypothetically have two young horses - pending Guinness and the purchase of something specific to cutting.  Lord only knows if Guinness will be too big or suitable.  


Cost wise - to purchase a finished cutter I'm looking at $15 000 +, to purchase a young horse and toss in some training it'll work out to... ready for this...  $15 000 give or take  (to be honest - probably more).  


One method is more immediate.  I could hypothetically be riding a cutter next summer.  One takes more time.  I could hypothetically be riding a cutter in 3-4 years.  


Something to think about anyhow...

Patience Is A Virtue

Patience may be a virtue, but I'm quickly discovering when it comes to getting what I want, one  I'm lacking in.  I desperately want my cutting horse.  And I'll keep tucking money away in my fund.  But it's killing me, absolutely killing me to not go out and buy something.  Yesterday!

The funny bit is I'm not even able to ride right now.  I just don't have the time with too many other commitments.  But darn, if I don't want that stinking horse to call my own.  (Not that I don't already have 3!)  I was thinking back to Chelsi's post on Princess.  And here is a classic example where I will buy something even if I don't love it, if it meets my criteria.  It needs to be trained, sound and sane.  It needs to be something I can ride and learn off of comfortably.  To put an exclamation point on it, I would even write a check and send the trainer off to purchase something.  Gasp!  (So out of character for me!)

But would I love this horse?  Want to keep this horse?  Bond with this horse?  I don't know because at this moment in time, this hypothetical horse is simply a step.  A step in the right direction of allowing me to learn at a quicker rate than if I tried to accomplish this goal on a horse without the inherent talent or abilities.

That being said, I do fantasize about having a young horse of mine come up the ranks and compete successfully with me.  We shall see which one will be reality first.

Horse Clinic

After my whirlwind trip to Saskatchewan, I soaked up some horse time.  On my way home I stopped in the small town where I used to live for a quick visit with the rancher I used to ride with.  At the time, I had no idea how lucky I was to learn from him.  His knowledge has given me a leg up and shown up in horse clinic after horse clinic.  At the time, I took what he gave me and used it but I had no real understanding of what major foundational training skills he was giving me.  Now I do.

The next morning I rolled out of bed.  Early, very early to load up the horse and head to a nearby arena where I would be attending day 2 of Geoff Hoar's Working Cow Horse clinic.  I spent the morning watching the "experienced" group ride and listening to Geoff's coaching.  At noon I hopped on my mare for the first time in a week and began to warm up.  I was prepared for a hyper tense horse and was pleasantly surprised with a soft, supple willing partner.

The "dry" part of the clinic left me feeling frustrated with no individual attention from the clinician.  I had a question I wanted to ask, so I circled, and circled, and circled him while he worked with someone else.  By the time he moved on (to the whole group) I had forgotten what I wanted to find out.  We quickly moved onto cattle which is the fun part.  Bacardi worked her cows fairly well, while I tried to figure out what I needed to be doing.  When I asked for clarification he didn't understand what I was asking and didn't answer it.  So I took the time during my second cow work to reframe the question to better get the response I was looking for.  The second work was much, much more useful.  I actually figured out what I need to work on and the direction I'm going to take the horse's training.

In the future, I won't take part of a two day clinic.  I not sure if the disconnect I felt was because I missed bits from the previous day or if the clinician was just not a good fit for my learning style.  Or maybe because the dog clinic the day before was stellar.  I don't know.  It's too bad because this is a person I've always held in high regard as a skilled horseman.  Perhaps a private lesson would be a better plan in the future.

On Sunday, I entered in the Ranch Cutting at the schooling show and had complete blow out rides.  But that's okay because the purpose was to learn.  I had someone tape me while I rode.  This I plan to show Jason and have him help me through some issues.  The clinic made it incredibly clear how lucky I am to have him in my life because I've learned so much from him.  He is truly providing me with a high quality foundation for my cutting aspirations.  I'm somewhat amazed at how much more I understand now, compared to the start of the summer.

Here's a couple of pictures from the clinic.

Not sure why I'm making that face... 

Cutting??

Today I made the short trek to one of the many fancy stables in the area.  This one is private, one I don't have much opportunity to travel to.  It's one that is owned by a cutter and caters to a select few.  One Jason invited me to come help him work cows at.

You can imagine the look on my face when trailer after trailer pulled in.  Eeeekkk!  There were a lot of big money cutters walking into the pen.  And I wasn't entirely sure what to do.  Normally, I help Jason by keeping the herd centered and push his cow as needed.  But there were so many horses there I didn't know what my role was.  So I sat back and watched, until it was Jason's turn, where I helped him.

Take a moment to visualize the look on my face when the owner of the joint walks his horse up to me and tells me to go cut.  I stumbled over an answer and kept telling him I was just here to help.  He insisted.  So there we were, Bacardi and I had our first "cutting" work.  It's funny.  I spent the weekend watching a Bobby Ingersol clinic (famous cutter-working cow horse guy).  And I watched all these people do things I swore I wouldn't do.  Of course I didn't hold my line.  I didn't make a clean cut.  I didn't stop my horse before turning.  But I also didn't rip my horses face off.  Ugh.  I vow to do better the next time I get onto cows.  I know part of the problem is the cattle were fresh.  Meaning they wanted to run.  I needed a quiet walking cow to help Bacardi figure out her job.  The cool part is she wanted to watch the cow and did some nice turns on her own (with the cow).  Another huge part of the problem is this was my first attempt at trying to cut somewhat properly on a horse that has an unknown background.    It would have been nice to be on a babysitter horse, giving me a fighting chance to think about what I needed to do.  But I'll take the opportunities that have been coming my way and keep working at figuring it out.

