#rachelandkaty

What a fun trip!

So a little background for the barrel racing - Houston takes the top 50 barrel racers to compete... they have to compete to make it back to the semi finals- top 20.

Then they compete to the Championship- top 10.

Then the top 4 go to a shoot out...

So she made it into the semi finals which is why I went... I got there Wednesday night and BAM she ran a killer run and made the Championship round.

We had some down time Thursday and Friday which as great- we rode, bathes the horses, got pedicures, watched the rodeo, saw Florida Georgia Line and Little Big Town, ate AMAZING sea food... so much fun just getting to hangout!

Saturday was the big day... out of the 10 girls she ran the fastest time in the Championship round.

So I headed down to walk Katy so she could chill while we waited for her shoot out run.

She ended up in 4th in the shoot out, the ground was super bad and Katy tripped but it was all ok... she got invited to Houston and ended up #4 our of the top 50 girls!!!

I am SO PROUD of her! For her second year running on the professional circuit she is killing it! Most of these ladies have been doing this for a long time and she is holding her own with them!

#rachelandkaty

I am headed...

to Houston on a last min trip to cheer my sister on!

I'll be back Sunday with lots of fun media!

I'll be missing my family and Henry but know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity - Houston is a big rodeo and for her to have made it this far is amazing, she has worked so hard and is one of the best riders I know and so deserves this!

Henry is going to get spoiled by E while I am gone. Thankful for her watching over my boy!

Feeling 100%

Wednesday I did a light hack to make sure Henry was feeling normal after our lesson... he felt great woot!!

We just went through our paces and did some long and low work.

Thursday was a crazy day for us so Henry had the day off.

Friday morning I was able to squeeze in a hack. 

I tacked up Henry and put him on the lunge line- he was CRAZY! Three other people lunged too and their horses were nuts as well- Henry was the least crazy of the bunch- I hadn't seen him that high in a long time. Maybe the crazy rain and wind were the cause.

I hopped on him and he was still a bit bright - he wanted to join the other chestnut that was being cray!! (her owner lunged her for like 20 min and she was leaping through the air pulling her owner with her) J and I stayed in one half of the ring because the other horse being lunged was all over the place and not predictable lol.

Once I got to work, he was great and settled in. Trainer let me know that there was a flapping plastic bad on the tractor and that is probably why he was crazy. So once the other girl was done lunging, I went and make sure he wasn't going to lose his mind by it- he gave it a hairy eye a few time but was totally good.

It was pooring and pooring while I rode and after- once I got Henry untacked and cleaned up, I opened up his doors and he watched the chaos outside lol.

Saturday I planned to ride but decided to take advantage of hubby being home and we packed a bunch more and took a load to where we are storing stuff till we move.

The horses got their vaccs so I went and checked on Henry in the evening and he seemed to be doing great. 

The rain has really taken a toll on the road to the barn, it's a MESS!

Hopefully this rain will let up some so we can dry out a bit!

Also, super exciting news- my sister made the semi finals at the Houston Rodeo! Trying to find an affordable ticket so I can go next week- fingers crossed!

I need a boat!

Yep it's still raining... But I got to ride!! And Jump!!

I joined back into the Tuesday night lesson... in the early group because hubby works so I had to be home by 6.

Trainer tortured us with lots of 2 point and no stirrup work. The new teen and I were the only two that did all the torture and didn't bow out - so proud of myself lol!

After our flat session we did an X, then a little vertical and then a little oxer. Henry was a champ, I am rusty but we did it and all was good!

Watch out we are back :-P lol jk jk

Cleaned him up and tucked him in.

#henrysdaman

I spoke too soon

It has been raining and raining and raining....

Back to Henry

Tuesday Henry got the day off because hubby had to work.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I was able to ride tho!! Woot!

Hacked all three days. Henry is really feeling great... 

Bad horse!

