Viva la Blountstown!

I finally feel like writing. My job is so Feast or Famine that when I do have to write for it, I get burnt out and refuse to write anything else (not that this is highly structured, well-organized, brain-testing literature or anything).

Anyway.

I did end up going to Blountstown this weekend. It was too far for just me and my broke self to go so I hitched a ride with a friend of a friend and we had a lot of fun. It was a little weird getting in the truck with someone I'd only met once before but I'm a control freak like that. I think we might have a repeat performance next week going to Marianna.

My run was... interesting.

The way FL01 works is they take all the entries then post the draw before they drag to start the Open. If I was organized, I would already have my horse saddled by then. Saturday I was not organized. I usually like to get on Bubba about 30-50 horses before mine. That gives us time to walk around, see the sights, get all the boogers out before we run, lope some circles and sit by the in gate to chill-lax.

I didn't have that this time. I was 19 and by the time I got back to the trailer and saddled they were on 6 or 7.

So I was rushed warming up. I handled it better this time than I have before. I usually get kind of rattled when I have to rush, obsessively listening to the numbers being called and calculating how many I have to go. Thank God FL01 runs a little slower than FL06.

Running to the first barrel, I intended to take a light hold. Bubba was "dressed" in his Pretzel so I thought that would be possible. Bubba being Bubba decided he didn't like that and tried really really hard to run through it. He lugged like a champ. I doubt we were actually going that fast (no video. Dang it.) but from the pressure on my hands, we would have been going a lot faster if I left it up to him.

I wigged out at the first barrel. We overran it a little (felt like a mile and a half but people watching told me it was more like half a stride. I can live with that.) and I fell into the old habit and pulled back. He protested (as he should) and I finally moved my hand forward and he took off for the second....

...and turned right on top of it. His monkey of a rider didn't grab her outside rein until it was too late and he was already turning. (That smacking sound you hear? That's my hand meeting my forehead.)

Our third was pretty but you know what I'm happiest about? Coming off the third, he surged forward like he usually does to run home but I didn't encourage him. I had both reins and just sat there and he actually loped out! Without surging! Without running through the bit! It's a MIRACLE! I never ever thought I would see the day where we would come out of the arena and I wouldn't feel like I was in a car where the brake lines had been cut.

So, like usual, it was a mixed bag of results. I wish we hadn't hit the second because I would have loved to see where we were time wise but, at this point, I'll take what I can get.

On Sunday, we finally were able to till up my little barrel patch so it's back to work for us this evening when I get home. I think we'll probably do some Ed drills around the second and try to free him up a little. I think I've drilled it into his head a little too much to rate, rate, rate. We only need that much rate on the first.

Maybe at Marianna I'll actually run to the first barrel. Wonder if I'll be able to get in a pen before then and give it a shot without having to shell out an entry fee.

Hmm.... I might have to make some phone calls....

Know what else I learned at Blountstown? Somebody besides me actually reads this hot mess of rambling! Hi Missy!!

Countdown to State Finals: 29 days!