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.