It's Been Awhile, and A Lot Has Happened!

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted!  In that time, a LOT has happened! 

While we were away celebrating our anniversary last year (2011), a friend called me to try to convince me to come and show a horse for her at a ranch sorting the next day.  At that point, I had never heard of sorting, and to make it better, I had NEVER chased cows on a horse.  I laughed told her she just wanted to see me get my butt busted and laugh at me!  Finally, after a lot of talking, she convinced me that I would have a blast and to give it a try.  I was a nervous wreck when we arrived.  I was going to chase cows and, to again make this even better, on horse that I had never ridden before.  (Yes, I am a glutton for punishment!)

I guess I should give everyone a little background on sorting.  Sorting started on ranches many, many years ago, when the vet would arrive and the ranch hands would have to "sort" the sick how out of the herd so the vet could treat it.  Today, sorting has b

ecome a very fast growing, family-oriented, equine sport.  You have two round pens set up together with a gate in the middle.  The cows, numbered 0-9 and one unnumbered cow (also known as your trash cow), are in one pen and you enter the other.  You and your partner have 60 seconds to move the cows, in numerical order, to the other pen.  If the cows go through out of order, or if your trash cow gets through, you're out.

The butterflies took over the moment we got there.  Thank goodness the horse had a clue what she was doing!  Zaphora (aka Turtle) was a NCHA money winning cutting horse.  She was awesome!  Everyone very graciously helped me out and tried to coach me when our turn would come around.  It was an awesome evening!  Ol' Turtle and I ended up finishing 2nd at our first show!!!!  And, there it was, "Team Cotton" was formed - three friends and our trusty horses!

My next problem was a "sorting horse".  I didn't own a cow horse, or I guess I didn't realize I owned a cow horse at the time.  My friend and I got the bright idea to try my 16 year old Appaloosa mare , "Flash", on cows.  After all, there wasn't much she was scared of!  She actually did pretty well!  She wasn't the strongest horse in the gate but with riding and practiced, she improved.  I ended up winning $205 on her at an RSNC show in July.  We finished the Buckle Series that we were in (at the arena I first showed at) in 2nd place - Flash and I lost it by one cow!  I was off to a really great start in sorting!  She got to the point though that she liked to chase the cows to much, so when we went in the arena, if I didn't let her go wide open after them, she would buck and throw a fit.  I needed a new horse if I was going to continue in this sport and expect to get anywhere...October was the last time I rode Flash in a sorting.

I had a mare at home, "Bay", that we had used only as a broodmare because of her excellent bloodlines.  She, however, had come from a farm where she had supposedly been used on cows at one time.  I decided that I would bring her up out of the pasture and see what we could do.  The cows didn't bother her; however, being handled by a person, tied or loaded on a trailer was a huge issue.  She's always been hard to catch, and trailer loading...well, that was...nasty, at best.  If you led her anywhere near the trailer, she would flip herself over backwards.  She and I worked hard on trailer loading, and we have succeeded in getting past that issue for the most part.  Every now and then, if there is a crowd around, she gets very nervous about it.  She's not big on more than one or two people at a time.  I don't know what happened to her prior to us and her previous owner, but I am guessing it wasn't very good...

We worked trailer loading - a lot, rode at home, and in November, I took her to the first sorting.  She didn't care for the other horses being up close to her, and when they would run toward her bringing a cow toward the gate, she was getting the heck out of Dodge!  All in all, it turned out great though, and things seemed to be heading in the right direction!

