Cross Creek Horsemanship

Bushwacked!

My neighbor, Tyler, and I ride horses for hours almost every afternoon when he gets home from school.  I take turns riding Ladd and my sister’s horse, Dolly.  We ride all over our ranch and even in surrounding pastures and woods with permission of course.

Last Saturday I was riding Dolly and Tyler was riding the horse that he is getting paid to train.  We rode into the pasture with my PawPaw’s cattle herd.  We rode up a dam and Dolly turned to the right.  She began running.  She ran through bushes and under tree limbs.

I did not have time to react.  I was only worried about staying on the saddle.  I hung on for dear life as limbs and leaves began hitting me.  They stung my face, but I kept my eyes closed.

It happened so fast that I did not have time to think.  I heard myself thinking, “Pull back.  Make her stop.  She can’t run away with me.”  I immediately pulled back on the reins and said, “Whoa!” in a calm, but commanding voice.  She responded instantly.

I looked around me and realized that we had only traveled about 10 feet.  Man, time sure passes slowly when your adrenaline kicks in.  Everything had been in slow motion.

Tyler encouraged me.  He praised me for taking back control.  He praised me for staying on Dolly.  He also persuaded me to ride back to the barn and tie Dolly to a patience post.  Then we walked home together.  I wanted to make sure that my eye was okay.

When I walked in the door, my mom immediately saw my eye.  “What happened to you?” she asked.  She thought Tyler and I had gotten into a fist fight.  I laughed and said with a smile, “I was bushwhacked!”

Tyler and I stayed for lunch and told the story.  Then we walked back to the barn, untied our horses, let them get a drink of water, and rode out again.  Dolly did fine the second time out.

Neither one of us know why she bolted.  I guess she was tired and wanted to go home.  Maybe the patience post was what she needed after all.  She sure behaved that afternoon.

My Mawmaw found an old newspaper clipping  and she gave it to  me.  It is called the Cowboy Ten Commandments. I thought it was fun so I am sharing it with you.

The clipping says, “These have been posted on the wall of a ‘cowboy church’ at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, TX. They were too good not to pass along.”

1. Just one God.
2. Honor yer Ma ‘n Pa.
3. No telling tales or gossipin’.
4. Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
5. Put nothin’ before God.
6. No foolin’ around with another fellow’s gal.
7. No killin’.
8. Watch yer mouth.
9. Don’t take what ain’t yers.
10. Don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddy’s stuff.

The source of the clip was USA Today. I do not know when it was printed.

Our tickets from Ryan Gray and Jason Havens were awesome!  We sat behind the chutes.  We could see them warm-up and stretch.  And, we watched Ryan advance to the finals.

Jason was knocked down to sixth place with one of the last rides of the night.  We were sad for him, but he was such a good sport.  It made me think of the saying, “You lose some, you win some.”

My cowboy hat is completely covered with the autographs of many bronc riders and steer wrestlers.  Each one was so nice, but my favorite cowboys are Ryan and Jason.

On Saturday, my mom ordered the rodeo finals on pay-per-view.  It is so exciting to watch an event when you know people competing.  Ryan was the first bareback rider to participate.  He scored an 84.5.  We were cheering because we knew that was a good score.  He placed third and moved to the Super Series.

The winner of the Super Series receives a $50,000 bonus.  Of course, we wanted Ryan to win this money.  He was up against the best of the best that day.

Ryan rode second.  His ride was so good!  His horse did a great job bucking and moving.  Ryan rode in time keeping the rhythm of the horse.  It was a beautiful sight!  We knew that he did a fantastic job, and we hoped that the judges would score him accordingly.  He made 90.5!!!

We were yelling and cheering because we knew his score would be tough to beat.  We watched the other two riders ride well and waited expectantly for their scores.  In the end, Ryan was the winner!

Below you can watch their video blog “The Pride of the PRCA.”  You can also view the Houston Finals of 2010.  Unfortunately it is just an overview of the rodeo.  You can only watch part of Ryan’s ride.

Immediately he was interviewed on the arena floor.  I was really impressed because he praised God.  He came across being very humble.  I also found out some information about Ryan and Jason.

Ryan is a member of Forever Cowboys.  They try to spread the Gospel wherever they go.  Jason and Ryan have a video blog called “The Pride of the PRCA.”  The shoot video footage of them traveling, behind the scenes of the rodeo, and interviews with other cowboys.  It was fun to watch.

Ryan also has his own website.  To visit it, click here.  If you are interested in rodeo or in either one of these two bareback riders watch their video blog.  I enjoyed seeing what life is like for a rodeo cowboy.

Congratulations, Ryan, on your victory in Houston!  Thank you both for such a memorable evening at the rodeo.  Jason, good luck next time.  I hope that this year you will both do your best and stay safe and healthy.

