Tuesday, July 28 Santa Rosa Prep

Training for Santa Rosa, California performance, August 2

Horses and Performers

Buddy with Alyssa Pratt and Bec Circosta

Cochise with Spencer Elizabeth Rose

Taos with Jennifer Welch-Nicholson

Willie with Aly Love

Cisco with Bec Circosta

Life Lessons Learned on Horseback

Today, Jennifer taught the group about change. Life is about changes, from change between horse partners to graduating high school and starting your life as an adult. Jennifer wanted to express to all that you have to roll with the changes; work with them, and above all, don't let them defeat you. Life is about changes; Riata would not be where it is today if director Jennifer hadn't decided to change how the program was to be run when she took over teaching the Riata way. She was not only speaking about changes in your personal life, but changes in your professional life as well. Now that the majority of the girls have graduated high school and are now on their own, there are many changes coming their way, changes that when met will now be faced with confidence, poise and a positive outlook .

Overview of Trick Riding Practice

Just like yesterday, it was hot. The group strarted practice at 82 degrees, and ended in 102, but as usual, they got the job done.

Jennifer continued to ride Taos on the straightaway pattern. She changed it up today, adding a small equitation pattern to help focus some of the horses more on their rider than the station.

Alyssa, partnered with Buddy, was welcomed back into the Riata family! A little rusty at first, but Alyssa quickly fell back into the riding groove. She worked with Buddy very well today, really concentrating on stopping Buddy square and keeping him straight while backing.

Bec continued to shine in the arena on Cisco, accomplishing much in the two hours of riding. She did beautiful suicide drags and didn't forget to sell! Bec also worked with Buddy intensely for an hour. Every day can't be perfect; working with horses one comes to understand that, just like people, they have their "off" days as well. Buddy was giving Bec slight difficulties in laying down, but Bec stuck with him and by the end of practice, Buddy had laid down on cue successfully 3 times. Way to go Bec!

Aly and Willie had a different goal today than just trick riding. They worked on leaving station calmly, and more importantly, listening to rider cues instead of Willie's cues! Willie is in show mode all the time, so today was about teaching him to calm down and focus not so much on running hard, but to respond more to his partner. Overall, Willie did an exceptional job keeping his trot (and his cool!), and really progressed in leaving the station calmly.

Spencer and Cochise did amazing today, there's simply no other words for it! Cochise has had little training, and what little he had was put to the test today as he was asked to run a straightaway while Spencer did the tail drag, around-the-horn vaults and shoulder stand, all very successfully. Nice work Spencer!

Even in the heat, we've still got the heart! Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls know how to buck up and keep smilin'! See ya'll tomorrow!