The first Saturday of December, we headed up to another RSNC show, and I took Bay.  This was for the NC Finals.  She was awesome!  The arena was slightly wet in a couple of places, so it was slick there.  We slid a couple times while we were in there chasing cows, and then it happened.  Bay and I were running wide open around the arena bringing a cow to the gate, and before I had time to realize what was happening, we were on the ground - her feet had gone out from under her!  When we hit, I somehow twisted, my chin and shoulder on the opposite side slammed into the ground, and I heard my back pop - it sounded like a shotgun going off - I was terrified that something bad had happened.  But, before I really had time to process everything, I felt her jump up and realized one foot was still in the stirrup.  Remember me saying she didn't care for people and she didn't like to be caught...Thankfully, I had the presence of mind to twist and get my foot out of the stirrup - which also meant I could still walk - THANK GOD - that really scared me when my back popped!  We ended the day by winning the NC Finals for the Beginner Division, and we won a really nice vest!

We then went to a few more sortings but got the crazy idea to set our sights on the RSNC Regionals in White Pine, TN the last weekend of March.  There were over 1,400 teams there!!!!!!!!!  We headed up on Thursday morning.  The facility was really nice.  Our only complaint was that it was definitely not set up for cow horses!  The footing was clay and gravel over clay, and was too hard for the horses.  That said, we still had a wonderful time!  The cows were absolutely CRAZY the first day!!  They were like deer in the pens and were doing anything and everything to try to get out of there!  I got really lucky that first day!  I won the #4 class with a friend from Virginia and placed 5th and 6th with members of our "team"!  I also won the fast time bonus in the class too!  There were 112 teams in that class, so I won $1,332 and a gorgeous belt buckle!!!!  I also ended up winning the high point for my division, so I won a gorgeous new pair of Justin boots too!  The other two team members that went to Tennessee, also did really well!  The friend who got me started in sorting, won over $1,200 in a class the next day, and our other member won over $200.  All total, Team Cotton won $2,795 at the Regionals that weekend!  It was an absolute blast!  We are looking forward to next year's regionals already!

My wedding anniversary, on May 28th, will also be my one year "sorting anniversary" this year, and I can't believe how much I have accomplished that year with cow horses that I didn't know I even owned (laugh out loud)!!!  My little Bay mare has been awesome, and I do believe that she had decided that this human is not going to kill her.  I was completely addicted after the first round of that very first show - I think my husband is still regretting going to that first show!!!  Since then, I have been on the road with my friends and our horses traveling to sortings, and since that first show, we have also added a couple of more members to Team Cotton, had a lot of fun and made a lot of memories together!

Facing Fears and Following My Heart

I have always loved showing horses. It has been a passion of mine as long as I can remember. In my younger adult life though, I gave it up. My husband didn't like it, and I just started trail riding my horses rather than arguing with him about showing.

Recently, however, I decided that I am going to start showing again, and if my husband wasn't supportive then, oh well. He field trials his beagles, which I support, and sometimes have to take to trials for him when he is working. I didn't break the news to him immediately. I do think that he knew something was up, afterall during this summer heat, I usually don't do a lot of riding. It's very often 100 degrees here with a heat index of 105 to 115 during July and August. I have been riding as much as possible in the mornings and evenings for the past few weeks now.

A week ago, I asked him what he was planning on doing Saturday. He replied, "nothing. Why?" I told him that there was open show that I wanted to go to. He then replied, "are you showing?" That response caught me completely off guard! I looked up, and he was smiling. I explained that we, Skippy and I, weren't ready for that show yet, but I wanted to go check it out to see what the competition looked like. The next thing out of my mouth was, "you're not upset that I want to start showing again?" Suprisingly, he has been completely supportive of my decision. I don't know what has gotten into him. [SMILE!] I guess over the years maybe he has realized that it's something that is in my blood, and it's something that I just can't help.

For now, Skippy and I are working toward a couple of local open shows that are scheduled over the next couple of months. I am nervous, and Skippy has no idea what he is in for. At first, he was not excited about his new work schedule that completely disrupted his "grass eating" time. Now, every afternoon, or morning as the case may be, he greets me with a whinny and off to work we go. He is such a trooper! I am going to try to keep a journal here of our training and how we are progressing.

Wish me luck!