Ryan Gray, Jake DeHaven, and Jason Havens

Sunday afternoon was an exciting time for me after church.  My PawPaw and Grandma had met some bareback riders at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo earlier that week.  My PawPaw used to ride bareback before my mom was born.  Anyway, my grandparents invited these two cowboys to our ranch for a day of fishing.

I did not know if they were going to take up the invitation.  I really wanted to meet them myself.  When I got home from church later that afternoon, two men were fishing on my PawPaw’s lake.  I could not wait to go meet them.

Ryan Gray is from Cody, Wyoming.  He is doing very well at the Houston Rodeo.  Jason Havens is also doing very well.  Jason is from Oregon.  Both of them were very nice.  They agreed to take a photograph with me.  They also signed my straw cowboy hat.

Now I have three signatures on my hat that are special to me.  Clinton Anderson,  a famous horseman, along with Ryan and Jason’s signatures decorate the back brim of my hat.  Even when I grow out of my hat, I am going to keep it forever.

Both Ryan and Jason are going to ride in the semi-finals tonight in Houston.  They are going to try their best to make it to the finals on Saturday.  I am very excited for both of them.  I am even more excited because they got my family tickets to see them ride tonight.  So, not only are Ryan and Jason great cowboys, but they are also generous.

I will be cheering with all of my heart for my two new cowboy friends.  Good luck to both Ryan and Jason!  I hope that you both have the ride of your life tonight!

I received exciting news this week.  Lee Cullen from Confessions of a Struggling Dressage Rider honored me with the Beautiful Blogger award.  It looks like this:

I love horses and I love to write so I thank my mom for letting me own Cross Creek Horsemanship, which allows me to share my two loves with others.  She also counts this as part of my school work.

With the acceptance of this award, I am supposed to share seven things about myself that you might not already know.  This is harder than it looks because some of my readers know me very well and some do not know me at all.

1.  I have mutton busted three times at the Grimes County Rodeo.
2.  I carried the Texas flag in the grand entry of the rodeo while riding Ladd.
3.  My favorite author is John Erickson, who writes the Hank the Cowdog series.
4.  My favorite dinner is chicken-fried steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn-on-the cob.
5.  I am a Christian.
6.  I like to cook and am learning to grill.
7.  I am dyslexic.

I hope that my blog encourages others.  I want to help people enjoy horses.  My mom has taught me that talent can only get you so far.  It is passion that separates you from the crowd.  I certainly have a passion for horses so I hope that what she says is true.

Clayton riding Commander.

Watching nature is very interesting.  The behavior of horses is one thing that I have been watching lately.

I told you about our horse, Commander.  Since he has been here on our ranch, he has been at the bottom of the totem pole with the other horses.  They kicked at him, bit at him, etc.

As far as a riding horse, Commander was great.  He would do anything that you asked him to do.  He was a pleasure to ride.

But something has changed.  Commander is asserting himself with the other horses and with us.  He has earned himself the title, “Boss Man of the Herd.”  When all the horses are out of their pens and together in the big pasture, Commander is telling the mares when they can move, where they can go, etc.  He is also driving the other gelding away from the mares.  Angus has to graze alone on the other side of the pasture.

Commander is using his body language to control his newly-claimed herd.  With a turn of his ear, the mares will obey him.  He has fought Angus and apparently won as top horse.

I do not care which horse is in control of the herd; however, I do care when a horse asserts itself on one of us.  Now that Commander is numero uno, he is being difficult with any rider.  Regardless if it is PawPaw or my brother, Clayton, riding him, Commander has been rearing up and bucking.  He is no longer a pleasure to ride.

What to do with a misbehaving horse?  Clearly, show him who is boss!  PawPaw has taken Commander back to school.  Several days a week PawPaw works Commander hard in the round pen.  Commander is slowly realizing that PawPaw is still the boss of him.

On Tuesday, the coolest thing happened at my house.  It snowed!  It snowed very hard!  It was exciting!

I thought you would enjoy seeing some pictures that my mom and I took.  The day before the snow came, my whole family worked together to put blankets on all of our horses.  They do not have a covered shelter yet.  The barn is not finished.

Our horses, like us, are not used to snow or any winter precipitation.  We take special good care of them.  We feed them extra grain when it is so cold.  Of course, you have to break the ice off of the watering trough.

I think the horses liked the snow, but not as much as my brothers and sister did.

It is really snowing!

My baby brother, Andrew, is trying to catch a snowflake on his tongue.

Commander eating his dinner in the snow.

Angus in the snow.

Jesse in the snow.

A snowy pasture.

Clay in the snow.

Kyla, Drew, and Isaac in the snow.

I hope that you enjoyed seeing our day in the snow.  I hope that you stay warm throughout the rest of this unusually cold winter.

