Horsin' Around

Today was an amazing day for me and my girls. So I am not sure if I have officially told everyone that I love mares. I feel like even though they have good days and bad days (just like me) and that their love is hard to earn (like me), and it takes them a while to build trust (like me), once you have patience, love and trust they will be very true to you. By the way, I feel the same way about male dalmatians. :)

When I was looking for horse to buy, I knew I wanted a mare, but I would take the *right* horse even if it was a gelding. Luckily Phaedre fit all of my requirements (including no white feet) along with her amazing can-do attitude.

Today we went to the Horsin' Around compeition at Fisher 4F Ranch. So anyone who reads this blog with any regularity knows I adore Julie and Craig Fisher and Julie's partner in crime and horses: Darlene.

Today I headed to the Fishers for the Annual Trail Competition. This is the 3rd year I have participated, my 2nd year as a judge. There are 36 (or 37) obstacles on the course ranging from simple to terribly difficult. There is backing through poles, downhill, jumps, trenches with water, bridges (3), squeezes, tarps, more water, roping, trailer loading (send into the trailer only), ditches, step ups (and downs) and a whole lot more. Today I took both of my girls through, here are the results.

Miss Phaedre: I took Phaedre in hand. She was able to do 33 of the 36 tasks missing the large trench with water, another large water obstacle and ground tying. (oh by the way you have 1 minute and 30 seconds to compelete each). I have done almost none of this kind of work with her. Her willingness to try is WHY I bought her and you could not get the smile off of my face. Julie is training her and says that I will really like her under saddle, I just could not be happier!

Precious: I rode Precious and we did 29 of the 36. I passed on two obstacles (step down-it is about 1 1/2 - 2 feet, Uriah fell off Precious last year doing this because she is a leaper) and the tree jump (I'm not comfortable). We ran out of time on the front feet on the tractor tire filled with sand and 360 around it with back feet on ground, but she did it.

The Canteen dip (pick up a canteen off hook, dip it in water, dump it in barrel, hand up canteen) was one I was only going to do part of. And we did, so I was pleased.

She refused the large trench filled with water (I mean LARGE). Below is a video from last year. And it is even steeper than it looks.




She refused another ditch and I wasn't able to rope, so 3 were me, 2 were her and we will share the other 2 (ok, I'll take responsibility for all the ones she didn't do).

It was a grand time and tomorrow I will be back to judge all day!