New Saddle

So that Sherri Cervi Barrel saddle I had I sold earlier this year.  I really liked it but was a bit wide for Jess which I didn't think was possible!  But I had shims for it but I wasn't very good at using them and the seat was a bit small for me so it went to a nice lady who had a treeless but wanted a wide saddle.  Haven't heard from her but I hope it worked for her.

But now that I have to use my cutting saddle on her cause its the only one that fits her.  And it's the only one that fits Easy makes it a bit awkward cause they do not use the same cinch size.  And I was having fun running barrels on Jess so when I decided to look for another saddle that fit her I figured go barrel again.  Razz fits both the cutting saddle and my ranch saddle, not sure how that works but its ok with me makes it easier.  So this winter I will use the ranch saddle on Pally, the cutter on Razz and the barrel on Jess.  Perfect no adjusting anything all winter :)

(this is how spoiled my mares are, lol a free choice bale and straw to lay in.  

The straw was for the bulls but they got moved, 

and the horses rarely use the straw but they can if they want.)

I had been looking on and off since summer, saw a few, some so far away and some maybe fit but I would have to try and if not close that's a pain and I did get kinda busy this fall.  But then here a couple weeks ago I saw this:

Hmm sounds like the right size for me and maybe 8 is better than 10.  Was still unsure and it was cccold out and I would need to try it on Jess for sure before buying.  Well It's a long ways away again, I messaged her and said I like it but wanna try it on my horse as soon as it gets warm out.  She said sure.  So then Saturday we were going to look at another horse over that way and I said why don't I bring my trailer and we can go try the saddle too.  She agreed and so we did.  Was a long trip but Jess was a champ.  Caught her before daylight loaded her and when we got home was after dark as well.  The saddle fit her good just did a mini ride...I was on but led around what a weird feeling lol.  I bought it and we left.  And we never bought the other horse, search is still on.

Then Tuesday weather was nice and I was itching to ride so got Jess and after finding the right cinch and getting everything organized was ready!  I still think it fits her well, whew.  She was so eager to go was a nice feeling usually she is kinda pokey as we leave the yard.  But after the chiro and a good fitting saddle I think she was as excited as me to go :)

And afterwards I snapped some pics to see how it fit and I think it worked well, stayed put and no gaps, not tight anywhere.

And I tried out the Northwoods Farms new riding app and it seemed to work well.  And a sneak peak of the selfie for entering the Northwoods Farms 12 Week Challenge in January.

(I don't look great but Jess is cute lol)

(cool app enter your horses, hit start to log time and stop when you are done. 

 Then can add session notes as well.  Great way to keep track of rides and time.)

Can't wait to ride again!!!

Done the Fall Fair Series

Well I loaded up Jess and headed to the barrel racing Thursday night and it was fun.  And I could feel Jess pushing to the far side on the way to barrel 2 but I thought it was me not taking my right leg off fast enough and putting my left on.  But we got it done and our times were not bad, 21.772 and 20.700.  Not our fastest runs but that's all I am good for now.

Well that was part of it but I shoulda known better.  I know her, if shes doing it OK but not right I and should just get on her and make her do it.  But shed been so nice I didn't.

Big mistake.  First run at finals she pulled the same thing again but as I went to kick her back I lots my stirrups and it was not good so we just quit.  I was mad by then.  Partly at her but also at myself.  I worked her pretty hard after our run and she knew that wasn't a good idea and she was tired.

I let her catch her breathe and we went out again.  This time no more goofing around I just loped and we slowed up and we had a very nice departure from barrel one.  Yay!  And then leaving barrel 2 was not nice but I got her straightened out and we finished with a time of 21.4040.  Slowest but I was a lot happier with that.

And I think shes done with barrel racing for a while cause the winter cutting series starts up in January and I plan on doing that with her.  Although I plan to ride Jess and Bailey and so maybe we will do some with them.  Although I am pretty sure it will be more crazy and more fast but I will start slower with them I think.

I am also on a waiting list for a barrel clinic in January I kinda hope I make it in should be interesting.

Barrel Racing

One other thing I took up this fall was barrel racing.  haha I knew I wasn't gonna be that fast but |I wanted to ride and there was no cuttings till January so this gave me a chance to do something different and make a purpose to riding.

We went in the first day and boy I felt kinda stupid...I hadn't been to a jackpot before I didn't know anything about what to do but I showed up early and the parking lot was already full, oh boy.  Well I parked next to some super nice people who let me know what I am supposed to be doing.  I paid and got Jess ready and we went inside.   Only got to warm up for about 15 minutes and then they closed the arena for working and set up.  There is a small practice arena out back but with 60 people in it there wasn't a whole lot of room to work.  Which is alright Jess was fine without a big warm up just get her muscles warm and brain thinking.

I used my cutting saddle cause it was all I had and I put on a Billy Allen bit cause i figured it had more turn than her regular bit.  Well peewee and youth went and I was 14th in.  It was kinda chaotic, we loped up the alley and then she saw the tractor as we went in the arena and went right and I had to push her back left and then we were on pattern.  Wasn't bad, pretty slow but I was amazed at how nervous I was!  Well I guess when there is more than 30 your second run is optional and it cancels out your first run, well there was 40 so that was it.  My first run was 22 something and the winner was 14.826 so I decided I needed to go again.

My goal was 20 seconds and I was kinda dissapointed we were so slow it didn't feel that slow.  My second time was 21.083.  Not a lot faster but I was pretty happy for our first time out and we never had any gate issues and we never hit a barrel.  Actually those were the least of my worries was hitting a barrel since I can move Jess's shoulder wherever I want so no worries about that.  But I was glad that I went.

The second time I went with my neighbors and that was kinda fun since I could get someone to video me :)  The first run was too slow starting and then I was too wide because I wasn't looking at the third barrel (stupid I know better) I had too long of reins and I kinda knew it but I was just going with what I had...that and its been such a long time since I rode two handed I forget what to do.

The second run was a lot better, faster start but then i asked for her to rate and we almost stopped (oops too much) and a big bobble on the way to second and then I almost slipped out of my saddle on third barrel and shoulda let go of the reins more on the way home.  The video is a little shakey cause she was getting help from her nephew lol.

I had to laugh my friend I went with called my run cute...gee thanks and another girl said aww cute lead departure, lol.  And she said I actually need to kick my horse, Hmm.  I guess I needed to go faster but it felt super fast to me.  Then we came to the conclusion if it feels slow I will go faster but not ready for that yet.

Then my white trailer had to go to the doctor so I missed the next one and then they cancelled one and then it was bad roads and so I got this Thursday and if I go to that I made enough to go to the finals on Saturday and so that is my plan.  I am hoping I can talk someone into coming with me to video again but not sure who yet.

Barrel Racing

Last night I went with Charlene to a barrel Racing Jackpot in Stettler. She doesn't like driving the truck and trailer alone, especially since she has never been there before and didn't know what the parking was like. So I went along, and at the last minute Jardi went as well.

She warmed up and me and Jardi went to get some coffees from Tim Hortons cause it was cold and rainy and so we needed to warm up.

Her first barrel is usually good, but she has a habit of thinking they aren't gonna make it and says whoa just coming up to it, which isn't good cause to Rou whoa means stop, so there's always a slow down and a loss of time (and a barrel knocked over this time)

The second barrel was much nicer, although I took the picture too soon to see that, oops.

The third barrel was nice too and I took it a little soon, but at least it was outside and the light wasn't bad, so the pictures turned out clear, I might have to go with her another time cause there she wants to sell Rou and has no action shots of her.

I also would like to go because I have always wanted to run my horse on a track and there is one there they use it to warm up on.