Sunday

     I loved having my boy riding in my truck this morning!!

     After church we headed out to the ranch to give Phoenix her bute paste.  It took about half an hour and Navid's help because Phoenix was being cranky and pushy but we finally got the meds down and Phoenix enjoyed being petted and loved on after that.  I feel bad that she is stall bound.  Everytime you come near her stall she goes to the gate and nickers.  She will run around like crazy once she is 100% better.  

Jan CCOBRA

     On saturday I arrived at the Marana Heritage Arena bright and early to warm up Jack and run a time only before the race started.  I took pictures for a few hours and then warmed him back up and headed to the arena.  I admit I was a little nervous and held him back but we still had a good run and ran a 21!  He is capable of a lot more but my skill level wasn't ready to race his full potential yet.  I'm hoping to let him go all the way next time.  I micromanaged him too much due to what I'm used to with my girl but Jack just needs to be left alone to do his job.

       I was so blessed for the opportunity to ride and learn from this awesome horse and his owner!  I guess Phoenix being out for a little bit was a blessing in disguise.  Robin also offered to let me exercise her barrel horse this upcoming week and Veronica said I could come ride or race Jack anytime!  I am so thankful for the amazing horse community in Marana and can't wait to take what I learn and put it to use on my girl!  

       After the race was over I went over to hand walk and give Phoenix her meds.  It was a pain to give them to her but eventually they got down.  She kept spooking herself when we were walking and I am nervous that she will make her injuries worse.  IDK where my horse adventures will take me but I am excited to switch it up and learn a bunch!

Jan update

    On monday (Jan 26), Phoenix was still off so I walked her and brushed her and then helped clean stalls and fill waters.  I miss doing barn chores, so I was bummed about Phoenix but happy to help.

     These are bad quality pics but here are the pictures I have hanging up in my truck!!  I love having reminders of courage, faith, and love all around me!!

     On tuesday I dropped by to check on my girl and then headed over to Caulina's where I watched her and Sierra ride and messed around with her awesome sister and the guys.  I was wearing a dress but that didn't stop me from football and running races lol :P 

     Phoenix was still the same on Wednesday so I just walked and brushed her some more.  Mutual was New Beginnings and I had a blast!  I love the gospel and having wholesome fun with friends!  I think my sister and I are growing closer and she did pretty well at the pie eating contest lol 

     Thursday I worked out with my mom and made Phoenix a vet appointment because she still wasn't improving.  Since I had extra time after the ranch, I took my truck out into the desert and found a good spot to park and read scriptures and ponder out in the bed of my truck.  It was quiet and I was able to think and be open to revelation.  I was reminded through scriptures and thoughts that I cannot keep trying to be both of the world and of God.  I need to choose one and stick to it with all my heart.  I know that I choose God, just sometimes I struggle with wanting the instant gratification and popularity of the world.  But I know with the help and strength of God I will be able to overcome my worldly desires and do his work.  

       Friday, Phoenix and I headed over to the Marana Vet Clinic and discovered that she had a splint in her right foreleg that was causing her some pain.  She is to be on stall rest for a month and fed 2 grams of bute for the next 10 days.  It stinks that I can't practice or race her but I'm relieved that it was something that will get better with time.  

     I took my sister out for ice cream and then had the amazing opportunity to ride a horse on friday night and borrow him for saturday's CCOBRA race!  The vet tech, Veronica Payne, was super kind and let me ride her 12 year old gelding, Jack.  He is a 1d barrel horse but was great for me as he rides to the skill of his rider.  It was exhiliarting letting him go during practice once I was comfortable and I need to neck rein better lol but I really like him!

Update

     At the CCOBRA race on saturday I was too broke to race Phoenix so I took thousands of pics for 6 hours and still a week later I am edited them.  It was actually really fun to take pictures and I love capturing moments and giving people a piece of a fun day.  It was the next best thing after actually competing.
     Tuesday was an awesome day with my baby girl!  We worked on groundwork and then had our first full workout without any problems!  The solution, practice my rodeo queen reining stuff.  Guess Phoenix is telling me she wants to work on that haha.  She was super smooth, responsive, and we even did some slide stops.  I love my girl!

      Wednesday we just worked on more of the groundwork and reining from Tuesday and Friday I got my license!  

      The first thing I did was of course drive to see my girl at the ranch.  I was excited to ride her and she seemed ok when I ground walked her.  I hopped on my girl and rode her around through all the gaits for a little bit and suddenly I felt like her trot was off.  I lunged her to check and she was now limping.  We all checked her up and down for sore spots, bones out of place, or anything that could be contributing to the limping but we couldn't find anything.  It was brought to light that Phoenix always seems to go a little bit lame before her feet go done and this time it has been 10 weeks because I didn't have the money. 

     Her frogs are collapsing and her heels are super worn down.  I'm hoping getting her feet fixed will help with the lameness and if I get her feet down more often then it will help eradicate the problem.  I had extra time today so I brushed my girl down good and cleaned stalls because I honestly really miss it.  

     Saturday we went down to Yuma to attend Alanna's Miss Rodeo Arizona coronation!  It was so great to see everybody and to be back in Yuma!  I am super happy for Alanna and I was told by several people that I should move back and run again.  It made me feel great to have Bethany, Alanna, Makaila, and Melissa tell me they miss me and that I'm a great girl who should move back.  Who knows, maybe I will.  I spent the night with Melissa and then we headed back on sunday and I was honestly sad to go.  I didn't always have the best times in Yuma but it's a great little town and I miss it!