Wow it is over!

The last week has been an emotional roller coaster. I am going to do my best to try to describe everything. But it is truly a competition that you have to see to believe. Not sure where I blogged last but the four days before we left Spade became really sick. I have never seen a horse feel the way he did. Tuesday (the day before we left) I took him into my vet. That is when I found out that he had dry bronchitis and he really was sick. For days we had batted around if it was sickness, exhaustion, or a emotional issue. The night before we were going to leave I decided that he we well enough to work through my classes and to double check that he would do everything required. It didn't turn out like I wanted. I ended up working two hours trying to get him to do the very basic maneuvers. He felt bad and had not been ridden in over four days. I was so upset I didn't want to even load him the next morning to leave for Fort Worth. I fought the emotions the entire way there. I knew that this wasn't an easy competition even when your horse is working right. I was really worried.
Once we got to the show grounds it was craziness. People unloading trailers pushing horses and saddles to and fro. A typical check in at any horse show. My goal was to get him checked in and settled as quickly as possible and get on and ride. I knew if I could spend time with just him both of us would be okay. I was a ball of nerves. It is very different when you go to a barrel race and you are confidant in who you are. Here I walk in my horse knowing that he really needed two or three more weeks of training and then you are being passed by some of the top trainers in the nation riding their newly trained mustangs through all of this craziness, BRIDLE-LESS!! It isn't like we were in a closed pen I mean they were in the parking lots and the stall areas. Talk about being worried. I carried Spade to the main ally for check in. Right off there were people walking right behind him looking at him. Then a man came up with paint brands to paint his butt. I am standing there praying the whole time that Spade would not kick anyone. He has been doing so well but this was serious pressure. After the man was done I felt I could breathe. From that moment on I decided to not worry about him kicking anyone. We got to the stalls and set up our tack stall. By that time I had a few hours before the competitors meeting. So I saddled up. I wanted to ride him in the pen as soon as possible.
The first ride eased my mind. When I walked in the pen many of my friends I had met on Facebook were also riding. We walked around and looked at he sights. Spade was extremely calm. He did everything I asked. Had great spins, great circles, great stops. Never tried to run off. The ride made me feel much better. I also was able to talk to the trainers that had helped me prepare. On the way back to the stalls you could hear through the whole barn the startled shuffle of hoofs on the concrete. It was a sound we heard all week every time one of these guys would spook. Once I received my packet in the meeting I relaxed. The patterns were well within our capabilities. Then riding with other Idols trainers we started to see how talented other horses were and we were just as smooth and nice as they were. It made me feel like I was going to be okay.
My first class was Thurs morning. It was the trail class. We had to walk out, walk over poles, move a slicker from one barrel to the other, pick up all four feet and then cross a bridge. Spade did so well. He had a slight hesitation crossing the bridge because of the greenery on the edges but he was fine. Then we had to turn around in a box trot thru cones and back into a chute that was also covered in greenery. He did it all but stepped out of the chute twice trying to avoid the decorations. This hurt my points. Then we had to lope to a cone stop and side pass over a log. He did pretty good on all that too. His side pass was super smooth once he knew what he was suppose to do. When I walked out I knew that the hesitations and the stepping out of the chutes were going to hurt me. But then sitting there watching others mustangs flipping out and refusing obstacles I was pretty proud we did that good. We ended up 21st. I was a little upset because I thought he did better but at least the pressure of winning was over. Now I just needed to do my best in the other classes and see where I could place.
That night I pulled him out to start working on my pattern class for the next morning. He fought me a little and I had to make some bit changes so it was a little frustrating but by the end of the night he was set and doing wonderful. I was confident that we would place high in this one. The one thing that I had noticed in practice was Spade was gravitating toward a banner that had a picture of horses on it. He kept wanting to sniff them. I wasn't overly concerned. The next morning when I started my warm up it was like he had wheels on his feet. He had currently been in a 12x12 stall for 48 hours and was felling better so he wanted to run around. I knew by the way he was warming up he was going to be a handful. Plus in a warm up pen with people from multiple disciplines here is no cultured traffic. It is hard to get a circle in without someone cutting you off. And all you barrel racers know that is the most frustrating thing. The pattern