http://www.facebook.com/amanda.hoss?v=app_2392950137#!/video/video....

September 18th Was the NWRDC Gymkhana. I took Bentley, my Uncle's Morgan gelding. We did pretty well. 1st place in the stake race. Two 3rd place, and a 4th and 5th place (I dont remember what I got what in.) I DQ'd in the barrel race. Normally we do ok in it. We went around the first barrel, which was good, and were heading towards the second barrel. Usually all I have to do is look at the second barrel and Bentley just goes.....this time he took my lack of contact to mean that he can just head back to the gate. LOL. We broke the timing light before I could correct him. JEEZE! Now I need to maybe pay a bit more attention and not be so relaxed about where he is going. It was a really fun day anyway. Two of my friends came home Champion and Reserve Champ for our division. Yay Girls!

After we got home from the gymkhana I gave my cousins from out of town "pony rides" on Harley. That horse is a SAINT! (When he wants to be. haha)

September 19th Vermont's Mounted Responce Unit, came to our place, LOG CABIN STABLES to do some bomb-proofing in our arena. They had hula hoops, a mt bike, a garbage bag filled with soda cans on the end of a rope, some pool noodles, a bridge, some flags and more. I thought it would be a good chance to work with Amigo with these things. I brought him out all saddled and ready to go. I walked him around in hand for a minute and I thought he would be fine so I got on. We walked about 20 feet and I walked him over to a hula hoop. He walked up to it and then let me have one hell of a buck! I scraped my lower back on the back of the saddle, I think b/c I didnt have any dirt in my pants this time. It was over before I had a chance to do anything. I think this little gelding will be the death of me!

On a really good note. I walked Fergie around all over in the arena, over the bridge and etc and she was great. Nothing upset her. I even pulled the bag with cans around and she never ran from it but crouched way down and snorted at it several times. It was really funny. Ive never seen anything like it. She was crouching, snorting, sidepassing and following me around with the bag at the same time. Shes such a cool little mare!

Sept 20th

I lunged Amigo and he was awesome. Very round circles for the first time. He didnt pull on the rope or fight with me at all. Usually he fights, bucks and makes wierd shapes that dont look anything like a circle.

I lunged Fergie and she did those strange shapes that Amigo didnt make today. I concentrated on her just going forward and stopping and turning when I asked. Some times she cantered, but most of the time she trotted. She has a beautiful extended trot just like her mother had. I cant wait to start riding her....but I will wait b/c I have my hands already full with Amigo and I dont want to rush anything.

I rode Lazz today too. He was very good, but I was so sore, I had a hard time getting my motion to go with him. I kept our work pretty simple and concentrated on a nice forward trot and pushing him into the bridle.