Posts

Image
Day 31 - March 3. We got up early (7 am) - Chad winterized the trailer and the girls and I finished packing. Our goal was to roll out of Buckey by 9:00 am and we were heading out by 8:40 am. We started the long pull up to Flagstaff and we burned through a tank of diesel and a half tank of DEF. The truck and trailer did well and we only had to slow down when we got stuck behind a few semis. We fueled up three times (Flagstaff, Arizona and Gallop and Stanley, New Mexico) for a total of $201 in diesel (significantly more costly than our drive down). We arrived at Rockin Horse Ranch around 4:30 pm and got the mares settled in. Gin and Breeze ate and drank on the road, but Pippa will only drink when we stop for the night. All of the mares looked great getting out of the trailer. We visited with a couple from Illinois who had been in Wickenburg, unhooked, and went to town for pizza. We tried to sleep, but along with Chad gifting us with his presence, signing, ability to fix anything, and dri...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
 Day 29 - March 1. We decided to stay at Buckeye today - the girls had some school works and tests to complete and I had some work to catch up on. The girls did go to roping practice later in the morning and stayed for several hours - they love roping practice! I went to check in on them and encouraged the ropers to put them to work! The girls then helped move a pen of steers (really bull and heifer calves) to the practice pen and then the cattle were run through the chute to remove their protective horn wraps that were on from the roping this past weekend. The ropers could remove 3 wraps to our 1! The girls then did some conditioning work with the mares and then went and roped with Minnesota Bruce (not to be confused with Uncle Bruce).  We came back to the trailer, did some work and school work, took a quick nap, and then went back over to Bruce's trailer for jambalaya and a fire. Surprisingly, the girls loved Mary's jambalaya and corn bread - I think it's the first time w...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
Day 27 - February 27.   This weekend we had a combination of errands and fun things on our to-do-list. We started off Saturday morning by taking the truck and trailer to the truck wash. For $46, they hand washed both the truck and trailer, we thought that was a great deal! We came back and unhooked and took off to Wickenburg. We thought the town was so unique as we drove through for the barrel race, we wanted to come back and explore it without the trailer and horses; it did not disappoint. Montana and Matalyn took turns driving through the desert and Montana is getting very comfortable with the big truck. Matalyn is getting better at keeping a consistent speed.  Our first stop in Wickenburg was NRS. The girls both bought a few items and we were finally able to find our ration balancer. We then went to lunch at a local burger and shake shop - Screamers. There was a group there with collector cars and trucks that Matalyn enjoyed looking at. We then went to the historic dow...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
Day 25 - February 25.  It was an early morning as we got ready to head up to a new arena, Rancho Rio, in Wickenburg. We followed Sue and loved that she took the "back roads" across the countryside and through several sets of cattle guards. The saguaros cactus were plentiful and large, but, we are still not sure what the cattle eat in the desert! Wickenburg is known as the "team roping capital of the world" and it certainly looked that way. Racho Rio is a beautiful facility that is perfectly kept. Montana rode Gin, but knocked her second barrel and Matalyn rode Breezy with a clean run. Pippa had the day off, and Matalyn just rode her around.   After her run, Gin had some coughing and her temperate was elevated. Fortunately, I was prepared and a few text messages with my vet back in Minnesota and we had a treatment plan. Gin is drinking and eating well, so that is positive. My uncle Bruce and aunt Gai came to watch again - they also liked the facility which had a larg...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Day 22 - February 22. Today we headed to Dunns in Litchfield Park - they have a barrel race every Monday. Montana ran Gin and Matalyn ran Pippa. Breezy ran a few time onlys. The girls had clean runs, but did not slot in for any money. We enjoy going to Dunns because they have great homemade chicken burritos and cheese quesadilla and it's fun to watch the airforce jets fly around. We stayed for a little while after the race ended to watch Judy work her horses and get a few more pointers from Sue. There is just so much horsemanship wisdom and knowledge between the two of them!  We came back and worked on school and work. The girls gave the mares a bath and took advantage of the beautiful weather (it's always 70 and sunny!). I finished the night off with a walk and then we all joined the Minnesota folks over at Bruce's for a fire. It's always a fun time with the Minnesota folks at Buckeye! Funny story - It was after dark when we realized the gray tank needed to be emptie...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
Day 18 - February 18. Today we went to a barrel race in Tonopah at Liz and Wayne's. It was a small race with only 16 riders. All three mares ran and had clean runs, but did not slot in for any money.  We spent the rest of the day working on school and work.   One thing I forgot in Minnesota was my good camera. The races we've been to have not had professional photographers. Fortunately, there was a gentleman at Liz and Wayne's that takes photographs as a hobby and posts them on Liz and Wayne's Facebook page. He got some great shots of the girls and mares and we were thankful for his talent and generosity! Day 19 - February 19. We spent the entire day at the yard in Tonopah - it's our favorite place in Arizona! We each rode two sets of horses through the desert and "the wash", did a few laps around the "track", and finished up with some stations. I rode Breezy in the first set and she was an idiot - she totally lost her mind when I would not let h...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Day 16 - February 16.  We got up early as the girls had school and I had a radio interview. Luckily it was recorded (and not live) as we had to "pause" when the airforce jets were flying overhead. The girls worked the mares and then we went and hung out with the team ropers while they practiced. They were so very nice and welcoming. The girls each got to score two "slow" steers - they are hooked! We turned the mares out and then got ready for the barrel race at Buckeye. Montan and Gin knocked the first barrel, but Matlayn and Pippa were 2nd in the 4D. Breezy and Matalyn also had a nice time only.  My Uncle Bruce and Aunt Gai came to watch again as did my friend and colleague from the University of Arizona, Betsy. Uncle Bruce brought us some fresh oranges and grapefruit from his in-law's trees - always a wonderful treat! Besty and I grabbed a bit to eat while the girls dog sat Weezy, her Jack Russel Terrier puppy (don't worry, we brought them back dinner). ...
Post a Comment
Read more