Meet Kat

"Kat" is a 10 year old gelding that I am looking into buying. It started out an idea I had to borrow a horse from a friend while she is pregnant. She is due to have a baby in November and I didn't think he would be getting much attention. I asked a few people about him before I made my decision. Kat has a reputation of being a kind hearted babysitter. My friend bought him a few years ago and he was "loping the barrel pattern." Since then, she hasn't put much time into him. He had seven outs on the track and taken slowly after that. I decided I would give him a honest shot at the barrels. I have had to work on some health issues (kidney & liver soreness, ulcers, feet) and I still need to take him to chiropractor & equine dentist. I have only ridden him 3-4 times since I've had him. I think he is almost ready to start riding again. He is so kind and honest. I am excited to see what he will do when he is healthy. Kat was in a small pen with no where to exercise. I have had him turned out on green pastures hoping that he will remember what it is like to be a horse. I am glad that I have him and that he is living life again. I hope that he works out okay so that I can keep him.

Check out his pedigree at www.allbreedpedigree.com/inspiring+jazz

~Ruger~Remi~Digger~Birthday~

I would like to introduce my newest addition Ruger! He is a 2008 grey crop out paint horse that my grandpa gave to me. I am really excited about him. Pawpaw Joe has always had a few nice horses and I've joked about wanting one. Well my wish came true last weekend. He handles pretty decent but needs some round pen work. He has no respect for my space and thinks he's the size of a chihuahua. I need to get him gelded when it cools off some. He is massive. The day I was planning on leaving to go get him a lady called from Shreveport,LA, wanting to try Digger. They ended up taking her home that day. She is going to be trained for a 9 year old girl to rodeo on. I believe that Digger has a forever home with people that are going to take great care of her. Their trainer was awesome and really impressed me with Baleigh as well as Digger. I was excited to see her go to a good home. Best of luck Baleigh Campbell and Digger. I got Miss Remi an exercise saddle from Cashel. I am hoping it will help me with my posture and be comfortable for her. Its pretty neat so far, but I don't plan on riding it away from the house. I will also add some pictures from my birthday yesterday. We went shopping in Granbury and ate at Babes. It is my moms birthday also. We had to wear Chicken hats and flap our wings. I hope you enjoy!

Oh July is almost over!

That means that my birthday is coming up soon (8/8)! I am scared of birthdays anymore. They are not as fun as when you were little...! Going to be the big 25! July was a very funfilled month. Justin and I went on a trip to Ruidoso, New Mexico a couple weeks ago. It was great we got to watch the horse races, gamble a little and just relax. I didn't want to come back to this hot and dry land. I was excited to see my family, horses, and dogs though. I was sad to see that Equibrand warehouse was still standing though. There were so many pretty horses there and I wanted to take them all home. Hopefully we are going to go back for the All American in September.

Remi had a month break and you can definately tell. She has quite the little grass belly. I've been riding her for about a week now. I set up a little work area in the old cutting pen at my parents house. It's really good for the both of us. Jill and I went to Lone Star Arena yesterday and exhibitioned our horses. I will try to get those videos on here soon. Remi did great, I need some work still. Jill was schooling me on how to keep her hind end collected. Now I have something new to work on. I'm going to make a horse out of her yet. Hehe. Poor girl, I'm so glad that she tolarates me.

I was planning on getting a horse from my bosses brother in South Dakota. He is a 6 year old by Tricky Cash. Things changed today though. My mom went to visit my PaPa Joe in Dayton. Back in April he had told me about a yearling race colt he had. I have always asked him for a colt and now he is actually going to let me have one. He is a gorgeous giant! I can't wait to see him in person. I plan on going to get him this weekend. He is out of an old race mare that he has and he hasn't got back with me on the sire.

I will keep you posted on the horse situation. Who knows with me. They are fun to collect. Like Breyers or My Lil Ponies.

Ok, I've been a lazy blogger..

