Posts Tagged ‘western
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?
Extreme Cowboy Race 2011 – Preliminary Round
6 weeks ago I decided to do something I’ve never done before. I knew it would be hard, I knew it would be stressful, I knew it would make me stronger.
Last weekend I competed in Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race.
In the 6 weeks leading up to the competition Boomerang and I trained intensely. We took western lessons, I transported him to every arena in our area that I could so that he got used to new surroundings, we practiced new obstacles, and tested our abilities to focus in stressful situations. But I knew going into this that there would be elements we couldn’t prepare for. The unknown was scary.
We arrived at the Horse World Expo in Harrisburg PA on Thursday. I had never been there before as a “participant”, and let me tell you, it’s a scary scary place for a horse.
Winding halls lined with stalls, electric “garage” doors, echos, loud noises, carts, dogs, and people – everywhere.
Boomerang handled everything pretty well. Immediately I began schooling him in the indoor arenas every chance I got. I wanted him to be comfortable with his surroundings before the preliminary race on Saturday. The indoor arenas at “schooling time” were an obstacle in and of itself. Not only did LOTS of horses and riders attempt to use them at the same time, but there were teams hooked to carts, horses being lunged, as well as the horses that freaked out as soon as they entered the arenas. Navigating around in them was an obstacle in and of itself. The only thing that I couldn’t prepare for was the noise of a cheering crowd. As the days went on I saw many horses freeze in fear or bolt in any direction possible after hearing their first round of applause. I’m not gonna lie, it made me nervous. I had no idea what Boomer would do when we had to walk into that arena on Saturday. Would he bolt, would he buck, would he refuse to listen to my commands, would I be able to regain control?
If you follow along with the Painting Ponies on our Facebook Page, then you already know what happened. But for everyone else, here is the video of our preliminary round in the Extreme Cowboy Race:
If you look closely in the beginning of the video, you will notice what did happen when the crowd applauded for the first time – Boomer had a little “fear reaction”. But at about 0.34 seconds you can see what I did to refocus him. I asked him to halt, and when he listened and stopped moving his feet I clicked and rewarded him. And that’s all it took to remind him that listening to me was much more worth it than worrying about what the crowd did. 🙂
Our preliminary ride actually put us in 2nd place out of 23 riders and earned us a spot in the Finals on Sunday (where only 11 were chosen).
I was so proud of Boomer. Our ride was far from perfect. I almost fell off when he spooked at something in the beginning of our lap around the arena, my roll backs were a little disappointing – considering Boomer can do them soooo much better, I could have cantered the barrel pattern, my sidepassing started a little sticky, and my keyhole pattern could have been done WAY faster. But it doesn’t matter. I accomplished something. I rode against (and beat) several professional horse trainers, I did western reining patterns in english tack, I rode in a Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridle (we were the only pair to ride bitless), and I competed in my very first Extreme Cowboy Race.
Craig Cameron (the announcer and organizer of these events) and his crew were impressed to say the least. I don’t think expected what they saw, heck I didn’t even expect it.
But it really didn’t matter what anyone else thought. It mattered that in a mere 7 minutes I had managed to challenge the relationship I shared with my pony, and we came out the other end victorious. I felt like if we could accomplish this, there’s not limit to what we can do. Not only did I teach Boomer some of these western maneuvers in a mere 6 weeks – but I did it without spurs and without a bit. yeah!
You can see more photos from our first round on the Painting Pony Facebook Page, and check back tomorrow to hear all about the Finals!
Western?
One of my items on my “to accomplish” list this year is to take a Western Lesson. I “semi” completed that on Monday when I took Boomerang to a “Western” lesson at a local western barn. (I told you I waste no time!) I only say I semi-completed this goal because although I started learning the beginnings to rollbacks and sidepassing, I cheated and rode in my English tack. In my defense Boomer hadn’t been ridden in over a month (except for the few days before the lesson) and I KNEW there would be some bucking involved, and I felt more comfortable hanging on for the ride in my english tack. (P.S. I was right, and he threw more than a few bronco bucks….thanks for making me look bad Boomer!)
