12/20/09- Barrel Practice Day Three

Today went really well. I only practiced the barrel pattern a few times, and then went riding with my brother. I walked the pattern a few times; she still had it down to pat. So, I trotted it once. She was AMAZING! She had really snappy, sharp, clean turns (what I did was trot up to the pocket, break down to a walk, walk around the barrel, and then trot on to the next barrel). Then Samuel and I went riding. He rode my gelding, Blue and I rode Diamond. We rode around our property. Samuel is still a beginner rider, but loves to "trot race". So, we were having a "trot race" when Blue decided that Samuel should learn how to lope. He took off in a Western Pleasure like lope and Samuel did well. Then Diamond took off. A few days ago, she wouldn't have, but she SLOW LOPED!! I was so proud; even if it was just a few strides. She did very well today, and since Christmas is coming I probably won't get to ride that much this coming week.

12/18/09- Barrel Training Day 2

Today, I took it off. We just did some exercises and I tried working with her on her slow lope. She doesn't like to slow lope, just go, go, go! Somedays I feel like, "Wow, I think I have a good chance that I have a champion on my hands!" and the next day it's "I just want to give up." It's hard work, training and getting Diamond used to everything, as well as myself. Paitents is a virture. I ask for God's wisdom and advice every step of the way. I only walked though the pattern once, and she remebered it quite well. I was proud of her. She gets better, but just needs reminding sometimes. I'm very greatful for her and keep thinking of all the possibilites we are going to have this coming rodeo season and beyond. I think I do have a blessing from God, a Champion on my hands. She is just a Diamond in the rough.

12/17/09- Day one of Barrels

I'm starting somewhat late in life to be doing barrels. I've always been intrigued by barrel racing, but have never had a horse that will do them. Then came Diamond, a Sorrel QH mare. In fall of '07, we bought Diamond as a green broke mare who hadn't been ridden since she was 3. She was 7 when we purchased her. I didn't really work with her until the fall of 2008 and the summer of 2009. She had really bad ground manners, used to buck and rear when you got on her, etc. I've trained her, using some Clinton Anderson DVDs, and she now has almost perfect manners. She can now carry a flag, knows all sorts of voice commands, etc. She went on her first "big" trail ride (4 hours long) this summer as well as to her first show. I only showed her in halter because I didn't want her stressing out. She placed 5th! I was so proud of her. I didn't have time to start blogging until now, and since it's winter with Christmas coming up and all I might not get to ride her as much, but I will try.

On December 17th, I started working her on barrels. We walked through the pattern, stopping at about 5 feet away from the barrel pocket, backing up a few steps and then walking somewhat wide around it. We repeated the pattern for about 3 times and then took a break. We trotted around for a while, loped a few laps around the pasture, goofed off, etc. and then went back to walking the barrel pattern.

She picked up the pattern fairly fast. She knows voice cues well and did as I told. Diamond got bored slightly, but stayed with it. After a while, she was licking her lips and her head was down. She is such a smart horse!

I plan to keep walking her around the pattern for the next week or so before I move on to trotting the pattern. I want her to understand it and not rush her. I'm not going to do the pattern with her everyday, but every other day so she doesn't become some crazy barrel horse scared of the alley and not wanting to run. I want her to enjoy it as much as possible.