Valley water mill..

Practice today for the seasoned rider challenge.  The first challenge is loading a fresh JR on a chilly windy morning. Now JR has had some trailer loading issues that we are working on.. been doing good.. but today.. was a little worse.  But after two hrs got it done nicely without too much mess. 

We went to vwm and had a great day with friends. Rode and practiced in the new arena.  It was great.. even cantered some.  Practicing for the seasoned rider challenge....a lot of great fun.

Horses playing in the rain

If there was ever a question of whether or not JR enjoyed his job.. today answered it.  He and Skye played and played today.. jr played you can't get in the barn..with slides and roll backs galore.  Even threw in a few twists and bucks for good measure.  It was quite a site to see.

Home Today

Jenny brought J.R. home today... he was waiting when I got home.

He is a little sad at the change of venue.  But we will find him some fun friends tomorrow.  Right now he hangs out with Skye - neither of them are thrilled.

But he is here and I can ride him..whew

Where sendom is heard ...an encouraging word

We did our first cow clinic. I did not do well.  I did not understand what to do and I did not understand how to make my body do what was being asked.- I am a perfectionist on the inside with a lot of self doubt/  I dont like to do things that I cant win.  In fact rarley will I allow myself to be in a position be be humiliated.  But I did that this weekend.


JR is good at this they tell me - in the hands of someone who knows.. he is great.. in my hands he is not.  Now lets get it straight that he is GREAT a great soul of a horse.. so that is never in question..


But working cows is hard work and I had never in my mind had broken it down..we had learned to drive and hold -- but working out a cow is wholly different.

That simple saying- nothing worthwhile is ever easy.  I pick myself up - face my fear.  What am I afraid of? I am afraid of failing - I am not afraid of landing on the ground....I am afraid to fail.

But - I am reading the" Eighty Dollar Champion".  One of the lines in the book goes like this "When you have been given a second chance - you want to be worthy of it".  It made me cry.. so I knew I had named one of my fears

 I am afraid I am not worthy of this chance with JR.  Not worthy of a chance to make my own dreams with horses come true.  There - that is what I am afraid of .. named it.

Now - on to tomorrow.

When things go wrong

So you would never guess from this photo that things are getting ready to go sideways.  We look great together dont we??  foxtrotting along....

JR has been with me for a week and a half and it has been so much fun.  We have played and worked through things and practiced.  It has been his job and he does it well.

We went to our first show at  Longview Horse park near Grandview MO,  up by KC.  I was thrilled to have all of my FTH friends and Mike there.  As an added bonus - Lauren came ( photo above taken by her) Kelley , Jay , Logan Trent and associated GFs.  It was awesome to have them there.

A couple of things to note. Western chaps on a big girl are problematic.  They are made to rest on your hips.  Well my hips are quishy to it is hard to keep them up.  And they weigh a TON - and are sooooo long that you cant really walk - I learned how to fold them so you can walk -- at least until they fall again.  There has GOT to be a better way.  I will figure it out.  Anyway - they look cool when your underwear is not showing.

On to the event.  I can say it was a success - in that I was able to manage the issues and come out on the topside of the horse without a runaway.  But the freight train was ready to pull away from the station about 1/2 way through.  We left the arena with no mail.. but with our dignity in tact.

So here are the things that changed...in the week prior - see if you can figure out where we went wrong:
1. changed bridles to an over the ear bridle the week before
2. changed feed all at once
3. changed stirrup length
4. left our buddies and were very unhappy about that
5. short changed the warm up some
6. it was storming
7. It was our first show together.
8. We were unknowingly sore all over

ANSWER - All of the above

It is strange how things creep up on you.  Little things that don't seem to make a big difference on thier own - but come a BIG deal when added together,


We now know what to practice and where our holes are.  And I know how to be a better leader. 
 I miss him and have really enjoyed riding him and bonding.  I wish he were here with me ..:-) 

Trail course at home

Tonight I set up a trail course with what I had around.  I put a bucket on a barrel - made a big square out of PVC pipe - and then an "L" with my driving lines anchored by my bottle of endure and a brush.  Well a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do...

We did pretty good - for a first time I think.. although JR thought the bucket was for eating and not lifting - so I think I get 10 more points for  added difficulty.  We did pretty ok... need some refinement..breathing would be a plus as well.


After that - we went to the arena and darned it there wasnt a bear or MOMO in the southwest corner of the arena.  I didnt see it - but JR told me all about it. I had my first experience with really nervous JR.   Our neighbor has been parking a different car there every day and well - today was a bear shaped car and it made the wind come up.  That scares a horse.  Then everything moved - dogs were barking and chasing other horses and - well it was more that a horse could take. Feet started moving and tension started coming from the ground and infected me.

I got off. .... and led JR through the scarey areas on foot until I was sure there were not bears there in reality.  JR is very convincing!! Actually I was thinking rattelsnakes and big hairy spiders with a million babies.. JR agreed.  So we walked thru the scary parts and got back in the arena, I got on and worked in the non scary part. Doing point to point,  Until I was no longer nervous.  Then Jr calmed down and we got to work.  Lots of point to points and 1/2 clover leafs.  Then 3/4 clover leafs.  The we did point to point from the non scarey line to the scarey line.  At a walk - then a trot - then a walk.  Then we cantered up the safe side. Lots of interesting point to point - until we forgot where we were and were in the now NON scary - scary area.  We did sidepassing in the :safe area: and rested close to the now non scarey area.