The Gang
Digger

Pistol and I
Justin and Andi

...and I decided I had better write a blog because Jill is becoming really good at it. All is really good in Stephenville. I have been riding my horses a little bit and working a lot. I took Remi to a Joyce Loomis-Kernack clinic a few weeks ago in Boyd, Tx. That was the first barrel horse clinic that I've ever attended and I really enjoyed it. I learned a ton. I know now where I am at with Remi and what I need to do to get her going back in the right direction. I also figured out where I am making mistakes and how to fix them. Joyce was awesome and really easy to learn from. She has been really good about keeping up with our progress. I let her have a break after the clinic because everyone was out of town. Justin didn't feel safe with me riding while everyone was gone. I rode her last night for the first time in two weeks. She was a little fresh, but pretty much the same ol' Remi. I disked/drug the cutting pen that is at my parents. I am converting it into a work area for my filles. I am in the process of making some poles and Dad is bringing me a bunch of cones from work. One of the things I have to work on with Remi is keeping her in a perfect circle.

On a different note, Justin and I are doing great. He was gone for a few weeks working. We are leaving Wednesday to go to Ruidoso for a few days. It will be a fun trip I am sure. I bought him (ME) a new chihuahua a few weeks ago. Her name is Percy and she is a doll. She weighed 1.5lbs at her first check up. I haven't re-weighed her yet, but I bet she is around 2lbs

Anywho. I am about to go ride. I will try to post on here more now that my computer is up and running. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Fourth!!! I want to take time and thank all of those who have served and are serving our country!

Yay.. we did so much better

Remi & I did so much better tonight. I had 4 exhibitions to begin with and then I took Autum's two. We did some 1-3-2 barrel exercises and then we made a couple lope/trot runs. This video is her second lope through. I think her first one was good also, but Maddi forgot to film it. She makes me so proud. I know that all of the problems were a result of my riding/training. Things are starting to look better.

Whatta weekend!

Let's see... where to start. On Friday I took Remi with me to work. Ken Bray fit her for a Martin saddle and I ended up buying it. Remi had to stay tied to the trailer all day which was great for her. We were planning on going to Decatur after work but I realized that Kehl had left his saddles in my trailer. I left Granbury and drove to Stephenville. I unloaded Remi for a bit before I took off to Decatur with her. Friday night we didn't do much because I got there late. Saturday I went to Alvarado. Mainly to get Remi out and work her somewhere new. I worked with her on her turns and walked her around among the other barrel racers. Saturday night I went back to Decatur to see my Justin. We had dinner at Outback and headed back home. Sunday Justin had to leave really early. I slept in and headed back to Stephenville around 9. I started some laundry when I got home and then Tricia, Kelly, & Tori showed up. We all went to Mi Familia to have drinks. It was a lot of fun to get to see them. Justin met Kelly and I at Bull Nettle when he got to town. He had to work at Nascar all weekend.

I love that Remi !! We are having a few problems right now, but hopefully we will get them straightened out soon. I am going to try and take her to Lone Star Arena tomorrow. I might take Maddi & Digger just to get them out. I need to get a little more serious with them on the pattern. I am starting to put a little more pressure on Remi and its making a difference.

~Happy Trails~

Our "No Good, Very Bad, Day"

I loaded Remi & Duece on Thursday night and hauled them to Lipan for the first time. Duece was mainly there for moral support and to get ridden if I had a chance. I am watching Duece for Justin while he is out of town working. I was rushed to get there anyway because I was on the 7 o'clock page and I left Granbury at 5. I pulled into the facility at about 6:45. I went out and exercised Remi a little bit before we walked up to the arena. There were only 7 girls there, so I decided to take a couple extra exhibitons. Her first exhibition she went in on the wrong lead and threw the whole exhibition off. Poor thing, she didn't know what lead she was in and I didnt help her any. It was our first time there so I should have trotted her in the first time to get used to the scenery (Mistake 1). She was listening really well though and responded. The second exhibition she listened okay, but I was riding like a pansy. I was proud of how she handled her first barrel seeing how it was the first time I actually asked her to run in a little bit. She didn't finish her turns on her second and third though. It was a good practice though because allowed me to see what areas I need to work on. I was frustrated for a while after I left there. I think it was because when I watched one video I realized the people that were filming, laughed. I know I shouldn't let things like that bother me, and hell, at least she filmed. It just gives me more reason to try harder. I had shaken it off by the next day and realized she didn't do as horrible as I thought. I can't expect her to be perfect. Afterall, I am not close to perfect and I know that I am to blame for at least 75% of her actions. I was riding her in a Goosetree Simplicity bit in the videos. I bought a short shank Cervi 3 piece with a dogbone on Friday. I am going to ride her at the house with it this weekend and she how she does. Its really windy here. I am trying to get the house and barn picked up this weekend. My x-roomy left it a mess. Have a great weekend.

