New Year, New Experiences!

Every year I have goals, and 2024 is no different. I’m still holding out hope that I’ll get my 2023 mistake (mustang related, more about that in a future blog post) of a goal accomplished. With any luck, I’ll get three more driving equines trained and really figure out the equipment and reinsmanship for a 4 in hand then 6-hitch. In 2023 I had decided 2024 would be a break out Dressage year for my mustang Johnny Cash, but instead I plan on making it a building year. Infants are demanding little creatures, and I had totally forgotten how draining those first two years can be albeit some of my favorite years. So, Johnny Cash may see some light competition just to get him out and about, but I have no plans to set the Ring on Fire this year…

One of my pony teams is signed up for the Fort Worth Stock Show parade although the weather forecast is already making me regret the commitment. Getting a photo with my full size horses and my pony teams under the Stockyards banner has been a bucket list item since moving to Texas. Even though we don’t live that far away, finding the time to make two trips to accomplish both in between other obligations is challenging. However, at least my wheel team and wagon will get a photo op there this weekend.

This year I plan to be more impulsive with my equestrian activities. I see all too often my fellow equestrians become “paralyzed by practice and planning.” I know far too many riders/trainers, that wait until their horse is “ready” or “near perfect” before taking the plunge to do something whether it is a new competition, clinic, or something as simple as a trail adventure. While I don’t advocate for being completely unprepared or failing to anticipate potential safety issues and planning the proper contingencies, I just don’t understand the mindset of staying at home for fear of the unknown. One of the upsides of being an amateur competitor, meaning I don’t make money training horses or students, is that I’m not worried about reputation. It doesn’t matter if I make a complete and utter fool of myself, because I’m not selling my skills to anyone. What people think of me isn’t a burden I bear, but I do at least try not to be remembered as a total B!tch, however if I am, it is what it is. Haters gonna hate. It’s all just fun and games on the GHLHF, and we don’t take anything besides animal welfare seriously here.

I fully embraced this goal over the weekend.  My friend and current house guest asked if I wanted to spectate a ranch sorting event at our local equine expo facility since it was too muddy to do much at my house, a fact I will not complain about after the two year drought.  I had the basic concept of ranch sorting, and Ranch Sorting/training horses was House Guest’s full time job, but I’d never tried it with my own horses.  Cow sports are not my thing, but after sitting at the expo for several hours watching other people ride, while I couldn’t, changed my perspective.

My horses have pushed cows in open fields before. My cattle chasing/sorting experience on foot is more extensive than I’d like, and I have appropriate tack and some pretty awesome western outfits/accessories. I’m pretty much game for anything at anytime if you say the word “Horse” or “Pony” or “Donkey.” So even though neither my horse or I had any clue what we were doing, I purchased a Ranch Sorting of America membership (require to compete), and signed up. Because I wanted to ride with someone I knew at least once, I only signed up for one beginner ride to figure out if my horse would lose her mind in a small enclosure with cows coming at her. Then I signed up for three more rides in a class with more experienced competitors.

As my friend from Hoofbeats for Heroes put it, “Ranch Sorting is legalized gambling in Texas.” I couldn’t put it any better. It doesn’t matter how experienced you or your horse is, you’re riding at least one, most likely more rides with a partner randomly selected for you. Cows do what cows do, which is both extremely predictable and completely unpredictable simultaneously. So, my chances were just as good in a higher level class as they were in the Beginner class. I knew my horse wasn’t going to charge in, stop, or spin as quickly as ex-cutter cow bred AQHA animals, but speed doesn’t always equal success with cattle anyway. However, Odessa weighs in at a solid 1326 pounds, which is a formidable opponent for calves weighing 600-700 lbs at most.

Things working in my favor… I didn’t have any expectations. I have counting experience and experience looking for the next target from stadium jumping. I generally don’t suffer from nerves in a competition environment, unless I’m expected to memorize multiple patterns. I know cows and how to make them move, sometimes where I want. My only expectation for Odessa was, “Don’t buck me off.” However, since her experience in a small enclosure with cows coming at her, while other horses/cows are banging around in the sorting pens going simultaneously beside us was non-existent, that was a negotiable expectation for round one. My goal was to have fun and not make this a miserable experience for my horse who was already disappointed at being drug out of the pasture covered in mud and loaded into the trailer, to wear my heaviest saddle while standing in the Bell County Expo Arena for the next eight hours.

All I can say is what a rush! Not only did Odessa not buck me off while tolerating the long day with a minimal show of mare face, she rocked it! She held the gate despite three cows coming at her in the front and one trying rush behind her. As predicted, she wasn’t spinning quickly or charging in to sort, but I didn’t ask her to. I refused to ask for super quick movements that would cause me to jerk or bang her with my spurs accidentally when I had never trained for these maneuvers at home. Odessa did what she was asked, and I’d like to think that my cow instincts were pretty good as well. Several times I had already found the next cow before my first had made it through the gate. I was also fortunate to be paired with an amazing gate teammate my second run. Not only did we set the bar high for future teams, we were called back for the short round. My other rounds were respectable although not record setting.

I’m ecstatic over the experience and glad I didn’t let fear of my and my mount’s inexperience squash the impulsive decision to compete.  I’m not saying Odessa or any of my horses wouldn’t benefit from training if we want to be competitive in this new sport, but I’m glad I didn’t let that stop me from showing up!