MTR Clean Up Ride

I spent a great weekend riding and camping with good friends and good horses while Brian and Dylan spent most of the weekend off field trialing. They did make it in late Saturday evening for supper and spent the night. Dylan's beagle, Timber Rattlin' Elvis, placed 3rd in the NKC/ARHA World Hunt!! He is soooooooo excited. This is the same dog that won The Eliminator Hunt two weeks ago. Needless to say, you can't tell him anything.

Three of "the girls" rode on Saturday. We had a blast - even considering our run in with that "Killer Stop Sign"! That was a hoot! We were riding along on one of the dirt roads that we regularly ride on and coming up to an intersection. Everything was cool - we were talking, laughing and thoroughly enjoying ourselves when Milkshake and Skippy decided that Stop sign was out to get them. Before I had a clue what was going on, we were going the other direction and Skippy was going to head through the woods with Milkshake who had decided he was leaving the country completely. Poor little Maggie was just like what the heck is wrong with the two of you morons! Once the boys were back under control, we noticed that the Stop sign, which is normally straight, was leaning over. Apparently, this was an issue for our boys. They blew and snorted at that thing for the longest time. It was hilarious!

On Sunday, the usual gang rode along with a couple guests. The weather was beautiful! We trimmed some low hanging branches while most of the guys were on four-wheelers and cleaning the large debris from the trails in preparation for our club's Spring trail ride in two weeks. And, yes, we passed that Killer Stop Sign and not one of the horses even noticed it! Funny how their little horsey minds work!

It was a wonderful weekend. I am so grateful for sunshine, good friends, good horses and wonderful places to ride!

I Can't Believe it's March Already - Miss Me?

I know, I know! I haven't been here in awhile. I have been quite busy lately. I joined Weight Watchers, started working out at Zumba, volunteered for our trail riding club's Activities Committee and have been field trialing! Whew!!!! I can't believe January and February are already gone, but so far it's been fun!

My big gelding, Skippy, got really sick there for awhile. We had a major battle with him colicing for a couple of weeks, thought he was over it and then he had a mild relapse. He is doing well now though. Thank GOD!!!!!!! I do hope his insides aren't scarred too badly from that whole ordeal.

I just started riding him again two Sundays ago, and he is doing REALLY well! He has the most amazing jog that you could ride all day! Before it got too cold and wet to ride and before he got sick, we were working on his lope. Turns out he didn't forget anything - yay!! He is bending and flexing well and dropping his head as soon as I ask. I have to admit though, I was a little nervous to see how he was going to do when I asked him to lope. Boy was I surprised! It was awesome. He had a tendency to want to throw his head up and feet would go everywhere. When I asked for him to lope, he stepped off into it nicely and stayed collected and round!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't have asked for anything more!

We are going camping and riding this weekend. I am excited. My big boy is doing well and hope he continues to! I can't describe the feeling you get when you realize all that hard work you have been doing is coming all together - it's amazing!

Lovin' My Skippy Horse!

I owned Skippy's mother. She was my show horse, and I was lucky to own her for a little over 17 years. I got her for my birthday when I was 10. A little late (in March instead of January), but when you are looking for that perfect horse, who cares?

Skippy is 14 now. Needless to say, I have owned Skippy from the moment he arrived. I remember that well. It was a little stressful for his mother and me. His shoulders were so broad, he got stuck! Thankfully, my dad who had years of experience as a horse owner and a vet assistant knew just what to do. Skippy arrived a short time later. I have never really spent a great deal of time with Skippy. I was always comparing him to his mother, and his mother he is definitely not! I tried hard not to. My husband and the kids have been riding him on and off for years. I occasionally would ride him when I wanted to ride english (that's how I always rode his mom, and he has wonderful movement). He and my husband never really clicked though, and Skippy really upset him when we were in the mountains back in July. For some reason Skippy got really upset and reared straight up. Skippy just wouldn't settle down, and my husband said he wasn't interested in riding him anymore and if he had to then he wouldn't ride.

