Best Group Lesson Ever

November 21, 2019Posted inFancy, Flying Change, Missouri Fox Trotter
Quote of the day: “I can no longer tell people watching Fancy and I ride that Fancy was ruined at her colt start.”  No one would believe me.   Highlight words from Erin Patterson during the group lesson of November 20th, 2019: “That fox trot is perfect!” “Look, she isn’t arguing!” “Hey!  Fancy looks like a Performance Horse!”  (I apologized). While Fancy was doing a flat foot walk leg yield diagonally the long way of the arena Erin pronounced:  “That is excellent. Look, her ears are flopping!”  (That is wonderful for a Fox Trotter gait…

2019 World Celebration #1 Boyfriend!

September 17, 2019Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter
I was on the sidelines, novice live streaming the Ranch Horse classes. It was time for Ranch Horse Versatility. This is a pattern that combines a trail pattern with a reining pattern. The horse and rider have to canter over a small jump (lined with flowers), drag a fifty thousand pound tire with a roping lasso, do rollbacks and lead changes.Be still my heart! I was videoing some of the individuals doing their pattern. They all were doing great. The Amateur class participants were done and came into the arena…

2019 Celebration Live Stream

September 17, 2019Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter
Sunday, September 1 was the first of three days of Versatility and Ranch Horse classes. Heat and Humidity (Double H) were the opponent at this show. Forget the cow, the obstacles and the gaits, Double H was the enemy. The Versatility and Ranch Horse Days were held from 9:00am until 4-5:00pm enduring the Double H. Sadly, the days were too long for me to compete. I now understand why we have few 70+ year old people riding in the long days. On the morning of the second day, I arrived…

Fancy Announcement!

June 18, 2019Posted inFancy, Missouri Fox Trotter
There are two sizes of barrels. There are the smaller barrels and the bigger barrels. I have goals to pass the level 4 tests in the Parelli world. Both the Free Style (bridleless) and Finesse (bridle) tests require a barrel jump. Fancy has been working on her jumping form since October 2018. Her jumping form has to be something that won’t fling me to the moon. Lately, she has been jumping easily over the small size barrels. Gulp! It’s time. I set the barrels up so they were somewhat near…

Introducing Free Style Team Fancy and Susan

December 30, 2018Posted inFancy, Missouri Fox Trotter
What a day. Fancy is a strong minded filly.  She has no hesitation at all to invading your space, stepping on you or walking away to investigate something much more interesting than me.  We  have been working on eliminating these concepts beginning the our first day together, nearly a year ago.  At this time, she is to stay with me and not move a foot unless I give it permission. We walk in unison.  We stop at the same time.  Her head does not get in front of my body.…

Fancy Bridleless

December 28, 2018Posted inFancy, Missouri Fox Trotter
It was twenty six degrees today.  Yesterday was a sunny nearly fifty degree day.  I had four layers on top and two layers on the legs.  I had my Muckboots on to keep my toes warm.  I was very warm as first bridle less fear kept my internal heat engine fired up.  I was worried about the stopping part.  When Fancy gets going, she likes to go.  She goes and loves to speed up.  She hasn't been rode much with the neck rope, maybe less than five times.  The stick…