It was so much fun!!!  And I can't wait to do it again!!

Kindness

Kindness is an amazing thing, really.  It's something that a little goes a long way, and when given becomes contagious making others also want to be kind.  Or at least me.  This morning I hauled over to Jason's for another lesson.

It started at 9 am.  We once again by doing warm up work with no cattle or flag.  Once again he gave me some suggestions that caused immediate improvement in the horse.  We moved onto the flag and were progressing nicely.  She's showing improvement and that's all I can ask at this point.  Jason had a big client coming for some live cattle work/lesson.  They arrived while I was cooling out, as Jason went and switched out the horse he was on, I dismounted and made my way to the gate.

I was slightly startled when he told me I didn't have to get off if I wasn't done riding.  That I could continue to ride and watch during the next set of lessons.  Wow, what a great learning experience.  Bacardi had lost her cool when the other horses arrived so it wasn't an optimal "quit" time.  I ended up staying there, riding until noon.  Bacardi also lost her cool when the cattle entered the arena.  I'm pretty sure I wasn't any help as a turn back horse, but I did learn lots and had the opportunity to watch some high end cutters work cattle.

I'm headed out again on Friday and Bacardi will get another wet saddle pad.  Jason has invited me to stay and help hold herd while he trains.  This is a great opportunity for me to watch and learn and for Bacardi to learn patience and manners when cattle are present.  It really blew me away how kind Jason was.  Let's face it - he doesn't have to do anything above and beyond my lesson, but he is.  I'm thinking I may be making some Cinnamon Buns Thursday night...

A Little Help

Today was Bacardi's inaugural ride on the flag.  With butterflies in my stomach I hauled her over to Jason's where I watched him finish giving his wife a lesson.  (This is a special treat for her as she's normally working and not riding.)  I led Bacardi into the arena, knowing it has been at least a week since I've last rode I wasn't 100% sure what I to expect.  Now, the lady who traded me Bacardi has assured me that she has no buck, spook, etc.  But I've learned the hard way - via trip to the hospital - to be wary of what sellers say.  I've also learned she does indeed have some spook - via the plastic chair.  Which of course puts into question everything else.

However, Bacardi, indeed did not buck me off.  She was her normal hot self.  She did eye ball the doors and needed to be refocused a few times and had a pretty good spook when Jason adjusted the Velcro on the flag control, but nothing that wasn't manageable.  Jason was awesome.  He gave some really helpful tricks and tools to use when doing things like warm up and "dry" (no cows) work.  I could see improvement almost immediately after implementing them which is promising.  Next, we moved onto the flag.  This was nerve wracking for me because it's not something I've done much of and I had no idea how the horse would react.  You could see she is used to a different type of rider than myself, and once she adjusts, she'll be a different horse.  We worked on quieting her mind and teaching her patience. While all the work we did was slow, it was effective for myself to learn about cutting particulars and how to best ride this horse.

I have another lesson booked for next week and I can't wait.  The current plan is to take as many lesson's as Jason's and my schedule allow throughout the summer.  Next week, I'll get his wife to take some pics while we ride.

Roxy Resolution

Roxy has been at Cedar Crest for the last two weeks. And I've been there once. Having Roxy home has put additional pressure on my schedule. My already packed schedule. Thinking, I called up Jason. He's going to put some feelers out and help me work on selling her. She's not worth as much now, but it will alleviate some of my issues. Today I plan to go ride her. I do plan to try and ride every day this week. Will it happen? Not sure about that. My biggest problem is I have to decide between riding her or working with the dogs. I just don't have enough time for the animals I have and something has to give. That something is Roxy.

Roxy

As promised, I have some horse news. Roxy who has spent the majority of the last year in training on a cutting futurity track will be coming home. While very promising as a two year old, she's too small as a three year old and physically unable to do/take the training required to be successful on the futurity circuit.

I had been a bit frustrated with the lack of communication from the trainer. She had left near the end of January and I hadn't heard anything, which was a concern for me. Apparently emails were sent out, and I got missed. Last night I called Jason and we discussed the various options for an hour. I had been putting a lot of thought into selling Roxy. One of those gut feeling things. Looks like my gut was right.

Jason recommends sitting on her. He said because of her age I won't get her true valuation if I try to sell her now. Simply because people won't believe something this young can be well trained. He says she's a very, very nice horse, just too small to take the training. He wishes she had grown more. He believes if I wait until she's closer to four years old, then I should be able to get six to ten thousand for her. He said to go ahead and ride her. Play, have fun, do things, even put some cattle work into her on my own. He didn't believe she would finish a high enough calibre to justify spending the training money. I could buy something nice and finished for what I'd spend.

