Rio update and The American

For all you Rio fans out there!  Rio is turning into a pretty good barrel horse, looks like he has figured out how to turn and burn at speed! He is entered in a jackpot this week, and if I get videos I will be sure to share them with you. 

Pretty nice to see him run! And nice tight turns on those barrels- good job Rorie! 

Did any of you watch the American rodeo last weekend? I watched it on The Cowboy Channel (RFD TV) . The story of the rodeo was little Charlie Sohrt; at 7 years old she came up through the ranks to qualify for the semi finals, against a thousand other competitors. Wow!  In the semis, she knocked over a barrel, so she didn't make the finals- BUT! the rodeo administration used their "Golden Ticket" to advance her straight to the finals. She went off pattern for a no time  there, but what an incredible little cowgirl! Here is her run in the finals:

 

I think she just inspired thousands of little girls. 

And then there was Hailey Kinsel….  I absolutely love her horse, Sister, who is sired by the great Dinero, Shery Cervi's stallion (he passed away last year). Dinero was the sire of Shayla's cremello mare, Ice, who lived here for a while and has been sold to a barrel racer in B.C. 

This duo was flawless in this run- this is what it looks like to win $100,000:

 

That mare gives 100% every single time. What a bond she and Hailey have! 

As I watched all the events in the rodeo, I was struck by the caliber of horses those cowgirls and cowboys were riding. Some were younger horses but some were old campaigners even into their 20's. This is what every horse breeder dreams of- a horse that can compete at the highest level in whatever event they are bred for. Even the bucking horses are bred for their event. 

I was pleased to see that the AQHA Steer Wrestling horse of the year is a Canadian owned horse  again, Dashin Haze aka Tyson; another great one of Curtis Cassidy's horses. Anyone who knows barrel horse bloodlines will recognize that pedigree, which goes to show the versatility of horses bred for speed. 

Another thing I enjoyed was the Breakaway Roping. It's great to see another event for the ladies to compete in for big money! It gives the ladies something to compete in that pays as good as barrel racing and is perfect for those who would rather rope than race. (Because lets face it, barrel racing is not for the faint of heart!) I hope that they bring that event to the Calgary Stampede- if we ever get to have another Stampede, as it is shut down yet again this year due to the government travel restrictions.