Anyway, I’ll check this one off the list officially when I saddle up in the Western saddle! (Perhaps next week)
One of my main motivators for taking Western Lessons is the Extreme Cowboy Race. Also, I just think it will make Boomerang a better all-around pony.
When I originally made my Western Lesson goal I was thinking – that would be great to try since I’ve never done it before. Only after a few days did I remember I HAVE TRIED IT!
It had totally slipped my mind that for a semester in college I was on the Kutztown Equestrian Team. Not only did I try my hand at Hunters…
But I also tried a little Western Pleasure riding too…
Admittedly I only lasted a semester because it wasn’t “exactly” what I thought it would be. While it was great fun meeting new people, taking riding lessons at school, and trying something I had never done – the whole Hunter/Western Pleasure thing wasn’t really for me.
I felt like I was frozen when I rode around in the Hunter arena, and I had the hardest time getting rid of what the team called “Dressage Bobble Head” – too long in the Dressage saddle didn’t really help my hunter position either. It felt so strange! Thinking Western had to be WAY better I pictured barrel racing, reining, and team penning – I was not expecting to be caked with makeup and made to wear an outfit that itched – and god forbid my chaps touched the ground!
Not that there is anything wrong with that type of riding, I just discovered that it wasn’t really for me. I’m so glad I tried it though, I think it helped make me a better rider. I rode LOTS and LOTS of horses, and I broke out of my comfort zone.
I’m very much looking forward to a little more “rough and tumble” western riding though. Who knows what will happen next, maybe I’ll try team penning or even reining! How cool!
What about you, have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and tried something new? Maybe 2011 is your chance to do something new with your horse! You can do it!
In the meantime, I’ll try to update on my Western Progress….maybe I should get a cowboy hat!
Let the Training Begin
Sometimes I feel like I’m in the movie Inception. I get “implanted” with these crazy ideas and it’s all I can think about.
Right now, it’s the Extreme Cowboy Race. A timed event that tests you and your horse’s ability to navigate obstacles (like bridges, dragging objects, and opening gated) and perform western moves (roll backs, sidepassing, lead changes). I spotted the event several months ago and it’s all I’ve been able to think about. It’s probably safe to say it’s been put on my Bucket List – as one of my must do things in my lifetime.
And wouldn’t you know, in a little less than two months there will be an Extreme Cowboy Race held at the Horse World Expo in Harrisburgh, PA, for the first time ever – that’s about an hour and half from me. Way too close for me not to be really really tempted to enter.
It is this sole reason that I took poor unsuspecting Boomerang from this:
To this:
It is also the reason I borrowed a Western Saddle.
And the reason I took Boomerang to his first Western lesson on Monday. I think I must be crazy.
See the idea of the Extreme Cowboy Race is so exciting to me! I want to try something I’ve never done before, I want to challenge my pony and myself, I want to see if we can do it. But then I remember I am an english rider, I grew up competing in Dressage, Boomerang is still very young and immature, and it makes me nervous just THINKING about how many people would be watching me at the Expo. Are we really ready?
If it wasn’t for the HEFTY entry fee, not to mention stabling, hotel fees, transportation, lesson fees, being away from work, and the short time I have to get ready – probably there would be NO question, and I’d throw my hands in the air and say what the heck do I have to loose? But the reality is that I don’t want to spend all my time, money, resources on something I think I’m only half ready for. I want to succeed. I want to enter the arena KNOWING that we’re ready for this. KNOWING that Boomer is ready for this.
And we might be. Maybe.
I’m going to continue working Boomerang. Taking him to lessons, practicing at home, perhaps swimming him in the indoor track pool for race horses – whatever it takes to push ourselves to maybe, just maybe, be ready.
And if all else fails. I discovered the American Trail Horse Competition. Boomer is going to kill me.
