Pennings

I've always loved rodeos.  I usually try to at least hit one up each summer.

This year I get a bonus.  My Aunt's new boyfriend competes in penning/cutting.  This means is that the horse and rider work together to pick particular calves out of a herd and put them somewhere else.  Sometimes it's into a pen, sometimes it's from one pen to another, etc.

On Saturday the task for the riders was to cut 3 calves of a certain number out of the herd and then drive them down to the other end of the arena and into a pen.  Their particular number was announced when the timer was started.  There were a number of teams who did this in less than 40 seconds.  Later in the year, I'm told, the times get so fast that you'll have to do it in 30 seconds just to place.  Amazing. 

Notice the orange line - it is important that a cow of the wrong number does not cross that line, or you get a "no time" for your run.  Three riders make a team, so often one person would break up the herd and go for a cow of their number while the other two hold back the herd and start looking for the next cow.

I didn't get any video from Saturday, but the configuration of the arena made it a great opportunity for photos.  I got lots I like.

Bringing them down to the pen, just to left of this picture.

Bringing them down to the pen

Father and Son, eying up the herd

Putting them in the pen.  Notice how one person blocks each side while the third pushes them from behind.

Then, on the second day the sorting was a little different.  This time, there were two round pens set up and joined at the middle.  The job of the riders was to cut out the numbered cows one by one, in order, in 1 minute.  The announcer gave you the number to start with.  If a cow of the wrong number gets through to the other side, you get a "no time".  There were a handful of 10 head sorts for the day.  Here, check out the diagram:

Now, watch:



This little girl got a couple runs at the end of the day.  She did a great job!  On her last run she did so well she placed second in her class competing against all the adults.



 

Spectating

Mendel thinks he should get a turn

Riding

I like horses. I really do.
Sadly, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to horses. They just don't respect my authority.
Maybe that's my problem... A lack of authority.

It's not my fault. I just never got the chance to learn.

A few weeks ago I went riding with a friend who has a whole bunch of horses.

There are things you have to do before you go riding.
For me, first and foremost, you must take your Claritin. It really is an essential step for survival. Horses don't much like sneezing maniacs on their backs. Well, at least I don't think they do. I pretty much just made that up.

Next, it's always a good idea to start in on a little kissing up to your horse... A little pep talk if you will.


This is Dorado. I'm asking him to please try to put out of his mind our past incidents. Like when I attempted to get on him and wound up with the saddle sideways on his back, me laying on the ground under him, and my sandals dangling from the stirrups.

Just look at him. He's laughing at me on the inside. He can hardly contain himself.

Then, you have to prepare them for saddling. This requires brushing.
See:

This is Tucker. He's a hottie, and he knows it. He's also kinda a dufus. He might know that too.

Finally, the saddles go on.



And we ride off into the sun...


I SAID... we ride off into the sun...

... very... slowly...

In the horses' defense, it was a really hot day, the flies were terrible, and frankly I just don't exude confidence when working with horses.

Dorado really does know what's up when somebody who knows what they're doing is on him.
See...

Awwww... look at him all decked out in his gear.