White Division Gymkhana 2014!!!

Today was SO MUCH FUN!!!!! So I arrived almost right as they were handing out horses and I got Wyoming #95! I was so happy! I got to show groom Wyoming! She did so good and was absolutely spotless by the time I was done with her. I had a mustang rider helping me so we finished a little early. Then we tied them at the White Arena and checked in. I wore my interclub outfit. I was #208. We were also given a green participation ribbon. They wrote my name wrong so that was funny. I was called a different name the whole day. GRRR. So they let us look at the patterns and the order. It went Barrels, Flags, Poles. AAA went first then AA and finally A. Before I knew it the announcer called all AA barrel racers to the white. I was given Rascal #81. So as I was pulling his reins through his halter he pulled back. HARD. His bridle snapped apart. Oh dear. So I got him tied up and gave his bridle to a wrangler. Then they gave me a horse named Snookie #__. She is a huge horse who looks like a mule almost. Super sweet. I had to put my stirrups on the shortest notch and jump to get on her. Then we lined up in numerical order. Then I was led into the volunteer. Snookie is really sensitive on her mouth. A posse member was holding her head and she didn't like that. I was given the all clear and off we went! Holy cow smooth gates! And fast! Her legs were so long we were at the barrel in a few strides. I plow reined (Two hands) the barrel course for better control. I started with the left and went around nicely. Then the second barrel. Snookie had a little freak at the barrel moment and my only thought was don't cross the white line!!! (Or we would have been disqualified) She calmed down fast and around we went. We were still at a lope and had barely broken gate. Around the third and I drove her home! Man that horse can move! Then I took her around and gave her a drink. My time was 35.18 seconds. Not bad for having never been near a barrel course in my life and I was not surprised that I didn't place. I really like Snookie she is awesome! I waited through flags. It actually looks really hard and I could see how it could be fun. I'm glad I chose the events I did though. Finally poles started. There were two teams going at once. One on the south side and one by the grandstands. Eventually AA was called. I went back and was given Bandit #1. He would not stand still!!!!! I was happy because he is fast and is good with lead changes. He is in Precisionettes. So we finally lined up. I was brought in and got to be on the grandstands side. I was told to go and kicked him up. He stalled as we approached the white line on the ground but I pushed him through it. Another smooth horse!!!! We came to the end and cued him around! Crap! Went a little wide but still got him through the pole. We found our stride and sailed through the rest! He switched his leads effortlessly! Came around the end as tight as possible so to not cross the line and ran back! We had a rhythm going now and we looked amazing! It felt amazing! Then I turned and galloped home. As we crossed the line I pulled him back but he wasn't slowing down very quickly. The posse members tried to steer him towards the south side but he panicked. Switcher leads twice and planted himself. I felt myself slide and the next thing I saw was dirt. I went down towards the rail and missed it by a few inches (Thank God!) I popped right up! Softest landing ever! I went down on my right side. It literally was like a trampoline. As fast as I went down I came up. I got a hold of Bandit and got back on and rode him out waving to the crowd :) I was the only Halt Ho of the entire show. Ooops :) I am really good at gracefully falling. I tied Bandit up and gave him a hug. It wasn't his fault at all. He is such a good horse. Then back to wait for the results. I GOT 4TH PLACE IN AA POLE BENDING!!!!! OMG!!!! I was so excited when they called my name! I went to the table and claimed my white 4th place ribbon. My time was 27.95. I was less than a second away from 3rd place! Goes to show every second counts in rodeo. I was so happy. Then I went and claimed a horse to unsaddle. I grabbed Maddie #13 and rode her up once Single A finished. She was an easy groom but she just wanted to eat the grain and hay on the ground. Then I finally got to go home! What a crazy weekend!!!

Participation Ribbon

4th Place (AA) Pole Bending