D&G Stephenville

Ok, so Im getting better here but still have things to work on

this was my first big barrel race

Keep on Keepin on

so I finally got a Gazelle .. yesterday I started out with 10 mins and today Ive done 2 sessions of 10 mins each. I am hoping that I have as much success with this as I have heard others have. And NOOO I will not be posting photos of me on it

Starting today

Someone please hold me accountable to this! I need all the help I can get.

Starting today, I will be working out at least every weekday. I have GOT to do something to kick start the diet. Actually have been dieting some for the last 2 weeks and am down 5 lbs but it seems Im stuck and wont lose anymore. So, Im going to start my workout videos back up today and hope to continue them everyday and at least ride several days a week

Bah humbug!

Ok, so my readers have vanished. But thats okay. This weekend has been oh so un-eventful! We have not done 1 exciting thing. Okay, so I take that back. Yesterday (saturday) we went to meet Marks sister for lunch. We met at ON The Border (blech) Had a nice visit then decided to drive on over to JC Penney to look at their stuff. So me, Mark and Tanner load up in my Jeep and then Rilee and Keli went in her truck. We have to go down the northbound access road, cross over I-35 and back up the south bound side access road to get into the JCP parking lot. We got over there and the clouds looked very ominous. We sat there a minute just staring the in sky at how weird the clouds were moving. We finally get out and run to the front because it had started to rain a tad. As we get in JCP the workers are yelling at us to get in the back of the store because we are under a Tornado WARNING. Uhm, WHAT?? Im not going anywhere until we get Rilee and Keli in. They understood that we were waiting for them before we went back to the shoe dept (where people were taking cover) They finally arrive, Keli basically does a drive by and Mark grabs Rilee and runs back to the store. Keli parks and runs inside to be with us. As soon as she gets in, they made the announcement on the intercom that we could now resume with our shopping. SIGH. All that excitement for nothing. Oh well .. at least we were all safe and out of harms way.

Pete

Pete is a horse that was originally bought for me. But I later found Caddie and gave Pete to Mark. We've put some time into him and although we dont have enough time .. Pete is starting to come along nice for him. They were trying to see if Pete would bump a horse ... then Buck (Marks bro in law) started hollerin to see if it would bother him. If you havent figured it out yet, Pete is a pick up horse in the making

This and that ..

Im posting some random stuff on here. Theres no telling what Ill put. I know Im posting a pic of my bay yearling and some vids of Jillian Woodward

Friends

I have to say that this past weekend has been one of my most favorite of all. I got to spend some good quality time with some good quality friends. I am so glad that I got to hang out with my 3 favorite girls .. Rilee, Crazy-in-love Jenn and Silly Jilly. Those 2 girls are so awesome with Rilee. Really makes me proud to call them my friends. They both had some good runs this weekend and I wont post the videos that I do have until I get the "go ahead" from them.

but thanks to ALL my friends that were there to help me with the barrel race saturday. I couldnt have done it without all of your support!

Also, thanks to my wonderful husband MARK that was there for the entire duration on saturday and part of it on sunday. I feel really blessed to have the support that I do and I love him dearly for it.

Also .. I just love me some Mrs Vickie and Mr Jack and Mrs Becky .. they have been my rock throughout my barrel races lately and I truly believe they help me in my progress with my horse. I love them dearly.

Back then and now

Okay .. going to post my first run and my run from yesterday from the BRAT Attack

"Then"

I havent posted in awhile so I thought Id just post this for yall. I made 2 videos for Mark. Which, one of them came about the day we had to put Goose to sleep.

Jiill and IPH Dapper Dan Man

Check out Jillian Woodward and IPH Dapper Dan Man "Versace"

One Second

Just this past wednesday, I ran at Rendon. My time was a 17.6 (cant remember the rest)

Today I ran at the NBHA in Rendon and guess what .. I ran a 16.6 !!!!!


I am so excited and proud! I still wasnt pushing her and have room for improvement!

We're getting there

Well, last night we ventured out to the saddle series at Rendon .. BBR approved (we arent going for those right now) and also a saddle series .. (a girl can hope, right?)

