We did it! We ventured outside our norm and entered our first Stock Horse Show. My husband has been training for this since last Fall. I haven't, but that's ok. I didn't really plan on entering due to my horse just getting shoes on for the first time the night before the event and because of my lack of training when it comes to working cows. This was something my husband needed to mix things up for him and have something else to strive towards. Patrick is very competitive and thrives when challenged with something new. This was to be his "new". I'm just fine competing in Mounted Shooting and just kicking around on Kitt. I'm not near as competitive as my "other half". However, after he crushed me at our last mounted shooting competition I just had to enter the pleasure class in the stock horse show. It was here I could redeem myself, I knew I could take him, easily. And I did. Whew, chalk one up to the wife. When it comes to pleasure or equitation classes, I can take it, hands down. With my riding experience compared to his I would expect nothing less. This isn't to take away from Patrick's riding accomplishments, he does quite well. He's just not always as polished. In mounted shooting that's ok. In the pleasure class on Saturday, it wasn't.
For fun I also entered the trail class and didn't fair as well but made a good showing having not practiced for trail at all!!! I believe I'm getting the stock horse bug, but my work will keep me out of the running for any more competitions this year. I work every other weekend at the store and my other Saturday employee I rotate with likes the stock horse competitions (and is competitive in them), so I'll be sure to work the schedule so she can compete there. I'll stick to mounted shooting and just kicking around.
It was good to get the horses out to another event aside from mounted shooting. It's always a good idea to mix things up for them as well as us. In the past it's been difficult for Patrick & I to do much other than train for the shoots. With two little kids our riding time has always been limited, therefore we have focused on our sport only. This year has been a bit different. Liberty & Lexington have reached an age where they don't need us constantly. Patrick & I can actually ride together in the arena, which has doubled our riding time! Before, we would alternate nights to ride because of the kids. Now, the kids can play themselves, where we can keep an eye on them. Our arena is in the backyard, so Liberty & Lex can play in the backyard or in the house and not get into trouble. I'm proud to say we have good kids. They know what they can and can't do and respect the limits. Not that there isn't the occasional squabble we need to help work our from atop our horse, but all in all it works well. The kids have even started riding more this year, so that also helps. We're actually becoming more of a "riding family".
So after taking the pleasure class at the Stock Horse Show and trying the trail class, I watched everyone else and let Kitt just nibble on hay and take it all in. It was great to see all different levels of riders and horses run through the reining patterns and work the cows. The show was at Riverfare Farm in Webster, right down the road from where we live (bonus!). They have a great series for those looking to get into stock horse shows. They use the rules of the S.H.O.T. program, which is now an affiliate of the American Stock Horse Association. The shows are laid back and a perfect place to start out. Everyone is quite helpful and cheers everyone else on. You can ask anyone anything. It really is a good crowd of people. There are competitors from Novice (us) to experienced. It really is a good mix.
Ok, so it's also here that I did my stupid move of the year (we're each allowed one per year, right?). I'll tell you about it because I'm blogging, therefore I don't have to see your "yeah, that was pretty stupid" facial reaction. There became a time that I wanted to jump on Kitt, bareback, and just kick around a little. She had been nibbling on hay for a while and I wanted to move around a little. I put on her headstall and tried to figure out how to get on her. There was a mounting block out on the trail course but that would be too easy. I wanted to be more creative (and was feeling a bit too lazy to venture out that far). That's when I spotted the cooler. A little blue cooler I had won at a shooting event that would work perfectly. I pulled up the cooler and got on top. Kitt stood still as usual. I felt I was high enough to swing a leg over her and pull myself up instead of throwing my body over her and having to right myself. As I threw my right leg up the cooler tipped over and down I went, under Kitt. She backed out from over me and pulled back, obviously nervous about what had just happened. I had good hold of the reins and was determined not to let her go but she was just as determined to get away from whatever had just happened. I made a few loud "whoa" sounds to get the attention of others who could help me catch her if she chose to run and let go of the reins. Just as most horses would do, she put down her head and began to graze on the nice green grass. I picked up myself and my pride and slowly walked up to Kitt who quickly grabbed a few final bites of grass before I again had her reins. Glancing over my shoulder I saw my loud "whoa's" worked as there were a few people, including Riverfare Farm owner Kim, there and ready to help if needed. I assured them I was fine. Kim came over and offered a leg up which I gladly accepted. After a few minutes of walking Kitt around the area, I dismounted in a much less eventful way than I had mounted. I put Kitt back at her haybag on the trailer and returned to my folding chair beside the arena to watch the event and take pictures. Stupid move of the year complete.
What I think we'll get the most out of trying something new like stock horse shows is the adventure of trying something new. While our love continues to be mounted shooting, it's good for both horse and rider to mix things up a bit and continue to challenge ourselves and our horses.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
No family braggin rights here!
I know my husband's been checking this blog, waiting for me to admit defeat at the first shoot of the year. So admit I will, however, all in all, I didn't do too shabby. I did win my division, have some great runs and am now officially an L3. Not bad for a first time out for the year. I did, however, lose to my greatest and most favorite opponent, my husband. Patrick ripped through the stages, even beating out some of New England's known best. I am quite proud, which in reality also gives me bragging rights as his wife to tell everyone how well my husband is doing.
