For those who are not familiar with Reined Cowhorse competitions, here is how the fence work goes. Once the reining pattern is done, the rider calls for the cow, and one cow is released for him to work. The rider must box the cow at one end of the arena, and once that has been done, allow the cow to escape down the side of the arena, where the rider has to turn the cow once in each direction, then circle the cow in the middle of the arena once each way. All in a 2 and a half minute time limit. This is very much part of what a real cowboy has to do, or in my case - cowgirl. I worked on a ranch where part of my job was to separate the calves that needed to be doctored and take them down to the treatment pen- all on horseback. It can get a little western! Getting them to leave the herd and keep them separate while you drive them in the desired direction will test a good cowhorse.
FYI: Yes, cows can out run a horse- hence why we circle them to get them slowed down.
As I warned in my last post, I dropped my Nikon camera and the autofocus, which I use when panning action shots, was acting up. Ideally these would be much clearer... but it is what it is. So here is a photo drop for you! Too many photos for one post so I am featuring the reining portion, in particular the sliding stops. If you ever get the chance to ride a reiner doing a sliding stop- do it!
My friend (and country music artist) Mark Parsons singing the National Anthem
You can see that some of the horses were bracing in the stop and not being smooth and supple. I thought the girl in the green shirt had the nicest stops. Not every horse was bred to do reining patterns- these horses are all around cowhorses. This competition includes 4 parts- herd work (think cutting horse) reining, steer stopping, and going down the fence with the cow- that's the most exciting part both to do and to watch, and I will feature that in my next post.
It was a beautiful sunny day at Spruce Meadows for the Nation's Cup challenge. I should have known better than to travel on a full moon though- my 2 hour trip ended up being 3 hours due to a major emergency shut down on the freeway that runs through Calgary- I never did find out why. I got to Calgary within an hour and a half- and it took me just as long to go the remainder of the trip which should have taken 20 minutes or so. Uggh!
None of my friends were able to come for various reasons so it was just me.
Anyway! Spruce Meadows is such an amazing venue. Flowers imported from Holland were everywhere, especially on the jump course but also throughout the grounds. I spotted some eye candy for Ted...
but this was more my style of transportation....
There were happy people everywhere, I don't think I heard anyone complaining. The best part for me was it didn't cost to park or to get in! Although as a non paying customer, the seating was on the grass below the grandstands, which was fine with me as it gets you closer to the action. I did have my Nikon camera, but those photos will have to wait as the data cord I ordered won't get here for another week or so. However, I did manage a few with my cell phone, thanks to being up close.
The first jump in a triple combination, Mario DeLaurier from Canada. The second jump was an oxer, then I got the third one:
There was one jump that a few of the horses gave the hairy eyeball to, it was quite high and odd looking.
It looks like cement but it's styrofoam
The format was 8 national teams, 4 horse/riders for each team, 3 riders from the top 6 teams coming back for rounds 2 and 3. Same course for each round. That's a lot of high jumps and a lot of ground to cover, as you will see in the following video- in an alotted 72 seconds. Amy Millar, anchor rider for Canada in the irons.
I tried to get a video of the anchor rider for team USA, MacLean Ward, but after the first jump his horse threw a shoe so he pulled up.
Rorie showe Rio at the 55th Stavely Horse Show and took champion in halter geldings and went Grand Champion too! Congratulations young lady, you are doing a fine job with Rio!
Last weekend, before my world fell apart, Ted and I went across the border to go to the Idaho International Draft Horse and Mule show. We took Merle with us, and unfortunately they have a rule that you can't take dogs in the grandstand area so we didn't actually see the competition, but there was plenty to see. We got there as the 6 up hitches were finishing and the 8 up hitches were rolling into the ring, and what a sight that is!
These black Percherons were just gorgeous.
This hitch of Belgians pulled in to the barn area after their class.
Lining up to unhitch
The wheel team
The swing team
Oh my!
This little outfit was so cute:
Little meets big:
Then the 8 up mules drove by.
After that we walked through the barns. I'm always fascinated by being up close to these wonderful creatures, and they are so photogenic.
That's a lot of horsepower!
Some fancy tails:
Of all the photos I took, this is my favorite. This horse just exuded power and presence, even at rest:
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