News from the homefront.

Hello.... All is well with Andi! Basically I've been working, riding, working on house, and hanging out with Justin. Work is the same. It has been really slow lately. Today we ran out of orders to ship around lunch time. It was pretty boring. Everyone was looking for work to do. The horses are doing well. I have been riding Remi a lot away from the barrels. I've hauled her around to some team ropings with Justin & have been working on her basics again. She is doing great, as always. Sunday afternoon I seen that Miss Maddi & Digger girl were out in the arena with the barrels. I rode over to make sure things were going okay with them. I suggested that I help her so that she would know how to "train" her correctly. She responded with "what is hard about kicking and pulling?" WOW here we go! She did actually listen though and worked Digger the correct way. I need to encourage the CORRECT method so that it won't be TOO hard to fix Digger. Digger is very well broke though and very flexable. I will try to get a video of them soon. I loped Remi through a couple times. She listens to me so well that I really need to pay attention to what I do with her on the pattern. I felt horrible because on one run I checked her a little early on the third and she ran over the barrel. I plan on hauling her to the barrel race in Lipan tomorrow. Hopefully we can get there in time to exhibiton. I need to actually make a run on her during exhibitions one day to see how she works/clocks. I know that she is ready.. but for some reason I'm not. I talk about doing it then I lope in there. Sloan is doing great and starting to look better. He is going to be a pretty boy when I get him where I want him. Justin and I brushed a lot of hair out of him the other day. He is smart and takes to new things really well. I have just been tying him up a lot, leading him, & swinging the leadrope over him. Pistol has been getting on my nerves lately. He won't stop chasing the cows and steers. I am working on borrowing a shock collar for him. Paco is great, but it would be AMAZING if I could get him potty trained. He has really calmed down a lot and is starting to mature finally. Justin left today for New Mexico. He will not be back until next Tuesday. They are working at the PBR. I plan on cleaning some things up around the house this week. My roommate moved out and there is a lot to clean up around there. Justin helps out so much. Last week he mowed the yard for me and raked the leaves.

Remodeling Update

Well the bathroom is looking great!! We finally finished it last week. Well I say "we," but my Mom did most of the work. She is really handy and has more patience than I do. I will add a picture from my phone but will try to get some better ones from my camera soon. Last night we started painting my room. Mom and I moved all my furniture out and started painting around 8. I was pooped at about 11 and passed out on my bed. I woke up surrounded by Paco (of course), belts, cords, and other miscellaneous items that are not normally in my bed with me. Today we ran to Ft. Worth to the Apple store because my brothers phone quit working. We stopped by Sams and did some shopping. I got a new shelf for my bathroom. I am so excited that the remodeling is finally taking place. The carpet crew should lay the carpet early this week in my room. Excuse the mess, remodeling creates clutter!

Everyone else is great. I will also add a picture of where Justin is working this weekend. He works for US Smokeless Tobacco. They are in Sweetwater at the Texas Rattlesnake Roundup. Pretty crazy stuff I tell you.

