Moving Along...

Okay, so it's been a while since I last posted. (Just a few months, lol.) In the meantime, lots has happened and we've (me & "Doc") been super busy!!! In June we traveled to the Runnin' WJ Benefit Barrel Race in Texarkana, AR, to compete for a worthy cause, where we ran a 17.655 which was considerably better than the 19 second runs we ran in that same pen back in March of this year. Also thru June & July my friends and I held a summer jackpot series every Tuesday night for 10 solid weeks!

August saw us putting on and racing in the 1st Annual Sharon Epperson Memorial Barrel Race in Waldron, AR. I am extremely proud to have got to be a part of something so great and if you want to read about it you can check out the SEMBR website at http://sharoneppersonbarrelrace.weebly.com/ The 1st Annual SEMBR was a huge success and we raised over $1,000.00 for the Sharon Epperson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

This pretty well catches you up to speed. Last weekend we traveled to Texarkana, AR, again for the Ultimate Barrel Race and we ran a 16.910 which is more than half a second faster than when we were there 3 mos earlier... so at least our times are still improving. I am excited about the rest of the season!

We're running in Waldron town this weekend and putting on the Scott Co. Turn 4 a Cure to benefit our local relay for life teams.

I'll let you know how we come out! Thanks for reading.

Eatin' Dirt...

Well, we ate dirt last night for the first time ever... we fell going around 3rd barrel. Doc and I are both okay though. He's not even stiff like I thought he might be this morning. Hala and I rubbed him down with linament last night so that must've helped. He's got no swelling, heat or tenderness in his legs! Yay! He did however loose his left shoe in the ordeal, or maybe losing the shoe was the cause of him falling. So, we gotta get a shoe replaced, but other than that we're alright.

He's such a good boy! He was watching out for me while he was falling. He started to roll, but saw me and managed to get back on his feet. Thank goodness he's alright.

Oh, and I have great friends who get scared for me. It's great to know that such awesome people have got your back when life throws you in the dust (or in this case, your horse rolls you in the dirt).

Note: arena dirt does not taste good, but it is softer than it looks.

Quote for the day:

"If you haven't died within 24 hours of doing something, you can dust yourself off & do it again!"

Gettin' Around 3rd...

I am so proud of Doc!!! He ran hard into first and made a good turn. 2nd was okay. 3rd still needs some work, but we're gonna keep practicing. I love my lil' ole bay horse. All in all, he ran good and together we're going to keep getting better.

Want to say thanks to everyone who came out last night, both to compete and to watch! And, a big thanks to Rick Black for the use of his tractor throughout our series & to Belinda Wright for helping us with whatever we need!!! We love you!!! To my local girls, thank you so much for all your support. You're great friends & wonderful people!

Didn't have as many people there as what we'd hoped, but still not bad for the first one! Hopefully, word will continue to spread and we'll keep growing. Saddle's going to be nice. Getting it ordered next week, and we're going to look @ buckle's this weekend!

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Running, Running, Running

Okay, so I haven't posted in a while. I've been slacking on posting. Waldron Summer Saddle Series starts tonight. I am sooo excited. Hala and I have been getting calls & the word is out so get ready ladies. It's time to turn & burn in Waldron town. We're really hoping that we have a good turnout tonight and for the rest of the summer.

I mean, what's better than running your horse on a beautiful spring/summer day?

Good news... I am finally starting to get back to where I want to be as far as my riding goes. Don't get me wrong, there's still lots of room for improvement (there always is), but I'm at least starting to get comfortable again. Hala and I took our horses to Ft. Smith a lil' over a week ago and ran them there. I am so thankful we made a clean run.

You know how some horses spook at the color white? Well, Doc's an odd ball. White doesn't bother him, but he's scared to death of yellow. Ever heard of that before? Me neither, but he is. Well it just so happens that the barrels that night were Y-E-L-L-O-W!!! I almost had a heart attack when Hala pointed to the arena and said, "Did you see the barrels?" Thank goodness that lots of stuff in the parking lot was yellow and I drew pretty far down on the list. We started walking around yellow posts and yellow cattle guards and I finally got him to where he wasn't spooking at them every time we walked by. Guess what? We went in the make our run and he didn't shy not ONE time at a yellow barrel. He just went on around 'em like he'd done it a hundred times. I was so proud of him.

