Bridleless and Bareback

Recently we watched a film clip of Stacy Westfall riding bareback and bridleless in a Championship Freestyle Reining performance. It was awesome. My husband and two oldest daughters ride bridleless as well, (which I plan to work into a book one day) so I can appreciate what Stacy has done and applaud her efforts. Click on the picture below to see Stacy's performance.

Saul Henry "Larry"

Saul Henry, otherwise known as "Larry" has been both a blessing and a bane for our family. A blessing to my two oldest daughters, and my husband's greatest source of woe. Let's just say, their temperaments don't get along well together.

Larry was born into this world in 2001, and since then has won many awards at the county fair, including top place in the reining competition when my oldest rode him bridleless. At fifteen hands, this bay gelding has grown tall and strong, with lots of speed and sometimes a will of his own. He is now my middle daughter's favorite horse.

Miss Rodeo America

My current book that I'm writing has a main character who is a former Miss Rodeo Kansas queen. This has been a fun project to research, especially when I learned that the 2008 Miss Rodeo America (MRA) is from Kansas! How cool is that? Amy and her advisors have been very helpful in answering the many questions I have about MRA. I wanted to thank them for their time and assistance and also share with you a few tidbits I've learned. You may visit the MRA site http://www.missrodeo.com/ for even more information.

Kansas cowgirl Amy Wilson is the 2008 Miss Rodeo America. She captured the coveted crown at the conclusion of a weeklong competition featuring 27 contestants from across the country at the 53rd Annual Miss Rodeo America Pageant, held at The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas in December. Amy is the first cowgirl from Kansas to win the title since Diana Putnam Friend held the title of Miss Rodeo America 1980.

A statuesque beauty at 5’8”, Miss Wilson has blonde hair, blue eyes and an all-American smile. She is the 21-year-old daughter of Lonnie and Lori Wilson, and the sister of five siblings including Kayla, Brenda, Sally, Dana and Brent. They are residents of Colby, KS.

Cowboy Poet

Recently we watched cowboy poet and lay minister Travis Lowen perform at the county fair with horses and an 1800 pound longhorn steer. He taught that working with animals helps us understand authority and obedience using the Bible as our guide. It was quite interesting and entertaining.

First Love ~ Western Art

Here are some pictures, just for fun. See any similarities?

"First Love"

The Hearts of Horses

Since most of my writing includes a horse or two, I thought it might be nice to include a section about horses. Here is a book that is wonderfully written, especially when you get to her horse-breaking scenes.

The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss

I've never met Molly, but I can tell you that this woman knows her horses. You can learn more about this author at http://www.mollygloss.com/ or order her book from Amazon. If you decide to read it, please share your thoughts.

Bonnie

Sixcess Lassie

"Bonnie"

6/1/95 - 5/14/04

Flying over a Field

a poem written by my middle daughter

As I fly in a field I hear the birds singing on hanging branches.
As I ride in the saddle I smell the flowers,
hearing them swish and sway like they were dancing in the field.
It is Spring and I hear the birds flap their wings.
They sound like soft flutes.

The sounds of Spring--

the birds singing, the flowers dancing,

and always the soft whisper of hooves on the grass and the dirt.

As I fly through the flock of flowers I feel peaceful,

for I have determined hooves under me and they will never fail me.

Kansas Equifest

My husband and I recently went to our first Kansas Equifest, a three day horse fair and exposition featuring equine education, demonstrations, entertainment and a huge tradeshow. Next year's show is scheduled for February 13, 14 & 15, 2009 and will feature: Craig Cameron and Craig Cameron's Extreme Cowboy Race, Peggy Brown, and Ken McNabb. To learn more about the event visit http://www.kansashorsecouncil.com/ or http://www.equinepromotions.net/.