Cowboy Mounted Shooting

Last Saturday (July 23), some new "horsie" friends suggested I join them for a mounted shooting clinic at Faustman Ranch put on by 1st Ohio CMSA (Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association). Last minute, I decided to get the trailer, grab Falco out of the field he'd been standing in untouched for 3 weeks, and go.

So, off we went! I wasn't quite sure what to expect, and not going to lie, I was pretty darn nervous! I have fallen off enough lately and wasn't too eager to do it again. Surprisingly, Falco was amazing and didn't seem too bothered at all by it! He was more upset with me that I put ear plugs in his ears than the fast that I was shooting two rounds from a Colt .45 off his back!

It was a pretty neat process... they paired us up with a gun-broke horse and had us trot around in circles in the arena, while someone went to the other end of the arena and fired the gun. Our horses fed off the broke horses, and allowed them to feel secure that nothing was going to happen. Then they moved into the center of our circle and fired the gun. The horses could smell the gunpowder and had to walk through the smoke. After this, they had us partner with a single horse and they ran the course with us next to them and they shot the gun from their horse. We did this twice. After that, we were able to go on our own and run the course by ourselves! I ran twice with Falco and it was awesome! I am HOOKED!

"Falco" - registered name Far Out Hall

Haylie and I took some photos of Falco - and WOW does he look amazing!!!

Fourth of July Weekend

I had a bit of unexpected circumstances leave me without any plans for the entire long weekend. My poor horse Falco took the blunt end of the deal - and had to keep me entertained all weekend with what was probably 15+ miles on the trails! Nothing like working out your frustrations from the back of a beautiful horse :)

Saturday - we rode at Darke Co Fish & Game, Sunday at Twin Creek Metro Park, and Monday at Hueston Woods. I was equally exhuasted (as was Haylie) as the horses by the time it was all said and done - but much needed time to think left me feeling much better about the situation. Good things come to those who wait, and I need to learn to wait! :)

Kentucky Horse Park Breed Demonstration - June 17-19, 2011

SPHO of Ohio returned again to Kentucky Horse Park June 17-19 to provide breed demonstrations for their parade of breeds. Unfortunately, due to the weather, our first morning demo was just a "walk through" in the pavilion, and then the 2nd morning demo the next day, we brought the guests to the Big Barn and did the demo in the barn. The other two demos went very well... although Ace was NOT a fan of the clapping and was a little bit of an idiot! It happens though I guess! Here are some pics!