class for us was a basic reining pattern minus the hard stops. Finally it was my turn. My nerves picked up just like they would at a barrel race. The gate opened. Spade did the two tracks beautiful, he stopped and backed up. On the first loping circle he tosses his shoulder inside the circle and starts pulling on me a little. I knew then he really didn't want to be there. As I started the second circle he spotted his beloved horse banner on the wall. And started loping toward it thankfully it was the direction he was suppose to go. When he passed it there was a very large bright blue banner next to the horse one. He shuttered underneath me and, remaining in the pattern, bolted. So there we were sprinting the reining pattern. He nailed the lead change and the final circle required needed to be slow. He slowed down and did great. As we approached the stop I was still a little frazzled from him running. I never say down and gave him the cue to stop. When I pulled in the bridle for the stop I was still squeezing in my legs so he loped straight toward the fence. I knew I had just blown my chances at placing. I loped another circle and stopped. He finished with two beautiful 360s. I came out almost in tears. Spade did everything that he could do I just wasn't communicating with him. After watching the video it really didn't look all that bad. I thought for sure I would get last. We didn't! We placed 21st again. An hour later the final class came. He did everything he was suppose to but once again my lack of show horse experience placed us for another 21st. Overall we ended up 20th. At least I was consistent. It gave me lots of perspective on the competition and my riding skills. Needless to say I told God I am doing it again next year and I am going to learn more advanced riding between now and then. I had a fairly long discussion with the Lord about who I should learn from. I figured I would come home and research and figure out what to do. Well God had other plans. The next morning Spade was eating in the stall row while I cleaned his stall. He had been so good all three days. He never kicked at anyone even though people were everywhere. So I walked around the corner to fill his bucket and when I came back Mark Lyons was standing in the other side of Spade. He asked me if he was mine. I said yes. He said "He just tried to kick me!" I apologized and told him a little about how difficult Spade had been. We chatted a minute and he went on. I was so upset at Spade. Mark is one of the most well known trainers and is related to some of the best in the business. I looked at Spade. "Really Spade of all people you have to take a swipe at, Mark Lyons!!" About an hour later Mark approaches me in the arena. I apologized again because I was so embarrassed at Spades actions. Mark hands me a brochure. It was his and Miranda's information. He told me he knew that I had gotten to know another girl that he helped this year and he wanted to invite me out to the ranch for help. I was super excited. After talking to Mary Kitzmiller (which took 4th in Legends this year) I knew that it was no accident that Spade chose Mark to throw a punch at. I had already decided that they could teach me quite a bit. She told me she had been an intern under Clinton Anderson and she entered last year for the first time thinking it was going to be easy. She placed very close to what I did this year. The Lyons helped her jump 30 places in the last year. Still a little concerned not knowing how they trained I asked God what he thought. I didn't really get much of an answer. While I was walking Spade around for a leg stretch there were so many spectators talking to the trainers. Pretty soon people were all around Spade petting and talking to me about our four month process. I slipped into a warm up area trying to give Spade a break from the pressure of all the hands. He was kicking around the dirt thinking about rolling when a couple bee lines across the pen straight to me. They talked to me just like the others but next thing I knew Spade LOVED them and was rubbing and loving all over them. I found it VERY odd. In the conversation the woman told me that her horse was sent to Mark and Miranda to train. I asked questions about what they knew about him. They had used him quite a bit and loved him. After about a 15 min conversation they left. I felt I needed to pick up my jaw off the floor. It has been a long time since I asked God for something and he gives me multiple encounters to confirm his answer in a matter of hours. But God is like that sometimes he just needs us to ask and he will answer any question we have. Our problem is we don't ask. Needless to say I am going to load both mustangs up and head to Whitesboro this week so I can catch up on Magpie I am now over a month behind all the other barrel racers. I can sit on her but haven't moved any farther. As easy going as she is if I had not had Spade I would already be on barrels with her.
The one thing that I learned this week is God really cares about us to ordain something like a horse kicking at someone to bring attention to their owner. I would have probably come home and signed up for a less then par reining clinic somewhere. Or worse. But God knows how and what we need to learn so He hooked me up this time. I feel like if we rely on God for even the little things then he will make our paths straight.

