Flickerwood

I went to Flickerwood arena in Jackson MO on saturday to a barrel race. It is a very nice facility with over a hundred stalls and a nice arena. The show started with prayer. We thanked God for giving everyone a safe trip to the show and also to keep all riders and horses safe. We also prayed that all the horses ran fast and not knock any barrels. After prayer they started running. The horses were all pretty good. There were also alot of vendors selling jewelry, purses, bling tack, and horse supplements. It was a pretty good day, I just miss having a horse to run.

Tough?

'Twas the day before thanksgiving, and it was pouring down rain... anyways my horse barn was half flooded and I had to get the water out, it's not healthy for horses to stand in water it softens their hooves. So I went to Rural King to get pelleted bedding (sawdust compressed into pellets that when moistend expand into fluffy bedding). I bought 12 forty pound bags (about 480 pounds total). I had to cart it out myself and on my way out the bell ringer looked at me and said "Your doing that all by yourself?" and I said "yeah" then he said "You sure are tough." That got me thinking about how tough horsepeople have to be. We have to be able to find a way to move things much larger than ourselves, get the respect and trust from a large animal, give up things that are important such as; family, friends, relationships, sports, vacations, freetime... that list never ends. I had never really given any thought as to how tough a horseperson has to be to get by in life.

barrel racing

I am planning on going to (and running in!) a jackpot race thanksgiving weekend. It is being held at the flickerwood arena in Jackson, Missouri. I am going with my friend Glennda, who I interviewed. I am planning on riding a horse from work who has come back from 90 days of professional training, she's really good just needs to be seasoned (ran and shown to get her solid and consistant in her runs). It should be a good time and I should be able to get more information for my project, and maybe even a check!

barrel racing

I went riding with my friend this week. I interviewed her for this project after we were done, while we threw hay. We practiced barrels and loaded hay. She rode her finished barrel horse and I rode her boyfriend's horse that is in barrel training. We went to her boyfriend's dad's place (also one of my employers) and rode in the arena there. I buy my hay from them so after we rode we loaded up some hay. During the interview she talked about barrel racing, the importance of good horse care (mostly due to an experience we had last spring), tips for begginers and about her barrel racing experience.

This weekend I also attended a horse auction in Macon MO. I had a good time and worked on honing my horse-picking skills. Almost bought a young horse to make into a barrel horse, but I was good and came home empty handed. I was looking at the conformation, bloodlines, temperment and the overall horse. It was a good time.

duqouin barrel race

Last weekend I went to the NBHA district finals is Du Qouin. and watched some really nice horses run some awsome runs. talked to several barrel racers about horses and such. the arena is a huge covered arena used for many equestrian events. last weekend it was barrel racing and this weekend it was a huge 3 day cutting. they have really good footing in that arena and the horses seemed to run fast is that pen. when i arrived i was greeted with condolences about my horse. I helped my friend get ready and watched her daughter (i think shes 3).  My friend won the 1D with a 15.01 run (i think) i forgot to bring the waivers to have everybody sign and i got sick (my allergies acted up) so i need to track everyone down again, but i learned more about barrel racing by talking to the pros.

this week's blog

After a hectic week in the barn, my horse pulling a section of ligament out of her leg and my cat dying, it's now sunday and that means that this homework is due... I am planning on attending the NBHA IL-05 ( National Barrel Horse Association Illinois district 5) finals on saturday. District finals take place in DuQuoin at the fairgrounds in the covered arena. It should be a good day, fast horses and good times make for a good day.

New upcoming trend in the barrel world

I recently bought some mane/tail highlights. They are called Gypsy Tails. A friend of a friend makes them in TX. They are big down in Texas right now, but they will spread as time goes on. They are pieces of horsehair attached to a looped end. They are incredibly simple and quick to put in. Just make a braid, put a rubberband in the middle, then run a zip tie thru the ring on the highlight and zip it into the braid. I put some pictures of the ones I bought in my horse onto here.