Anyhow .. I believe the last time I ran there, my time was around the 19-20 sec mark. Last night we did alot better and as Brynn says .. I wasnt all over her this time. Im slowly starting to ride her better but the speed will eventually come.

I think Im ready for sunday. More speed? We'll see .. its a spur of the moment thought on what Im going to do when I reach that alleyway

Judgement

well, Im going against my better judgement at the moment. You see, I am trying to get back in the swing of things (barrel horses that is) and Ive been trying my best to ride my mare right. I know she is a nice mare and I have to just trust her. There is not a thing wrong with her, I am just not doing her justice at the moment.

However, I am not good at taking criticism very well. I know there are a ton of things that Im doing wrong and I am working on those things.

I have been sitting here contemplating on posting my runs from this weekend because I just dont take lightly to rude comments.

So, with all that being said .. take it lightly on me. I know there are things (ok, ALOT of things) that need to be addressed and I am working on that. I am getting there but its baby steps for me.


First run is Cleburne on Saturday
Second is Diamond W on the full standard pattern (and not so great ground)

New saddle

Okee dokee .. here is my new (used) saddle .. I love it!!!

Yippee .. my hubby is quite the maker

So, my hubby made this for me. It has worked really well for my Hooker mare (yes, she is quite the hooker with the men she hauls with, lol)

Im so excited to start using this! She worked soooo great in one like this on wednesday!

Thank you Mark, I love you!

This is a must read

Although I have been blessed with such a wonderful husband who really does understand ... some have not been so fortunate to have that .. therefore, I find this email a must read for everyone! lol



Terms -

EASY TO LOCATE.
She's either off on the horse or out in the barn

UPHOLDS THE DOUBLE STANDARD. Smooches with the most bewhiskered beast, but quickly recoils when you need to shave.


OWNS ONE VACUUM CLEANER. And operates it exclusively in the barn.


A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY. Providing the party is given by another horsey wife. Falls asleep in her soup at all other functions.


ECONOMY MINDED. Won't waste your money on permanents, facials, or manicures.


A CULINARY PERFECTIONIST. Checks every section of hay for mold but doesn't blink when she petrifies your dinner in the microwave.


OCCASIONALLY AMOROUS. But never leaves lipstick on your collar, at worst, slight trace of chap stick.


EASY TO OUTFIT. No need for embarrassing visits to uncomfortable little boutiques. You can find all she wears at your local tack store.


FEATURES A SELECTIVE SENSE OF SMELL. Bitterly complains about your sticky-sweet cigar smoke while remaining totally oblivious to the almost visible aroma of her boots drying next to the heater.


UNMISTAKABLE IN A BATHING SUIT. She's the one whose tan starts at the nose, ends at the neck, and picks up again at the wrists.


A DEDICATED CLUB WOMAN. As long as the words "horse" or "riding" appear in its name.


HAS YOUR LEISURE AT HEART. Eliminates grass cutting by turning every square inch of lawn into pasture which, in turn, converts itself into mud.


A MASTER AT MULTIPLICATION. She starts with one horse, adds a companion, and the next time you look there are five.


KEEPS AN EAGLE EYE ON THE BUDGET. Easily justifies spending six hundred dollars on tack or feed but croaks when you blow ten on bowling.


AN ENGAGING CONVERSATIONALIST. Can rattle on endlessly about pedigrees, training or breeding.


SOCIALLY AWARE. Knows that formal occasions calls for clean boots.


A MOVING FORCE IN THE FAMILY. House by house, she'll get you to move closer to horse country (and farther away from your job).


EASY TO PLEASE. A new wheelbarrow, custom boots, or even a folding hoof pick will win her heart forever.


SENTIMENTAL FOOL. Displays a minimum of six 8x10 color photos of the horse in the house and carries a crumpled snapshot of you (taken before you were married) somewhere in the bottom of her purse.


SHOWS HER AFFECTION IN UNUSUAL WAYS.
If she pats you on the neck and says "you're a good boy", believe it or not, she loves you!