So things went well for the Pages, but not for everyone. There were 32 riders total, many competing for the first time. Before the shoot starts any new riders or riders on new horses must complete a new rider/horse stage. It basically is to show the Rangemaster and Match Director that they can ride safely through a course and that their horse accepts the gunfire. Many times people will attend a clinic, not practice at home then come to their first shoot without a trained horse. This can be very dangerous. A few years ago a new horse almost went through a fence during a shoot at a fair packed with spectators. This horse had no business being in the arena and by the look on the horses face I'm sure he'd agree. It was not only dangerous but gives the sport a bad name. We now require riders who are new or have new horses to complete a run successfully before being allowed to enter the competition. The problem is different people have different definitions of what "successfully" means. ......... On Sunday we had quite a few "young guns" as I call them. Young guns are new shooters who are experienced riders but not experienced mounted shooters. They try to tear through the new rider/horse stage to prove that they know what they're doing. One of these young guns did a face plant in the sand at the end of the rundown and another almost went through the fence before also meeting with the sand. Things are a bit different when you're alone out in the arena with people watching. The horses know the difference, experience or not, people need to take it a bit easy at their first shoot. I've seen horses rear before each shot, I've seen people go out and lead a horse and rider through part of the course until they were at the back end of the arena and only had the rundown to complete, so of course the horse completed the rundown to get the heck out of the arena!!! In most cases, these horses and riders were allowed to compete. We had a few of these situations on Sunday which made for an entertaining yet scary shoot at times.
We also had a slippery spot right around a barrel turn on stage 2. There were 3 horses that went down around the barrel, feet slipping out beneath them. This was the same spot someone went down during warm-ups yet neither the rangemaster or match director made an effort to correct the problem. As a CMSA Certified Rangemaster, I said something to the match director that I had been told it was clay underneath the sand in that spot. He replied that it couldn't be as the area was an old river bed and is gravel. I would have shifted the course so the barrel wasn't over clay and in a dangerous place but nothing was done. The horses continued going down. Many riders decided to take the turn extra wide and slow down. I decided to trot going into, around and away from the barrel as I tend to be overly cautious being responsible for two young souls. It killed my time on that stage but at least I was safe as was my horse. Stage 2 was tense, luckily no one was hurt other than a few bruises.
So other than a few issues things went great. The weather was good except a bit windy which added some challenge to shooting the targets. It was wonderful to see all my friends I hadn't seen all winter. I'm looking forward to the next shoot we'll attend in 3 weeks. Until then, I have some things to work on to improve my times. I'm also going to try and mix things up a bit and get out on trail more. Both Kitt & I get bored just riding in the arena. It's always fun to trail ride with 2 .45's on my waist and see the reaction from people we meet along the way. It opens the door to talk about my sport, which I love doing.
So at the end of the day at my first shoot of the year, I had respectable times and felt good about my performance and Kitt's. I have yet to get the smug look off Patrick's face.
So things went well for the Pages, but not for everyone. There were 32 riders total, many competing for the first time. Before the shoot starts any new riders or riders on new horses must complete a new rider/horse stage. It basically is to show the Rangemaster and Match Director that they can ride safely through a course and that their horse accepts the gunfire. Many times people will attend a clinic, not practice at home then come to their first shoot without a trained horse. This can be very dangerous. A few years ago a new horse almost went through a fence during a shoot at a fair packed with spectators. This horse had no business being in the arena and by the look on the horses face I'm sure he'd agree. It was not only dangerous but gives the sport a bad name. We now require riders who are new or have new horses to complete a run successfully before being allowed to enter the competition. The problem is different people have different definitions of what "successfully" means. ......... On Sunday we had quite a few "young guns" as I call them. Young guns are new shooters who are experienced riders but not experienced mounted shooters. They try to tear through the new rider/horse stage to prove that they know what they're doing. One of these young guns did a face plant in the sand at the end of the rundown and another almost went through the fence before also meeting with the sand. Things are a bit different when you're alone out in the arena with people watching. The horses know the difference, experience or not, people need to take it a bit easy at their first shoot. I've seen horses rear before each shot, I've seen people go out and lead a horse and rider through part of the course until they were at the back end of the arena and only had the rundown to complete, so of course the horse completed the rundown to get the heck out of the arena!!! In most cases, these horses and riders were allowed to compete. We had a few of these situations on Sunday which made for an entertaining yet scary shoot at times.
We also had a slippery spot right around a barrel turn on stage 2. There were 3 horses that went down around the barrel, feet slipping out beneath them. This was the same spot someone went down during warm-ups yet neither the rangemaster or match director made an effort to correct the problem. As a CMSA Certified Rangemaster, I said something to the match director that I had been told it was clay underneath the sand in that spot. He replied that it couldn't be as the area was an old river bed and is gravel. I would have shifted the course so the barrel wasn't over clay and in a dangerous place but nothing was done. The horses continued going down. Many riders decided to take the turn extra wide and slow down. I decided to trot going into, around and away from the barrel as I tend to be overly cautious being responsible for two young souls. It killed my time on that stage but at least I was safe as was my horse. Stage 2 was tense, luckily no one was hurt other than a few bruises.
