reinersblog.com

First ride back from Alaska, Leo and I forgot everything. There are just loads of issues: staying between the reins, picking up the right lead and not dropping the shoulder, stopping while keeping the head down and on and on. But, since we had such a great ride today, I’m going to stress about all that tomorrow.

We spent an hour in the arena and then went on a two-hour trail ride in the mountains with friends. It was beautiful out—green ferns everywhere, moss spilling off branches, creeks trickling, birds chirping. I think it’s great to get him out of the arena once in awhile. It’s sure a nice workout. We were both pretty beat when the ride was over.

Yesterday I went and saw my first reining show. I only made it toward the end, but saw three competitors and a few schoolers. One of the riders who was schooling his horse just walked his horse up to the judges, stood there, then got off his horse and walked out. We all hooted and hollered like it was the best performance ever. Everyone was laughing. I’m glad I went. Now the idea of participating in a show doesn’t seem as scary or intimidating.

There was a cutting afterward, which was also fun to watch. It was a cutter that invited me. He introduced me to some people, so I had a lot of company in the stands. They were all extremely nice people. The neatest thing about it is I think I found an instructor. He said he knew all about Les Vogt’s program, so I’m hoping that if I take lessons, I can still apply the principles I’m learning with CowHorse U.

I didn’t think I’d be able to find a reining instructor in this area and really couldn’t believe it when he said he was only 20 minutes from where Leo is. I saw him riding in the arena and he had his horse moving sooooo nicely. He did some spins and lead changes—all seemingly perfect to my amateur peepers. I was introduced to him and he said he was accepting students. Yay!