2017 Sedgewick Cutter Rally

I had never been to Sedgewick before, it's just down the road 10k from Killam and I had been there but never East.  But I know how far it was and they had a cutter rally and so I thought I'd go.  It was a nice day, not a lot of snow left here but they are north and so I figured a bit more there an no one said anything about it cancelled so off I went.

Kinda  a boring straight road up there, its straight north of here so 2 hours of the same old same old.  Eventually get into a few more trees and not too far north is all farm land so just keep looking out for cows and horses and its keeps it sorta interesting.  Said registration at 11 and hooking up at 11:30 and parade at noon.  Wasn't sure what that was about but figured I'd best get there at 11.  So I did and I saddled Jess then registered and they give everyone a number that we had to attach and I clipped mine to the breastcollar and it actually stayed put well.

Seemed like it took forever for everyone to get ready to go and they all had a practice run around the parking lot area and finally time to go.  We figured as riders we would be in the back and so we waited.  I guess they have spectators and so we made 2 laps around the track in a parade for them then headed out on the trail.  It was a bit different than most years cause the cutters need to stay on the snow so they made a different trail wherever there was snow.

When we got done the girls I was riding with decided I drove too far for that short ride so we took a tour through the parking lot and out by the new town office and the shops and the driving range.  Not too many cutter rallies do we end up on the road but it was good.  The one girls horse hadn't seen cutters or bells before and so he was a bit worried but calmed down as soon as we went the other way.   So perfect end for him too.

 

They had awards/prizes and lunch afterwards and I got the prize for being farthest away lol.  It was a bag of oats, last thing I need but I will use it.  Totally plan on going there again next year.  Maybe with Jax and skis for his cart.

2017 Alix Cutter Rally

Last Sunday I loaded up and went out to Alix for there first annual cutter rally.  I had planned to have  a friend come but she came up with some lame excuse for not going so I went anyways more to spite her than for myself but turns out I met some fantastic people there :)

I got there about 10:30 and registration went till 12 so I unloaded and registered, got my hands of poker and then came out and saddled up.  I had parked right beside a lady on a cute buckskin she was riding so I asked if I could tag along with them and they said sure.  She came with a couple and thier Clyde and a cutter.  We all left and it was just the 3 of us travelling together the whole ride.  We saw about 4 cutters and a couple riders ahead of us and everyone else was being us.

(following the sleigh up a hill)

(a funny selfie)

(me in the middle)

(We got a poker stand lady to take this one of us all)

(and us 2 riders)

The snow was heavy and crusty and pretty deep in some places.  I kept off the trail where I could see the stubble most of the trip but Jessie being herself worked harder than she needs to.  One day she will relax but I can't complain at least shes trying :)  I forgot to use my map my run to track it but somone said about 18kms.  Pretty good ride through nice country.  Its not to far from our north place so thats kinda cool.

Afterwards we came in and drew our last poker hands and they had a free hot dog and hot chocolate lunch with a Christmas tree burn.  That was kinda cool but they didn't burn as fast I thought I think they were outside so the needles burnt fast but the trunks and branches were wet.  Kinda cool job for the firefighters to do.

(a paint with a cutter)

(2 more riders)

(a nice team)

(awful pretty mules, hear they were good ones too)

(and always a gypsy somewhere)

(Jess was sweaty so she got a cooler as the wind came up as we got back)

(cool murals on the hall wall, kinda cool there's a cutter in there)

(and she deserved her goodies today,

 while I got rid of her sweat marks and a lot of fur)

And before I left I exchanged numbers with the three people I met who are part of a trail riding group and the invited me along so I am following them on Facebook and the first ride is May 13.  Gotta make a list of what I am doing this summer, its gonna be a full one :)

(really liking this app, only thing it doesn't have it a gps)

Oh and I finally talked to the stallion owner for Jess and he answered all my questions and I his and I just have to phone him in June when I wanna bring her down, easy peasy so far.

To The Mountains

So we had planned a blogger ride out to my place this summer but with all the rain we had mosquitoes coming out of our ears.  Or maybe going in they were sooo terrible!  So instead I decided to go to Janice's while no one could decide what else to do.  I couldn't get a hold of my farrier as I wanted to take Jess but she needs shoes before we can go.  So instead I took Razz cause her feet are a little harder.  I left Friday and had looked and there was a bit of construction but not bad.  I was stopped about half hour in 2 different spots.  So I ate and took pictures, what else am I to do?