So other than a few issues things went great. The weather was good except a bit windy which added some challenge to shooting the targets. It was wonderful to see all my friends I hadn't seen all winter. I'm looking forward to the next shoot we'll attend in 3 weeks. Until then, I have some things to work on to improve my times. I'm also going to try and mix things up a bit and get out on trail more. Both Kitt & I get bored just riding in the arena. It's always fun to trail ride with 2 .45's on my waist and see the reaction from people we meet along the way. It opens the door to talk about my sport, which I love doing.
So at the end of the day at my first shoot of the year, I had respectable times and felt good about my performance and Kitt's. I have yet to get the smug look off Patrick's face.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Let the Games Begin !!
Well, it's time. Time to see just how far we've come (or not) this spring with getting ourselves and our horses ready for the first shoot of the year. Yes, it's time for the annual Mothers Day shoot. I alway find it difficult to have a shoot on Mothers Day. Not that I mind not being able to be waited on hand and foot for the entire day(yeah, right) because I'm too busy dressing, grooming and competing. My issue is alway finding a babysitter. Yup, that's my issue. A babysitter. No youth who appreciates mom's good cooking would dare to bug out on dear old mom on her day of pampering. Fortunately, due to the economy (there is a good side to everything!), after exhaughsting my long list of babysitters, I found Brooke. She is the best friend of one of my regular sitters (one who dares to not bug out!) and Brooke's Mom felt it best she take the opportunity to make some money while an opportunity presents itself. Now that's my kind of Mom!!
So Kitt and I are ready. At least as ready as we ever are for the first shoot of the season. Actually, I feel more ready than I have in the past at first shoots. I'm not too sure about how ready Kitt is though. She's been a bit off on her canter to the left. I started giving her some Vitamin E thinking it may be a bit of hind end weakness due to the lack of lush, green grass available. Ok, give credit to the vet for that suggestion. She's also still coming off of a few months winter rest and I find it does take a while to get back into the swing of things. I have a feeling as soon as she hears the gunfire she'll get a bit more kick in her step.
My husband, on the other hand, is more than ready. He's been consumed with bettering himself and the connection he has with his horse, Tucker. Last summer it took until mid July for Patrick to get in the mood. My how things change. This past fall he took a stock horse clinic at River Fare Farms in Webster with a clinician named Tom Neel. Well, my husband hasn't been the same rider since. There is more cowboy than I ever thought I'd see in my cyclist husband. He gets Tucker moving out, rolling back, changing leads like nothing I've ever seen him do with that horse. To say Patrick is ready for this first shoot is an understatement. He's not just ready, he's looking forward to whipping my butt! I can see it in his eyes. The Page family contest is much more important and competitive than any state, regional or even national competition we could ever compete in. It's a matter of family bragging rights. And we take every opportunity we get to brag to other family members and friends about who is on top at the moment. It's fun, especially when you get to be the bragger!
So this Mothers Day I'll get out and enjoy my horse and husband. That evening I'll enjoy my children and thank God for allowing me to be a Mother for there is nothing more important and special than that. I'll enjoy the day with a smile on my face, thinking about my Mother, Marie Woody, who watches me from heaven every day.
So let the games begin........
So Kitt and I are ready. At least as ready as we ever are for the first shoot of the season. Actually, I feel more ready than I have in the past at first shoots. I'm not too sure about how ready Kitt is though. She's been a bit off on her canter to the left. I started giving her some Vitamin E thinking it may be a bit of hind end weakness due to the lack of lush, green grass available. Ok, give credit to the vet for that suggestion. She's also still coming off of a few months winter rest and I find it does take a while to get back into the swing of things. I have a feeling as soon as she hears the gunfire she'll get a bit more kick in her step.
My husband, on the other hand, is more than ready. He's been consumed with bettering himself and the connection he has with his horse, Tucker. Last summer it took until mid July for Patrick to get in the mood. My how things change. This past fall he took a stock horse clinic at River Fare Farms in Webster with a clinician named Tom Neel. Well, my husband hasn't been the same rider since. There is more cowboy than I ever thought I'd see in my cyclist husband. He gets Tucker moving out, rolling back, changing leads like nothing I've ever seen him do with that horse. To say Patrick is ready for this first shoot is an understatement. He's not just ready, he's looking forward to whipping my butt! I can see it in his eyes. The Page family contest is much more important and competitive than any state, regional or even national competition we could ever compete in. It's a matter of family bragging rights. And we take every opportunity we get to brag to other family members and friends about who is on top at the moment. It's fun, especially when you get to be the bragger!
So this Mothers Day I'll get out and enjoy my horse and husband. That evening I'll enjoy my children and thank God for allowing me to be a Mother for there is nothing more important and special than that. I'll enjoy the day with a smile on my face, thinking about my Mother, Marie Woody, who watches me from heaven every day.
So let the games begin........
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