Extreme Cowboy Race 8

Last Wednesday and Thursday I had the privilege of attending Craig Cameron's Extreme Cowboy Race 8 competition at his ranch outside Stephenville, Texas. This Race was all female competitors which was an interesting mix. There were riders with all kinds of backgrounds: some women who ride for pleasure, some Miss Rodeos, a professional ranch cowgirl, professional horse trainers, and one competitor was 15! Everyone was cheerful and dressed beautifully for their TV debut.

The obstacles Cameron had set up were creative and difficult. Talk about a test of horsemanship and the ultimate test for trust. You could tell real quick who had a partnership with their horse and those who needed some work. One competitor was there on a Mustang that she only had 120 days on! The challenge is open to any breed of horse and any age rider, the only catch is the horse has to be 10 or younger. The competitors are allowed to walk the course to memorize it but only on foot (memorizing that is a challenge in itself!). Those horses did amazingly well on a course they were being hustled through never having seen it before.

Cameron's ranch is meticulously maintained with not a pile of horse manure to be seen-not even in the paddocks. He and his wife, Dalene, were very nice and welcoming. He had a new intern that was only in week 2 so he got broke in real quick to all the responsibilities. We were all pitching in and I got to do the back up timer for Ryan Dorhn (the other brain who created ECR with Cameron) so that was neat. The extra people helping had to be silent and watch the cameras and get down so you're not blocking the shot. Most of the time I had to huddle in a low area with my timer but that was okay because I could see pretty much everything. After all, I was there to help. I wasn’t expecting the cold front about mid morning Wednesday and it got chilly. The sky turned dark, the wind picked up and we thought it was going to pour down rain but it never did, thank goodness. I miss those cold breezy days-call me crazy but it doesn't get that cold down here around Yoakum.

There were two judges for this event: Lynn Palm and Joy Murray. What fantastic ladies. Both were so nice and willing to talk to you. Not to mention both are legends! Cameron gave the whole speech that he wanted no crying, whining, or pouting if you didn't get good scores and were not advanced to the next round. Not mention, who wants to argue with those judges?!

Everyone seemed excited at the chance of winning a Circle Y XP-HDR4 Frontier All-Around Trail saddle. We sponsor this event so the 4 finalists each go home with a saddle plus some cash. I hope they enjoy riding this saddle and it will serve them well. I can't spoil who won so tune in to RFD-TV in March when it airs. You'll be glad you did!

Leavin' Town!

I can't wait for tomorrow afternoon because Anne, our Marketing Media Director, and I are headed to Stephenville to the next filming of Extreme Cowboy Race hosted by Craig Cameron. What is really neat about this coming show is all the riders are women! These are some of the best horsewomen and I am really looking forward to watching the good horses and gals compete. If you aren't familiar with this competition which is aired on RFD-TV, you can go to Cameron's Web site http://www.craigcameron.com/extreme.shtml to read all the details. It will be at Cameron's Double Horn ranch so it will be neat to see that as well. Circle Y sponsors this show so four finalists will go home with a brand new XP-HDR4 Frontier All-Around Trail saddle. This saddle was designed for Tammy Harty and her horse, Bunny, who was in the top 4 of a previous season of ECR. When I get back I will tell you all about it!

Our First Horse Show

Well I decided it was time to get Buddy away from home and show him the big city! John and I were hauling my 5 yr granddaughter, Kaylee, to Houston to Sienna Stables for her Western Pleasure Lead Line class and I decided to haul Buddy. Sienna Stables has an Adult walk/trot Western Pleasure class and it was perfect to introduce Buddy to an arena and other horses.

Buddy was on his best behavior warming up in the practice arena. Then we got to the show arena they had 12” white pvc pipe at the end of the arena. He didn’t booger but I thought he was so I went ahead and two handed him…then we came to the other rail and there were all these people standing at the fence. He really wanted to talk to everybody. I was able to keep him moving and not visit with everyone. Other than that he went thru his paces wonderfully and even backed when he was asked. The judge told me we would have placed well if I hadn’t two handed him. She was very sweet to take the time to talk to me. I told her that Buddy had only been broke 60 days and only 2 yrs old and that it was his first outing. She told me he did very well and all horses had to start some where. I felt like it was a positive experience. Only problem was Kaylee was very disappointed that I was last place. Kaylee won her class and is still walking on air. And another generation of horse lovers is born!

After Kaylee went home with her Momma and little sister, John and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful riding trails they have at Sienna Stables and went for a trail ride. It is always wonderful to see new scenery and new terrain. We rode thru century old Oak trees and majestic Elm trees down to a 30 foot bluff that dropped off into the Brazos River. We rode up and down the levees that keep the river and bayous from flooding and across the creeks. We came across gorgeous white cranes that flew over us as we rode. It was just so peaceful and beautiful! A perfect ending to a perfect day with family and horses.

Party Time

This past Saturday was my son's first birthday. Naturally, we had to go all out and invite all his friends. It was a swim and sprinkler party so the kids enjoyed jumping from one pool to the other and then to the sprinklers-it's still in the 90s here so it was plenty warm. Copper, my TWH gelding, stays in a several acre paddock that wraps around the house in an L-shape. Being the kinda jumpy guy that he is, he was on the lookout once the kids started playing in the yard and running about. He stood at the fence with ears pricked forward, still as a statue watching all the commotion. Once the kiddos started playing with the balloons, then he was really on guard. He looked so pretty standing there all attentive.

