Notes From Around the Arena
Aug 25th - Sept 1st 2014
How I See It
So?! They ask, How did it go?
It did not occur to me that all the updates from our riders participation in the California Gymkhana Association State Championship Show 2014 went directly onto the web page. And that I had not posted the info here for those of you who look forward to reading this section.
Well, . . . it was amazing and inspiring. Exhausting. Fulfilling, and depleting. State show is 10 days of riding your hart out, crossing your fingers. Tears of excitement and tears of disappointment. For some tears of heartbreak and pain.
The MOB rode to the best of their ability in one moment in time. And in this sport your moment is measured in seconds. And sometimes tenths and hundredths of seconds.
Maddy and Cowboy turned in their faster times in just about all their events this year. And they held the top ten for the state of California out of 25 riders in the A division age 16 - 21.
The competition was fierce. If Maddy was holding the lead with a 30.706 there would be a 30.643 then a 30.059 and a 29.882 would swoop in and take the win.
Cowboy at the age of 20 was fit and confident in his runs. Maddy took excellent care of Cowboy, wrapping his legs with clay and using the herbal liniment we make at the barn from scratch. Hand walking him and letting him roll in the soft dirt of the warm up track. Cowboy was well muscled and never over winded even with all his allergies. And in all of his events he had that happy lets do this attitude. No bucking, or crabbing or any of those attitudes of crankiness that Cowboy is so honest about sharing. Maddy rode hard to hold onto the top ten list of who's who. I admire you Maddy! You are a great sportswoman and you always remember, its who your horse thinks you are that matters most.
Cowboy Loves You.
And what matters most to him, is that you love him. No matter what.
Katrina and Tikkun made the commitment to compete at the State Championship Finals and Tikkun came about and really surprised all of us pulling into the next division with his fastest most accurate runs and times. Personal best we call those, bitter sweet at this venue. Running a time faster than the rating time bracket lands you at the bottom of the next division. There is frustration when you are right there over and over but miss that State Title win by tenths of a second. And miss out on the point bracket for either division. Katrina was the picture of grace and acceptance and never failed in her love and pride of Tikkun. Katrina was radiant with the glow that should be reveled, being one of a handful of people who qualify for the CGA Championship Finals for the State of California, just being there really has enough value all on its own. Tikkun made her proud over and over. Katrina and Tikkun where 3rd qualifiers for the Novice Match Race for Speed Barrels. The pair was cool under pressure of the buzzer and 5 second count as they raced head to head against one of the other 7 who qualified. They won the first heat. But Tikkun over ran his turn around and was out in the second heat. Again recognizing herself as one of few who have opportunity to have this experience, was gracious, and grateful to even be in it. When to all of our surprise in the last event of the last day Katrina and Tikkun won the FC division 18-49 State Champion Title for Figure 8 Stake. Defining irony as this was one of two events that the pair struggled with all season. Tikkun in two years has stepped into his place in our community. He gives his contribution with understanding and joy. I marvel to see him follow the fence as if to say, pick me. How he works politely with the little kids who are starting to work with him. But mostly the way he nickers to Katrina when he sees her look in his direction.
Tara and Zen
So often in things, you do the work, you put in the time and you get where you want to be. Tara has been sneaking up on embracing High Point win status and in the face of the magnitude of this venue did not waiver. Tara and Zen won the FC division 18 - 49, State Championship title for Figure 8 Flag. And where a consistent name on the top ten daily list. Early in the week there was a tie and that broke to show Tara and Zen where holding and stalking the top three. By the end of the week the standings boasted this pairs consistency. Tara and her gypsy ran away with the FC Division Reserve Championship title for the State of California, winning the monogrammed and bejeweled saddle pad.
Sally and Linus have been exploring all edges of the box. Now and again running into the higher, AA division and crashing down in the lower, FC division. Having explored the highs and lows Sally and Linus settled into the accurate consistency that can not be argued. When you know your ride, your rhythm, your timing, then you can make adjustments when things are out of balance or slightly off track, with ease and confidence. Sally and Linus are now playing in that arena. Where true trouble shooting can become awareness and success every time. I watched Sally make the transition from chasing her times/rides to creating them. Winning the BiRangle State Title Silver Buckle for 2014. Sally and Linus where in their truth and never wavered while those around them pushed to hard or held back and went to slow. Sally and Linus claimed the High Point Championship Saddle for the A division 2014.
We have a truly talented and dedicated group of riders.