MOTHER HEN: If you say you feel bad, she says she is sorry, take some meds and go to bed, you're essentially on your own. Let the horse(s) get sick or injured you may not see her for days as she has temporarily moved into the barn.


Things every man should realize before marrying a horsewoman.


1. The horse(s) will always come first, understand this going in.

2. A clean house is a sign of an ignored horse, this is unacceptable.

3. You can be King of the castle. That makes it your responsibility.

4.
I'm Queen of the barn, Invasion of your things will be considered an act of war
5. Grass is sacred. However, the horse is allowed to tear up the sod with his hoofs. If you do the same with your 4-wheeler, you're dead.

6. I fed the horses, you're allowed in the kitchen so feed yourself.

7. Horses can't use pitchforks, but you CAN use the vacuum.

8. If you must write in the dust, please don't date it.

9. Manure is a wonderful aroma and useful by-product. Make the best of it, plant me some roses.

10. If I helped you 'mess' the bed, don't expect me to 'make' it too.

11. Kitchen closed on all beautiful days.

12. A little horse hair in the washer won't kill you, it's clean.

13. Whenever you think you are a 'real stud' go take a closer look at the fellows in the barn.

14. Ring bell for maid service. if no one answers, do it yourself.

15. The house was clean once this season.
What more do you want?
16. If you don't like my standards of cooking and cleaning. then lower your standards.

17. A clean barn makes a happy horse, A happy horse makes me happy, A happy me is much easier to live with.

18. PMS is nothing compared to a woman kept from her horse.

19. A messy kitchen is a happy kitchen, and my kitchen is delirious.

20. YOU can help keep the kitchen clean. take me out to dinner.

21. If you want dinner on the table when you get home. Bring the pizza with you.

22. A dozen leafy green bales in the barn mean more and smell sweeter to me than a dozen roses in a bouquet.

23. The hell with a real fur coat, (my horse already has one) give me real fence instead.

24. If you want to know where you rate with me. Just count the horses and add one.

25. So this isn't home sweet home... adjust!

Ugh ... slacker!

Ive been bad .. I havent blogged in a few days.

Today was a very good day. I took the kids to school and then took Caddie and Pete to get blood drawn .. then headed on over to Keli's (Marks sister)

I rode a few horses for another lady and then rode one of Keli's horses. I also helped her with barrels. I hope she starts running with us soon.

Tomorrow is a big day for me and Keli. We are going and riding with Paul Humphrey.

Rilee 2-21-09

And here is my baby girl's run from today

shes so cute

Today's Run for me

Well, todays run was better. I still held her back but its a big milestone from where we were several weeks ago. The more I ride her, the more I love her. Shes so nice and will take care of me. I just have to keep that in my mind. It really helped that Trudy stayed with me in the back and my friends and fellow barrel racers "cheered" for me and made me feel more at ease. They all know how nervous I am. I love them!

Now, I pulled her up way too much on the 3rd barrel. So she did a jig/jag crap thing as we got to it .. so, that was MY fault, not hers.

Just for today

Im slackin', really I am. I havent posted a blog in 2 days. (I think)

Today was a bum day. I was really ticked off that my husband wouldn't let me use his truck. It sucks only having 1. So, after that I decided to go ahead and put my Jeep up for sale for the 14867463516845312 time. Hopefully I can get it sold.

So, instead I texted Marks sister and had her meet me and us go to Teskey's. That was fun. I got another winter blanket and Rilee got some more "cookies" for her horses. I didnt get much today since I had already gone on monday of this week, too.

So, now Mark wants to go out to eat tonight and Im not so much into going. I dont know why but I just feel like staying here. Ill be gone all day tomorrow at a barrel race and then all day sunday at the sis in law's.

Annnnnd, the job I've been waiting on has not called me back. So it doesnt look very hopeful for me.

My new website

I will have a new website launch sometime this week. Nothing "outstanding" but its the same as what I had before ... I just upgraded and got my own domain.

www.rockinmlb.com

Looking for ....

its not like many folks are following this blog anyway .. but in case some are that I dont know about

I am looking for a Bob Marshall treeless saddle 15-15.5 .. square skirt please!