New Projects

Filly

Dillon brought me the Streak of Fling gelding on Wednesday afternoon. I am going to try to register his name as Streakin Gravey, (Dam is Our Red Gravey) and I am going to call him Sloan. He is behind, but it shouldn't take much to get him on track. On top of his grain I am feeding him rice bran, Silver Lining Herbs Worm Foe, & Silver Lining Herbs Infection Fighter. Dillon had a halter on him when he got to the house, but it hadn't been on long. He acted really well for only being handled a couple times. I have been hanging around him in the afternoons while he eats so that he will get used to me. Today while I was holding his feed pan for him he let me start rubbing on him. I think he is going to be a sweetheart. Remi doesn't quite know what to think of the little guy other than he needs to stay out of her way! I am also going to post a picture of the yearling filly I hope to get. She is owned by Becky Sheridan, the lady I work for sometimes. The filly is cowbred and beautiful. I took some random pictures today at Beckys house also. I have been feeding for her while she is gone to Athens to work the USTRC roping. Bella is the little brown goat that I bottle fed. At first when I put her back with the goats they were mean to her and did not accept her. She has been out there a couple of months now and they are starting to get along better. Mom and I are going to remodel my bathroom this weekend. I willl post some pictures when we are done.

SloanFilly

Conroe, Justin, & Colt

Wow, what a long weekend. I took off from my normal job at Equibrand on Thursday & Friday of last week to go help Becky w/ Steer Crazy. We left early on Thursday morning to head to Conroe to the WBR. We set most of our booth up on Thursday and finished on Friday morning. It was very cold and windy inside of the coliseum but we sold quite a bit. I remember now why I don't miss SE Texas or the people. We finished packing the trailer last night at about 6:30 and headed out. I didn't get in bed until around 1am. I really missed my Pistol, Paco, Remi, and Justin!

Speaking of Justin... he is a great boyfriend. The truth is he is one of the best I've ever had. He is so sweet & helpful. Last week he stayed in between events in San Angelo. He was around on Monday and Tuesday then he had to leave again on Wednesday morning. We had a great time. He drove to Granbury to take me to lunch both days. Monday and Tuesday night he roped with Kehl at the house and that made him really happy. Monday he vaccumed & picked up the house while I was at work. I was so happy. I had mentioned it to him as a joke but he really did it. I was in shock. Tuesday I had 3 exhibitions on the 6:30 page at Lone Star Arena in Stephenville. When I got home from work I noticed that he had taken my trailer to be washed and cleaned out the back! Remi was standing tied to the rack saddled with her mane and tail braided! He's amazing. We had a great time. He filmed & babysat Pistol. I have never had someone that would actually do this without bi+ching about it. Adorable I must say. Last night he was here when I got home from Conroe but he had to leave today to go back home. He did make time to stop by and have lunch with me though.

Dillon is bringing my Streak of Fling colt by this week. Hopefully today or tomorrow. You never know with Dillon though. It could be next week. I'm really not that worried about it because he is hauling him around with him & that's great for the colt. Dillon said he is almost halter broke & is going to be a nice one. I just hope that I love him close to how much I love Remi girl.

I am so sleepy from all of this work... I am glad that I finally have a job though!! My own money is nice to have.

Weekend activity..

Hello...

I am not going to lie, I was pretty lazy this weekend. On Friday after work, I saddled Remi and rode over to the arena. Kehl was roping with a friend. I had Dad find me a rope and I tracked some steers out of the box. They were all pretty fast but she is really starting to get the hang of it. I just tracked them, threw the rope, and stopped her. She enjoyed herself and so did I. I didn't know if Maddi had rode or not so I got Miss Priss (Digger) out of her stall and ponied her around a little bit. Dad later told me that Maddi had ridden. Oh well, she needs all the exercise she can get. Friday night we just sat around and visited with some friends. I actually think that I am getting a free horse from them. He is an 8 year old that is started on the barrel pattern. Their daughter doesn't like anything that isn't finished and ready to haul. They told me he looks a lot like Remi. I need to go down there to Needville and pick him up. Never know.... might be a decent horse. Saturday I was planning on going to a barrel race in Comanche but it was super windy and cold so I changed my mind. I moved some hay around, fed the cows, and cleaned the barn. I napped until Mom called and invited me to the high school Donkey basketball game. Kehl was supposed to be in that game but he went to a roping in Salado instead. Today, I was just as productive. Actually a bit less. I didn't do much besides make a trip to Wal-Mart, watch a movie, and nap. I did take a few pictures of Digger and the dogs though. I asked for Thursday and Friday of this week off. I am not sure if they are going to let me but we will see. Its not for fun or vacation though. Becky (the lady I used to sell tack for) wanted to know if I could go to the Conroe barrel race and set up. They are supposed to let me know tomorrow if I can go.

