Welcome to DtH

Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog!

I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences from both at home in the arena, and on the road.  It should prove to be an interesting year for not only myself, but also for the Angel Spurs Ranch breeding program.  The wheels are being set in motion to prove what our horses can do, and that is both an exciting and terrifying thing.  Much of our success (or failure) will undoubtably be due to my abilities, lack thereof, or inadequate relationship with my horses.  I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a horse trainer – never thought of myself that way – I just try to listen to what my horses say they need. 

Horsemen and women are in many ways, like artists; their horses being their canvas.  I find it incredibly fascinating on the part of our horses how they reflect, with mirror like quality, an individual trainers’ style and methods.  When we are with our horses - whether on “the back forty” where there is noone but you, your horse, and the Lord watching - or in a colliseum where your run is not only scrutinized by the hundreds watching in person, but potentially webcast and televised – either way, it really puts a horseman on the spot!  A horses’ first footfall into the arena is exactly the same as the upward flick of a lightswitch in an art gallery.  Picasso or Divinci, our horses reveal our abilities, experience, and even our disposition.

I haven’t personally shown a horse since December of 2008 when I had the incredible fortune to take part in the NCHA Futurity, but on a horse that was prepared for me.  Not since 2005 have I shown a horse that I’ve trained.  Strangely, I feel almost nervous to get back in the arena, but I’ve missed competition and we have young horses of a good calibre in our barn this year.

I pray that 2011 is a great year for us all, in all of our endevors.  Thanks again for stopping by my little corner of this massive cyberspace, and if I don’t see you here again, maybe I’ll see you on the road!  Here’s to hoping summer gas prices don’t get too high. – C.s.