Since that time, I have been letting Brian ride my "horomonal" mare, Flash. She defines "moody mare" perfectly. In the meantime though, Skippy and I have been developing a wonderful relationship. I now regret not having ridden him more over the years. When he gets excited and wants to go, I do as Clinton Anderson has said, and I make him move his feet more. He has learned quickly that this causes more work for him. It works just like Clinton says - it makes him want to slow down.

I truly wish I hadn't waited until he was 14 to spend more time with him. I am thoroughly enjoying our relationship now though.

What's that White Stuff Falling From the Sky

I guess mom's "snow dance" worked last night. I tried to convince the boys that they should use their lariat's to tie grandma to her chair so she couldn't do the snow dance, but that wasn't going to happen. They were all for dancing with her even though I was all for them going to school and me to work.

Snow is just something that you don't see often in the midland of South Carolina. We mostly just see it on televisions and talk about how much fun it would be to have snow ball fights, build snowmen and make snow angels. We are also content knowing it's not going to happen. . . . . normally. This is one of those abnormal weather events that we have which caused chaos at my house this morning. You see because there was snow and sleet falling from the sky, even though it wasn't sticking to anything, Dylan was adamant he was NOT going to school today. He was going to sit home and watch it from his bedroom window and try to sneak out in it when the opportunity presented itself. Needless to say, I won that battle, he's at school and calm has returned to our home. Catching snowflakes on his tongue on the way to the truck turned out to be great for him. Now he had something he could talk to his buddies about at school today. I just hope his excitement doesn't get him in trouble. . . . .

While the snow is beautiful and we don't see it often, I don't think I will miss it when it is gone. People around here seem to forget how to drive when there is snow or sleet. What am I talking about -- they forget how to drive around here when it rains! I am not looking forward to my trek back home this evening which takes me about 35 minutes on a clear day.

I do hope everyone enjoys the snow while it lasts; however, please drive carefully.

If You’re Scared – Say You’re Scared! The Misadventures of Jennifer and Melinda.

Our Club had planned a trip to Sugarloaf. We’d meet at Sugarloaf, ride our horses to the Fish Camp for dinner, return to Sugarloaf on what was supposed to be a nice moonlight ride and then, of course, ride on Sunday before returning home. We’d never been to Sugarloaf before but had heard many time how much fun it was. We were told that the horses didn’t need shoes to ride there, so Melinda and I quickly decided that this would be a fun thing for us to do – just us and, of course, other club members – but we were leaving our men at home!

We loaded up Spottie and Sunni and off we went talking, laughing and having an excellent time – so much so that we passed our turn. We backed up, made our turn and soon arrived at the campground for some primitive camping. . . . . our first primitive camping trip I might add. Prior to this trip, we didn’t realize just how primitive it was. So many times we’d heard primitive used when there was water but no electricity. Well, the campsites at Sugarloaf Mountain are truly primitive – they have neither! Note to self: bring water along for the horses next time so you don’t have to lug buckets back and forth from the pond that is quite a ways from the campsites!

We set up camp when we arrived and saddled up for our ride to the Fish Camp on a beautiful afternoon. We couldn’t have asked for better weather! We hit the trail with the rest of the group, riding mostly roads on our way. Most of the roads were sandy or clay until we came upon quite a few areas of rock. Spottie did fine only a couple of mis-steps from the rocks, but Sunni soon became sore. She’d been trimmed only a couple of days before.

When we made it to the Fish Camp, it was beginning to get very cloudy. The cloud cover was dark and stormy looking. We hoped it would pass while everyone was enjoying dinner together. Little did we know, it was just the beginning.

After dinner, we headed out to mount back up and enjoy a moonlight ride back to the campground. Soon after though, the thunder and lightning began. I then realized all that I had was my lightweight raincoat. I had left my duster on Kirby’s wagon, and he was well ahead of us. Everybody was to stay together, and no one was to be left. I just want to go ahead and say now, thank God for excellent horses. Melinda and I are truly blessed to have such wonderful animals. Soon, you will understand why I say this.

