Training For Santa Rosa, California performance on August 2.
Horses and Performers:
Taos with Jennifer
Buddy with Alyssa and Bec
Cisco with Bec
Wyatt with Brandi
Aly with Willie
Spencer with Cochise
Life Lessons Learned on Horseback
Today started a little hectic and rushed, the group didn't have as much time to work as the last couple of days, but made due with what we had. Jennifer had some errands to attend to, and also had to pick up Chad Nicholson, her husband and our biggest fan (also professional voice talent and announcer to many PRCA rodeos) up from the airport, as he was returning from a few PRCA rodeo announcing engagements in the Central States. Today was focused on taking what we have and appreciating it. In today's world everyone's on a cell phone or clicking away on keyboards, accomplishing everything in an instant; horses are not that way. We have to remember that good things take time, and accomplishing something as small as flexing to right is something to praise. Appreciating the wealth we have in horses is one of our top priorities.
Overview of Trick Riding Practice
Jennifer and Taos did an awesome job today, and with Jennifer's guidance, Taos will make an amazing trick riding horse. She also came up with the excellent idea of combining the last two practices, making equitation patterns that included trick riding.
Spencer and Cochise had a good practice, working on some croupers and run besides. Cochise has had a hard time adjusting to the concept of a station, and Spencer has been working very diligently with him on this. Today was a big step forward for Cochise, he stood quite still, even with an extra horse in the line up. Spencer was able to do all of her tricks on Cochise successfully, as well as many run besides and patterns that involved different tricks.
Brandi obtained a huge victory for herself and Wyatt today. Wyatt has been a project horse for some time. Initially, Wyatt had been selected with the intention of joining the cast of "Cavalia", the international horse show, much like Cirque de Soleil, that interprets the evolution of the bond of man and horse. Now he is under the Riata Ranch training program, and is doing beautifully, guided by the skilled Brandi Phillips. Today they accomplished bending and flexing, loping circles collected and driven from the back end into the bit.
Bec had another great trick riding day with Cisco, ending practice on an excellent shoulder stand at a trot. Bec is fearless and has some clean, straight lines. Her vaults are improving very much and Cisco tolerates her height nicely. Trick horse work with Buddy today went smooth and she had little to no difficulties laying him down and keeping him down there.
Aly and Willie worked today on their speed and communication. Learning a new horses's quirks is always a challenge, so today was all about connecting and relaxing on Willie. Some horses you just can't change their personality; you have to accept and roll with it.
Alyssa continued to work with Buddy, and great improvements have been made in the last few days. She has grown very confident yet again and has started loping Buddy when she does her vaults. Alyssa is a very talented individual, and is very advanced for her age. We are glad to have her back working with us
Today was a great day again for the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls. If it wasn't for the versatility, determination and just plain heart our horses have, we wouldn't be where we are today. We are forever grateful of our equine partners.
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