BLACKJACK LAND & CATTLE COMPANY: RIDING AND ROPING TIME...................

Friday, February 20, 2009

RIDING AND ROPING TIME...................

On Thursday we took "Willis" over to our good friend Jim Fuller's house for him to look at. Wanted to get his opinion on how his was coming along and want I needed to work on. He is a calf horse trainer and a NFR Qualifier and I love picking his brain! Him and his family are such blessings to us. He had me just ride him around and warm him up and then track the donkey. I then got to track a few steers around and do some slow box work. Overall he thinks he is coming along fine and gave me some things to work on. Need to work on his speed (walking out of the box and then making him get to the steer~drive him to the steer, working on his rate before you turn left, tweaking his handle. Everything else he said I had been doing was positive and he is looking good for his age. He thinks in a couple of years he is going to be a great head horse. I truly value his opinion and all his years of knowledge.

Today we loaded up "Roo", "Willis", "Angel" & "Pedro" and went down to the pen to get in some practice. It was a great day! Hubby on "Roo" going after "Pedro" I just missed Pedro kicking out and taking off!

Me riding "Roo". I also rode "Willis" and "Angel" as well. Hubby always has me to rope off all the horses. He says it'll help you rope better. Don't get used to just one horse. It makes alot of sense, as each horse is different.

We came and home and re saddled "Angel" with Savannah's saddle, I went and picked her up and then we got in some practice with her. I rode "Roo" and we did barrels, poles and just riding in the pasture. This is the first time she has ridden her in awhile. She went through a spell for about 6 months when she didn't want to ride. We didn't push her and she has decided she wants to do her rodeos again this year. Our church is starting a series March~June and then her RCRA rodeo series will start in August~December. We are excited she is wanting to start riding again. Our rule is we'll haul you, but you have to keep your horse exercised and practice. She started off walking and then she was trotting the patterns! Way to go Savannah!

15 comments:

~Rachel~ said...

What a perfect day!

Mikey said...

Awesome! You all look so good! Love it that Savannah is back to riding. I knew she would be :)
Sounds like you have a world class trainer there too! Can't beat that!

Carroll Farm said...

Looks like a ton of fun. I would SO rather be doing that right know....

Pony Girl said...

SO glad that Savannah is showing an interest again!
Looks good on the rope-front! ;) I wish I lived close by, you could teach me how to throw a rope!! I need to find someone to teach me for this summer's family rodeo.

Mrs. Mom said...

Look at you guys out there. Too cool!! I hope that your sweet girl stays riding with you for a very long long time! ;)

Sounds like you are really on your way there too. How can you NOT be, really, when you have the smarts, AND the help of a top notch trainer? Keep it up girl!!!

Hugs to yas!

Shirley said...

How great for you to have a trainer like that to get help from- though it sounds like you are doing just fine on your own! Wonderful that Savannah has come back to riding. Sometimes it's wise not to push them.

kdwhorses said...

Thanks guys!

Shirley you would be amazed at the people that have gotton upset because we haven't pushed her to ride. I have seen what these people are doing to there kids, not pretty. My thinking on that is, you push to hard and she will turn away from them for good. I think that goes for anything the child is interested in. Those people don't understand she has been riding since she was days old, I expected her to go through a phaze or too with taking breaks. And she is only 6 years old she has plenty of time to get there. She is really excited about it and just this morning was asking me is she could lope! Oh goodness, is mom ready for this?!?!? I know Angel will take care of her, still scary when you see your baby out there! I'm getting better though!

Nonnas News said...

Thats great that you have a trainer/friend who can give you some great tips!

Way to go Savannah!

Cow Pies & Mud Pies said...

Great pics...and Warm looking weather! I'm wishing it were that way here. Nope, just cold and WINDY!

Good for you to not Push your sweet little cowgirl...I totally agree with you! She'll be great. You guys got me wanting to ride...I may have to go visit my dear friend at Broken Y and see if she would let me ride awhile!

Andrea said...

How awesome that you have such a great horse roping trainer friend!! That is great. And it's even greater that he helps you out!! That is wonderful. Sounds like you are doing a great job.

And Savannah looks like she is doing great!!! Look at her go!! My kids go through a time every now and then when they say they don't want to ride.

We have a rodeo coming up on the 15th. We all need to get out and riding.

Jennifer said...

that's neat! glad you are easy on Savannah. she'll let you know what she's interested in. love all the pics.

Jen :-)

Callie said...

I'm envious, you have sun and dry ground and no snow! Sounds like a fun day!

Midlife Mom said...

Your day sounds like heaven to me! Try wading through 3 feet of snow....sigh....and more to come. Well actually I love the snow but it sure keeps me from riding for 5 months out of the year. Just too cold to ride in the indoor, it's like dead air and sooooooooo bitter. Glad your little munchkin is riding again. You are so right, you can't push them they have to want it for themselves. I was devastated when my son gave it up but knew it wouldn't work if I was nagging him all the time. He still jumps on one of the guys out in the pasture once in a while, no saddle, no halter, and takes a spin around. I love it! I do hope he rides with T sometimes as she would love riding with her Daddy. Take care! xoxox

gtyyup said...

What a great day!! You're lucky to have a trainer who's willing to just give some constructive criticism...that's so helpful.

I don't have kids, but I agree not to push them to do something they don't want to do...all you can do is support them in the areas they like. My girlfriends daughter was the same way as Savannah, and now she's a 7 year old gaming fool!!! She's already out grown her steady, slow horse and is riding the faster horse!

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

These pictures really make me want spring to get here quickly so we can get outside and have some fun. The forecast is calling for up to 10 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow so I may just have to wait awhile longer.