Wow!

I spent the this past weekend at a barrel clinic being taught by Ed Wright. It was a tiring weekend, full of drills, individual works and a total change of riding style "vs" the old way of doing things. I have to be honest and say I struggled with it on Saturday. But on Sunday, really got it and really drastically improved my turn on the barrels. It will, of course, take practice, and I'm sure slips of doing it the "old" way, but hopefully the changes will show their results on the time clock.

Randy & Gus went to Red Ridge pleasure show with out me & Charisma. They did quite well in the English - winning the Sr Hunter Under Saddle Class. But the western classes didn't go as well, as Gus & Randy are still having "show nerves" to work through together. They did however, remain consistent and win the High Point of the day.

Kara's first solo ride

Kara & I went on our first little trail ride together on Sunday. This is Kara's first solo trip without "mom" having a grip on whatever horse she is riding. Kara is riding Red, my old barrel horse from when I was a teenager. It was very neat to watch Kara ride him and brought back all those memories of our times together. It was also a bit sad, as Red is 26 years old now, and no longer has the "shape & pep" as the old days. Which, fortunately, enables Kara to ride him with no trouble by herself. In the days of old, Red was a handful for anyone, but was a fast one doing the speed events. We are planting the seed for "grandpa" that Red should come live with us for Kara to ride and take care of...

Other news:

Showing is going good - Randy is qualifed with Gus to go to the Wis State Horse Council Championship Challenge Show. Though Randy & Gus have had some "partnership" issues, I think they are starting to figure each other out.

Charisma and I are not qualified yet - though I've had some great rides on her. We were 2nd place at July 1st Portage show in Jr Horse Western Pleasure in a very large (and somewhat scary) class, but that is not a qualifying class for the championship show. I've had some really nice rides and have put her away on those notes - vs continuing to show her and having a problem crop up. I have until Sept 9th to get her qualified and about 5 shows left to go to that I can compete at with her. She has made great progress in the last 4 weeks in her training and is really coming into being a "show" horse.