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