We chased a COW!!!

OK for the record I am one of few "cowgirls" that is NOT a fan of cows.  Therefore I don't look for opportunities to go do anything that involves cows. In my search for things that Spade is good at, I decided to call an old friend today and go track some of his calfs. I am don't mind the calves so much! I roped back in high school and was kinda decent so today brought back tons of memories. This morning Spade did ummm....bad! Really bad. On everything. I was super upset by the time I got to the house. In the attempt to recollect my emotions I called two of my dear friends for a pep talk. One gave me a little "how to handle the pressure" talk. And the other gave me more of an idea on what it is like to compete in this. In the end I felt way better. So that is why tonight I was looking for something fun to do with him. He did much better in his warm up to track the calf. I sat all day and thought about what I had missed or what I did to make him fight me. I did a few drills with him tonight and he is much better. He did really great with the cow but he seemed distracted. I have noticed that he has felt distracted the last few days. He has also been having some issues with his ears. He has them hanging straight out and they stay like that. Then when he lopes they flop all crazy. I have no idea what is going on. Never seen that before. I am calling the vet in the morning to see what they say. He has been a little under the weather so I hope it isn't related. I am assuming that is why he has been fighting me in practice. I hope to get some answers tomorrow. In the mean time I plan on doing some fun things for him this weekend. Make him feel better.

Flip the Grease

It is funny how God knows what we need. Today I had to drop off Grace, my daughter, at school. She had to be there at 9. My riding schedule is about to change because the weather and school is different. Thankfully Grace only goes to a Pre-K program that is only twice a week. On my way home I ran by to pick up Talicia so we could go home and start timing maneuvers that I have to do. All my classes in the Mustang Makeover are timed and my freestyle is too. I have to know how long it will all take me to finish so that I know what to do and not to do. As I walked up her steps I could see that the dogs had a hay day with her trash she had set outside. Talicia's jaw dropped. She went inside to the kitchen and I followed. We then realized that they had flipped over a bunch of stuff there too. It was crazy!! The worst part was the dogs had knocked over a shelf and flipped a big can of old grease on to the floor. It was everywhere. So being the food friend that I am I quietly stood there and chatted with her while she picked it all back up. LOL! Mainly because I am to sore to do anything else. Needless to say after cleaning up it was too hot to go and ride. I was a little upset but we came home and I was able to start figuring out what I need to pack and do before I leave. When you are packing for you and your horse there is lots to remember. Plus tons of things that have to be done before I leave. So all day I ran errands to prepare. Then came home and had a tack cleaning party. That consisted of Talicia quietly sitting and watching me oil my tack. Then tonight my plan was to ride Spade in the open ride night but he hasn't been doing well under the lights. Just as I was about to go get him Grace asked to ride her horse. Really?? But I couldn't tell her no again. She always wants to ride and I rarely have time. So I gave Spade the night off and let Gracie ride Mac. I have to say I am glad I did. Grace started loping her pony for the first time tonight. I was so super proud. Laying here in bed after a long day I relaxed that I really needed some rest and so did Spade. It amazes me that they are so tolerant to ride as much as I have. So it made me think, God knows what we need way better then us. Otherwise he wouldn't have let those dogs flip the grease. ;-)

