Legacy of Legends 2014 Day 3

3rd morning in, and I"m real excited to see how this final day plays out. I HATE to miss anything, but on this final day, I really don't wanna miss anything, because at that point, there's nothing more to see. I'm already inspired and so impressed with everyone who has done their demonstrations, and I"m so happy also, that Jilly has been able to witness these literally World Class Events by World Class People. I still am not 'used' to seeing these things, and I hope that I never do 'get used' to it. I/We strive to have just a particle of what these folks can do, and our horses benefit from every tidbit we absorb. As do our Grandchildren and whoever else rides or buys a horse of ours. As the years go on, each horse is better than the last. I look back on many horses that I've worked with....and they all were better than the last....but so many I wish I could 'go back and do again'. * My kids can vouch for that..... I know Katie will read this..... I so wish I could 'redo' Mariah and Planet, though they were what I considered pretty darn good in their time. But OHHHHH what they could have been like! I also hope that every single horse owner who cares, has those same thoughts, that each one gets a better chance than the last. If not, I'm disappointed.

Some things I see, just grab me. I love taking these 'moments' in time.

One of the things I was soooo excited about seeing, was how the Mare was going to be today. The morning was changed up from the previous mornings, to give this mare a bit more time. First up in the arena are Buster, Paul and Kip. And I apologize. Looking back on previous blogs, I misnamed Paul and Kip as the wrong ones. Today I will correct that!

This of course is Buster McLaury. And I'm telling you right now, if you are into colt starting, or whatever, and you have an opportunity to go to a clinic with this man, do NOT let yourself down by not doing whatever it takes to do it. There is nothing to be gained but excellence. At 56, he has fined tuned his skills to such great timing. And the thing is, I bet with every horse, he STILL wants the next to be better. He has not given any thought that he has learned it all. He still strives to learn and give every horse a better chance. In Day 1's blog, I mentioned that I was a little grumpy that the oldest horseman got the 'most sensitive and potentially difficult' horse. By the end of this, I was so much more than satisfied, that HE was the only one who could have got the job done as well as was done, and I'm kind of betting they all felt the same way. Any of them would have given her a great opportunity, but his experience counts for so much. As you can see, he has a microphone on, and he is talking to us and to her the entire time. He is focused and caring. Looking at this first photo, you can see, that though this is the 3rd day, that is a pretty 'tight' body there. He just works her through it and on to the next...

THIS is Kip Fladland. * I misnamed him as Paul Dietz in a previous blog...I do not know where my head was. *

His horse is saddled and having a chance to 'move' out a bit. Note the loose lead rope. There is no force or tug of war here. The tail is hanging down and has a gentle swish.

THIS is Paul Dietz. Obviously, this horse is NOT upset. The lead rope is just draped over Paul's arm and the horse shows curiosity at something to the left. No worries here

I Love how each horse is introduced to someone mounting from the fence. There are just times when this is darn handy. It's easier on the horse too, as the saddle is not pulled off to the side. They learn to like this just fine. Again, note the loose lead rope. If these horses were upset by what's going on, they would be at the end of the lead rope and trying to figure out a way to leave the area.

It's always a good idea, to give them a little 'bend' to see how things are going. We do this, to this day with our saddle horses. It just never hurts to know what the attitude is. This one looks just fine

Since the lead rope is just on one side, sometimes to get it to the other side, you just 'flip' it over. I know ALOT of folks who wouldn't do this on their 'Old Saddle Horse' cause that horse might not like that. Again, if everything is new, then nothing is too new to do NOW. This horse won't mind the rope swinging around him later, when it may be necessary to do just such a thing.

And they get to move around at their own pace,

Again, I just liked this photo Op. This photo was seen on Facebook, and a friend of mine who is a vet in Dubai, knew just who's spurs these are. The Brand is the Four 6's ranch in Texas, and the spurs belong to Buster. They say ( I think ) a lot about that man. They aren't all shiny and have big Silver Beaded Conchos on the straps.... just leather straps to hold them to his boots. * They aren't flashy at all. But having the 6666 brand on the spurs, is something not many have. Unique, just like him.

Then there are his very worn leggings. * Not fancy .... but good quality and well used. * I smiled when I saw these very bright and very tall topped Orange boots. The man is not flashy, but he doesn't mind having colorful boots. Being a girl who loves boots of all styles, I liked seeing this!

Again, he lets her know that he can get on and off (off is important to make sure she knows)

from both sides. Again, I know a lot of people who would not consider mounting their horse from the 'off' side. Their horse would know that's not normal and might easily get spooked. This mare knows from the beginning, that's it's just 'whatever' And he pets her the entire time.

Kip takes the opportunity to help out and show the mare that he can reassure her too. And note, that though she might not be the most relaxed horse in the world, that the lead rope (on the far side) is loose and not forcing her to stand still

Both Kip and Buster talk to her

She begins to move around a bit....