Blah blah blah

I feel like I have so much to do .. but why am I still sitting here? I dont want to leave this computer, I feel like Im going to miss something.

I NEED to leave here and go re-treat Caddie's tail and re-wrap it. I NEED to re-organize my trailer. I NEED to put my new horsie jackets (as Rilee calls them) in the trailer. I just need to get out of the house before I go insane.

Lightning fast

Here is another video of my Rilee girl

Progress .. we made some progress

Okay, here are a few vids from this weekend. After watching them I see things that Ive done wrong (besides my large rhino butt floppin everywhere)

*keep my hands low
*shorten reins
*pick her up on the backside of the barrels/give her more room
*get up out of my pocket sooner to position her right for the next barrel

** no she is not hurting anywhere .. the head shaking is because of a bad tick problem in that right ear (yes we are treating for it) but the single-ear piece bothers her right now **

Just for Jennifer!

This is just for Jenn. We are VERY proud of Rilee

Blast from the Past

this was somewhere around the 1999 mark

From Rockin MLB

Im tryin to get back in the groove!!

Okay, tonight marked my 3rd ride on my new mare but only the 2nd time to run her. Well, tonight I cant remember what all we did but I didnt actually make a run but actually tried to just get a better feel for her. To refresh your memory ... read THIS

New video camera

I just have to try this out and see if my new vid camera works. I had to film it off of the tv so that explains the "dark line" scrolling down the screen

San Antonio 2009

I think I have finally figured out how to post a slide show .. thanks to ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Liars

Just for the record, I despise liars!

I just find it funny how people can flat out lie to your face .. How can they even wake up in the morning knowing that they have to lie/cheat/steal to get through everyday life???

I love him

This man gives me butterflies! I love him so much

~ Paint Pony ~

What can I say about Paint Pony? Well, shes just Paint Pony. She was meant to be Tanners but he has not taken any interest in horses. So, Rilee said she will take her and tie goats off of her when shes older. Now wouldnt THAT be cute. Paint Pony doesnt do a whole lot around the house other than eat and poopy. But shes cute doing that.

<()> Flash <()>

Flash is THE man. Flash came to us in the summer of 2008. Jennifer Zeller got this horse in awhile back and used him as a lesson horse. She eventually leased him out to a girl right after Jennifer moved to South Dakota. Since the move was far and Flash being the age that he is, she knew that Flash had a little girl waiting on him to give him a loving home to live out the rest of his silly life. Since Rilee had grown to be leary of horses after she got bucked off (by Belle), she was hesitant at first to actually trust Flash. After lots of time and days spent playing with him, she has grown to love him. These 2 are best friends.






I wish you could see these two together. There are no words to describe this horse and not even Bill Gates has the money for him. Flash just has a very big sense of humor. He is very mischevious but is also like a little man. He would hurt himself before he would hurt Rilee and it shows with his every move. The most patient thing with her. Jennifer has blessed us with the opportunity of having him. And we cant thank her enough for him.

* Crash *

Crash is a 2008 Bay colt. He is out of our old mare Rosies Fancy Rascal and out of Pam Cantwell's awesome stud Dash Dot Com . We have not gotten the papers on this colt yet but we will get them eventually. We have big plans for this baby. I plan on starting him under saddle his 3 or 4 yr old year. I eventually want to run on him and then hand him over to Rilee for her to go on and rodeo on.

April 14, 2008

~ Belle ~

Belle ... aka (Blue Whale, Blue Belle, Hell Bitch, Gray Mare) has been around the longest out of the horses we have now.














She came to Mark back in 1996. She was a 4 yr old at the time and was used as a bareback horse with Scotty and Troy Ellis. She quit bucking and she was actually on the truck headed to the killers. Mark got a phone call one day from Scotty and said she was too pretty to kill and did he want her. So he said yes and sent his parents to pick her up. They said she was a bag of bones and very ugly. Mark broke her out to ride and later started picking up broncs on her. Shes been used as a pick up horse, bull draggin horse, day work, sorting bulls, and was a babysitter breifly for our daughter Rilee. Shes a very good lookin mare but she has the worst front legs/feet you could ever ask for on a horse. She is pigeon toed and also has some bad nasty pancake feet. We have to keep shoes on her or they will end up being split all the way up. Mark went on to make lots of money on this horse.