Aaron and Hur

Ok I have been non stop running around trying to get everything ready for Fort Worth. We are "so" down to crunch time it isn't funny. From here on out I will be pretty vague on what I am doing because I have moved into working on freestyle ideas and that is way more hush hush than the regular training. I will be sure to fill you in afterwards, but hopefully I will have a video of it "when" I make the finals (speaking things that aren't as though they are). I will be competing in the Idols class against 40 other trainers. I have to say that I am super happy that I am to this point. Spade is positively the best trained horse that I have ever sat on. He is so trained that without ever running the barrel pattern before I was able to cruise though for a student today to show her what her horse needed to look like in a turn. He did the pattern like an old pro and I haven't even walked him through it before. I am happy to have him. It looks like I will be using him as my lesson partner because he does it all.
So today I rode him and he did much better then yesterday. I didn't blog yesterday mainly because I was so aggravated by the time I came in the house I didn't want to talk about it. I worked him last night and he started out ok. The more I rode, the worst he got. Until he started to drag me around the pen like he did a few weeks ago. Needless to say I was very upset. A week out from check-in and he wants to become "untrained". Angie Lewis has been helping me with things that are perceived by spectator/judges. Sometimes things feel way worse to me then they look. She said, "It looks like he is running away! Like he is fighting you! Of coarse in my short temper I barked back "HE IS!". I am really glad my support group takes me at the best and the worst! The more I worked with him the more mad I got. So I finally quit and left him alone. I could feel the Holy Spirit telling me "You are about to undo everything that you have taught him. Just Stop." Just before I quit I was loping a circle to the left and I noticed that Spade kept glancing to his right side. The whole time he had been fighting me he was running from the tassels on my chaps. I recently, the last few rides, started to ride him in the chaps to get him used to them. The first two days he didn't care but last night he finally noticed that the tassels flop when he is loping. On top of that I notice that he runs away and is more scared under the lights at night. The colors and shadows I am sure are different to him. So all night last night I laid in bed thinking about what I need to do to get him used to the chaps. I even dreamt about it! This morning I let them hang off his saddle as I loped him around on the lunge line. He was "looky" at first but soon settled. Today he did great and loped like a sane and trained horse even with the chaps on. Still trying to find the pattern to the craziness but if it is just because it is dark in the pen at night and the lights are on, I will be happy. I don't have to compete in that type of setting in Fort Worth at all. This afternoon I pulled out all the stops. I had some great freestyle ideas but struggling with teaching some of the tricks and maneuvers. The freestyle consist of 3.5 minutes to do anything you want to show off your horses better than average ability. The more "Wow" you have the higher the points. It is only for the Top Ten that make the Finals in the Idols class. But everyone prepares because you never know how you are going to place. In the Legends (the most advanced class) the freestyle is where you see chainsaws, bullwhips, 4-wheelers, bridle-less and bareback riding and a large amount of firearms. Hence the reason that I chose to compete in Idols. LOL!  After I realized today that some of my conservative ideas weren't really what Spade wanted to do. I told Angie "If I were crazy I would try..... use your imagination!" She said "Try it!" I could hear the faith in her voice. I was a little afraid that I was too ambitious but what do I have to loose at this point. I mean if I make the top ten out of 40 that is already saying something for a horse that has been ridden only five weeks. So why not go for gold!? Lets just say that the ideas scared every horse in the pasture except Spade. He was right beside us and never budged. In fact I think he likes it. I know, I know, what is it?? Sorry that will have to wait until after my competition.  I have some really cool things that are his favorite and they will all be a part of the freestyle. Really looking forward to it.
I can't tell you how important it is to have a support group around you. I have such a great team of people that I can look to at anytime. Angie and Talicia have been a huge part of that. They are the ones that at least one of them are here every time I have worked Spade. I can literally count on one hand how many times I have worked him alone.  They will but be with me in Fort Worth to help with what ever. They are the ones that see how tired I get trying to keep up with the fast schedule that I have set to make sure every horse gets done. And they help with what ever they can. Then I have Mary right down the road that is constantly riding with me and giving input. She is a great friend that loves Jesus and has ridden lots of horses, that makes her very valuable to me. And Danial my husband that is so super proud of everything that I have done with Spade and refrains from exploding every time I use the word "mustang". I know he hates the word by now. Then there is a huge team of vets, mustang trainers and other equine specialist that help me so much. And so, so, so many friends that are rooting us on. I have never been so proud to have such special people in my life. I think often about how great God is to bring in key people to support me. It makes me feel even more loved by Him. Talicia and I were talking the other day about the story in the Old Testament where the Hebrews were in battle against the Amalekites(Ex 17:10-13). Joshua was leading the battle and as long as Moses arms were extended in the air they would be beating the enemy in the battle. But when he would get tired and start to lower them the enemy would start to overtake the Hebrews. So along came Aaron and Hur and they held up the arms of Moses because he was tired. For the battle's sake no matter how tired he got he had to keep those arms up. Talicia had mentioned the story to me to explain something in her own life. But I realized that God had sent Talicia and Angie to hold up my arm in this journey. This "mustang thing" that I am "into" (that's how I have heard people explain me) might look like nothing but the devil knows that it is Phase 1 to a serious kick in the teeth. To me it isn't just a competition to show my skills. In the long run (not sure how!) this is going to become a ministry to glorify Gods Kingdom, not mine. So I feel that I am in a battle against the enemy to just get this cute little "wildcat of a mustang" trained and finished for a greater cause. Every time I have wanted to stop because I was to tired or (I hate to admit it) too scared. These girls have been the ones to pick up what slack they could and encourage me if it was something that only I could do. Just like today Angie's faith that Spade would tolerate something that I normally wouldn't have ever tried, could change my whole competition this year. God knows what we need to finish something that he has called us to do. He also knows when we need an Aaron and Hur to help us in the process. Angie kinda showed up about a month after I had been accepted in the SEMM. Talicia started coming out the first week that I had picked up Spade. Both of them I had been friends with for years but we had lost touch for almost 15 years. But God brought them back to help me now. I am so glad he did. Spade isn't a product of just what I did. He is a product of an entire support group made up of so many. I thank everyone that has helped along the way. I have a feeling he is going to do great.

