Since receiving the Photo CD I bought from the NMMSAR Founders Ranch ACTHA CTC, I have been perusing the photos and enjoying everyone else’s performances while attempting certain obstacles. Especially the obstacles that really challenged Apache and I. I’m not very competitive, so it’s just mostly entertaining as well as a relief to see that it wasn’t just Apache and I who had difficulties.
So I wanted to share some of those wonderful photos, taken by my friend, Theresa’s daughter, Katherine. She did an amazing job being in many places with her camera that day. And she was very generous taking more than 700 photos and selling the photo cd for only $10, while allowing purchasers of the photos to use them however they please.
So without further ado, let’s revisit Moo Cow Bridge.
Queue the theme song from Clint Eastwood’s “The Good, Bad and the Ugly” movie)
You can click play and use that as the background music for the following photos. It’s perfectly appropriate, I promise.
The evil Pine Cows lie in wait (because they had nothing better to do all day)……………………
As you will see, many of the horses were able to cross the bridge with no trouble, but were suspicious of the spotted Pine Cows waiting on the other side.
Notice the eyes of the horses, even while they walk forward seemingly ok with the creepy cows standing guard of the exit. The eyes say it all. "Those Pine Cows are Creepy!"
The Native American (Apache or Comanche?) guy above, I have ridden with a few times before in ACTHA CTCs. Here’s a photo of he and I taken back in April 2010.
(Danny breeds and shows gorgeous Arabians and used to ride his very talented Arabian mare in the Open Classes, but because he likes to make sure all of his horses are well-rounded equine citizens, he is now riding his handsome stallion. Unfortunately, ACTHA rules state that all stallions must have a yellow ribbon on their tails, and Danny had forgotten to place one on his stallion that day, so they were disqualified)
“Hmmmm, looks like a cow, but something’s not quite right”
The Pine Cows lined the only exit. This horse was saying, “Oh my goodness…oh my goodness…eeek!”
This horse, plain and simple said, “Hell No! I won’t go!” lol!
And there were some horses that refused to cross the blindingly bright white bridge. No matter how much encouragement their rider gave them. “Come on Nellie! Get a move on now!”
And this spotted cutie is for Fern Valley!
You all know about Appytude right?
He didn’t have a fit, but he wasn’t going to cross that bridge, and he made that perfectly clear, ….with a firm “No, you can’t make me!”
(They were setting up for a wedding behind the mission facade)
I just love this sweet lady, Dawn. She can be counted on to be at every ACTHA Competition in New Mexico. She has been kicked, bucked, dumped, bit, thrown, and has had countless injuries. Even her doctor advises her to give up riding. But she doesn’t and she won’t give up on her mare either. She is truly an inspiration. And she loves purple (Hey Aarene! A gal after your own heart!)
Her horse refused the bridge, but they did win the contest for Best Groomed Horse. Hooray!
(Go ahead and hit the replay button for that Clint Eastwood theme song. It just works real well for this post, don't you think? Go on up there now and click replay. I'll wait right here for ya.)
As you can see, this next young man was unhappy that his horse adamantly refused the Moo Cow Bridge.
From going over the scores, I noticed that he did really well over-all on the other obstacles, but unfortunately, he ended up being disqualified for wearing sneakers on the CTC.
Can I just say that I am digging this gal’s helmet’s full brim addition? I wantz!
And even though I missed the opportunity to get a photo of Apache and I standing beside Matt and his handsome Clydesdale, Prince, I have to share this great photo of the two of them!
Well there ya go…Moo Cow Bridge Revisited!
What was that you asked? Oh. You want to know if any photos were taken of Apache and I attempting that obstacle, too?
Oh. You want to see them?
Seriously?
Um. Ok.
Here goes…………..
See Apache and Lisa Cross the Bridge.
See Apache and Lisa pose beautifully below the Mission facade.
See Lisa lead Apache past the evil Pine Cows.
The End!
12 comments :
Nice pictures. That mission facade makes a great background.
Dan
Great pictures! And yes, I wantz the hat too! hehehehe
Great photos...scary for me.
Lisa, your photos are SUCH an inspiration for me! Thank you so much for sharing them!....SOMEDAY my horses will be at that stage...SOMEDAY...
The expression on those horses' faces is priceless!! I'm so glad you and Apache did well. That's gotta be a huge confidence builder.
Tell Val she won the giveaway!
Yeah I bet that the cows were scary to some! Love that big wide bridge!!! When my girls were in 4-H they had to cross a bridge that also was painted white, but it was only 3 feet wide and arched! Some did it and some didnt during trail classes.
That looks like so much fun!!!
There is an outline of a horse made of metal over by trail riders house and every horse reacts to it. Somethi g about those two dimensional silouhettes!
Beautiful photos. And good for you getting your horse through it safely!
Poor Apache, maybe next year. The Apache dude and his horse are magnificient..:-)
Looks like a challenging obstacle alright! Thanks for the Appy shot , he is a cutie, and there really is nothing more definitive than an Appy sayin no! Sounds like maybe there was a littl bit of Apachetude too?
Looks like a great ride. Good for you for getting back in the saddle and doing it. I wish Oregon had more ACTHA rides. I usually only get to ride in one or two. I would love to see more pictures.
Those are the scariest pine cows I ever saw. But that Clydesdale..WOW
Now that's a horse I might consider riding.
That's too bad that people who put in a good effort got disqualified over technicalities. Whenever I see the rules of a horse show, my eyes cross. It's too much for me to take in. I'm so forgetful too. I could totally see me getting disqualified for three or four different offenses.
I can totally relate to the balking at the cow statues. They keep putting up more and more signs on the trails I like to ride, and each new sign takes several approaches before the horses learn to ignore it. I actually started steering Lostine over to signs and reading them out loud, then patting her to thank her for stopping so I could read it. Soon she was automatically walking up to signs and stopping. She also learned to recognize a good view and would stop for me to take pictures. That's teamwork.
Post a Comment