(fueling up in Pincher Creek)

(neat looking mountains)

(and a river, not sure which one, by Fernie somewhere)

Got there and got Razz all settled and we visited.  I don't know what it is about us but we seem to be behind all the time because we cant stop visiting.  So we never ended up going out riding that night but the next morning had plans to ride to the lake.  Pretty spot in there and there is some cows too :)  Of course as we got trailered to the spot I realized I had forgotten my boots.   But oh well I rode in my bright pink runners, sure not ideal but it worked.

(at the trailhead with my runners on)

(Razz is so cute!  And swat on her ears lol)

(I like the open trails)

Janices regular riding friend came along and so that was fun too.  Always nice to ride with people who have good horses.  And she knew some trails too so that was good.  We rode the lake again on Sunday but took a different route.

(Laughing at something while resting and letting the horses graze)

(cool trail up and down that no one wanted to take)

(just riding :) )

(we got back and Janice's dog jumped in the trailer and wouldn't get out, goofball.)

Monday Shirley came out and we went out to some ranch road....I would totally get lost out there lol I wasn't paying much attention to direction even when I drove I just did as I was told.  It was a longer day and it was sure hot, we shoulda started earlier but was sure beautiful out there so it was worth it.

(Shirley brought bandannas for us all so I wore mine on my head)

(Pretty scenery we needed a group picture)

(and another one, almost all matching)

(me by a cool sign)

(really pretty up at the top)

(over my shoulder view)

Then on Tuesday Razz had a bit of a cinch sore and I didn't want to ride her and make it worse so Colleen let me borrow her little horse.  He was perfect.  Hes for sale but before that shes going on a big trip with him and wants him in shape and so it worked well for both of us.  He was even short :)   We did the lake again and Janice rode Jazz and she was so good....and pretty.

(Me and Cisco, he looks good in pink lol)

(hanging out in the back)

(I loved this trail in the trees)

(pretty boy)

Headed home on Wednesday and had a wonderful trip so glad I went out there but was exhausting I need a day of rest lol.

Poker Ride 2015

Every Thanksgiving Weekend on the Saturday our community has a poker Ride.  Its called the Doan Andrus Memorial Trail Ride.  Its named after my neighbors husband who passed away from MS a few years ago.  I haven't made it every year but I try to cause I always have fun.  Since I am in that horsemanship Challenge I brought Jessie.  It was a good 2 hours from start to finish.  Weather was just beautiful was a warm 27*C when I left there, crazy warm weather for this time of year.

(starting the ride)

(Over the hill)

(Jess is sore on the gravel so we tried to find a way around the road

 and we got up high)

I got there just after 10 and not too many people are there so I got Jess all ready and then a few more people came and so got my start of the poker hand and helped other people get ready.  A few years ago I sold a horse to Janice and they keep telling me about him whenever I see him and this time they brought him.  He was fat!  But still the same ol good Henry, wanting to go faster all the time, but not being too bad.  Been a long time since I seen him, I think we figured 6 years, hes 13 now, wow time flies.

(Golf stop)

(got to the river)

(Through the trees)

(good thing its mowed through the path)

We started going down the trail and it was sure busy at the first stop, everyone got there at once.  It was OK since we visited with everyone down there.  And they had a golf ball challenge, person who hit closest to the mineral tub took it home.  Holli has never golfed before but boy she hit a good one and was less than 3 steps away, she won the tub which was funny since she has no cows.   But her brother does so I suspect hes getting it.

(and more river)

(Standing on a hill looking back)

(And looking ahead)

(Henry and Johns blacks at a poker stop)

(There were those scary shacks on this hill)

(Made it out of the river)

(Johns team)

(Ember on Jess)

(trying out the water in the tire)

After that I rode with Janice as well and then she slowed up a bit so I ended up riding the second part by myself which actually worked out well since I could go whatever speed I wanted and stop to take some pictures and enjoy the scenery.  Sometimes when riding with others I am so busy visiting I forget to look around.

When we come back up top I saw Janice over to the side trotting circles and stuff and then John put his wagon in a trot, that was cool, so we loped over there, I thought maybe shed want to race but no so we just went to the next stop.  I got off and some cute little girls who need a pony asked if they could sit on my horse, so sure they did and one rode her around, Jess was a little unsure what to do it was cute.  Then her sister got on and she led her around and that was much better cause I didn't have to :)  Jess was so good.  Then we got on and were a little behind so I loped up to the wagon and the kids thought that was fun.   We had lunch and really good cookies.  They called out the winners and I wasn't one of them, again.  But it was worth it anyways.

(Back at the trailer, with Henry ahead)

(Jess got a little sweaty cause it was so warm and shes getting winter hair)

(the route)