Steal my Show

Wow! Are the nerves really starting to set in. It is hard for me to believe that we are this close to the competition. When I was growing up I was heavily involved in 4-H. Every year from the age of 8 to the age of 18 I competed in the local, district, and state horse show. I did all the events, Halter, horsemanship, western pleasure and of coarse barrels. I found out really quick that I was meant to be in the speed events. It wasn't near as nerve racking. I still remember trotting in western pleasure classes and my mom whispering "smile!" as I trotted by. I fought the nerves the whole time as I forced my smile. I felt like the judges eyes were piercing straight through me. Then every time I would come out of the pen I would remember that I forgot to acknowledge the judge before I left. I would be devastated because I forgot one little thing. I never understood that it wasn't the smile or the lack of acknowledgement that put me in the bottom of the placing it was because I was riding like a barrel racer and my bouncy barrel horse wasn't what the judge was looking for. Which if anyone knows me I don't settle well with not winning, especially if it is a on a consistent basis. I think that is why even in my "cold spots" growing up and even today, God lets me win just enough to keep me going. And if it ever got really bad the "give up" attitude wasn't even an option because the challenge to fix the problem kept me trying. Now my riding skills are ten times better than they were and my training is really my best skill in horsemanship. In the back of my mind I am still in 4-H and preparing for a judged show. Bottom line is I would rather run on the clock for 16 seconds then be watched and critiqued anyday. But I am so excited for this competition because it lets the little guy in horse training float to the top if they have what it takes. That was my first reason of doing this competition, to see how I stood in a trainers competition.
Where we stand now, even before we head to Fort Worth, my confidence is much more solid then it has been in a long time. Yesterday, I was loping my compulsory pattern on Spade and he felt wonderful. He did everything that I ask and more. He didn't just stop he stopped with great form and style. When he would change leads he did it like he has done it all his life. I stopped with a smile because I realized that I have only been on his back for 5 or so weeks and he is more trained than anything that I have ever ridden. I feel like I have finally proven to myself that I am the trainer that I thought I could be. At this point he knows all that he needs to for the competition. Now we are working on all the bells and whistles. This last week I have to do everything that is in the trail class and everything in the freestyle to insure that he is comfortable doing them without persuasion.
I picked out my music for freestyle a few days ago. It was probably the toughest thing that I have done so far. I wanted to have a rockin' freestyle and I think that Spade has the moves to really do well to a faster song. I looked and looked. In the process I found out that my 4 month old daughter loves music and the more rhythm the better. I personally listen to christian music only. It is something that God required of me when I was younger. Not that I don't like secular music or that I don't know the songs. I just don't find that they fulfill me like christian music. So as I was going though all the songs I wasn't finding anything secular or christian. Finally I found a song that was exactly what I wanted and it was me. My main goal in this is to show people who Spade and I are as a team and give God all the Glory in the way we compete. So we picked one of the new songs by Toby Mac to do our freestyle to. I believe that no matter what you do you should do it for God's glory alone. The name of the song is "Steal my Show". That is exactly what I hope God does for me.  Now to start making my list of all the things that I have to pack. I have to do my part to ensure we have a great time. Much to do.

