Saturday, August 29 2009

Life Lessons Learned on Horseback
Today was definitely a day out of the norm at Riata Ranch. A television film crew had taken interest in the Ranch and decided to come out and do some test shooting for a possible project. As the Riata way, the girls made sure the ranch was spic and span for the coming crew. Cobwebs dusted away, hay stacked and banners put up, the ranch was cleaned top to bottom. As the film crew set up and the girls got used to them being around and doing takes, Jennifer gave a very important coaching lesson. Say your name! Take control of the situation! Dont let your emotions control you, control them! Your given one thing in life that only you can own, and that is your name. Even in the least formal of occasions, you should always be proud of your name and who you are. The door to oppertunity is marked push; your character and your work ethic are what keep that door open.

Overview of Trick Riding and Shooting

We welcomed back from St. Louis, Missouri, Shaye Bouckaert a 7 year team member. A wonderful personality and a great hand, Shaye jumped right in and helped out, even though her flight arrived at 11 pm the previous night. She partnered up with Cisco and worked on getting back into her stroud layout.

Brandi, Aly, Ashley and Spencer worked with the four show horses Jesse, Buddy, Cisco and Cochise, doing the tricks done in the show as required for shots.

Bresia and Nicole hopped up on the horses after for some coaching, a big congrats goes out to Bresia for completeing her first Backbend at a run! Great job Bresia, you really rode well today. Nicole continued to work on her hippodrome stand and did a nice job on Cochise. Alyssa also came out later in the day to help out at the ranch.

The shooting went really well, everyone carried on like professionals in the 102 degree heat. A big thanks goes out to the production crew for their patience with us goofy gals. We're really NO fun at all ;).

A very successful day for the girls, many lessons learned. A great eye opener and another page to add to our "summer novel". Hopefully many more days like this to come!

Moses Lake, Washington and R2 Ranch, Madras Oregon

Performing at Moses Lake, Washington

Credit Miller Photo

August 20th, 21st, and 22nd in Moses Lake Washington

After a lengthy drive and some troublesome tires, the Riata gang arrived in Moses Lake, Washington at 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Cleaning and freshening up, the group was asked to perform some rope tricks at the demolition derby that night on top of the winning cars. Going with the flow, the Riata girls didn't skip a beat as they texas skipped and big looped on top of those cars!

The actual rodeo began on thursday August 20th. The ring was in great condition for some roping and trick riding. With school starting, Riata girls have had to buck up, and this show was no exception. With Brandi, Spencer, Aly and Jennifer, they pulled of a normal routine that would have taken 6 girls and still managed to get a standing ovation before the trick riding had even begun. Every night went excellently, with the antics of JJ Harrison and the great announcing Will Rasmussen lighting up the arena.

After such a long haul, the group decided to stop off and see some old friends at the R2 Ranch. If there's ever people to learn from, it's the R2 company. Real ranchers by day and night, they work from dawn until dusk, tending to 60 000+ acres and livestock. They showed real cowboy hospitality by taking the gals out on the lake, teaching balance through some wake boarding and strength while clinging on for dear life to an inner tube. We also found out that our Canadian is deathly afraid of open water and fish, not a good combination for the day, that Jennifer is good at everything BUT wake boarding, Brandi has the stickiest hands and stayed on the longest on the inner tube and Spencer doesn't last too long when it's cold and she's tired!!!

With our summer winding down, the days start to blend together as everyone slowly drifts back to their everyday lives. Aly returns to Canada in a week until NFR in December, and the team will be slowing right down until then. Bear with us as the days get a little less exciting and the time we have off is used to push harder and produce a better show for next season.

Thanks for keeping track of us everyone! We'll try to update whenever we can, stay tuned!