Buster is talking the entire time....and there is a relaxed happy grin on his face....he is at this time talking to us about how she might be feeling about what's going on....

And she learns already that that rope flips from one side to the other

He lets her move out. * Throughout this entire process, she never once offered to buck. * She just HAD to move out from time to time, and he let her, (note the loose lead rope) ...she never felt cooped up, and never once felt any negativity or nervousness from Buster. *

After a bit, all of the other colts came in and and were ridden all together. Here is Buck and Jaton. I love that any time a couple horses get close enough, that though they continue to pay attention to the horse they are riding, they take the time to encourage the other guy's horse

And here are Mindy Bower, Reata Brannaman, and Jaton Lord

Jaton and Buster. Buster is waving his left arm about (as I know lots of people still won't do, in case it spooks their horse) to show the mare that he might do that, and it's OK, just as Jaton is doing in front. The grey mare actually looks pretty relaxed here

Buster wants her to know that his hands pet and touch her everywhere. Her ears are paying attention, but she isn't looking particularly upset.

Nick Dowers (who just this last weekend, took some awards at the RCHA in Vegas again) already has his roped down and his horse looks pretty darn relaxed with it there

Mindy, Reata, and Buck having a chuckle over something, with bridles on their colts, and happy looking horses

Might as well move a few cows on these colts huh? If everything is new, then nothing is unexpected

If you saw this, and you didn't know, you'd never in a million year, think this was the colts' 3rd ride. Buck's horse (that is about to be auctioned off) is moving out nice and looks well rounded. What more can you ask for in a horse?

This filly is also to be auctioned off. She has had an incredible start with Wayne.

Zack Zumestein is about to being the auctions

Jilly and Zack and Kent Frecker, getting ready to find out who won the saddle auction.

New owner of the filly ..... pretty exciting!

Mindy giving a demonstration of how to cross water obstacles. Obviously, most people out on a relaxed trail ride, don't necessarily want to 'fly' over water like this. Though it's beautiful, it's not the generally preferred way.

Without doubt, it's a much more relaxed crossing, if the horse puts it's head down and 'sees' what is going on, and gently steps through the water. I've been on colts who will make a great flying leap over a small (maybe a foot wide crossing) because they aren't sure what else to do, though as they experience it a few times, this is more the crossing that they do.

Obviously much safer too! Mindy has loose enough reins that the horse can look and see what's happening and carefully cross.

That same horse with her owner on, is a magnificent jumper too!

uhhhhh, note the loose reins.

If you've read my blogs for long, you've seen this girl the last 2 years previously. This is a different horse, but this girl is one to watch for. She is training under Melanie Smith Taylor, who is a former Olympic Winner.

This young girl was for me, very exciting to watch. She is 10! And she rides a real nice pony size horse. He's not pony in his mind though and he goes over the same jumps as the bigger horses. You have got to appreciate a pony who thinks he is all that and box of crackers! Some day, I'll have to dig out some photos I have of a Pony we had that Katie won so many trophies on that we thought she was this good. Again, looking back, oh what could we have done with her, if we'd only known what we know now? huh Katie?

Standing is Melanie Smith Taylor. * She does not want the girl looking at the jump while they are jumping...and of course NEVER look at the ground, unless you wanna wind up there. * She is holding up fingers and asking "How many fingers am I holding up?" And each girl has to answer. Now!

Wayne letting Jaton in to begin the cow work demonstrations.

This is just perfection

Jaton talking with some audience member. On the left, is Buster's daughter, Tiffany (I think) and his grandson, Wife Sheryl McLaury, and my friend Sheryl from Idaho Falls with her husband.

Again, if you've watched my blogs for long, you might recognize Noah Cornish. He has ridden in a few of the LOLs and was a jumper a couple years ago, and last year, wound up starting a colt, and being surprised in the end when his father bought the colt for him. It's been fun watching him grow up learning these amazing ways of horsemanship

Reata roping with Buster McLaury. Yep, that rope did catch!

Again, I feel so lucky to be part of the Legacy of Legends, even if it's in the background kind of way. I've met some great people. Something that I feel is true about people who truly have an understanding of horses, is that it's not just how they treat horses. It becomes a life style of respect and compassion for everything, from the way you parent, be a spouse, raise your children, and now in my life, to trying to be a memorable Grandma. It's not all about me....it's about taking that extra bit of time, when all you might wanna do is hurry and 'get it done' I've learned (and it's been a hard lesson, because I'm an impatient kind of person/mom/wife...) that if you let someone come to it on their own as much as possible, and support them along the way, there is bound to be less resentment. * Oh, to have been able to be so much more like that when I was younger. * I guess that's what experience is for.....and I can't wait to get better.