Whew - what a thing... we ended up walking the whole arena x2 - trotting x1 and went the other way x1.  A quick canter to the gate with a FAST stop and we rubbed on each other.... All done today.  Oh and Did I mention our neighbors watched the whole thing.. I needed an audience to practice for Saturday - Right?  And PS - Mike, I wore my helmet..:-)

Home and playing

Got home from a long week of work and decided that we would play with more finesse things.  Hind and forequarter turns.  It was so awesome.  At the end of the ride - I leaned over and took off his halter.  We rode that way for a while.

This is what I think we looked like....I am pretty sure we did.....if we didn't - don't tell me.

Fast as we can go

FUN
'Well warmed up in the round pen.. Played stick to me...at liberty.. Showed off to mike.. Rode a bit..transitions.. Then to the arena.

We started with staying on the rail. Walk dog walk foxtrot canter. Then practiced with no reins.. Then point to point cantering .. Paying attention the a different lead each time..

Then I we side passed over a log.. Then rested.. The played a little more cantering and making turns .. Ended up letting him guide me when cantering... He did a huge figure eight...in the arena .. of his own accord...then I got the idea

of that he was doing... And tried to keep him angering the whole figure eight... Crossing in the center of the arena.. We stopped and I praised and petted. Then no reigns and a walk onq the rail ended out session.. Lots of treats and green grass... I had soooo much fun.. Still high..:)

 

A quick ride

JR is once again the teacher. I had an opportunity to ride on my way to kcmo and went by for a quick ride on the boy. He is just an angel of a horse... And we had a wonderful time doin a million transitions. Cantering and I thinking am getting the hang of it. At least a little. I have a really cool idea for my freestyle at the seasoned rider competition.N Using the song fireworks by Katie Perry....

Today we went for a lesson - met Jenny at For the Horse.

And there waiting for me was JR -- my huckberry of a horse.  He had already had some exercise with Jenny and was thinking that he had done his day's work.   But we talked it through and he decided to go ahead and ride with me.. he also mentioned that I did not bring treats and that he was expecting some extra next time. Ooops...

So we played just a little on the ground and found a little bit of a hole in sideways -- we fixed that and also tested on his back.  JR thought that it was a better idea to not be in the track next to the fence -- so we had to talk about that too.  Well that conversation ended up being a pretty involved discussion.. but he finally decided that the rail was the place to be... even at the canter.

And yes I said canter.  We did a lot of transtions -- walk, dog walk and foxtrot.  Then on to canter - then walk then canter.  And we cantered for a while... long enough that I relaxed and started to think about steering at the canter... long enough to breath while cantering.... long enough to canter around a corner.  I cantered a long while...yes I did... amazing I know.

Then Jenny thought it would be a good idea for us to go on a little trail ride.   Umm ok.  So we went - JR lead for a while - but told me he was not really wanting to go on a trail ride.. but that when we were done in the arena - he said we should go back to the pens.  I promised him that we would have fun on the trail ride .. and he said maybe -- then he said are you sure? and Jenny and I said yes.. cause I was not sure anymore.

So Jenny and I talked. I forgot all about being too nervous.  JR is very observant - and watches everything carefully.  We went to the "BIG VIEW" and it was lovely.  Then down the little steep path - with briars and stickers.  I told JR to watch out - so I could watch too.. and he did.  The we crossed the stream and went to the gate.

By that time .. we were really together - and enjoying each other.  What a great day with Mr. Just Right.  He is so smart. I love this horse.

JR spends the night

• From Facebook:
  
  

  Mike Ballard So, I get back from getting a load of hay this evening, and a horse that looks remarkably like this one is hanging around in our corral. I think I saw the Vaughts sneaking off down the lane too. Something is afoot here...
  

  23 hours ago · · 3
• 
  

  Susan Engle What! No. I bet someone just roan splatter painted one of your black horses.

   

  JR came over last night - he had a sleepover at my house! - When I got home from Nashville - He was there waiting for me - and I could see him in the dark, unlike my other horses~!  He walked over and we had a chat and a rub.

  Then Tony and Jenny came over the next day and did some trimming.  We had a special visit from Lynette on her way to an actha ride.

  I rode Bonnie and then JR.. got to show Mike JRs moves.. sooo AWESOME  and we cantered. I had SUCH a GREAT horse day - Trotting on Bonnie - and riding JR.. I was so happy tonight a horse HIGH~~

  

   He is now buddies with shadow - the mook -- hope he does not become too mooky too - here is Shadow.  Shadow - Legend and JR are on their way to training at Jenny and Tonys.  More on that soon!

  
  

  
  

  
  

Just Right - just a little too big

You can wait a lifetime for a horse like this.  I can't say much more than is shown by this picture.  A calm gelding - gently curious - checking out the little guy.  The  little guy  is Aaron Vaught - and if you look closely you will see a bit in his weee hands.  I think he could have got it on too~. -- at the Missouri Foxtrotter Spring Show.