Flying Leads

Today Spade got a day off because he has been doing so good, but since I forgot to write about our awesome day yesterday I hoped on here. Yesterday Mary called and wanted me to come to her house to ride with her. Being that she only live a few miles down the road I went for it. I figured it would be a nice short trip for Spade. Poor guy gets in the trailer and we drive forever and then I usually eat with friends so then he has to stand there. I thought this might be refreshing. I saddled him when we got there and went to her pen. I can't say I really did all that much. I started to trot and lope circles. As I loped fast circles and slow circles I started to make them different sizes. So when I went to the big fast circle I was like "why not ask for a lead change" For my no horse group a lead is the leading foot when a horse is loping (running). Right lead is when the right is ahead and left is the left.  So I shifted my weight and he swapped leads (right foot to left foot) and headed to the left. Behind me I heard Mary yelling. She was amazed that he did a flying lead change (that means he did it at a run without stopping...it isn't an easy maneuver to teach) I stopped and went to Mary I am sure my jaw was hanging open. I didn't expect a beautiful flying change I just wanted him to attempt the simple lead change. I was so excited, I did it four or five more times and quit him for the session. Later yesterday afternoon I pulled him out for a lesson and he did even better there. At one point I had to adjust my students equipment and I just walked away from him about 10 ft and he stood there ground tied like a good boy for a good while. Also my students dad was riding his roping horse around and he as if he could rope Spades back legs. I thought about it and said sure. The worst thing that could happen is he might buck. The first time it caught Spade off guard and he threw a little kick at the rope. So little I didn't even feel him do it. The second time he just stood there. When he pulled the rope back Spade flipped around and looked at him. I laughed because I have taught him that if he is afraid instead of kicking turn and look at it. Later we did it again and he didn't even care.

A little grace.

Man I was not wanting to get up this morning. Yesterday morning I rode Spade for two hours. Since I have been having problems with him the thought of riding wasn't a fun one. Sunday I told God that I really needed some help because I had no idea what to do with Spade. Sunday night I sat down with my computer and noticed that there was a CD in it. I pushed play and up comes one of the series that I was watching a few weeks ago. It was Clinton Anderson's riding series. About 15 seconds finished up the lesson that I had watched last. Then came the next lesson. Some of the first words out of Clinton's mouth was "if you have a horse that is running out of the circle then this is the drill for you" I was floored the answer had been sitting in my computer for weeks all I had to do was push play. Needless to say I recorded small explanations of the rest of the lessons. Danial said that I should watch the whole series before I start training, that is probably a great idea. I went out yesterday morning and tried the drill on Spade. He got it. He is still a little tough, but he is much better. I didn't have to fight him at all to do it. I felt much better. All day yesterday I went shopping for the last few things that I needed for Fort Worth. I had to get a brown hat and some boots. And a few pieces of tack. On the way home Talicia and I where talking about all that needed to be done in the next two weeks and I was sharing how pressured I felt because I still had to teach him more obstacles. She helped me figure out how I could fit it all in and work with Magpie. So last night we came in and blew up my huge green ball. And moved all the obstacles into the arena. I looked like Disney world in the arena. I was excited to work this morning but I was super tired. So I slowly pulled myself out I bed and down to the round pen to work Mag first this morning. I was feeling behind in every direction on both mustangs. What was I thinking getting two at the same time!?? I was dreading working with Mag because I remember what it was like with Spade after a week off. I took a minute to pray. I told God I really needed his grace to get these horses trained on time. I knew I couldn't do it without Him. As I walked into Mags pen she started to run to her stall. Not sure why I did it but I started chasing her. It kinda caught her off guard and she turned around and looked at me. I turned around and walked off. She followed. We did this twice and she came to the center of the round pen. I started working with her and she quickly came right back to where we left off. But this time she was way more solid then a week ago. She was soft in the bridle so I started to drive her. She picked it up really quick. I hope to be training in the saddle soon. She is now feeling more ready. I was so happy I didn't have to start over. After working Mags I pulled out Spade. I picked him up in the car so I lead him from the outside of the car over to the trailer. He did really well once he figured out that the car wasn't going to run over him. I took him out to the arena I wanted to have fun and not worry about work today. I started by teaching him to kick the 50" ball. Pretty soon he figured out that the harder he kicks it the farther it goes and the faster he gets to chase it. It turned into a really fun game. He pushed it all over the pen. I then worked a few circles with him with no problem. To cool him down I took him though all the obstacles and through the pole pattern. You could feel how happy he was. On the way out of the pen he started to pass the ball and he turned and kicked it with his front leg and started to track it again. I love it when I find something he likes. As I was unsaddling I thanked God for giving me a great day with the horses. Sometimes God is waiting on us to ask for His help. I am going to be asking for His help for the next two weeks for sure.