The best $1,000 he ever spent in his life!

Southbound 35

Southbound 35 Thats where we are. My intent today was to get up and be out of Crowley no later than 8am. Well, its now 10:30 and we havent even gone through Alvarado yet. Sigh. I guess while Ive got 5 hours at my leisure, I will fill you in on our herd.

Join In The Dance

Okay, I told you folks that I would add pics of my new barrel horse, Caddie.

Here she is

"Angel"

Started off a pretty normal morning. Other than the fact that Mark went in late today because he had to change a part out at the Cummins house. Anyhow, I got up and got ready. Got kids ready. Got them in the truck (took the Dodge today) and off to Grammy's we go. Kids are whining and Im anxious to get today over with.. get to my moms and drop kids off. I remembered that I didnt put my perfume on so I grabbed a bottle of moms, sprayed some on my arm and I left. On my way to work I kept smelling it thinking that it reminded me of something. Ah ha! It smelled like my friend Andi, that passed away January 12. It was such a sweet smell and I missed that. Now, it might not be the EXACT stuff she wore but it sure smells close to it. So I called my mom and asked her what it was and get this .. Its called "Angel" its by some weird name. Thierry Hagler maybe? I dont know, thatll be something for you to do. Google that name! Anyhow, how ironic is that? It smells like her perfume and look at what the name is.

Actually made me cry.

a bit of background info

I started running barrels back in 1998. I started on a horse that my mom bought me. At the time, I had never run barrels before but had always had horses and actually rode Pleasure horses under some folks in Tyler. So, needless to say, Barrel Racing was a whole new world to me.

So fastforward to 99. I joined some rodeo associations and hit the road by myself. Granted, my horse was not the fastest but he was a good start for me. We ran rodeos and jackpots for years and years and finally in 2003, I got pregnant with my daughter. I sold my horse and stayed home with her. In the meantime, Mark took over a rodeo company and Rilee and I hauled all over with him. He also still pickedup broncs and I helped with the stuff around the ranch we lived on and helped with the bulls at rodeos. I became a tough girl and did some things that alot of women never get to experience. I am thankful for those days because it kinda of rounded me into the "cowgirl" I am today. But in 2006 my daughter took a likin' to horses really quick. We let her ride a horse we had that we called Jenna. She was good as long as we ponied her but I would not trust any of our horses with Rilee in full control.

After Jenna, we put her on Belle .. Belle was daddy's pick up horse for many years. 11 years to be exact. And he also day worked on her. Rilee finally got the courage up to ride her by herself, no help, no ponying .. nothing. So I decided to ride beside her while she took her "run" in the pee wee class in Cleburne one night. Coming off of the 3rd barrel, Belle put a pep in her step and started trotting. Her speed gradually got faster and being that Im on a pick up horse as well ... the more I leaned down to grab the lead rope, the faster both horses got. (they are both used to RUNNING to reach for a bronc rein) Shes now at a lope and Rilee is scared to pieces. When Belle reaches the outgate, she stopped on her front end and popped poor Rilee up out of her saddle and then bucked one good lick and off Rilee went. She flopped on her back in the arena but she was okay. Just scared. We went back to using Jenna and then she started using Buck, the now retired pick up horse. Buck was great for her but still, would not trust him and Rilee alone.

In the summer of 2008, Jennifer Zeller, sent us a horse she calls Flash. Flash has been an ANGEL to Rilee. I do not know what we would have done, had Flash not come to live at our place. I do believe, if horses were allowed in the house, we'd have to have a bed specially designed for a horse because Rilee would want Flash inthe house, 24/7. And I must admit, Flash would enjoy it too. Hes just cute like that.

So, we have been hauling Rilee to these barrel races for the last 2 years. So she could run in the Pee Wee's. I have been without a barrel horse for 6 years! I have had the "want to" for so long but would NEVER spend the money on a horse for me. Well, I finally broke down and found a horse back in October. He was beautiful. And big. And so sweet. I started riding him as much as my schedule allowed but Mark had his eye on him too. Pete is just right for Mark. I really think Pete was put here to find us. And he did. Because I had no intentions of buying one, I had just run across his ad on a friday night and we went and rode him saturday morning.