Well, as it turned out, Melinda and I got left behind. I know everyone was trying to get back as quickly as possible, but we couldn’t move fast because of Sunni’s feet. Melinda and I soon found ourselves alone on top of a mountain in a thunderstorm with no place to take shelter. The rain was so hard it was stinging our faces. It was so hard, the horses kept stopping and turning their butts toward the rain. It got to the point we had to get off and walk to get them to move. The water was rushing down the mountain roads like a raging river. The water was up to our knees, and the road was washing out on either side of us.

The horses had stopped again. Melinda was ahead of me with Spottie, and Sunni and I were behind. It was so dark that you could not see your hand in front of your face – except when the lightning popped. The thunder boomed and lightning struck incredibly close to us startling Sunni. She bumped into me pushing me into Spottie who stepped forward. I called Melinda – no answer. I called again – panicked this time – she answered. When Spottie stepped forward, she had pushed Melinda into the washout where the road once was. When I called for her the first time, she was struggling to get back onto the road and out of the washout. The only thing that kept her from being swept down the mountain was Spottie. When she slipped she was able to hold onto Spottie's reins, and Spottie never flinched. Most horses would have freaked having someone's weight pulling on their bridle. Remember what I said about excellent horses?!?!

Finally, a few minutes later, the storm stopped and the sky cleared. It was now a beautiful evening. We continued to walk the girls for awhile. We turned down the road to head back to camp. Melinda wanted to stop for a "soggy" cigarette, so we stopped at a church parking lot. I am not real sure how she got that cigarette lit. While we were standing there talking, we noticed the little "juke joint" we’d passed on the way and realized that we were on the wrong road! I had never been happier that Melinda smoked. (I am usually trying to convince her to quit.) We turned around and headed back the right direction.

We were nervous as we approached the juke joint. The little juke joint was on the right side of the road, so we walked shoulder to shoulder with our horses on the opposite side (and, of course, on their left side). Knives drawn, we quietly walked past trying to go unnoticed. Besides, who would think two saddled horses walking by in the middle of the night and in the middle of nowhere was strange? As we walked, we soon realized that Sunni’s feet weren’t bothering her anymore. We were back on sandy roads, so I got on her with only the halter and lead rope. I didn’t even worry about tying it to the halter on the other side. Melinda got back on Spottie, and we started on our journey again. Sunni seemed fine. Apparently, the cold water had been therapeutic for her. We rode on laughing and enjoying the night. Soon after, Bobby drove up with a trailer to rescue us. We were glad to see him, but we politely declined. The night was just too pretty, and we weren’t far from camp now.

After riding back in, Thomas and Valerie were kind enough to let us hook up to their generator. Soon, we discovered just how wet we were. We had to help each other peel our clothes off which turned out to be hilarious. I am sure if anyone was standing outside the trailer, they were wondering what in the world all the giggling and laughing was about. Melinda’s duster didn’t help her stay dry at all, so not having my duster with me proved not to matter. We concluded that we’d never been that wet before – not even while in the shower or even the tub!
The next morning, we packed Sunni’s fee with vet wrap and then wrapped them with duct tape. She still seemed to be fine, but I wanted to be on the safe side, and no one had any easy boots. It worked well, and we rode for few hours before heading home.

Our trip, which had all the makings to become disastrous, ended well. I don't know what would have happened - to either of us - had Melinda not been able to hold onto Spottie's reins when she slipped. I couldn't see her and had no idea that she'd slipped for what was probably only a minute, but it seemed like an eternity. Neither one of us scare easily. While standing in that church parking lot though, we both admitted we’d never been more scared. We were very fortunate. Our prayers had been answered, and we obviously had help getting through this "adventure." We agreed then – if you’re scared, say you’re scared!