Maddi and Digger

Here is Miss Remi hanging out at the house.

I get home from work today to see Maddi on Digger in the round pen. She is really into this riding thing. It is pretty neat to see a 3 year old that responds the way that she does to a green rider. Maddi might make a horse out of her in the end. I am teaching her how to keep her soft and responsive. Here are a couple pictures.

Wow... I love this mare.

Remi @ Lone Star (Feb 17, 2009)

This is Remi's first exhibtion with a little speed. There are a lot of pilot errors. The good thing that I learned is that she still pays attention to me at this pace. I am really proud of her and how well she is doing. It will be a lot better when her "Mom" learns how to ride her! I know that she did everything right and everything that went wrong was MY fault. She ran a 18.6 on the exhibition pattern which is a 17.6 on the standard Lone Star pattern.

I am going to put her video from tonight on here later. It is so much better. I actually RODE her and HELPED her. She's amazing and has such a good mind about everything. Tonight we tracked steers out of the heading box while the guys were roping. She had a good time doing that and really watched the steers.

Remi @ House 2-18-09

Everything else is going so well. Maddi has been riding "Digger" everyday. I have some pictures that I need to put on here of them. Maddi is so funny. This is her first project horse. We have been working on how to saddle, etc. Well the other day she saddled on her own before I got over to my parents. I didn't check her saddle because I figured Dad did. Well I was wrong, while she was riding the saddle slid and she fell off. She handled it so well by laughing and getting back on.

I wish this video would hurry up and load because I need to run up to the interstate to pick up Justins truck. He had to leave this morning to go to San Angelo to work at the rodeo. We are doing good... and have been spending a lot more quality time together. Work is pretty much work. Nothing real exciting. Oh by the way I work at Equibrand (Classic Rope, Classic Equine, Martin Saddlery, Cashel) in Granbury. Right now I am in the equine room packing and shipping tack.

~ Road Trip ~

Work was long and stressful today!! I was so ready for 5 o'clock. I guess that's why it seemed to go so slow. Mom and I are about to head to Dayton. We are going to a funeral in the morning and picking up Digger from Tylers house. I've been playing with Paco trying to release his inner energy before the trip. He has to stay in a kennel while I'm at work and he is super crazy when I get home.

I did find some good news though. My brother got a new truck this week. It's a 2006, 4 door, Duramax dually. Its really pretty and clean. The good news is that I get to drive his old truck back and forth to work everyday. This will save money and also keep the miles off of my truck.

Alright I think that Mom is about ready. We have to make a 5 hour trip tonight. I guess if we get tired we can pull over and sleep in the trailer.


See ya!
ABR

Update

First of all life was pretty difficult for a while. I did graduate in August and am so excited that I did. I was working for Becky Sheridan for a while traveling to events and selling horse tack. In November things slowed down so I was without work for a couple months. I tore the ligaments in my leg in December snow skiing. That set me back for a while as far as work went. I was starting to become depressed with life. Then a few days after we got back from our ski trip.. my little Lupe passed away. It was probably one of the hardest things that I have ever dealt with. Everything was just a mess!

Things finally started to turn around a few weeks ago. I did get a new puppy. He is a full brother to Lupe. His name is Paco.

And last week I got a JOB! Yay. I am working for Equibrand in Granbury. Its not the best job ever but I like to think of it as a really awesome temporary job. Haha.

Remi is doing awesome. I gave her three months off. Mainly because she needed a break, but also because my leg couldn't take it. We have been doing a bunch of slow work. I love her to death. I am going to pick up my three year old filly, Digger , from my friends house tomorrow. I am going to ride her and see what I want to do with her from here. I am thinking that she will become Maddi's (my 13 year old sister) horse.

More to come.