Back in the Saddle ☺

Its been a couple weeks since the Buck Clinic and last weekend we headed over the Californios Roping competition.

After I had time to let things settle with my weekend with Emma I realized a couple things.

1. Must lose more weight…

so back to “that” diet thing again. Really the goal is to lose 30 more lbs. That would bring my grand total to almost 70lbs which is about the weight of my saddle and gear. That also gets me under the required 200lb limit for most ranches to ride their horses.

2. I must ride more.

I had thought that getting out to ride 1 or 2x a week was good but no way. Not to get to the point where I feel solid. I need at least 4 days out of the week in the saddle. Which of course is hard with school, but one of the places I board my horses does have a lighted arena… ☺

3. I must focus more.

Sounds basic, but it takes a little more effort.. I need to figure out where the damn feet are.. I need to remember to get my leg out of the way, shift my weight properly, place the reins in the right place when I ask for certain maneuvers, basically get my act together in a rhythm that is good for me and the horse…

4. I must practice roping more.

Yes I have been practicing but I need to practice on my horse not just on the ground. I need to get my horses more used to the maneuvers required from a roping perspective.

So yes it has been an interesting 3 weeks. 1 week auditing a clinic in Stoneyford, the other week riding it one in Chico, and the third watching the roping competition in Reno….

So what am I doing now?

Well tonight after work I am going to ride my little Blackie, then this weekend it looks like I made arrangements with Kristi to move Phooka to her ranch so I can attend the roping practice down in Salinas. Poor Boo! My big ranch horse. Seems everyone has been riding him but me. Marshal will continue with me at Garrods and Emma is still getting her education with Bonnie down at Rodoni. I am not sure Marshal has the moxy to do roping, though I will practice on him. Emma right now is my secret hope. She is strong, fiery and quick. We will just have to see how she does around cattle…

What are my key take aways so far?

“If you want to get better at a thing, you have to dedicate yourself to it. “

Some people thing that dedicating themselves is reading, or writing or watching, but to me its doing. I have to be doing it, learning it, getting my hands in it. I have to be working at whenever I have spare time to be good at it. It is not my goal to be the best rider, or the best horseman.. though if reap some rewards on that pathway that’s fine. Right now my goal is to work in a partnership with my horses that develops my skill and develops them. So that we can do a job together in a professional and efficient manner.

So people watching us from the outside wonder why its such a big deal because it looks so effortless…

Yeah baby!

HiHo!

ps. always wear your helmet!

LW