Saturday NBHA

Well, todays race was an OK race. Gabe and I were ROCKIN' ! He was hauling butt to the first so much that we actually went past it. Well, he recovered just in time and pushed to the second and made a nice second and thrid barrel. We ran a 17.3 and a 15.8 won the race. Where does that put me as far as placing? In a crack....again. But, thats OK. He was running hard and giving me a lot of heart! The ground was deep and he beat his previous time in that pen.

Next, we ran poles. We did one exhibition because its been several months since we actually ran poles. However, Friday, we did work on poles. Well, he came into the pen hauling Butt again. I went to slow him up because they do not drag on exhibitions and like I said, the ground was DEEP. Well, I wanted to move him over for our first left turn...move him to the right....I stuck my left spur in him and he split to the left!!!! Duh, we are suppose to move away from pressure!!!! Anyhow, I got him backed up and back into the pattern. Our actual run started out the same. Hauling butt! We were last on the drag and he went to make the first left turn and turned HARD! he slipped a little but got back up to work the pattern. Keep in mind that running poles involves a lot of body movement for the rider and lead changes for the horse. Well, Gabe likes for me to keep my hands straight and move my hips to get him to weave. He did a great job, but, I did not zig and zag like I needed too tipping 2 poles. However, he ran a 23 second pole run for the first time in his life!!!! So, there is hope for us! Videos coming soon!