Wellington Parade 7-4-2010

The cattle drive went so well, I thought we should ride in the Wellington Parade. It was a little country town parade so there were old tractors, loud cars, fire trucks, American Flags, whistles, little kids running all over the place and rail road tracks.

Mark rode Bo, his mustang and I rode Calypso, we were getting ready for the parade to start when all of the old tractors started popping, cracking, and grinding into gear. Bo got a little excited so Calypso really got excited and did fast little crazy circles. I thought, Oh gees what have I gotten myself into. But as quick as he got excited, he calmed down. The rest of the parade was a breeze. We walked across the rail road tracks while others had to get off and walk their horse. Calypso acted as if he had done parades his whole life. He walked calm and proud down main street of the little Colorado Country town. Mark was explaining to the crowd how wonderful the mustangs are and we would circle around so everyone could see the freeze marks. It did not matter what I asked Calypso to do, he was already two steps ahead of me. I just know he can read my mind.

I am so happy that I was able to keep Calypso, he definitely has my heart!

Cattle Drive, June 12

We were invited to go on a cattle drive and I thought it would be a great opportunity to ride Calypso away from arena's. It was only one weekend after the competition.

We started after the first group of cows and Calypso acted like he had done it his whole life. He picked a straggler and stayed right behind her as she went down the steepest rockiest part of the mountain. When we got to the rest of the herd, cows and horses were charging toward us. Calypso was calm and focused. We opened a gate and fell behind the rest of the herd, no problem. We just cantered up towards them and slowed to a walk. He followed the cows, put his ears back and nipped at stragglers as if to say " get up there, little doggy." No matter where we needed to go whether it was straight up, or down, or boggy or streams and trees. Calypso went where we needed to go with ease.

We stopped for a break at lunch time while some of the riders were taken back to trailers. It took them a while to get back since the truck broke down. We just hung out with our horses as they munched on the grass, with out a care.

We finished the 11 mile drive on a beautiful mountain side.

Calypso had to make four trailer changes before we headed for home.

I could not be more proud of my wild Mustang, Calypso.

The Competition

I did get to keep Calypso. He made huge progress the 4 days we were at the competition. Two weeks before the competition, Manuel Trigo helped me do my first ride in the saddle. He gave me and Calypso a boost of confidence and we were on our way. Calypso quit bolting because I was able to give him the feel of my confidence in the saddle. Even though, the pain of a broken pelvis from two years ago was still fresh in my mind. I really believe that we gained confidence together. Noises still frightened him and quick movement behind him still startled him, but he stayed with me. No more panels to fix or fences to mend.

He did flip out in the trailer the day we arrived at CSU to check in. He reared up and went down under the divider and somehow, got up and did it again. He got some cuts and bruises on his face and hip bones, Calypso and I were both crying and upset but we survived it with no broken bones. What a way to start a competition, huh?

Actually, we were not ready for any competition but the journey was a great one. Several Trainers commented on the huge progress we made during our 4 days. Calypso actually seemed to enjoy the whooping and hollering and commotion of the competition. There were cowboys charging towards us and guns a shooting. We had a few really nice spins, not choreographed, and a couple of bucking sprees, but I did not feel the fear and I rode it. Now, That is Progress! I did not feel my 58 years, I felt like a kid again! What a ride!

When it was time for the auction, we had to tell all of the great things about our horse so people would want to buy them. When they handed me the microphone, I started to say how much I loved Calypso and enjoyed the journey, but instead just broke down crying as I rode him. Of course, many others cried with me. My husband stood up and announced that I was his wife and he was buying this horse for me. Everyone applauded and I rode my horse out of the arena to the many hugs of my friends and Trainers.

Cantering

I have only been riding Calypso since May 23rd and he is doing awesome! He seems to enjoy the ride as much as I do. I ask for a trot with one kiss and a canter with two kisses, he responds nicely. Each day, we have more confidence with each other. Today we did figure eights with a drop to trot lead change in the middle. It was not perfect circles but I was very impressed. When I asked him to stop, it was immediate.

We also worked on an obstacle pattern. He is a little tentative but tries to figure out what I am asking of him. We walked across the teeter-totter and opened the rope gate today.

We only have one more day at Spirit Dancer Ranch and then it is off to CSU for the competition and auction.

I am so happy with Calypso's progress in the last week.

Ditch ride

It was time to get out of the round corral to see how much control we really have.

Calypso was thrilled to go for a ride without panels and gates. His ears were pricked forward and his walk was eager. Mark was riding his mustang, Bo and Lizzy was riding her mustang, Alto. We rode in the irrigation ditch which was sandy with a few water puddles along the way. Water does not bother Calypso, he walks right through the mud, into the water, takes a few gulps and we are on our way.

Calypso was looking ahead as if he was headed back to his mountains of Utah. He started trotting and before I knew it, we were cantering. It was our first canter and I hardly knew when it was happening. It was such a smooth transition. I slowed him down to a stop with my body. It was awesome! I was so excited, I thought we would try it again. Into a trot we went, then a nice slow canter. He looked ahead as if he saw his mountains, his canter got faster and faster and I believe that he forgot all about me on his back. I asked him to slow down but he just went faster. I had to reach down the right rein for a one rein stop, he just pulled his head away. I calmly reached down the the left rein and brought him to a halt. It was not easy but we got-r-done. My heart was racing and I am sure he felt my body shaking. After all, it has only been two years since I broke my pelvis while training a horse.

Mark and Lizzy caught up to me and we turned around and headed for home. Calypso was really not interested in going back to his small home of 35 acres and round corrals. We worked on walking and stopping as we headed home.

I did not get a second ride in as planned, I just sat and recuperated.

I only have a few days left before the competition and auction and I am thoroughly enjoying the journey.

Calypso & Zorro

Calypso did not want to get into the horse trailer so I loaded Zorro and Calypso walked in. We went to CSU but there was so much commotion that I decided to go back home. It was a good trip for both horses.

I worked on a trail pattern all afternoon and then rode Zorro through it. When we had finished, I was just sitting on him when Calypso walked up to us. I think he was feeling left out. I got off of Zorro and he zipped off to the pasture. Calypso just stood there waiting for me to put his halter on. It was the first time that he has come looking for me. It was as if he wanted to try out the pattern. We walked through it and he seemed to enjoy the new games. He is so smart and willing to try new things.

I took off his halter and we walked and trotted to his pen for alfalfa. I don't close his pen door any more, he just seems to enjoy having his special place to eat.

Another fun day!

CSU arena, second trip

It took a little time to get Calypso in the trailer for our second trip. He did stay in place, looking out of the window.

When we arrived, every thing went smoothly. We walked around the arena, no toys to play with or spook at. I got on his back and we walked, with out a lead horse. We went from one side of the arena to the other keeping Calypso between my hands and walking straight forward.

Then I got behind Connie and asked her to trot and walk so I could follow her and give Calypso some confidence to trot. He was hesitant of trotting in that huge arena. Much different than in my round corral. After a few times around the arena, he relaxed and trotted at ease.

We hung out for a while, then loaded up and headed back home.

Another nice outing.