Posts Tagged ‘extreme cowboy race

Jackpot Obstacle Course

On Sunday we had a mounted games event at the farm. During these events we also like to add on a fun jackpot obstacle course for everyone. It’s great experience for the ponies & riders, and it’s fun to challenge yourself to try something new. Each time we have them the course gets bigger and better, and the riders that participate begin to grow. We’re hoping that this will turn into a popular event – as it really is a blast!

Here’s a quick video of Boomerang and I doing a run-through of the course before the show. We ended up making a few modifications, like taking out the “gate” which inevitably ended up being too much of a challenge. 🙂

Tags : assateague, bitless bridle, chesapeake boomerang, Chincoteague, chincoteague pony, clicker training, dachshund, dog, event, extreme cowboy race, farm, fun, horse, iron horse farm, jackpot, Kyley DiLuigi, misty of chincoteague, mounted games, natural horsemanship, obstacle course, painting pony, pony, training, trick, trick horse, trick pony, western

Boomerang the Roping Pony

You might remember that for my Birthday I wanted a lariat so that I could learn to rope. To my surprise my husband had already gotten me one – before I publicly announced on the blog that it was on my wish list! I had no big plans for the rope, it was more just for fun and a good way to desensitize the ponies to new things.

I spent the last few weeks roping things around the farm, fence posts, traffic cones, dachshunds, I even tried to rope the neighbor’s dog that escaped (unfortunately my attempt was unsuccessful – although we did end up catching the dog). Then I started roping things in and around Boomer to get him used to it.

Then just a few days ago I decided to try it while riding him. I wasn’t surprised to find that it didn’t faze him much, and I began using clicker training to teach him that the rope was a positive thing.

My first few attempts to rope while mounted were pretty pathetic. Boomer tolerated me while I roped his face, a couple of legs, and tail. I’m still not quite sure how the cowboys manage to the throw the lasso, hold the extra rope, and steer the horse at the same time. It’s not easy!

Anyway, here’s a few video clips of my first attempts at TROTTING and roping.

I could definitely use some more practice! Although I’m very happy with Boomer’s attitude towards it. Maybe soon we’ll work our way up to cantering! Yeehaw!

Tags : ammo, assateague, bitless bridle, chesapeake boomerang, Chincoteague, chincoteague pony, clicker training, cowboy, cowgirl, dachshund, dog, extreme cowboy race, farm, funny, horse, iron horse farm, Kyley DiLuigi, lariat, lasso, misty of chincoteague, natural horsemanship, painting horse, painting pony, pony, roping, training, trick, trick horse, trick pony, western

Rainy Day on the Farm

I’ll admit, I’ve been taking it a little easy since we’ve returned from the Extreme Cowboy Race. Those 6 weeks leading up to the event were pretty intense, so for most of March I’ve been enjoying taking things a little slower. The ponies are still being worked, in fact Minnow has begun a little exercise regime – to shed some pounds before the Spring grass hits. Being that he has Ringbone (equine arthritis) he can’t be ridden like he used to, so instead I’ve been hand walking him through the woods & bareback riding him in the arena (mostly walking with a little bit of trotting). Although Minnow is still as feisty as ever, and on occasion he decides that a little case of arthritis isn’t going to keep him from racing around at top speed.

Mostly though, I’ve been enjoying just spending time with the boys and catching up on things at home. And all of us can appreciate when a little rain forces us to take things even slower.

Tags : ammo, assateague, beautiful, cat, chesapeake boomerang, chesapeake lightning, Chincoteague, chincoteague minnow, chincoteague pony, clicker training, cute, dog, extreme cowboy race, farm, farm life, horse, iron horse farm, kitten, Kyley DiLuigi, misty of chincoteague, painting pony, photos, pony, pretty, rainy day, spider, trick, trick horse, trick pony

Horse World Expo – Highlights

While at the Horse World Expo, competing in the Extreme Cowboy Race wasn’t the only thing I did. There were lots of things to see and do, and even more to learn. I wish I had seen EVERYTHING, but it just wasn’t possible. Here are a few things I got to experience that you might find interesting.

Cowboy Mounted Shooting was a pretty popular demo to see. And don’t worry, they said that all the horses had their ears plugged and they don’t use LIVE ammunition.

I also got to watch the spectacular night show, Theatre Equus. My favorite part by far was Guy McLean, who flew his horses here all the way from Australia. I didn’t get to learn much about his training methods, but none-the-less his demonstrations with his horses were AMAZING.

He had a horse that could canter backwards. Seriously.

We also got to hang out with our friends from El Brio Vanner, home to Odd Job Bob, the star of the movie – The Greening of Whitney Brown. El Brio Vanner is actually right down the street from our farm in PA, and I grew up taking riding lessons with one of their trainers. We always have fun reminiscing about pony camp days and playing with Breyer Horses. 🙂

We also spent some time at the Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridle booth, as they were excited to learn about Boomerang competing in the Extreme Cowboy Race in one of their bridles.

Surprisingly I bought nothing at the expo, as much as I wanted to. I think my biggest temptation would have been one of the horse trailers. Swoon. Any horse trailer dealers want to sponsor a couple of trick ponies? We’ll take it all over the country! haha. Our little old rusty maroon trailer has seen better days. And man wouldn’t I give anything to have a tackroom! At least it’s still a step up from my childhood horse trailer……

Yes, that’s my first pony, Oreo Cookie, in the back of our “Horse Trailer”. We were on our way to a show. It’s a wonder I have any friends! haha

Well we had a great time at the Expo, and hopefully we’ll be back again next year! 🙂 I hope you enjoyed sharing in on the adventure with me!

Tags : assateague, bitless bridle, chesapeake boomerang, Chincoteague, chincoteague pony, clicker training, cowboy mounted shooting, dachshund, dr. cooks bitless bridle, el brio vanner, extreme cowboy race, farm, guy mclean, horse, horse trailer, horse world expo, iron horse farm, Kyley DiLuigi, misty of chincoteague, Odd Job Bob, painting horse, painting pony, pony, trick pony

Lariat

I’m constantly learning something new. There will ALWAYS be something I don’t know, so why not try to learn EVERYTHING I can? It’s sort of a sickness I have, I want to try everything.

So while competing in the Extreme Cowboy Race was something totally new and different for me, I couldn’t leave it at just that. While at the expo I jumped at the chance to learn how to throw a lariat. After all, I could have been asked to rope a “cow” during the competition for all I knew.

I was sort of relieved we didn’t have to rope something, because I think I could use a little more practice.

I’ve added a Lariat to my Birthday wish list (which is tomorrow!) because it was so much fun I can’t wait to give it a try while riding a horse!

After trying my hand at tossing the lariat I made sure Boomerang was ready for roping too. During one of our schooling sessions in the indoor I practiced throwing a lead rope around his head, ears, and sides. Just to make sure that should I NEED to throw the rope in the race, he would be fully comfortable with it. You can never be too prepared!

Anyone else out there know how to throw a rope? Any secret pointers so I can look super cool throwing my lariat off an english saddle?

Tags : assateague, bitless bridle, chesapeake boomerang, Chincoteague, chincoteague pony, clicker training, cow, cowboy, cowgirl, craig cameron, extreme cowboy race, farm, horse, horse world expo, iron horse farm, Kyley DiLuigi, lariat, lasso, misty of chincoteague, mounted games, natural horsemanship, rope, training, trick, trick horse, trick pony, western

WP Premium Theme by Premium Wordpress Themes