Friday, Saturday, Sunday Aug 14,15,16 Napa Valley Mexican Rodeo and Tehachapi PRCA Rodeo

Spencer with Cochise
Brandi with Jesse
Aly with Buddy
Bresia and Jennifer with Cisco

Napa Valley, California Rodeo
After visiting the wrong fairgrounds, the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls arrived at the Napa Valley performance. With a few hours to spare, the girls introduced the horses to the sights and sounds of the fair. The Riata horses have been exposed to just about everything, but sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry when in a new environment. Cisco had a small sensory overload which Jennifer helped work him through in order for Bresia to trick ride on him. All of the horses did very well on the straight away pattern, Cochise especially excelling.

The group number down to four for this performance, Bresia Aguleria was asked to step up to the plate and was given the oppertunity to perform in the trick riding and roping, for the first time. Having little practice in the roping, Bresia did a great job making sure all the horses were in the station and lined up. She rode extremely well under the circumstances, with lots of help from the older team members.

About 8 p.m., the team loaded back up and headed down to Tehachapi, California for a PRCA rodeo.

Tehachapi, California PRCA Rodeo
Back again to Tehachapi for another great rodeo with better friends. It was like spending time with family out in Tehachapi, with Dale and Carol Miller of Miller Photo, and "Uncle" Mike Hayhurst, the barrelman/rodeo clown, as well as the great folks from Dodge.

After experiencing some highly stimulating circumstances in Napa, Cisco calmed right back down and became his old self. The parade started at 10, which meant girls had to be up by 7:45 to be parade ready. After driving all night and falling into the trailer at about 5 am, the girls put on the makeup and rode with their regular, cheerful greetings to the audience and kudos to Brandi for Texas Skipping on top of the trailer!

The first night was both trick riding and trick roping, seperated. Bresia did amazingly well again, remaining cool and calm under pressure and catching on to the intricate dance steps quite quickly. The horses ran smooth and sure, Cochise and Buddy needing a little guidance with the transition from straight away to normal trick riding pattern, but they pulled it together and rode it right.

The second night was strictly trick riding, and boy, was it a good one. All tricks went really well, Bresia even doing the suicide drag for the very first time in her first show! Everyone worked communicating with the audience and really selling the act to them. Overall, Tehachapi was a great performance, a lot of fun times singing around the camp fire with people we consider family.

Life Lessons Learned on Horseback
Driving down the road gives the girls a lot of time to think upon their lives and where it's going, what's happening in it and how to get where you need to go. Jennifer gave a great thought while driving up to Tehachapi; sometimes oppertunity knocks when you least expect it. Referring to Bec leaving, Jennifer remarked that even though it's hard to close that door, you have to
in order for the next to open, because you never know, it could be a greater oppertunity. Bresia received oppertunity this weekend, because she was at the right place and the right time and look what happened; she proved herself a quick learner and a cool head that prevails.



Look out Moses Lake, Washington. The Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls are headed your way!

Thursday August 13, 2009

Prep for Napa Valley Mexican Rodeo and Tehachapi PRCA Rodeo

Today was a good day out at the ranch. We brought Bresia home with us from Disneyland, and had her work on some tricks today. Bresia is the level 5 state champion for uneven bars in gymnastics, so she has a great wealth of strength and stamina. Bresia is currently working on the backbend, one foot stand and hippodrome stand. Look out for her in Napa Valley!! Spencer did a great job coaching her.

Not only did those two practice, but Aly and Brandi washed the horses and loaded up the trailer with saddles and other equipment. Wardrobe was sorted and everything was put in it's place.

Now the energy is mounting. Like electricity before a storm, charges go through the air. everyone knows what comes next. No strangers to long hauls and late nights, Riata girls pull up their bootstraps and put on the best possible show. And believe me, audience, the next few weeks are going to be grueling. Not the shows, per say, but the hauling and the wear and tear of going from an emotional high in the arena to the long nights of caring for the horses, cleaning up tack, packing up and moving on out to the next show. But for a Riata girl; that's the joy. That's what we work so hard for. We practice and take care so that we can share our passion with every one who comes to the venue, be it the prestigious Reno Rodeo or a local school that needs some girls doing rope tricks to come say hi to an after school group of kids. Impressing on them the pride, dignity and confidence all in yourself that comes from being a Riata girl. Riata doesn't just teach you some tricks; it teaches you to believe in yourself, to become who you want to be. Those are the kind of lessons you will take anywhere with you, any time, and any place.

