Our New Addition

Racheal has been trying for the last 3 years to get her mare to run barrels. Seems like we would make 2 steps forward and take 4 steps back. The mare got hurt in Racheal's Freshman year in September. We gave her about six months off but she has never been the same. Racheal did not want to give up on her. So she just kept trying and trying to get there. She definitely did all she could do. I am sure she still blames herself but she shouldn't. No matter how hard you try some horses just don't work for the events you want to use them for.

So I decided since she only has 2 more years of high school rodeo left that we need to find her a barrel and pole horse. She tried out this horse named Fluke. What a funny name. She seemed to get along really well with him. Although he thinks he is a big bully and pins his ears at you, she likes him.

We took him to their first rodeo in October. Of all things, we decided to try him in the Trail Course. Most barrel horses won't slow down enough to go through the course. He is really smart and well trained. He went through it like a champ and Racheal made a qualifying run everyday on him. Here are some pictures of them in trail.
Going over the jump.

Getting the gate closed.

His shining moment of course was when Racheal won the barrels on their third day. This is the first time she has won a barrel race since she was probably 12 years old. So it was very exciting for her.

The real test will be to see how he does in High School Rodeo but it was a great first weekend.

Junior High Rodeo Vernal

First weekend in October, we went to a Junior High Rodeo in Vernal. Brent was entered in everything.

I think he must have been listening to his Uncle Troy. He really came out to rope. On Friday, he caught in the Ribbon Roping right out of the chute. But he was a little close to the calf. So the calf ran through his loop. Then in the Breakaway Roping he caught in 3 seconds and was the fastest time of the night except he broke the barrier. They added 10 seconds to his time for breaking the barrier. He still ended up third. On Saturday, he caught right out of the chute again in Ribbon Roping. He and his partner had a smoking fast time of 10 seconds. They placed second. Just like Friday, he came right out of the chute and roped the fastest time in the Breakaway Roping. But again he had no luck with the barrier and another 10 second penalty.

I really love this picture. I was lucky to get this taken with him roping in 3 seconds! I hope he can keep up his confidence and consistency in the roping. Hopefully with a few less barriers.

Seventeen - Almost An Adult?

Racheal turned seventeen in September. It is really weird to think about. She will be an adult in one more year. An adult. I can not even imagine her not being home with us.

I wonder how she will turn out. She is already really kind and compassionate to others. She is extremely helpful. She is dedicated to her favorite sport rodeo. She works really hard and she is exceptionally bright.

Sounds like a proud mom huh? Well I am and I think it is great when you can look up to your kids.