JR at The Spring MO Foxtrot Show

Jenny and I talked and talked about what would be the best thing for JR.  It seemed he was a little emotional when being asked to do a lot.  We have reset his hooves to match the natural hoof trim Tony does - so he was a bit off balance too.  In the long run this choice and our choice to let him go to the show as a supportive partner - will benefit him in the future.  His job was to lolligag around - and then ride a little to support the other horses.




  As seen here with Nichole riding - supporting Caitlyn's practice on her pony.  He had a great time.  Tony also used him to pony the pony...

JR has been so loved

Read about JR'sS life with my dear friend and mentor Susan Engle.  She has some of the most wonderful horses around and I want to thank her for her part in  preparing this gallant steed for me. Read her blog here.  I am so lucky to have both Susan AND JR ....
Susan's Blog about her horses

It has key points bout JRs famous past.. pictures with Pat Parelli..

A little english

Bring my English saddle Jenny says.  So I do. And JR and I practice english and the  foxtrot.  I think it was a ploy to keep me from holding the horn.  We even cantered a little.

And now for something COMPLETELY different

Next big and wonderful thing... riding brainless - err um reiness.  That is what Jenny called it.  So you have the reins tied over the horn and don't use them.  but use your legs and your stick... and a little rope around JRs neck.  Have I told you what a pretty beautiful soul my J.R, ia.. beautiful inside and out.  He is a sturdy - sensitive lover of people - a champion of strength and trust.  And he is a huckleberry..  he is my huckleberry.  Do you remember that phrase Val Kilmer says -- in the wonderful movie Tombstone.. if you haven't seen it -- you oughta.  Any way - It seems that the word came to be given as a mark of affection or comradeship to one’s partner or sidekick. To be one’s huckleberry — usually as the phrase I’m your huckleberry — is to be just the right person for a given job, or a willing executor of some commission. I digress..

A reinless huckleberry - Jenny had us practice moving a bit and we  did well.  Then it was suggested I use no reins.  Now I did this gladly-- with little concern. My companion was sturdy and trustworthy.  We did great -- it is freeing -- and what to do with your hands besides hold on the horn.  IT is different.  not sure if it is my confidence or his... but it worked!

Ride number two --

Pretty exciting... ride number two on J.R. one week later - it was a full day at the end of horse camp.  We got to Play COWS.  Tony and Jenny had a bright crackly flag and JR was tuned in on the flag.  Mind you - All I could see was his ears  and feel his "attennnnn CHUN" stance.  Every time we went by someone playing cows - he would watch that flag intently.  The backs of his ears locked so straight and tense.. like antenna! Those flags needed to be be watched--  I think he was dreaming of what that flag would taste like - or shredding it and stompit into the ground... But it was clear - he WANTED the flag. 

I was working on NOT holding the saddle horn when we trotted.. uggggg.  I was sure I would fall off - but JR said no.. I wouldnt  ... and he would prove it to me --- by going through all kinds of trots.  So I didnt fall off.  In fact we had fun.  We were connected.. now if I could just keep my mind focused  - so he would have that instead of my wild "don't fall off" mind. 

It was our turn to do the cow... it was Tony on the flag.  He explained the game -- how there were imaginary walls and JR and I would need to stop him by running in front of him- on the wall - then turn to run the other way - if the cow did. hmmmm ok..

So then he said - " Now I am gonna tell ya.. hold on" I thought I misunderstood -- hold on - -???? we had been practicing NOT holding on...hmmm - the he said - " I mean it -- hold on"  So I did. 

JR took on a life like I have never seen and will very little guidance.. the white shadow raced that cow back and forth - stopping and turning on his haunches to beat him to the next spot.  I laughed and smiled so hard - my cheeks hurt...over and over... he would whip over and skid to a stop - waht a RIDE~~  when can I do that again!!!

JR comes Home

Sometimes something just feels right. This just felt right. A sweet horse, loved and cherished.. gone for a while ..and now back in the fold.  I am glad to be a part of his return and his new partner.

He is back - with his forever family - the band of riders at For The Horse Ranch. 

J.R. came to me on the week of May 12th.  My birthday week.  I had been thinking of him off and on for over a year and would occasionally ask his owner if they were ready to sell him to me.  He is so talented and I never thought he could really be mine.  Then one day his owner said YES.. she would sell him to me - if he was for me.

 I needed him and he needed me.  It was meant to be, J.R, is Just Right for Apryl.  So after talking with Jenny and Susan we came up with a plan to bring him home - see where he was at.  Tony and Jenny couldn't WAIT to get him home and brought him right over to For the Horse Ranch.  On May 11th 2012 - I hand my first experience with Mr Wonderful... and it was awesome.  In attendance were my SUPERFRIENDS - Susan Engle and Jennifer Vaught.

It is hard to explain what I felt.  Relief, happiness, gratitude - excitement.  I cried... we all cried. But best of all - JR and I got along...and started a bonding that will continue.


First time is JUST RIGHT