Everyone is really looking forward to the next couple of weeks. We've got some exciting times ahead. Who knows what will happen?

Wednesday,August 14, 2009

Bec, Our Aussie!

Well! We saw Bec off to the airport today, and boy, was it a sad departure! Yesterday was also Brandi's birthday, so the girls went down to Anaheim and visited Disneyland for Bec and Aly's first time. A great time with many memories made!

The atmosphere in the truck on ride home was a gloomy one. With Bec, a ray of sunshine if you've ever met one, gone, it seemed like our team had gone down a step. Jennifer gave encouragement to the girls that was very uplifting and helped ease the loss. With every person that enters your life, there is always an imprint. Bec has imprinted everyone she has met in a positive, cheerful way. She brought so much leadership, confidence and charisma, the very essence of Riata, to the team. She not only helped others grow, but grew herself. The team chemistry this summer was so pleasant, and much of it was due to Bec. The summer of 2009 will never be forgotten by any member of the team; there were great chapters (Reno Rodeo, Prescott Rodeo and Estes Park Rodeo) but there are still a few left in the great book we are writing of '09. Three performances remain, and tomorrow, August 15th, we must start a new chapter; work towards a new ending.

Having said that, tomorrow is a preparation day! Cleaning horses, tack and packing it all away into the trailer. We leave early friday morning for Napa Valley, leave friday night for Tehachapi, California and then take off back to Moses Lake, Washington. The team plans on stopping in Madras, Oregon, to give the horses a rest and meet up with the great folks at R2 Ranch. Shortly after we will be losing another member for a few months; Aly will be returning to Canada to settle some business at home, but will be back at the end of November.

A sad day, but none the less, an end to a great chapter. Tomorrow is a new sunrise, and tonight we are turning the page. Come home soon Bec!

Monday, August 10 2009

Sorry it's been so long bloggers, but the Girls had to take a little breather after all that hard work. With Bec preparing to leave and business to attend to, things have been a little slow out at the Ranch, but not with the Cowboy Girls. Here's a look at August 10, our last team practice.

Brandi with Jesse

Bec and Alyssa with Cisco

Aly with Buddy

Jennifer with Wyatt

Bec with Taos

Life Lessons Learned on Horseback

While recounting old stories about the Ranch, before many of the group had been born, Jennifer noted that a lot has changed since the time she joined the Ranch. One thing that hasn't changed is the level of horsemanship that needs to be executed in order to maintain the standard set by Riata Ranch. Since taking over and having the professional career of 33 years and couting, Jennifer has set the bar a little bit higher this year with horsemanship. Not only do the girls have to trick ride, they have to use the skills taught to them throughout their lives to communicate with the horses; read the horse, feel the horse and think just like the horse. Horsemanship is not only a requirement for a Riata Ranch Cowboy Girl; it's a necessity.

Overview of Trick Riding

Today was a great day for everyone. Progress is a mountain that we climb by putting one foot in front of the other. The group did much like many practices before and continued on to deviate from the normal trick riding pattern. Using stops, circles and bending, the horses were asked to be soft and supple; riders alert and keyed in to their horses.

Buddy did well with this exercise. Bending around the pressure isn't Buddy's favourite task, and that's exactly what Aly asked him to do today. After a long, tiring workout for the both of them, Buddy worked excellent into the bridle, and rounded very nicely. Later, he ran smoothly for Aly as she worked on some vaulting skills, and again for Bec as she tried out shoulder stand.

Jennifer put Wyatt through his paces, and once again ladies and gentlemen, this is not an easy horse to ride. He hasn't had much riding besides trail riding, so it's like starting from square one. His biggest obstacle to overcome is collecting himself, using his body to give impulsion and drive into his lope. Who better a rider to help him than Jennifer?