Yesterday at a 4-H meeting, Don Sowell, the Grimes County Sheriff, spoke to our club.  I know Sheriff Sowell well because he is the head of the Jr. Mounted Posse.  If you have read many of my articles, then you know that I really enjoy being a part of that organization.  I learned a lot by listening to Sheriff Sowell yesterday.  I wanted to share it with you.

Sheriff Sowell designed the badge that he wears based on the history of Grimes County and the city of Anderson, which is the county seat.  Since I wear the badge as a member of the Posse, it was very interesting to learn about the design.

When settlers first began settling in what is now called Anderson, Texas, they noticed that the town was built on seven hills.  They called it “Little Rome” because of the similarities between this town and the ancient city of Rome, which is also built on seven hills.  Later the town changed its name to honor Kenneth Anderson.  He was the last vice-president of the Republic of Texas.  Unfortunately he died at the Fanthorp Inn in Anderson.

My Posse Badge

Looking at the badge, a seven-pointed star is in the background representing the seven hills of Anderson.  Then you will see the circle and a five-point star.  The star is the traditional star of Texas.  It holds the seal of Texas, too.  Traditionally, early law enforcement officers carved their badges from a cinco peso coin.  Since Grimes County was created in 1846 after Texas joined the United States, the sheriff’s badge has the words, “Est. 1846,” on his badge.

In addition to the badge, I learned who the county is named after.  It is named in honor of two men who were father and son.  Jesse Grimes, the father, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.  His son, Albert Grimes died a hero at the Alamo.

I will wear the badge proudly.  It is so nice to understand the meaning behind it.  I thank Sheriff Sowell for taking the time to teach us about our county.  Regardless of where you live, try to find out its history.  It might surprise you.

Ladd and Jake

Valentine’s Day is this Sunday.  We are making special heart-shaped cookies at home.  We are thinking of ways to show people that we love them.

I like Valentine’s Day.  I like getting sweet little notes.  I love eating chocolates and candy.  I like surprising my mom and dad with a homemade card, but I also like to do something sweet for my horses.

Months ago I wrote an article called “Where is Your Horse’s Love Spot?” for a different blog.  I am proud of this article and recommend that you read it.  I know where Ladd’s love spot is.  He loves it when I rub between his jaw bones under his head.

Spend time this week finding your horse’s love spot.  Bring him/her an apple or carrot as a treat.  Brush them down for no reason.  Detangle and/or fix his/her hair.  I have seen horses with braided tails, braids in the mane, etc.  Take them on a fun ride.

Whatever you do this Valentine’s Day, remember your horse.  Remind them how much you love them too.  I talk a lot about enjoying your horse.  Let them have a reason to enjoy being around you, too.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Can you say “BRRRRR!!?”  Man, last Saturday was extremely cold.  It was overcast the entire day.  There was a stiff breeze that sent the just above freezing weather straight through your body.

Dressed as warmly as possible.

I had blue jeans and chaps to cover my legs.  I had my Posse uniform on, which consists of a long-sleeved shirt and vest.  I put my heavy winter coat on under my Posse windbreaker.  Of course, I had on gloves and warm socks.  I also wore my felt cowboy hat with stampede strings tight under my chin.   Stampede strings saved my hat from being ruined.  The wind was blowing so hard that I would have surely lost my hat on the ride.

Ladd and I trotted and loped a minimum of 1 mile at a time.  We had 3 legs to ride before the parade entrance to the fairgrounds at the end of the day.  All in all, Ladd and I rode a total of 4 1/2 miles that day.  The exercise was good for both of us.

The second leg of the day was my favorite part of the day.  Ladd and I rode the leg immediately following my sister Kyla’s leg.  I got to watch her ride up to me and I took the saddle bags from her.  Then I took off for exactly one-mile.  That mile seemed to go the fastest because Ladd was warmed up nicely.

The scariest part of the day was having to ride down the busy Highway 105 on horseback.  18-wheelers, motorcycles, and the possibility of a train sounding its horn combined to make my a little nervous.  I was very thankful that two Grimes County Sheriff Deputies drove next to me to help keep me safe.  They stopped traffic when needed.  They kept up with our pace.  They stayed right there beside Ladd and I.

When we finally made it within a mile of the Grimes County Fairgrounds, our Posse met up with the Harris County Posse.  Together we walked the rest of the way in a parade fashion.  By this time, I was a frozen Popsicle.  A Go-Texan cook-off team had prepared dinner for all of us, but my family decided not to stay.  We were all so cold.  The horses were cold.  And, we all just wanted to go home.

We had a successful Pony Express ride.  Nobody got hurt.  No trucks and/or trailers got stuck in the mud.  We were representing our Sheriff as well as the Go-Texan Committee.  I think we did a fine job being ambassadors for them.  If you are interested in being a part of the Grimes County Jr. Mounted Posse, contact the sheriff.  His office number is (936) 873-6442.