Extreme Cowboy Race, Jamestown, TN 6/27/09

I really hope the music works... I DON'T OWN THE MUSIC. DUH, YOUTUBE!

This month was a very troublesome one for both me and my horse.

In the middle of May, Lucy was diagnosed with mild pneumonia. This meant I couldn't ride her for two weeks, but luckily, she overcame it thanks to aggressive treatment and care.

Then, on Thursday, I severed a large chunk almost completely off my left middle finger with a very sharp knife while cutting vegetables. Needless to say, it hurt like a... b!%#... and I pretty much couldn't use it for riding. :) Oh, joy!

I thought that would be the end of my troubles.

After the 3rd obstacle in the race, my right rein broke at the screw which connects it to the rein snap. I didn't even know it happened until I picked my reins up at the barrel. A helper in the ring asked me if I needed any help, but how could they help, really? It would have cost me a lot of time, so I just hoped for the best and passed the rein under her neck and decided to ride the rest of the course, with one rein and a neck strap.

For the most part, I didn't even use the rein still connected to the bit unless absolutely needed to... like after the barrel jumps, where the neckstrap slipped off and I had no other choice. Otherwise, she would have been very confused with me trying to maneuver her with only the left rein.

Little did I know that the rough side of the rein was rubbing the hair off her neck, but she still continued as best she could even though it was hurting her. By the time we got to the rollbacks, it was really bothering her, but she still did them decently, but she was getting confused about what I wanted her to do coming up to the back-up chute. Also, I had to increase the pressure on the neckstrap to ask her to back up, so it was causing her some discomfort. We were whistled out of the backing, which meant I had a zero for that obstacle. Besides, the back up chute was extremely narrow, and many horses were unable to complete the backing.

But, like the rockstar she is, she murdered the rest of the course! And I think my form over the finish line is award-worthy, too, dontchathink?

During the (very long) wait for the awards ceremony, they opened the course for schooling, so I was able to do the backing just fine in my snaffle. There happened to be a rider who does mounted shooting there too, so I got to practice shooting off her with mounted shooting blanks. Of course, with safety in mind, I put my helmet on. ;D

I can't believe how wonderful my horse was to try so hard to understand what I was asking her to do. This race was very technical and difficult, even for those who had good horses and both reins intact. I'm so proud of her, and I don't think I've ever teared up so much when making a video as I did while I was making this one.

I hope you enjoy this video!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Craig
• Cameron's
• Extreme
• Cowboy
• Race
• Jamestown
• TN
• English
• Cowgirl

[susanspice]

I think I will! They have them at equine affair at columbus Ohio and it is an hour away from me. I have looked at all the practice obsticles and husband is gonna help me build a teeter-totter. Should be fun!! Thanks for your help. Susan

[matrixmare]

@susanspice Awesome!! Wish I could go to the Equine Affaire.

Rock it, girlfriend!!

[susanspice]

I thought you had to mount from the ground! It seems like since it's a race, laying him down would take more time, maybe they would let me. I can get on with a mounting block but it's still not pretty. (Two badly broken legs held together with titanium) plus rheumatiod arthritis... I limp bad. But not when riding! LOL

s

[matrixmare]

@susanspice It is timed, but that's not the most important thing. If you ace the rest of the ride, you can definitely still win. I was definitely not the fastest one in this race, but since I made up for time with extra points garnered by my execution of the obstacles with only a neck strap, I still ended up scoring well.

GO FOR IT!! :D

[susanspice]

I want to do this but am concerned my physical issues would hold my horse back.( I am permanently lame/ disabled) I ride fine but can't mount easily. Would be OK until bareback mounting time, unless he would let me have Jack bow or lay down.....

[matrixmare]

@susanspice I think that they would have no problem with you laying your horse down/using a mounting aid. They almost always have a mounting block available if you can't get up yourself. Also I think you might garner more points by having a horse that will lay down on command! :)

[rodeoprincess2011]

I'm really impressed with her reigning ability with the loss of that reign. You are a fantastic rider!! keep it up!

[matrixmare]

@susanspice Aw thanks!!

[susanspice]

Lucy is an awesome horse. But you need to give yourself credit for excellent horsemanship. She didn't do that alone.. Susan