On Sunday I'll go pick her up. It looks like I'll have something to ride, albeit something small. Let's hope the round bale helps her grow and fill out.

NCHA at AELEC May/June 2010 riderless horse

Okay, so I totally just stole this off my FaceBook. But it's sooooo neat. I ask of you - do people force horses to cut or do (some) horses like it? Watch the video and you be the judge. Obviously, the horse has a fair amount of training. As a farm girl, I can tell you my mare will herd the cattle if penned with them. I'm taking a wild guess, so would this horse.

Roxy Home for Holidays

Roxy has been home for a month and a bit taking a training break.  She's got really, really dry skin.  I even did a quick louse search but could come up with no evidence.  If anyone knows of something to help, I'd appreciate the information.  I'll keep an eye on it and ask the vet if she wants to see it.  Sam (the vet) has just come back from a holiday and is playing catch up - so we'll wait until it's not so hectic over there.

It's funny how little she's changed.  She looks pretty much the same as when she was a yearling.  Very pony-esque!  Cute, though.

Training Break

Roxy is home on a training break.  It feels like she's been gone for forever!  This has been a new and somewhat strange experience for me.  Normally, I'm the one starting, riding and finishing my horses.  This time I bowed down to more experience and knowledge and am letting someone else do the dirty work until competition time rolls around.  

Its hard.  Very, very hard.  I feel disconnected from my horse.  But at the same time kinda excited.  This time next year Roxy and I will be at the Canadian Supreme competing in cutting.  I'm happy to have her home.  The whole futurity thing and starting horses at two freaks me out.  And I worry.  A lot.  About her being physically able to do the job.  About her being mentally strong enough to handle the pressure.  But I've committed.  And no matter how awkward it makes me feel I'll stay the course.  

But I am super happy to have her home.  Where she can roam the pasture and be a horse.  Where she can take a break and let any ouchy spots heal up.  

Where I can watch her and dream about what may actually become reality.

Just Call Me Crazy!!

Just call me crazy, because surely I must be.  Today I did the unthinkable.  The preposterous.  Today I bough a new horse.  *cough crazy cough*  No it's not your eyes - you indeed did read that correctly.  

There I was at Jason Hanson's minding my own business, watching him ride Roxy and visiting with his wife Chrissy.  When he dropped the bomb.  He mentioned he was unloading a bunch of horses he doesn't touch at an auction this coming weekend.  We had been talking about Whiskey and how my dream of breeding her was coming to a screeching halt.  And he just had to mention a brood mare.  A fairly well bred brood mare he took in on partial trade for a show horse.  

And then there I was out there looking at this mare.  And I kinda liked the look of her - a lot.  Off we went to lunch where I turned it over in my head.  Do I need another horse?  Not so much.  Can I afford to buy a horse at this point of vet bill hell?  Not really.  And then Jason pushed me over the edge.  He said I could just take her home and pay for her later.  Say what?!!  Ye gads!!  

So I am the proud new owner of a green broke brood mare by the stallion My Own League (cutting earnings here in Canada), who has some other big names on her papers including Peppy San Badger.  Jason hopped on her today.  We figured she had about 4 years off.  He had been told she had 8 months of training.  (Not true - we figure about 2 or 3.) After a minor bucking fit she settled right in.  She doesn't know much but she's willing and quiet.  Plus the baby she threw this year is fabulous - well put together and good minded.  *Her registered name is Peppys Royal Boon.*

I've left her at Jason's for him to put two weeks of miles on her and then she comes home.  I'm kind of excited.  This is going to be my horse to play with and to make my mistakes in the cutting pen on.  I know I'll end up selling at least one of the horses I have but I'll wait to make any major decision until the summer.  

Riding Roxy!!

On December 31st I delivered Roxy to Jason Hanson's to begin his futurity program.  He sent me this YouTube link today of him riding Roxy.  Having rode my fair share of babies I know that to see what I'm seeing in this short of a time period is truly impressive.  Especially, because I know I darn sure didn't do any prep work with her before she left.  

Watch Roxy here. 

Fingers crossed the little fart cuts!

Crazy Rules

There is a local stable who is looking for someone to teach introductory riding lessons.  It was a position I was intensely interested in and that I would be good at.  I would love teaching children and adults entering into the sport.  There is one small, itty-bitty problem.  

If I were to teach learn to ride lessons at a stable that is non-competitive and predominantly English riders, I would loose my Amateur status.  This is not a big deal for me.  However, not only would I loose my Amateur status, I would also loose my NonPro status.  You see, the NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association) is rather strict.  I have actually just regained my Amateur status as I have not competed, or taken any form of re-numeration for horse related activities for 5 years!  That's right - 5!!  It does not matter if the horse events had nothing to do with cutting.  Heck, I didn't even have to ride a horse.  It would still get me bumped into the Open or Professional category.  It doesn't matter that I've never actually competed or earned money cutting.  Wow!  Those are some eye opening rules!

I get it - that it's purpose is to protect the people who don't train.

So after a conversation with my cutting trainer, my lesson giving never got off the ground.  Too bad.  I have a lot I could share with newcomers.