So Mark finally whined enough (not really) about wanting Pete so I finally gave him to Mark. Mark decided that since he doesnt use Jenna, he'll let me trade her for a barrel horse. My good friend Kara had one that I had no clue about. We IM'd about her for awhile and I kept going back and forth on her. Didnt know if I was doing the right thing, didnt know if I was being fair to Mark (even tho he just took my new horse, Pete) I mean, was I really being selfish? I finally decide to tell Kara that I was interested in the mare. We meet at Rendon on saturday for me to ride the mare and Kara look at Jenna.

I was so scared to ride this horse because I had not been on a "barrel" horse in sooo long. As if they really ride that different? than a "ranch" horse persay? I mean, really, I couldnt have lost ALL my horsey skillz, right? Well, I rode her just fine. UNTIL I made my run. And holy CHIT .. that mare has got some skillz. I was so nervous before my run, I really should have had a beer to calm my nerves. But, I forgot my beer at home. As Im in the back warming up, they are dragging right before my set and a friend of mine, Haley Thorne, was back there. Shes so calm and laughing, joking with us back there. I joked to her about me peeing in my pants before I run. I was THAT nervous. Seriously, this was about to be my first run in SIX/6 years!!!!! Im sitting there thinking, WHY did I do this? WHY did I enter? My nerves cant handle it. Ok, shut up, run and deal with it. How am I EVER going to get over the fear of what people are going to think of my runs??? I have to just get over all this! Anyway, the tractor quits. My heart stops. Im number 72. Number 71 goes in, makes the first, second and I see her round the 3rd. At this point, Im hyperventilating. Ok, again, GET OVER IT! I freeze. What do I do now? They are calling my name. Do I go? Do I just go back to teh trailer? Do I sit there? Can someone else come run for me? Oh hell, wth am I to do. I go ahead. I gather her up and was going to cruise to the first barrel when .. WHAT? I just let go and she hauls ass to that first. I grab my horn hoping my butt dont fall out of that slick saddle, whew, we made it past first. I get both hands back on the reins, approach the 2nd barrel when I thought, oh crap, Im going to fall off, drop outside rein, grab horse and her shoulder drops, whales the 2nd barrel, it falls in front of us .. and who knows how long it actually lasted but it seemed like it fell, we danced on top of it, it stood back up and jumped out at us and we jumped it .. I dont know, I do think I went around it twice??? So, on to 3rd .. ok, Im so nervous, I think I forgot how to bend my legs. I think my legs are sticking straight out like the Bryer models .. ya know, when they cant sit down all the way in their saddle because they are so stiff? Yeah, that was me! Get to the 3rd and drop outside rein again, she turns so smooth but again, feel like Im going to fall off. I finally just pulled her up, Ive already made enough of a fool out of myself. I heard the announcer say (and I love you PAM!) Its okay Lacee, its tough coming from such a long break. Whew, so at least that might give people an idea that I really do know how to ride and its not just my inability to do so.

Anyhow .. all of that rambling to just say, I now have a new mare. She is a super nice horse. She does need some weight added to her but Kara has done such a great job getting her to where she is now. (Kara got her in November from some folks that hadnt fed her like they should) So anywho ... next time you see a monkey on a gray horses back, at a barrel race .... stop and say hi, it is more than likely ME!

Its very hard to come back to running after a 6 year break and not even being on a quick barrel horse. To top it all off, shes a lefty. I have NEVER run a lefty in my life. So I was bassakwards to begin with, lol.

Ill post pics of her when I get home from work

I got a Makeover!!!

I have been wanting to BLOG for so long, and catch up on my whereabouts. But, I hated looking at my page! With the help of Jennifer, we searched a good bit yesterday to find someone to redo my page. Finally, I remembered Michelle Rudland from BHW and that girl hooked me up with a face lift!

Isnt it FANTABULOUS!!