Surprisingly, he only walked off once or twice when the bubble machine/sprinkler started up. I was happily surprised to see he wasn't flying about the pasture with his tail in the air snorting! In no time, there were parents and kids at the fence petting him - which he loved by the way. He loves attention, and Anne that I work with was teaching him how to drink some bottled water out of the bottle. He loves to drink from the hose so this is a skill he can master! It was good for him to see so much activity around his normally peaceful home. He is definitely a friendly horse, and he also got some desensitizing among the festivities.

Breast Cancer Awareness Saddle-Our Privilege

It's always interesting here at Circle Y, but every now and then we get the chance to design a very special saddle for a great cause. This time we designed a Breast Cancer Awareness saddle for the benefit of the Oklahoma University Cancer Institute. It is a group effort. Jud Little Ranch, Shorty's Hattery and the Women's Pro Rodeo Association commissioned the saddle.

The Jud Little Ranch, Ardmore, OK, well known for quality competitive horses and barrel event production, will display the saddle at many events. Showing at Ohio Quarter Horse Congress, Columbus, OH in October, and WPRA Finals, Tulsa, OK in November, it will eventually make its way to the WPRA booth at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV late November. Raffle chances are being sold at these events, including the 6th Annual Bar Nothin Barrel Bash, September 24-28 in Ardmore and the Jud Little Ranch Production Sale September 27 in Springer, OK. “We are pleased to team up with Shorty’s for this fight against breast cancer,” said Little.

Shorty Koger, owner of Shorty’s Hattery in Oklahoma City, personally understands the necessity of breast cancer care and research. While her late sister, Shirley Bowman, fought a breast cancer diagnosis, Shorty herself received one. After her recovery and the loss of her sister, Shorty now works with OUCI providing funding to support free nutritional counseling for cancer patients through the Shirley Bowman Nutritional Clinic. The saddle raffle donations go 100% directly towards this program.

One of our best toolers, Carol Marshall, specially created the Breast Cancer Awareness saddle tooling, incorporating the program’s pink ribbon, and continuing the ribbon around the entire saddle. A pink ostrich leather ribbon inlay enhances the seat, and sparkling pink crystals trim the cantle, silver conchos and stirrup hobbles. The WPRA logo, as well as Jud Little and Shorty’s logos, are tooled into the saddle. For information about ticket purchase, contact Phyllis Wells with WPRA 405-850-0898.

The Aftermath

We survived Hurricane Ike. As a matter of fact, we got nothing. I've learned there is a dry side to a hurricane, which is the west, and there is the nasty side, or the east. Fortunately for us here around Yoakum, we were on the dry side and did not get a drop of rain. The wind blew but not bad. For those folks in Galveston and north on up to Houston, they got the pounding. There is a horse rescue operation, Habitat for Horses http://www.habitatforhorses.org/, in Galveston County and it suffered mass devastation. They are still in desperate need of water, hay, feed, and money.

Even though we weren't going to get the big hit of the storm, I made preparations for the worst. The news predicted we would get up to 60 mph winds so I thought of tree limbs falling on the fence and Copper getting out. I ended up using a paint pen to write my phone numbers on Copper's neck and shoulder. I also braided some mane at his withers and wrapped duct tape around it for an additional place for my information. I did not leave his halter on him because I don't have a breakaway one. I decided to leave him out because it seems he goes wild when a storm is brewing.

I got up that Friday morning at 5 to check the computer to see if the hurricane was still heading north of us. Even though we are over an hour from the coast, a hurricane is enough to send me packing - with my family and all my animals of course. Luckily I have a big horse trailer, so we would all fit comfortably. To me, it's just not smart to underestimate a storm like this. And I can't understand people who think they won't be swept away when the news is telling you to evacuate or certain death is imminent. That would be the red flag to get out of dodge pronto. For all those families rebuilding, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Plan for the Worst, Pray for the Best

Well, hurricane Ike seems to be going north of us. Thank God, but I feel so bad for the people and homes that it will consume. We will still get the high winds and rain here and I am not sure yet what I will do with Copper. I have put identification on his halter and will braid identification in his tail just to be safe. I am also seriously considering spray painting my phone numbers on his side. He stays in the pasture, but I do have a 3-sided shelter for him that I can put him up in. He likes it when we have a rain storm and stands at the gate for me to put him up. Our four dogs will be safe in the shop on their doggy beds.

As for me, this hurricane is pretty much all I can think about. I am originally from Oklahoma - born and raised there for 25 years. At least with a tornado, you can watch the sky and see one brewing. Then, you take appropriate steps to ensure your survival pronto. Then, after 30 minutes or so it’s done. With this hurricane, my first one to go through by the way, I’ve had to worry about it all week. I try not to worry and give it to God, but I have to do what’s safest for my son. I don’t know if riding out a hurricane’s outer wrath is the best move or not. It depends on how it’s going to turn by the end of the day.

I have backed up my “brain” on my computer with all my graphic files, pictures, and all the other stuff. It will be locked down in the company safe place. For me, it’s pretty nerve racking to know what’s coming.