Horseshtuff: Extreme Challenge DAY 1 SNAPSHOT

Extreme Cowboy Western Horsemanship Skills Challenge, held in Acton, CA, March 21-22

Ok, it's 11:30 pm, after waking up at 4:30 this morning. And it's been a long, cold day. But I HAVE to get some photos up to give you a glimpse of the day at the Extreme Cowboy Western Horsemanship Skills Challenge. Riders at this event gather points that go towards the Craig Cameron's Extreme Cowboy Association (EXCA’s) Regional & National Finals.

I'll get some results posted as soon as Sundays trials are over. But judging by the weather out there, they may be over sooner than later. We're having another one of those Southern California freak storms, and they very well may be getting snow out there.
I'm going to TRY to be brief, and just give a snapshot of the event. You can log onto the EXCA website for more info. ONE MORE THING. . .I have to give the disclaimer that I'm reporting on this event, not as a journalist, but as a common spectator. I'm about to abandon my non-biased senses and just tell it as it comes. Hey, that's the beauty of blogs (and the decline of newsprint). But. . when in Rome. . .Ughgh. . I'm taking the deep plunge into blogdome. . .will I ever be forgiven?

My moment of grief and apology, I'll move on.

Let's get it rolling. The rider walk-through. Really cold morning. What the heck? It's Acton, for God's sakes! Isn't it ALWAYS sunny here?! But regardless of the wind and cold, the show must go on. John Black of J&D Equine Enterprises is giving the course "walk through". Part of what the riders are graded on is the ability to memorize the course. Extra points are also given for any extra style and maneuvers they're brave enough to throw in.

Here's John, my mentor and guiding light, on his beautiful gelding, Memphis. This horse has come a LONG way, according to J&D. If you ever doubt what can become of your troubled horse, ask about this one.

While riders are queuing up, I take the time to cruise the local vendors. Here is some of T.P. Haigh's work. Someone is definitely having fun here! Love that smile!

Smart vendor, set up in the wind shadow of her trailer. I'm thinkin' she made some great sales at the end of the day when all the campers were looking for horse blankets to brave the unexpected coming storm.

I love leather work.

No Hyperlink needed here!

OK, how cute is THIS photo? A coupla hams, Yes? Here's Linda Therrien (in red) and Diane Lubben, wife of Gary Lubben, event organizer. They were our friendly event greeters, event kitchen, event warmth and coffee and all around cheer. Nice job, ladies.

I had to take this picture. Are they cute or what? I'm thinkin' they weren't too happy about me taking their picture. Scott says I need to ask permission. I'm not sure about that. What do you think? Please comment and let me know your ideas about photo etiquette, I'd like to know your opinions.

I just couldn't get decent lighting under the canopy, but you get the picture. Poor Deborah is going to hate this picture. Sorry Deb!

But THIS one is much better, and you can see the beautiful shape and color of Bronco Sue's hat and Deb's beautiful rosy cheeks. Ok, I have to tell you this funny story. I thought I'd be brief, but I can't help myself.

Crazy Scott here (check out that link, it's really cool) is wearing his new hat, gifted from a friend. He was aaallll proud when Deb complimented him on his hat. "Nice Hat", she says. Scott perks up, "It's a XXX Real Beaver" (watch those gutter minds). . as he reaches up to pluck the top of his hat up and down on his head, in a gesture of acknowledgement. Then Deb starts to tell us about hats in her totally understated ways. . "yeah, I guess hats can get up there in X's, they go up to, like, 20 or 30". Scott and I just glaze over the comment since we don't' really get the concept.

As the winds pick up, Deb goes to get on her horse and she hands us her hat, asking us to put it away so it won't get blown off her head. Scott turns it upside down and notes the beautiful silk liner. . .he comes to show me. .. "wow, look at that. Wow.. look, her name is gold engraved into the silk. . ."specially made for Deborah Abajian". .WOW. .fancy. . .wow. . .Scott stops and points. What? I ask. . .he's frozen, in what I think is shear embarrassment. . . there must have been about 30 x's on the inside of her hat.

Just goes ta show you, when you think you're all that and a bag of chips, something like this comes around to put you in yer place. You really can feel the diffence with high quality felt. The colors are unique and custom made to your desires and the felt is so highly polished, that you can see why Deb is so crazy about the Bronco Sue's. Check out her website at www.broncosue.com and ask about the custom fitting and styling.

