Saying Goodbye to Leo—Summer Camp for a Rope Horse
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…
I’m not sure I’m likin the sounds of this. From this end of things sounds kinda sudden.
I’m thinkin Leo is gonna take to the ropin pretty well. Kinda sounds like he’s the type that’ll like havin a job to do and the cattle might focus his attention.
But make it or sold? Seems kinda harsh. Seems to me it be better if the deal was he makes a rope horse or he’s yours.
You oughta get a hold of the trainer and work a deal where you can come down and see how Leo’s workin. I sure hope this fella asked you a bunch of questions about Leo’s training so far.
I’m pretty sure things will all work out. But if for some reason they don’t you can always move to Illinois and come ride for us.
13 May 2008 at 6:19 am
I’ve been at the edge of my seat for 3 days now! It’s actually not all of a sudden. Leo is supposed to be a rope horse. Jim was going to send him a few months ago, but some things came up and he couldn’t. Then he just thought to himself, “What am I doing! It’s time to get that horse to the trainer.” He has the horse for roping, so it makes sense that he would sell Leo if he couldn’t use him. I WISH I could buy him, but I may not need to worry about it!
I talked to the trainer today (who has been taught by Les as well as a bunch of other great trainers like his world champion mom) and he said that Leo is doing fine. He bucked a tiny bit today, but the trainer said thats normal. He’s been working him on cattle for the last two days. He said Leo is on the bit too much (hmm) but other than that, he’s doing ok.
I asked if he would give me a lesson on the 23rd with Leo and he said yes! And the weekend after that Les Vogt will be at that very same ranch for a clinic and I’M IN IT! ME AND LEO! LEO AND I!!! So it’s actually pretty darn convenient that Leo is there. Sometimes things just seem to work out…(knock on wood cause the week’s not over yet!).
And thanks Al, it’s good to know that you’d never leave me without a horse to ride.
I’ll be riding Shadow, Jim’s other horse for awhile. He’s big and baaaad to the bone. Sweet horse. It’ll work out because Jim’s more into roping the the day-to-day exercising of a horse.
13 May 2008 at 10:00 pm
Oh, and he actually didn’t ask me a bunch of questions. I offered some information though. I get the feeling that a lot of trainers figure it all out when they get on the horse. He did have a question about the bit I was using after the first day he rode Leo. Leo was tossing his head all around, so Jim described the bit I was using (Elevator bit) and the trainer knew which one he meant and went, “ooooooh, I just put waaaay too much bit in his mouth.” So I think he might be using an Argentine snaffle on him right now, which is pretty ok don’t you think?
13 May 2008 at 10:04 pm
Ok, I like this guy already. Realizing he was in too much bit tells a lot about him. I think an Argentine snaffle will be real good for Leo. He used to the broken mouth piece and an Argentine is a great transition bit.
I am glad he asked about the bit.
Seems to me you might take this time off from Leo to learn to throw a rope. You’re gonna have a rope horse coming back and Jim will probably need a partner if you’re team ropin.
14 May 2008 at 6:07 am
He does seem like a good guy. It’s almost Friday. I’ll find out on Friday or Saturday if Jim is going to leave him in training.
::::biting nails::::
No way on the roping! Waaay to much going on there. Too complicated for my current level of experience AND I really enjoy having thumbs.
14 May 2008 at 10:55 pm
So, what’s the word?
18 May 2008 at 8:31 am