Catching up on a lot, but this last year has been busy!
We spent the winter with Rory Phelan of Phelan Performance Horses in Surprise, AZ. Rory provided us with a great place to stay and train. We had PC MARI ME SUGAR in the Roping Futurities of America Derby class, ridden by TJ Watts, with some great runs made heading and heeling. She finished just out of the money but exhibited her speed and athleticism and future talents as a top level team roping horse.
We were very fortunate to have spent the winter with Paul Dietz working with our young horses and taking advantage of his horsemanship skills. We had the opportunity to ride with Buck Branaman and Al Dunning and develop our model of an integrated program of Ray Hunt horsemanship coupled with performance horse discipline.
I spent a couple of days in March with Paul Dietz and two of my young horses. Paul is a true, exceptional horseman in the best sense possible. He apprenticed and rode with Buck Brannaman and was deeply influenced by Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt. Paul was invited to ride in the Tom Dorrance benefit in Ft. Worth, hosted by Ray Hunt, before Ray’s passing. Paul now travels the world putting on clinics and his insight, perceptions, and communication skills are remarkable, both with the horse, and with rider. I always come away from Paul with a better understanding of my horses and what I want to achieve, and humbled, knowing there is so much more to learn and the journey never ends. Enjoy it.
A few folks have asked if we exhibited at the NWSS this year. We were geared up to show Roosters Lil Miss in Open Heading and Heeling, and Amateur Heading, Heeling, and Breakaway, but she came down with a cough a few days before the show and we had to cancel. TJ Watts, assisted by Clayton Van Akin, were ready to show her and of course, “barn blind” as I am, I’m sure she would have won!
Crockett and I attended the AQHA and NRCHA shows and got to visit with friends. It was great, but we missed being in the action. Maybe next year!
The National Western for 2019 was a lot of fun, with us entering two horses in the AQHA All Age (Open) and the Amateur Heading. Crockett also went on to show both horses in the AQHA Ranch Riding, with both horses placing.
Our dun mare, Miss Gonna Be A Star, who qualified last year for both AQHA World Shows, was the high point AQHA horse in the All Age (Open) heading and finished second in the Finals of the Mile High Challenge against the American Paint Horse Association entries.
Shoot Hy, a double bred Driftwood mare, that produced a terrific foal this year was pulled out of the pasture, ridden 10 days, and finished fourth, overall, in the All Age heading. Pretty cool.
The following have RHV payouts and ribbons available for pick up. Sorry for the delay.
Open Division – Shea; Bailey; Tracy; Andy.
Novice Division – Mike; Todd; Amanda; Brad. Limited Division – Jacey; Keith; Gretta.
Youth Division – Deana, Leah, Emma, Liz.
Contact Tim.
Calamity Jane Muley Roping. A little chaos and a lot of fun. #10 slide, +/- 1 second; long score, no barrier, closed stripping shoot, 3 loops. Pick 1, draw 1 or draw 2 for $60.
The Ranch Horse Versatility Contest at the Middle Park Fair and Rodeo is an opportunity for horsemen to exhibit their own, and their horse’s abilities across a broad spectum. Four Divisions: Youth, Limited, Novice and Open compete in four classes: I) Herd work, pen and steer stop; II) Reining; III) Fence Work and Boxing; IV) One run – timed and judged, Muley Roping. Compete in one or more classes; or all four for the All-Around Champion. All four classes for $80 or $25 each. Cowboys and horseshow competitors alike, this is for you. 
March 12, 2018 marked the 9th anniversary of the passing of Ray Hunt, one of the true, great horsemen that have ever lived. Ray’s work, philosophy and methodology are dear to us all, and the the basis of what I try to do every day. God bless Mr. Hunt.
NRCHA – Crockett finished 5th in a tough class in the Non-pro Limited, riding Roo (Gallo Del Cielo x Doc’s Hickory mare). This was Crockett’s first time showing the ROM mare and she finished strong. This is going to be a tough team.
AQHA Team Roping – Cow horse bred (Gunna Smoke by Mr. Gun Smoke out of a Docs Dry Jess mare) Miss Gonna Be A Star ridden by Tim, roping with TJ Watts, was the high point Amateur Head Horse. The Dun mare won 3 firsts, a second, a third, and a 5th and 6th across 5 judges. She qualified to go to the AQHA World Show and got her Register of Merit.