Ready as we'll ever be

Well it's here... the 2017 SBRA Provincial Finals! 

Move in day is today, and I've entered both Lefta and Frosty.  I'll take them in and get them settled, then spend some time with Hubster before heading back for time onlies.  Yes they're both patterned, and yes they've both been there before, but with how well they've been doing this year and coming *thisclose* to the short go last year I'm trying to do everything I can to set us up for success this year, so they both get time onlies.

The two long go's are Tuesday and Wednesday and then the short go is Thursday.

I've got all my stuff prepped and ready and while I may be a bit nervous, I'm more excited and yet at the same time strangely feeling calm & centered... there's nothing I can do now to get my horses more fit, they're both trained, the weather will do whatever it does, the only thing I can control is myself and my attitude.  We're as ready as we'll be and whatever happens will happen :)

I'll probably be updating on Instagram (cdn_cowgirl) during finals

blog updates will have to wait until later

Odin

I bought Odin as a weanling, maybe it was a sign but the deciding factor between him and Owen, the bay colt I liked, was "well if it ever came down to it colour does sell"... and on July 16th he sold. Well, he had been tentatively sold since end of May/beginning of June.  But until they showed up with a cheque and took him I didn't consider it a done deal.
My runty little colt had grown up into a pretty nice horse.  Quite a few people had said he'd be lucky to hit 15hh and he was definitely 16hh or more this spring. 

JLS Ima Cool Threat aka Odin pictured in March of his yearling year

Odin pictured on July 16th, waiting for the buyer to come check him out

 

I won't deny that I have a bit of mixed feelings about selling him.  I liked him, he was a nice enough horse but he needed a job and wasn't working out for what I wanted.  And I just don't have the time to keep my two main horses in shape for barrels, keep Voodoo used, and keep Odin going.  He was still on the green side from being set aside so often and he was at the point he needed steady work to really progress instead of always being just a side project.

A friend of mine put a few rides on him and said she knew the perfect home for him, sent them a few pics and videos and bang he was "sold".  With the current horse market here and hay being a bit scarce (omg it's SO damn dry this year!) I was happy he sold so quickly.  But then there was that waiting game for them to actually come and see him... and then it turned out the gentleman ("D") couldn't make it so he sent his girlfriend and daughter.  They hemmed and hawed a bit but in the end they completed the cheque "D" had sent with them and loaded him up.  He's now off to be a ranch horse with the possibility of being a head horse.  Pretty much perfect careers for the big guy.  And I'd say they like him because a day or two later my friend that helped arrange the sale tagged me in a photo on Facebook, "the girlfriend" had made him her cover photo :)

Photo shamelessly borrowed from "the girlfriend's" FB

 

Red, White & Gold

So this happened :D

This past Saturday, July 1st, something myself and two friends (MJ and Ash) have been working on for months came to fruition.  The first ever slot race in Saskatchewan took place! 
I am so proud of the Red, White and Gold... from how well received it was by both sponsors and barrel racers, to how well run it was and smoothly it went, and the quality of the event itself (it was a big undertaking for us, we had never produced an event like this). 
The RWG ran Saturday morning, and following that was our annual District 1 Canada Day double header jackpot.  The three of us are also on the district board and for some reason we were the only ones from the board that worked the jackpots :/  However we were very fortunate to have a *FANTASTIC* group of volunteers!  The same people that timed, announced, and worked ground for the RWG stayed on to work the jackpots.  Our photographer stayed and took photos during the jackpot as well.  We had people in place to check/set barrels and to work the gate for the RWG, and someone always stepped up for the jackpot to work the gate and pick up barrels.  So grateful for those volunteers!  Between taking care of and running my own horses and running the time onlies before the RWG, there was still a lot of work for MJ, Ash, and myself that day.  It was so worth it though!  We're already talking about a 2nd RWG next year :)
Now, for the Team Rafter K results... Frosty didn't place in the money (he was only in the jackpots) but we did have our best runs to date, and he even clocked better than Lefta which is not the norm!  Lefta picked up some 3D money at the jackpot and placed reserve 4D champ in the slot race, which came with some pretty nice prizes and $800.  Overall I'm very happy with how both horses worked!
*photo credit to Wild Ting Photography for the photo commemorating the event*