*Seasoning the young ones*
My heart is beating fast. I can feel the excitement and adrenaline pumping with each beat of my heart. I can’t help but look at my iwatch to check my heart rate; yes, it’s 120 bpm…. Ok, time to shake out my hands and relax a bit. I reach down and run my fingers through my horses mane. She feels my excitement, so she reacts by bobbing her head which causes her mane to go wild. Half of the shorter pieces fall to the opposite side of her neck. It relaxes me a little to talk to her and pat her. I nudge her sides, and she moves forward. As we walk up close to the gate to see what number they are on, I feel Norma get a little tight, so I relax my hands and body to let her know everything is fine. I feel her heart beat quicken, I smile and think "simmer down, Norm, I feel ya, but it’s not our turn yet." I’m so thankful we drew up perfectly; we are up just after the drag. I tell myself over and over all the things I need to do during my run. Kick, sit, drop my hand and let her work, and get up out of the saddle and help her leave her turns. As I am thinking of my run another thought pops in my head, it is my smart a$$
daughter giving me some of her silly wisdom "if you think you're going fast, kick again and go faster!" So here we go, the tractor is done, and the last barrel is getting set. As the announcer calls my name, Norma feels my adrenaline through the reins, and the rush is exhilarating. We take off, and I can actually think, KICK! I feel like she is going super fast, but I kick again; that one was for Wylee! The speed she picked up really carried her through her 1st turn; now, I had to do my job and help her leave. I am holding my horn, and I pull myself up out of the seat and really drive her forward. Her inside hind leg sticks in the ground a bit and cost her to drop to the inside. I do my best to move my body to the left, and she squeaks past the barrel rocking it as we head to 2nd. My body position wasn't the best as I had to rock over to help miss the barrel. So i felt like I had to really get to my outside heading into my approach to give her enough room. Now, this mare has a lot of rate and wants to turn so I am hustling her as fast and hard as I dare into the wall. When I sat, she dropped her hip and snapped like a top. WOW, it was fun and quick. 1 more straight, and the half turn to go. I reach up and urge her on by patting her on the neck; I kiss to her and kick a few times to get her speed up. This turn was absolutely amazing. I don't know how she can be going full throttle, and just swap ends hip in the dirt, then boom, she is running home, but she did. I am proud to say this young 5-year-old filly just ran her fastest time in Salina. Our goal was to run a 16.2, and she did it. FANTASTIC!! I reach down and give her a big love on the neck as she breaths in and out, her lungs exerted. As we turn around and head back to the alley, she has her head low, taking in her air. Even though she didn't come close to winning that day, she tried her heart out for me. She accepted her treats and was thankful to get her cinch loose as I took off her boots. We both walked out of the indoor arena into the crazy pounding rain with smiles and confidence. This is what breeding, training, and all the time and money we put into these amazing athletes are all about. Thanks for the ride, Norma.
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