Here is fluffy butt on December 2nd. I hate getting out of bed bright and early in the morning when my snuggly buddy won't get up lol.
Fluffybutt got a scrub down and a fluff out later that afternoon while I gave him a much needed bath.
Later that day Phoenix and I ventured out into the cold lol and competed at the local gymkhana at the Marana Heritage Arena. Phoenix behaved well and I had tons of fun warming up and running around the grounds (we were late so we went last). Phoenix was running around and galloping like crazy in the warm up arena and turning nice but when we went into the arena to compete I had to push her to go fast and our turns need work (thats my fault due to the lack of practice). I believe Phoenix's problem with holding back is she has gotten used to my tentativeness at competing so now that I'm ready to open up and kick some butt, she is used to just hanging back while I get more comfortable. We have a long way to go but I'm proud of my girl and the numb hands were totally worth it!
On December 5th, Phoenix and I went on a bareback trail ride as usual but man has my girl gotten a little barn sour. She threw a fit when I tried to take her off of the ranch by backing back through the fence and crow hopping and turning around to run back to the ranch. It took a lot of kicking and riding through a fit but we made it down the street and after I got her out of the middle of the road (which she is usually great at not stopping in) she listened well for a few minutes. Then Phoenix stopped and really wanted to turn around, so she kept crow hopping and I kept circling her to help keep her calm but she reared up really big and I leaned forward but she went up enough that I was scared she would flip over so I bailed off and fell on my butt lol.
Luckily Phoenix waited for me and I hoped back on and she listened well. We ran around the fields and on the Glover's ranch where we played in the water and I got soaked while Phoenix splashed me to death. Then I ran her half way back and made her walk until we got home because the barn sour thing needs to be fixed before it gets more dangerous. Here is me performing silent night on the guitar.
Later that evening my family and I attended the ward Christmas party and we had a blast! The food was great and I loved caroling and laughing with friends and family. What a great group of people and what better way to get into the spirit of Christmas!
December 7th I turned Phoenix out and let her run around for awhile and then we worked on ground work and rope desensitization in the round pen. I brushed her down and ran alongside her on the ground around the track and then we went through all the gaits in both directions bareback for about half an hour on the track. She did great and I love riding my girl and can't wait to I can practice more often.
Here is a video of me performing Lose My Soul by Tobymac on the guitar. It needs some work but I love this song!
I kind of have been terrible at keeping track of December lol so the info for this month will be short but Phoenix and I are still hard at work when I can get out there. I will be honest and say that I haven't had as much time with my horse as I would like this month due to ride availability so my riding and Phoenix's training is suffering but we just have to do the best with what we have until we can change the circumstances. Here are pics of me spending time with family and visiting the Mesa Temple Christmas lights with friends.
Phoenix and I are still having a barn sour issue but she is doing better and I made it down the road before I fell off when she spooked lol (it was my fault for having my stirrups all the way up not Phoenix). I have been working hard to train to be able to ride Phoenix like a jockey and I still have a long way to go (and my stirrups dont go up any more lol) but here are pics and a video from the first time I tried. It doesn't look too good but I have been building up my leg strength since then.
Had a great time at the New Year's Dance with Shawn and friends! Totally killed it at the cupid shuffle and sandwich dance lol Stayed out till the New Year and then stayed up till we caught our flight to SC. Now all of my posts will be for 2016! How crazy is that!