I made a couple practice runs on him last week getting ready for tonight. He's really doing good and I'm finally letting him open up a lil'. Not because he can't do it, but because I was afraid I couldn't. But, I surprised myself and made two good runs on him, so now we're just waiting for tonight. Can't Wait!!!

Well, it's really past time for me to get to work, so everyone have a blessed day.

Saddle Up!

Starting April Out Right...

Well, the weather is super nice so far this week... of course it is only Monday and there is a chance of thunderstorms late tomorrow night into Wednesday morning, but hey... that's alright. Going to ride my horse this evening.

We've got to get geared up for this weekend. I think Matt has to work, but I'm heading to a barrel race. And, I can't wait. There's something to be said for the fun & excitement that goes along with traveling to different places and seeing different faces. Some you've seen countless times while others are brand new. Yet, the excitement never dulls. The butterflies still flutter. It's like an addiction, this thrilling game we play of chasing cans. No matter the cost, no matter the time, no matter the energy, & no matter the outcome, it just something you feel like you have to do.

I found a poem & I don't know who wrote it, but if someone reads this & you wrote it, let me know and I'll give credit where credit is due.

I'm A Barrel Racer

I'm a barrel racer, Lord. A quick time is all I need,

just to turn these three barrels, with a decent amount of speed.

I've hauled a lot of miles, to run this horse of mine,

to make each barrel race & then the next one down the line.

If it's a spill I take, Lord, please keep the dirt soft,

For another run I'll make, just as soon as I dust off.

My chin, I'll keep it up & my tears I'll try to hide

Then I'll climb back in my saddle, ever anxious for my next ride.

With heart & will in hand, to win or lose with grace

for some other girl will want to win this very same barrel race.

So let us ride as one, Lord, my barrel horse and me,

For hard work and perseverance, I believe this is the key.

We've trained & we've worked hard, & if I win, you know of course,

To You I'll give the glory, to You & to my horse.

About the Weekend...

Well, the weekend's over and now I'm sitting at work thinking about next weekend. Went to Smithville this weekend. Let me tell ya, Doc sure is workin' hard, but he tends to booger at whatever he sees, so this is how our run went.

Coming in he opened up, turned a good first, pushed hard & turned a good second, went on to third & then just when he was doing so well, he boogered. I don't know if he got scared of his shadow or the tractor sitting by the fence, but either way, he ducked the barrel. I was literally disgusted.

Thank goodness my best friend was there with me with her "ever encouraging" words. She says, "You know, that was shaping up to be the best run he's made yet. :)" Turkey. Oh well, we'll have another shot at it on April 10th; that give's me two weeks to practice & practice we shall.

Although upset, I was still proud of him & me. He was finally looking for the barrels & giving 110%. Plus, we finally clicked together, working as a team for a common goal. Yay, PROGRESS!!!

Gettin' Ready...

Hey Ya'll!

Getting ready for the OBRA jackpot tomorrow night. As soon as I get home, I'll be gettin' my stuff ready. My saddle is filthy & my horse needs to be rode. So, first thing's first, I'll be throwing the saddle on and hittin' the pattern. Then afterwards, I guess I'll soap my saddle.

It rained last night and all morning this morning, but thankfully it's stopped now. Hopefully, it's through and the pen won't be super muddy tomorrow evening. I can't wait! Kylie (that's my 5 yr old lil' girl) is taking "Rain" (that's her horse) and wants to practice tomorrow. This will be her first time to ride at a jackpot. Making memories, that's what we're doin'!

Kylie's been riding since she was about 10 mos old and this will be her 3rd summer to do Tiny Miss pageants & her 2nd summer of playdays. She's so excited! And Rain is new to her so it's a lot different than riding her old horse Aztec, God rest her soul.

Anyway, wish us luck! And good luck to everyone else riding this weekend! Have a safe trip everybody!