18 Already

Where does the time go? Racheal turned 18.  How did that happen?

Seems like yesterday when she was just learning to trot a horse by herself.  Or like we barely bought her first horse Cheyenne.  I am sure she just started in rodeo last year.  Or that this is her first year of High School Rodeo not her last.  I am not really sure where all the time goes.  I just know it goes by too fast.  

Racheal has grown up to be such a beautiful person.  She truly cares about others and their feelings.  She always tries to be helpful almost to a fault.  She is good to her horses.  She has a natural gift for working with animals.  She has became a really good trainer and I don't think she even knows it.  

My only hope is for her to find the things that she truly loves to do and go do that.  She deserves to simply be happy!

First High School Rodeo of the Season

We went to our first high school rodeo this year in Salina.

It was Brent's first high school rodeo ever.  He was pretty nervous. The calves were about 200 pounds.  He caught the first day but couldn't quite get the calf flanked.  The calf weighed twice what he does.  On Saturday he caught but his curl came around and caught both front feet.  The mare was doing her job and she kept pulling.  There was no way he was going to get the rope off.  It was a great first try and we did get both calves caught.

Racheal started the season well.  She caught both of her breakaway calves and both times she was clean at the barrier.  She place 9th on Saturday.  So a qualifying run and points for State High School finals.  This picture is with her breakaway horse.

She also had 2 solid barrel run and a clean pole run on Saturday.  It is a great way to start her senior year.

Utah's Beautiful Fall Day

A couple of Sundays ago, we actually got out of the arena for a trail ride.  Since we have been at a rodeo almost every weekend this summer, this is the first one I have been on.  I know that is so sad.

Anyway, it was a perfect day.  It was warm but not hot.  The leaves had just started to change.  For the most part it was a good trail and our horses did really well.  We rode the back side of the nebo loop.  The trail we were on took us up to an old cabin.  It has be over 100 years old.  It was really neat.

Here are some beautiful fall pictures from Utah.

State 4H 2-Handed Show

Racheal showed at the 4H State 2-Handed Show.  She showed a 3 year old paint mare.  The mare did really well for a show this size.  She had a beautiful trail pattern.  She did not hit a log and she went over every obstacle but she missed one lead and it cost her a placing.  

Here are some pictures from the show.