Playin'

I found out that the local indoor arena is hosting a Cowboy Challenge show later this month, and they have obstacles set up in the indoor for people to practice on.
I took Rosalee down there and tried a few of them. She was cool calm and collected as usual! I led her over many of them; the only one she wouldn't do was the narrow bridge. I think that would come though if I pursued it.
Then we rode. One of the obstacles is a plastic kiddy pool; when I led her she didn't like it too much but eventually walked through it. I was curious to see if she would do it under saddle:



Good girl Rosalee!

Then there was the ball. I've never had the chance to play with one of these and I think they had one at the place I bought her from, but I had no idea if she would roll it. After moving it with my toe, it clicked and she began to nose it around.



She did well on the bridge too, I could ride her onto it halfway, back her off and then go all the way across. There was a platform, I didn't get her to put all 4 feet on at once, but she did go up with fronts, step off and stop with both back feet on, so that is something I can build on.
The gate and low poles  were no problem. I didn't jump the barrels under saddle but she did jump them in hand.
There was a series of poles set up in a daisy chain pattern (one in the center, 5 around it in a circle with enough room to trot a figure 8 around around each one using the center pole as part of each 8). Ideally you are supposed to lope them with all the lead changes required but I just trotted, using the opportunity to work on my timing for Buck Brannaman's reaching exercise.
Which my timing still sucks.

Our dentist appointment got pushed back to the 21st, so I won't ask a lot of her face-wise until then. But she still bridles up nicely when I put leg on her with just a suggestion of rein. She has a lovely lope departure and picks up her leads perfectly- just got to get her to stay in the lope but that will come after the dentist work.
I talked to a lady I know who saw this mare in her show days and said she has a terrific stop, lead changes and spins. So I plan to spend the next 6 months working on getting her back into show shape and hope to hit some of the smaller shows to start off with- more to build my confidence than anything. Because I'm pretty sure Rosalee can handle it!
She is going to be a versatile horse for me. Reining, Cowboy Dressage, trail riding, kids lessons, and maybe if I'm gutsy enough Cowboy Challenge. And did I mention my husband wants to try mounted shooting?

No Rosalee, that isn't a gate for horses to go through. Even if that couch looks big enough for your butt!