I have been riding in the twisted wire bit and Henry has been going good, but he starts to get dull towards a bit after a while so I normally swap back to the Segunda. BUT he has been SOOOO touchy to the segunda so gotta figure something out...

Pics by B :) With a little insta edit lol

Started raining Friday and hasn't stopped since lol!

Saturday we headed to the show to cheer on L... I'll let her do the recaps for that :)

Sunday I didn't have time to ride but I was able to get Henry out and let him stretch his legs... then i groomed and groomed and groomed... he's shedding!

If You Were Putting Together A Tack Room...

What would you put in it?

Do a post with how you would outfit a tack room! I think it will be fun to see what everyone would do!

Curved Bridle Rack

How cool is this Hose Holder?!?!

Pretty for Brass Bridle Racks, though I think these would be cool for halters too.

Blanket Bars for the stall doors

Of course Cross Ties

Whip holder

Hook for cleaning tack

Saddle Racks

Oh This Weather

Seriously it's absolutely amazing!!

Saturday I went out and washed G and Coopers legs and tails.... B also rode and I got G's stuff ready to take him to the trainer.

Addi loves Cooper too

All the horses got Sunday off.

Monday I had a couple hours to myself at the barn- IT WAS GLORIOUS!!!

I rode Henry, had the arena to myself most of the ride. I worked on extending and shortening my canter... also some long stretchy trot.

He was super sweaty when we were done so I decided to cool out outside walking around..

Once he was cool, I took off his tack and let him out in the turn out to roll, eat and chill ... then I went back up to the barn and cleaned my tack, cleaned and filled his waters, cleaned his stall and made his grain.

Got Henry and cleaned him up (including his man parts) and put him back in his clean stall and let him devour his grain.

Grabbed my trailer so that I am all ready to take G tomorrow morning to the trainer!

The Little Things- Blog Hop

Thanks to the $900FBpony for the blog hop!!

What are the “little things” about your horse that you’re so fond of?

This is such and awesome topic! We all have a soft spot for your ponies and know all of their little quirks because we spend the most time with them. 

Some of my fav with Henry are...

He is so good with my girls! He can be sassy to me but never is with them...

His work ethic- we are both serious and there to get the job done during lessons...

Throw back to fall 2013

He is pretty reliable... never bucked me off, doesn't really spook and if he does it's not bad, he's pretty tough- not a baby when it comes to pain or bumps/bruses....

Just close your eyes mom, I got this

And I think he's #henrythehunk.. Here are some of my fav Henry pics.. so hard to only pick a few!

The BIG happy news

Yahoooooo for feet getting done!! It took me over half the day because they had 8 horses to do- 4 shoes and 4 trims and I was there to help with it all.

Munching on grass at the ranch after our ride

The BIG happy news is WE CAN JUMP!! We need to keep an eye on his feet and take it slow but we are backkkkkk! WOOT!

 B and I both rode Monday after each of our horses were done getting their pedicures.

Henry was NOT cool with the goats and the cows- especially since the lady who owns the cattle was chasing them around (WHO KNOWS WHY?!)... I just kept him busy and working to try and keep him distracted lol. 

Tuesday I hacked with with afternoon group... I was hoping they were going to jump so I could get a little in to nock off the rust but they didn't soooo next time.

All tucked in after our ride

Hopefully if I get to jump Tuesday night soon Andy (Kat's hubby) will get some media!! WOOT!

Hug a Little Tighter

Emotions are high... sadness for a dear friend but how beautifully did she write this?! 

Nicku bought B a mini Pongo a few years back and we treasure him, even more now.

Been hugging and kissing this guy a bit more lately 

Shoeing appointment got postponed to Monday... gotta get up nice and early to get him to the ranch and then there are 8 horses for them to do- hopefully a few come to do them so we aren't there all day!

Henry has been an angel for all our rides... I am probably jinxing myself ha!

G and Cooper helping do the lawn mowing.. yep they are in the front yard at the ranch lol!