I didn’t know it either until my friend just told me. I’m most excited about meeting him. I’m sure he gets asked all the time, but I’d love to hear what he remembers about The Duke. The man the myth.

I tried more turn-arounds. You know, I am such a patient rider. Really. I don’t get short very often, but maaaaaaaan the turn-arounds really really really make me frustrated. Really. I think we’ll get there though. Hey, did I tell you I got a half circle to the right backwards the other day? It was beeeauuuuutiful. He was all soft and flexie. I only stopped cause he was doing so well, I didn’t want to push for the whole circle and risk ending on a bad note. We’re getting there Al! One of these days, we’ll be in a show just like you and Amanda.

That’s darned cool you get to hang out with those fellas. That ought be a heck of a party. Just remember if you don’t duck real quick at the last second one of them cowboys might get their loop around ya.

A bear in the neighborhood???? You live next door to Grizzly Adams or sumthin?

Hey! Guess what! i got invited to this party with all the pro ropers and event sponsors! I guess I’m a sponsor because I do the web site for them. So! it’s dinner, drinks, and music at the ranch with dudes like Speed Williams and Trevor Brazile! Fun! I really want a picture with Clay O’Brian Cooper because he was the littlest cowboy in The Cowboys with John Wayne! How great is that! Also, apparently there is a roper named “Turtle Powell.” I have to meet him just because he has such an awesome name.

Actually I was impressed with the trainers at this show. Only saw one marine drill sargent. Like usual looked liked somebody that couldn’t get her hocks slung over a cantle herself but sure knew what her kid ought be doing. Poor kid had the “why couldn’t I have been adopted” look on her face. Is it against NRHA rules to smack those people?

The “pleasure” shows are where they really come out and strut their stuff. Seems the smaller the show the more the world class trainers come out. I can usually find a little out of the way space to warm up then just go in the arena for a few minutes to check out the ground and layout and such.

I don’t say much. Not really my business I suppose. But what really makes me mad and sad at the same time is when I see somebody lungeing a wild eyed bronc for 45 minutes then settiing their young kids up on them. Go get us a ribbon honey. And remember to pull back real hard before the third barrel so he doesn’t jump over the fence again.

Oh, I’m sorry, did that hurt? I really need to get a bigger bit for him. Maybe then I can get him stopped before he runs into you like that. And yes I know you paid the 3 dollar entry fee so you have the right to stand out here in the middle of the arena and grace us with your knowledge. And I’m sure your kid is laughing at something else.

You make that run sound so easy. I can just see you out there doing your slack-reined back up. She did the turn-arounds no problem?

Looooved the rant about the trainers. Thats so funny. I’ve only been to see a few reining shows, but they WERE there barking at people!

Turnarounds are tough. Go to the Larry Trocha website and get his DVD “Teach Your Horse Rollbacks and Spins” He sells it as a special offer for $9.99. Best 10 bucks you’ll ever spend. It is really a $40 - $60 video…I guess it’s a draw to his other videos which are priced in the more usual price range. While your there get his FREE video, “Training Aids.”

Another “trick” I learned from Larry Rose video….the order in which you train is important. Work on spins first when the horse is fresh and wants to go somewhere. Stops next when he’s tired enough that he wants to stop but still fresh enough he can stop hard. Circles last, when he’s good and tired where he’ll listen and relax.

I learned at the clinic I train too much and don’t show enough….ha. Look up-not at the horse. “Square” the circles. Watch for the markers. When the rules say center of the arena they mean center, not somewhere thereabouts. Give your horse some pre-cues before the center. Look the judge in the eye….let em know your here to give him/her an opportunity to see a good horse. Trust your horse….this is her day, let her show what she’s got and don’t fiddle too much with her.

Great thing is that Chris got to watch the clinic. And now she keeps after my butt to remember this stuff and work it in. Way my memory is it’s a good thing I got a short name sometimes. She’s the one with the eye for details and can absorb things. Sometimes things I’m told get caught up in the hollow wind currents between my ears.

Also learned ……..don’t ever leave the ignition part way on when you shut the truck off. Always carry jumper cables. Also do not accidentally hit the automatic door locks when you get out of the truck. Do not leave the spare set of truck keys in the jeans you wore to the show then throw them in the back seat of the truck when you change into show clothes. A buggy whip will reach down to the door lock switch when you get the top of the passenger door pried open. Do not park your rig in the front row with your ranch name emblazeoned all over it when you are going to do completely stupid things. A raised hood on a truck and two people sticking a buggy whip into the door will attract more attention than a million dollar reining horse. Reining folks are really nice…most waited until they got out of earshot to laugh.