Good Morning! I don’t know about you but I sure am glad it’s Thursday. I’m ready for this weekend and everything I’ve got planned. Saturday I’m going to take Vinni trail riding at Cedar Rock. The trail there is pretty hilly and there are a couple creeks to cross, so I’m hoping to go ride alone and actually work him. I envision us trotting and loping quite a bit but we’ll see what happens. He’s never been on a trail by himself but I think he should be fine. After I finish riding him, I’m going to load up Jet and take him to the roping pen. He hasn’t been off the farm in awhile and he’s been acting a little depressed. I’m hoping if I get him out and doing something, he’ll perk up some. He’s pretty fun to ride and track cows on, so it could be a good time for both of us.
I’m really ready for Sunday. Do you remember Kristin Yde? She is the SEBRA Barrel Racer I did an interview with not long ago. Well I’m taking Vinni to her place Sunday morning so she can make sure I’m starting him right and give me some pointers. I’m confident in my ability to ride barrels but I’ve never actually started a horse on barrels so I’m wanting to make sure I do it right so hopefully Vinni and I can win some money at the local NBHA and IBRA shows. 🙂
Here’s a short video of me trotting him around the barrel pattern the other day. This was his first time going around the pattern that day, so the 2nd and 3rd barrel are wide but it did get better. I wanted to show one of the better times but the videos didn’t turn out good for those.
What are you looking forward to this weekend?
3 Comments
Raquel
October 5, 2012 at 3:26 pmThat’s great news Ashley, the thing you have to remember with barrel racing is showing consistency & how important placement around the barrels is to a horse who is learning. Wide is fine just make sure your pockets are wide going in & you straighten out & get close as you leave the barrel. It’s hard to tell from the angle of your camera but I would make sure you keep a much wider arch when approaching your first barrel. This is going to make it easier for Vinni to turn it if he has more room on the approach & if you add speed later on & a horse feels like they can’t make a turn they are either going to start shutting down too soon or run up the wall. Sorry I could go on… too many barrel lessons are locked in my brain! My sister & I always practice together & critique each other’s runs – too bad we don’t live closer!
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Ashley Agee
October 6, 2012 at 9:17 amI wish you guys did live closer! Thanks for the advice. I’ve seen people put out cones and tires to help position themselves right..have you ever done that?
raquel
October 14, 2012 at 8:26 pmI’ve never used the tires or cones before on the regular but my instructor used to stand at certain places near a barrel if I was having a trouble spot.
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