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I now have another hero. I don’t know who all of the well-known trainers are yet since I’m new to all of this. But at the futurity, I was able to learn and see them all together, under one roof, riding their hearts out. One man, stood out for me, over all the others, Ken Wold. That guy can ride! He was spectacular to watch. I don’t know what it is that makes one rider stand out from all of the other incredible riders, but Mr. Wold has whatever that is. He was magic.

This is one of his rides during the futurity with Playgirls Miss Grace. You can tell by the crowd that I wasn’t the only one who was thrilled to watch him. I heard that he was inducted into the NRCHA hall of fame this year. Congratulations to Ken and thanks for the show! WOW!

Ken Wold’s web site is: http://www.kenwoldtrainingstables.com/

As soon as we arrived at the ranch today, I jumped out of the car and starting searching through paddock after paddock for Leo. Jim whistled for him. We didn’t know where he was. Jim went to chat with the owner, and I headed for the stalls. Since the sun was so high outside, it seemed very dark in the halls. “Leo?” “Leo?” I peered into stall after stall, until finally there he was! LEOOOOOO!!! He poked his little nose out at me and I couldn’t have been happier.

He looks a little thinner, but beefy, like he’s been working. The trainer saddled him up to show Jim how he’s doing after two weeks. After a short warm up, they ran some steer. First I watched Leo, how still he was in the box, and how well he rated the steer when he came out. Then I watched the broad smile spread across Jim’s face. HE IS NOT SELLING LEO!!! Haaaaaahaaaaaaaaa!!!! YAY!!!
This trainer is pretty wonderful. Leo looked so easy and relaxed under him. I wanted to hug him when he was telling us how bad it is to jerk or kick a horse around. He has a lot to teach and a nice way of teaching it.
I had a lesson with Leo that went so well. I learned a lot that I want to talk about and will in the coming weeks.

Main things though:

• Leo was signed up for another month of training
• I’ve signed up for lessons with Leo and the trainer for every weekend
• The trainer is extremely familiar with Les Vogt’s 5 easy pieces (he’s been to 10 of his clinics) and weaves them into his own lifelong experience

When I put Leo up and said my goodbyes, I told him with a huge grin on my face and watery eyes, what a good boy he is, how smart he is, and thanked him for all the hard work. I kissed his fuzzy nose, gave him way too many treats, and just about danced back to my car. It was a good day.

Well, it’s either summer camp or the auction block. I’ll find out in a week. Yesterday, Leo’s owner told me that it was time to have Leo assessed and that assessment would start today, May 10. The trainer will have him for a week, rope off of him, and let Jim know if he’ll be a good “jackpot” rope horse. If the trainer gives it a thumbs down, than Leo will be sold. SOLD!

I drove out to the barn yesterday, wanting to spend some time with Leo, and had a long talk with him. I told him to be on his best behavior and do everything the trainer says. Jim later admitted that he’d had a similar conversation with Leo and told him to pay attention in class.

I rode over to Yakima with Jim to drop Leo off. On the way over, Jim noticed my furrowed brow and general look of concern, so he ASSURED me that the trainer was not going to hurt Leo at all. He said he was a wonderful trainer and very good to horses. I know he’s right because I’ve heard good things about the trainer before. But I still worry. Maybe I’m just really going to miss little Leo.

On the way to Yakima, Jim stopped at the ranch in Ellensburg where he ropes. He wanted to let me work with Leo one more time in my favorite outdoor arena. It was the best ride. Leo just did everything I asked with gusto. He even stopped well. Jim was smiling. He got on him for a few also (He had decided last winter not to ride him while I was working with him, so Leo wouldn’t get confused with possibly different signals).

With Jim up there, I said, “Try to steer with just your legs.” He did and I got a big smile from him. Leo is really rockin’ now.

Leaving Leo in Yakima was hard. Super hard. I gave him a kiss on the nose and told him to be a good boy. Now I just have to wait and see. This week will decide his future. He’ll either be staying for a month or two or he’ll come home to be sold. Either way, looks like I’m without him for awhile or forever. I wonder how he’s doing…