Congratulations to each of you for your personal triumphs!
www.gypsystation.com
So?! They ask, How did it go?
It did not occur to me that all the updates from our riders participation in the California Gymkhana Association State Championship Show 2014 went directly onto the web page. And that I had not posted the info here for those of you who look forward to reading this section.
Well, . . . it was amazing and inspiring. Exhausting. Fulfilling, and depleting. State show is 10 days of riding your hart out, crossing your fingers. Tears of excitement and tears of disappointment. For some tears of heartbreak and pain.
The MOB rode to the best of their ability in one moment in time. And in this sport your moment is measured in seconds. And sometimes tenths and hundredths of seconds.
Maddy and Cowboy turned in their faster times in just about all their events this year. And they held the top ten for the state of California out of 25 riders in the A division age 16 - 21.
The competition was fierce. If Maddy was holding the lead with a 30.706 there would be a 30.643 then a 30.059 and a 29.882 would swoop in and take the win.
Cowboy at the age of 20 was fit and confident in his runs. Maddy took excellent care of Cowboy, wrapping his legs with clay and using the herbal liniment we make at the barn from scratch. Hand walking him and letting him roll in the soft dirt of the warm up track. Cowboy was well muscled and never over winded even with all his allergies. And in all of his events he had that happy lets do this attitude. No bucking, or crabbing or any of those attitudes of crankiness that Cowboy is so honest about sharing. Maddy rode hard to hold onto the top ten list of who's who. I admire you Maddy! You are a great sportswoman and you always remember, its who your horse thinks you are that matters most.
Cowboy Loves You.
And what matters most to him, is that you love him. No matter what.
Katrina and Tikkun made the commitment to compete at the State Championship Finals and Tikkun came about and really surprised all of us pulling into the next division with his fastest most accurate runs and times. Personal best we call those, bitter sweet at this venue. Running a time faster than the rating time bracket lands you at the bottom of the next division. There is frustration when you are right there over and over but miss that State Title win by tenths of a second. And miss out on the point bracket for either division. Katrina was the picture of grace and acceptance and never failed in her love and pride of Tikkun. Katrina was radiant with the glow that should be reveled, being one of a handful of people who qualify for the CGA Championship Finals for the State of California, just being there really has enough value all on its own. Tikkun made her proud over and over. Katrina and Tikkun where 3rd qualifiers for the Novice Match Race for Speed Barrels. The pair was cool under pressure of the buzzer and 5 second count as they raced head to head against one of the other 7 who qualified. They won the first heat. But Tikkun over ran his turn around and was out in the second heat. Again recognizing herself as one of few who have opportunity to have this experience, was gracious, and grateful to even be in it. When to all of our surprise in the last event of the last day Katrina and Tikkun won the FC division 18-49 State Champion Title for Figure 8 Stake. Defining irony as this was one of two events that the pair struggled with all season. Tikkun in two years has stepped into his place in our community. He gives his contribution with understanding and joy. I marvel to see him follow the fence as if to say, pick me. How he works politely with the little kids who are starting to work with him. But mostly the way he nickers to Katrina when he sees her look in his direction.
Tara and Zen
So often in things, you do the work, you put in the time and you get where you want to be. Tara has been sneaking up on embracing High Point win status and in the face of the magnitude of this venue did not waiver. Tara and Zen won the FC division 18 - 49, State Championship title for Figure 8 Flag. And where a consistent name on the top ten daily list. Early in the week there was a tie and that broke to show Tara and Zen where holding and stalking the top three. By the end of the week the standings boasted this pairs consistency. Tara and her gypsy ran away with the FC Division Reserve Championship title for the State of California, winning the monogrammed and bejeweled saddle pad.
Sally and Linus have been exploring all edges of the box. Now and again running into the higher, AA division and crashing down in the lower, FC division. Having explored the highs and lows Sally and Linus settled into the accurate consistency that can not be argued. When you know your ride, your rhythm, your timing, then you can make adjustments when things are out of balance or slightly off track, with ease and confidence. Sally and Linus are now playing in that arena. Where true trouble shooting can become awareness and success every time. I watched Sally make the transition from chasing her times/rides to creating them. Winning the BiRangle State Title Silver Buckle for 2014. Sally and Linus where in their truth and never wavered while those around them pushed to hard or held back and went to slow. Sally and Linus claimed the High Point Championship Saddle for the A division 2014.
We have a truly talented and dedicated group of riders.
Congratulations to each of you for your personal triumphs!
www.gypsystation.com