Ranch Cutting Competition in Muleshoe, Texas

RANCH CUTTING
Saturday, March 8, 2014

Open NCHA Class
Open Ranch Class
Youth Ranch Class
Other classes available!

$100 per rider/horse
(includes $50 cattle fee and $50 jackpot)

NCHA rules will apply for NCHA class.
All Ranch classes will follow NCHA rules with the exception of the reining rule!

Cutting practice starts at 12pm $40 per run
Books open at 2pm
NCHA Open Class starts at 3pm
All ranch classes will follow

Come join us 4 miles East of Muleshoe, Texas on Hwy 84!  Plenty of fresh cattle and an indoor facility!

For more information call
806-782-5285

WTAMU Ranch Horse Team Clinic!!!!

After two previous cancellations of this clinic, we finally had the weather cooperate for a great day on January 26, 2014!  Nine members of the West Texas A & M University Ranch Horse Team made the trip to Muleshoe for a day of riding.  This was a great group of college students mounted on some really awesome horses!  The diverse group has joined together to challenge the nation in Stock Horse Competitions in 2014.  There were Texans from Houston to the Panhandle and out-of-staters from New Mexico, Illinois, Kansas, and Arizona.  The students brought many disciplines to the table from English to barrel racing to reining to real cowboy work!

We went through three categories of the stock horse competition, ranch pleasure, ranch trail, and cow work.  I shared some drills and exercises to improve softness, flexibility, natural collection, and rate.  With horsemanship in trail and pleasure in the morning and cow work after a great lunch at Leal's Mexican Food Restaurant, there was plenty of riding!

I believe that this group of individuals, with hard work and determination, can be really competitive for the national title this year.  I am very optimistic that this group of young people are going to be able to make a difference not only in the horse world but in the future of our nation.  Our future lies with these and other students like them.  It is our responsibility to equip them with the tools necessary for success.  We must look past ourselves and give willingly of our time, knowledge, and resources to insure a positive future!  I know that it will work!!!!

I would like to give a special "Thank You" to Allen Scott for the use of his facility and cattle.  We could not have done it without him!

The Next Generation!

I have to write about something that I witnessed first hand this weekend.  I was checking in horses and assigning stalls at a well known horse sale in our area on Friday.  The weather was just awful!  The highs were in the mid 20's with windchills recording below 10 degrees.  The little bit of rain followed by ice and snow put a nice icing on the cake for the sale!  I enjoy  being around that sale because I get to work with a few people I really enjoy, meet new friends and see old ones, and get to look at some good horses.  Plus, who could turn down the opportunity to be outside all day in beautiful weather!!!!

As I was standing waiting on more horses to arrive, a young man that I had checked in earlier came and stood next to me.  I could feel him staring at me so I said, "How's it going, bud?"  He answered by asking me, "Aren't you the guy I met at Edd's that one time some years ago?"  Well I'll be darn!  It sure was!  I had met him one time while he was working for a friend on mine riding colts.  We exchanged introductions again and began a conversation pertaining to what he was doing, what horses he had in the sale, and what he planned on doing in the future.  He is a student at Texas Tech and almost finished with his degree.  He told me he dreams of working for a top named horse trainer and riding cutting horses.  After a nice conversation, he went his way, and I continued on mine.  It was really nice seeing a kid that took the time to remember me and acknowledge that.

The next evening as we stood in the brisk breeze watching the snow cover the ground, the kid rode by riding his little mare ponying his "old kid horse."  He was smiling ear to ear!  I asked if he made out alright in the sale.  He happily told me what he got for both horses.  The prices were really good, meeting more than his expectations and being very fair prices to the buyers!  He trotted off to his stalls.

As I was walking looking for a certain horse for it's new owner, I noticed this kid at his stalls.  He was rubbing on his mares forehead and talking quietly in her ear as he removed her halter.  As he continued I walked over to him.  With tears in his eyes, he looked up at me and said, "Dang, this is really hard.  This is the first time I have ever done this."  I told him, "Things that are worth doing are worth the emotion.  If those ponies didn't mean anything it would be easy!"  He proceeded to ask me for my number and ask if he could come ride with me sometime.  As we shook hands, we wished each other well and parted ways.

WOW!  I was so taken!  I thought a lot about it over the last couple days!  I am so glad that there is a generation following mine that has the desire to take horsemanship into the future for the right reasons.  Money and fame make the world go around, but, I will say it again, if fortune and fame are the reasons you own/train/ride horses then maybe you're missing the whole point!  Buck Brannaman says that one of the reasons he does clinics is because the next Tom Dorrance or Ray Hunt may be out there waiting to come forward!  If anything that I do influences anyone to make a better way for horses and people then my work is accomplished!  Keep working younger generations!  We need you!