Ok, just a diversion, on to the event. But really, did you ever know that about hats?

Judges getting ready. . .are we there yet? Sheeesh, about an hour and a half late for start and there are about 90 riders set to compete. Ughghg. . it's going to be a long day.

"Are you kidding me? Eighty more riders to go?"

OK!! FINALLY. . .THE COURSE! First obstacle . . drum roll. . . . .

The step up. Some riders, mainly the youth group, used this opportunity to show off their horsemanship skills by standing on top of their horse. Unfortunately, those happened at the end of a long day and I missed the shots. Sorry, they were good ones.

Backing through an L. It was impressive to see the ones that could do it with hardly an ounce of pressure on the reins.

Turn around station; riders exhibit ability to turn on the fores and on the haunches. Not sure how you're really supposed to say that, any clues?

Down and through the ditch, covered in brambles

Dragging a tire around obstacles This was rich. . ack!! Tires are chasing me!!

Riders were supposed to redeposit the rope and tire back where they started. .

. . .but rarely were they able to. Readjusting the track kept my handsome ranch hand busy all day. We love you Scott! I really was with ya, every time you had to go out there and fix that rope. . really. . I wasn't enjoying my warm chair, or my coffee. . .or the company. . .really. . .

By the way, about suffering ranch hands. . notice the guy on the horse watching the cattle? OMG.. that poor cowboy was out there ALL DAY LONG! Holding the cows from one side of the pen to the other. . never leaving. . .always in his 12-square-feet. . . FOR 10 HOURS! Boy, I tell you what. . .Now THAT'S what I call patience! He should get some kind of award for that. .maybe a belt buckle. . .?

Rollbacks. This one seemed a bit tricky for folks, but the Thatcher School kids from Ojai rocked this event. They rocked most events, for that matter. I'd have to say they were probably the best riders on Saturday, as a group, that is. Really fun to watch them. Their hands were quiet and their style was just like their fabulous teacher.

The cowboy curtain was fun to watch. But the real challenge would have been to go in against the wind!

Three jumps

Water (mud) pit with hills. This one stumped most horses for some reason. Maybe they just couldn't see the bottom?

In and out the cattle gates. Opening and closing the gates is hard enough. Now make sure the cows don't get out! Push 'em to the other side, now get out without that bull goring you! Is that how you spell goring? goaring? NICE. Oh, by the way. . see mr. cow holder. . mmm hmmm. . still there. .

NOW.. .the home stretch free ride! Wooohoooo!!! Love it. BUT. .can you do it in control?

"What, no music?"

There was definitely some things lacking from this event. Oh well. . Acton was wonderful to host this event. Next time, some music please? Maybe a witty commentator? but SOMETHING! Shheeesh! (everybody's a critic. . .)

Scott and I took a break to go check out the funky relics we saw on the side of the road. Check this place out. I thought I'd add this link since most horsie people like old rusty shtuff for their yards. And this place had world class SHTUFF! No kidding. Acres of it!

OK, back to the event. Now for the kids walk through.

Late in the day, the youth group began their walk through. They announced that the pro's weren't going to ride tonight. . no time left. Sorry gang. . .aren't you glad you hung around in the freezing wind all day? Hauled your horses? Sat in the dirt? Bummer. We would have liked to watch the pros ride but father time just didn't allow for it. I'll find out later if today, Sunday, was a go or not. For now, I'm tucked in my cozy home, fire going. . computer on. (by the way, obviously I went to sleep between the beginning of this blog and now). Are they out there freezing today? Riding in the rain and wind? I'll find out later. But now. . ON TO THE KIDS!

Smile! The youth group rocked! I wish I would have taken more photos of the kids, but by now, my fingers were numb and no longer able to push the on/off button. Yep, I'm a southern California weather wimp.

OH, and the last station. THE TRIAILER LOAD. Du du du DUUUMMM!! NICE. I think there was only one or two out of the entire group that had trouble with this.

The kids had the awesome dismounts. Even a backflip from one of Silverado's own residents. Nice job Obie, riding a horse called Frodo (Ferrocious, really, but she thought Frodo sounded less threatening).

It's been a long day, but a good one. It's always inspiring to see the variety of riders, horses and the broad spectrum of relationships between them.