Chat with a Champ

Today at the shop I received a phone call from one of my favorite Cowboy Mounted Shooters, Andra Olsen. Andra is one of the top Mounted Shooters in the world (currently ranked #2) and she actually "gives me the time of day", which isn't all too uncommon in this industry as there aren't too many of us. The difference with Andra is she doesn't come across at all as being above others, and believe me, she can out ride most with one arm tied behind her back. I believe she actually likes talking to me just as much as I enjoy talking to her. She is approachable which is very important to any professional who promotes themselves and has a business based on who they are. My store carries the Cowboy Mounted Shooting training DVD's that Andra & her business partner, Mounted Shooter Jim Hanson made. There is a series of 4 tapes available and I sell quite a few of them. We had a wonderful conversation and I can't wait to meet her someday soon, I hope. For now, I'll continue to enjoy chatting with her.


I really enjoy promoting my sport. Mounted Shooting is the fastest growing equestrian sport in the country and BOY IS IT FUN!!! My husband, who hadn't really ridden a horse until we purchased our small family farm 4 years ago, took a liking to it when he watched it on TV right after we got his horse. You see, my husband is quite competitive and there's nothing he won't try. I'll never forget the night he called me into our living room to see Mounted Shooting on TV for the first time. He pointed to the TV and said "honey, that's what I want to do". I chuckled. "Yeah, right, "Learn how to ride first, then we'll talk" as I strutted out of the room, the experienced horse person that I am. Well, as with everything my husband does, he threw himself into it 200% and the following Spring he was a Cowboy Mounted Shooter. The following year he won the Massachusetts State Championship in his division and I couldn't have been prouder. Next thing I knew my husband was strutting around the house wearing his big belt buckle. The year after that, well, he put me in my place and won the Page Family point race, beating me in most shoots that year. Now don't get me wrong, I still did well in the ladies division and I did warm up his horse for him and I did...... actually, he was doing great!


This year I've made my comeback, kickin butt in the arena and savin face in the Page Family point race. We'll see what the end of the year brings, but I don't see how he'll ever catch up with me!!! So I'll try to be an approachable champ. I don't want the kids to feel they can't come to me just because I'm beating daddy. I want to have the grace of Andra Olsen, and her riding/shooting skills wouldn't be too bad either!




My husband, Patrick at the Massachusetts State Championship, winning his division!

The Cowboy Way

Last weekend, I went to a stock horse show at a farm right down the road from my home. I've started to dabble in sports other than mounted shooting to add some variety to life, as they say! This seems to be right down my alley. Everyone is laid back and there were competitors from experienced to newbees. I, of course, will fit right into the newbee section the first time I bring Kitt to a stock horse show, but that's ok. Everyone is accepted in this community of cowboys.
One of the things I like so much about cowboys, true cowboys, is they don't often judge others, they never (or very rarely) lie, and they always enjoy the simple things in life. Cowboys take the time to stop and smell the wildflowers along the trail and take a deep breath of the fresh air. They truly enjoy life while they're on their horse. I'm trying very hard to slow down and enjoy the gifts we have surrounding us everyday. It's hard with a 4 & 5 yr. old running around, 2 businesses to run, numerous boards and committees to take part in, and many animals (too many according to my husband) to take care of. Today I'll take the time to enjoy life. I'll enjoy what I have while I have it. A dear woman I have had the honor of knowing for a few short years I just heard passed away yesterday afternoon. She lived life to the fullest, even when it wasn't kind to her. So for the rest of today, I'll slow down a bit because BAB would want me to. I'm going to smell the wildflowers and try my best to live the cowboy way.

Beautiful Weather !!

For those of you from New England, you know what I'm talking about. For those of you from elsewhere, well, it's been quite a wet summer here in New England. Almost everyday since I've returned from vacation in July it's rained at least part of the day. No kidding, no exaggeration. There was even a tornado recently just a few towns away which killed a woman when her house collapsed. We just don't have tornadoes way up here, until recently. So to say this has been an unusual year for the weather is an understatement.
I guess this is my best excuse for not riding like I should and want to. I'm what you'd call a fair weather rider. No need to get out there in the rain or when it's too slippery. I'm competitive to a point. At the ripe ole age of 43 I tend to not push it too much because if I happen to break something, like any part of my body, the kids just seem to need more attention than ever and of course I'm in no position to keep up. Been there, done that. When I broke my collarbone a few years back I realized how much an injury affects my family. Time to be careful in life, at least until the kids are in college!
For today, however, the sun has been shining all day and I'm on my way home to ride not just one horse but both horses AND the pony! Until tomorrow......hopefully.....

I'm Back

We went from so much snow right to Summer here in NH, so I guess I've been caught up in riding season. Time to get back to blogging. So much going on, so much to write about. My Martin Shooting saddle came in right before I left for a 2 week vacation in July but I had time to jump in the day before we left. I LOVE IT!!! It fits my horse so well and the color is awesome. I've only competed on it once so far but I'm ready for the next competition the beginning of September. Right now I'm working both our shooting horses and still trying to get out pony ready for the kids. My son wants to rope so badly off the pony I really need to get on it. He's gotten pretty good. So good the cats run when they see him coming because he can get them pretty quick!!

So if you're into roping, check out my store, American Cowboy Supply. we've got lots of fun stuff for kids of all ages!

http://www.americancowboysupply.com