We Have a Winner!

This is pretty much the mantra I've had training Lefta on barrels.  I've brought her along really slow, focusing on correct and toward the end of last season I started asking for some run.

The last jackpot I entered was in September, and the last time I did any barrel work with Lefta would have been September or October.
There are some winter jackpots this winter at Prairieland, which is also where we have our SBRA provincial finals so anytime you can get in that arena and make a run is a bonus.  I've been wanting to take Lefta but most of them are on Saturdays and seeing as I have team penning Saturday evenings it can make for a bit of a full day.
This Saturday though I decided to go ahead and go.  One of my boarders was going and Lefta and I hitched a ride with her.

It sure didn't seem like she'd had time away from the barrels.  She didn't run really hard, she's still figuring that part out but she sure looks for those turns.  She turns really nice, pretty much anytime she makes a run someone comments on how pretty and correct her turns are lol  Now to keep them nice while adding speed ;) 

We placed in the 3D in both jackpots, 2nd in the first jackpot and won it in the second one!  My little girl's first win!

So this happened...

A week and a half ago we went to pick up my Christmas present...

Fuegos Cuda Girl

The Hubster and I had a good chat early this winter about what our plans and dreams are for the future.  I told him that I want to do better and have better horses.  We talked about things we can do to help get there, hard work of course is part of it but better quality horses would help out.  Unfortunately a better quality  horse that's ready to go, or even green broke, just isn't in my budget (holy crap, try buying a decent barrel horse or prospect in Saskatchewan or within a reasonable distance... or maybe I've been sheltered by the prices of average horses for too long) :/

Anyhoo, we decided that a weanling/yearling would be possible and Hubster gave me the go ahead to start looking.  I found a lot of nice colts, but I wanted a filly.  Part of the plan is to stick with mares* so that if (heaven forebid!) it got hurt there is still the possibility of a broodmare career (or resale as a broodie).

Most of the fillies I was finding were 8-10 hours away, but then a Facebook friend reminded me that there was a breeder with nice horses not too far away (less than 2 hours).  I hadn't actually forgotten about them, I'd drooled all over his posts every time he put up a foal this spring and summer.  I just thought they'd all sold.  There were a few left though, mostly colts but a couple fillies, so my friends Shelbs and Jada went on a quick road trip to Starlight Quarter Horses with me right after Christmas and I found this little girl.
Kelly & Michelle were awesome.  It was so darn cold but they took the time to let us look at all the babies, showed us both studs and walked us through the broodmare herd.  The pride they have in their stock is obvious (and deserved!).

January 4th Hubster and I returned to pick her up, Hubster got the tour as well. :)  
Her registered name is Fuegos Cuda Girl, we've given her the barn name Sarita.
Her sire, Frenchmans Fuego is Frenchmans Guy and Firewater Flit bred and her dam is a nice big mare with old school cowhorse breeding.

Sarita has been here a week and a half and is settling in well, she was a bit flighty but is coming around, Kelly had warned me all of that mares foals are like that at first.  Already Sarita is showing she's got try and smarts, I'm really excited to what the future holds for her!

*the plan may be mares, but there are always exceptions to be made for the right gelding.  And Voodoo of course, he's not going anywhere even if he doesn't fit in the barrel horse plan lol