Brandi and Jesse worked on station issues today. Jesse is the most honest running horse on the team; he knows his job and does it with little to no hesitation. Brandi has been noticing that Jesse tends to lean away towards station; that he wants to do his job as fast as possible and be done with it. Brandi had a great day with Jesse.

Bec and Taos make an amazing team. They really work as one, rider blending seamlessly with horse. Taos is such a sensitive horse that if one shifts weight ever so slightly, it will cue him to switch leads. We found that out the hard way, wondering WHY Taos was crossfiring in the back! But with her usual horse sense, Bec zoned in on the problem and had him straightened back out. She also trick rode a little on Buddy, and has improved so much on her vaults.

Alyssa is a fantastic girl, and each day gets better and better. She worked on her stroud layout today with Cisco, and was right back into her old ways. Cisco ran very true in the trick riding, but is a sneaky devil in the riding. He senses a rider's weak spots and exploits them, leaving Alyssa on the wrong lead a few times. With encouragement from the senior girls, Alyssa had him back on the correct lead in no time.

It's always great to get back out to the Ranch and work with the horses. The air and the sun combined with the good feeling coming from the work done really cheers the soul.

Tuesday and Wednesday, August 4&5

We're Back!!!
Hey Bloggers! Santa Rosa was a great time for all the girls, lots of laughs and a fun couple of nights at Judy and Dennis Welch's place (Jennifer's parents). The show went really well, the roping and the trick riding were seperated. A twist was that the roping wasn't like a normal roping; the group had to perform to mariachi music! The crowd loved the routine and Buddy laying down at the end was icing on the cake. The trick riding was very well recieved, and it was Bec's first trick riding show! Everyone had good runs, and the horses ran straight into station. All that practice paid off!

Horses and Riders:
Bec with Taos
Brandi with Jesse
Spencer with Cochise
Alyssa with Cisco
Aly with Buddy



Life Lessons Learned on Horseback
After coming off the road and a slight lull in the action at the ranch, reality set it for everyone. Bec would be going home, school would be back in session and Aly would be going home shortly after. Jennifer encouraged the team to exercise free will in the ring today, letting the group decide what they wanted to work on that day. After practicing, Jennifer brought to everyone's attention that the horses choose what they want to do sometimes; you merely have to listen and direct them in a positive way. Like us, the horses all have certain points of weakness that one can pick up on, if listened to carefully. Even though there was no structure, it was a productive practice, which provided a life lesson for the day. Not every aspect of your life needs to be planned and drafted, ruled by what someone THINKS is good for you. Trusting your intuition and knowing yourself will help you make educated choices that will take you where you truly want, and in the end need, to go. Exercising like we did today also helps to realize that we all have special traits and characteristics that will help us in life whenever we get kicked down. Even though if we're not a lawyer or a doctor, we all know that we can rake, and that's where it all starts.

Overview of Practice

As stated before, it was a free practice today. All the girls got to decide what it was they wanted to work on.

Bec and Alyssa did a fantastic job, just working on horsemanship skills today. Bec guided Alyssa through circles and straights, helping her to understand the finer points of horsemanship. Bec and Alyssa accomplished much today. Alyssa continued to work on her shoulder stand and hippodrome after the lesson, while Bec videotaped some trick riding and working for her TRIP home. She has really been fine tuning a lot of her tricks, and it shows.

Brandi and Jesse are a great team, and it is amazing to watch them ride together. Brandi is so in tune with Jesse, and that comes from many long, hard days put under the sun. Brandi had a few issues with Jesse wanting to just do his job and get back to station, so she worked with him on patterns and "got rid of half of the problem; one piece at a time.". Brandi understands, like any great horse person, that you can't attack all problems at once.

Aly and Spencer teamed up today and shook up the norm. They decided to synchronize their trick riding, vaulting on time and hippodroming side by side, much like they do at "Cavalia". It was a good change for Buddy and Cochise, and had Spencer and Aly really thinking.

A bit of a somber tone has enveloped the girls as they come to terms with Bec leaving. A big part of the team is going home, and we will all be sad to help her on that plane. Bec really was a hidden gem that has sparkled brighter than the sun itself.