Cynicism and the NRHA Futurity

Lots of pretty little three year olds are being prepared to make the journey to Oklahoma City for the NRHA Futurity. The planning for many of these prospects took place about this same time in the year 2002.

The Quarter Horse News Stallion Registry arrived and mare owners browsed the stallion ads, looking for the "hot cross" on bloodlines similar to their mares. Phones call were made, contracts were mailed, fees were paid and in the spring of 2003 the mares were shipped off to the stallion station or the fresh cooled semen was shipped to the mare. In some cases multiple embryos were flushed from famous mare, or frozen semen was thawed from busy and even deceased stallions.

Veterinarians were called, palpations and ultrasounds performed, and if the reproduction angels were smiling, mares were checked safe in foal somewhere around 45 days post breeding.

In early 2004 most of the current crop of futurity hopefuls foaled out and owners registered them with official names that they hoped sounded good when called by the announcers! As late yearlings, owners now made plans to send the colts and fillys off to trainers and again, journals were browsed, phone calls were made, and fees were paid. Trainer's opinions helped owners determine if the the futurity payments should be started.

This year's futurity hopefuls have had approximately 23 months of formal training.

And the reason that I don't have one is that I ADDED UP ALL THE COSTS TO GET THERE! (This is something that trainers, vets, and breeders never ever want you to do).

Read the cost and more interesting stuff at The Practical Guide to Reining.

The Stress of Preparing for a Reining Horse Show

I have a horse that is no longer eligible for the aged events. Translation=he is well trained and show smart, also is likely to have some arthritic changes taking place from years of hard work. He takes a different kind of preparation than the futurity and derby horses. Consistency is still key, but diversity in schooling is what keeps him fresh minded and fit. I liken it to cross training in human athletes.
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He has to stay fit enough so that I don't hurt him warming up and showing, but not so fit that it will take hours of loping to take the edge off. I don't want him sour, sore, pin eared, and swishy tailed but I also don't want him too fresh and "big" when he is in the pen.
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First I find the date when the competition occurs, then I track backwards to the current date. From there I can pencil in work sessions on my calendar in three or four day rotations to take me through the show. I seldom do circling, turn arounds, and stopping in one session on a year round basis-but I WILL have to do so as the competition nears.
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Next, I check my bank balance to be sure that I have budgeted funds for the trip. By this time, I am generally exhausted thinking about how I am going to pull this off and I could easily be talked out of going. Instead, I will have a glass of wine, get a good night's sleep and attack the organizing effort in the morning.
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Read the full post at The Practical Guide to Reining blog.

Inspiration from the Reining Blog

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of mind.

Read more in "The Victor" from the Reining Blog

This is the picture that was on "The Victor" post.

Some Reining Horse People

Hilldale Farm- A great place in Tennessee with some of the nicest people who just happen to also be some of the best in the reining world. It is a beautiful drive to their place and they have such a great business. It is inspiring to visit and to see what they do.

Hanson Performance Horses- We met them in Oklahoma City last November at the NRHA Futurity. Phenomenal horse trainers that are also truly nice people.

Brian Bell- Watched him at a clinic in Murfreesboro, Tennessee recently and the man is pure magic on a horse. Taught "Chuck", the horse, how to dig in more when he spins and made him a better horse overall. It is incredible to watch someone that good at something.

"Alexis" Horse Trailers- An incredible lady with a dreams and a passion that just won't be stopped. She has created a line of trailers that are so nice and hopefully we can get one in the future.