Handmade buckaroo chinks!

Here is a great pair of 100% handmade buckaroo chinks. These are made from 5 oz. quality leather and are 32" long and have adjustable button and tab closures. They are adjustable from 22"+. The fringe is 4-6" long and bottoms are square. There is a string ring and an inside pocket (big enough for a can of snuff, keys, needles, etc.) on the left side. There is one small stainless concho on each side and stainless buckle with 1" heavy leather belt.

 

These are good working chinks and have enough look for shows.  I have these ready to ship so give me a call if you interested.  I am asking $175 for these.  Also call me if you are interested in a completely custom pair.  I will be able to make a few pair before Christmas!

Time and patience...

Two things that I have really found to be essential in becoming a horseman are time and patience.  Those two things are very similar.  In the fast paced world we live in, they are two things that are constantly overlooked.  And believe me, they are two things that I forget very often.

After all, if it takes you two weeks to get a horse prepared for its first ride, what difference is that two weeks going to make when that horse is 8 years old?  Better yet, what difference would 2 months make?  The only difference I can think of is a more willing, confident horse that would not revert back to a time when too many things were crammed into too little time!

There is also a money aspect involved.  A client may want a trainer to take a colt for 30 days to get it started.  There are many things to be considered before taking that colt.  What does that person WANT in 30 days?  What CAN be done in 30 days?  What SHOULD be done in 30 days?  There is a big difference in a 3 year old colt that has never been worked with and a long yearling that is halter broke and has had lots of ground work done with it!  It is our responsibility to relay the facts of what can really be done with a particular horse in a certain amount of time and to charge accordingly!

It is imperative for real horsemen to take the time and patience needed to make any horse all that it can be.  As we all know a horse can only handle so much in a certain amount of time.  True horsemen have to know that difference!  Make a difference in the lives of horses and clients by spending quality time and having patience!

Handmade Chaps

Here is a pair of 100% handmade, Texas bell leggins that I just finished.  They are pretty sharp, in my opinion!  These are step-ins with five 1 1/2" stainless conchos down each leg, string ring, mitten pocket on left, and cut-out of Playboy Bunny on stiffeners.  The measure 24.5" at the thigh and 38" in length.  They have a dark stained 1" belt and lots of brown buckstitch.  Any cowboy would be proud to work in these, and they are fancy enough to wear at the shows!  I am asking $350 OBO for these leggins.  Please feel free to make an offer!

If you are interested in these chaps or would like to order a custom pair, please call me at 210-913-3884.  JL Cowboy Leather offers great cowboy gear at cowboy prices!

Thoughts...Newtown, Conn.

I thought I would take a few minutes and write a few thoughts in the shadows of the horrific tragedy that took place in Newtown, Conn. last week.

First, my sincerest condolences go to all the families and people of Newtown.  My prayers and thoughts have been and will be with those who lost loved ones.  I know that there is nothing that can replace the lives of these 26 people, but my hope is that the love of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ will bring you peace in the days, weeks, months, and years to follow.

As tears came to my eyes and an emptiness filled my heart after hearing the tragic news, I really began to think of my family and my life.  Man, how much do we take for granted the things that we are so blessed to have in our lives?!  I have really been thinking on how awesome the relationship with my kids really is and how soon that will be changed as they leave home.  I can't even begin to fathom what it would be like without them at all!

Since, the events I have begun looking a little longer at my children and other kids that I see elsewhere.  I begin to take a little deeper look at the things that God has blessed me so greatly with like, my wife, my job, my horses, my dogs...the sunrise...the wind...the weather...our home, our food, our clothes...  All these things I take for granted so often!  It is really sad that it takes a tragedy to make me think deeper about them.

As a country, we need to quit trying to place blame for things like this and really look deeply at ourselves and at things we can do to help preserve the lives of others!  It is amazing how a kind word can lift a spirit, or how a little smile can be repaid by another one.  I know that these things will not stop all the atrocities that this world can dish out but maybe it can make things a little better in our own little world.  After all, when asked what the greatest commandment was Jesus responded by saying, "Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul and love your neighbor as you love yourself!"  After looking deeper at my blessings, in spite of how "bad I think I have it," maybe I can make a little difference.  I hope I can start it at home, and they'll help me further it!

As we see the events that come from this tragedy, may we really see the blessings that God has given us as a nation and do our part to make it a better place for mankind, especially for our children!