(No So) Extreme Cowboy Race Results

Held at Matt Midgett's Followed Dream Ranch, April 25, 2009
by Penny Dees
race results follow the article, also a word from our host
for photos, see the gallery page

The Not So Extreme Cowboy Race

Whew, where to start. Well, First, how bout a huge, immense thank you to Matt Midgett and the people who helped him stage the race at his habitation. His residence is snuggled back into the friendly hills of Morongo Valley in the high desert of Southern California. If you have not been to where Matt hangs his hat, wrangle an invite. And as nice as Matt is, that would just take asking him when you could drop by to take a peek. Don't just be impressed by the outside facilities, be sure and take the tour of the house on the inside. His home really is a show place.

Can't forget to mention our illustrious judges who did such a great job. Thanks go to Kelly Verret and Cydney Baudouine for being such brave souls and helping out. And none of us could have competed without our very own club treasurer taking our money!! Thank You Ed Schroeder for taking our money!
We had a good turn out of 20 entries (two people each rode two horses and just to be fair, one horse was ridden by two riders). Equines ranged from mules to horses in all sizes including a gal, Galina Jacobs, who was tall in the saddle cause she was riding a Percheron, aptly named Titan. I also heard there was close to 60 people total for the event. And that the stack of cornbread and big pot of chili (hold the beans please, don't want to scare anyone.....) completely disappeared! The weather cooperated nicely for our benefit, including a lilting breeze.

A lot of thought went into the lay out of the 12 obstacles in the arena for the competitors to navigate on their mounts. Thanks Matt for the hard work and a job well done.

You started mounted and entered the arena by opening, going thru and closing the gate. That was the first obstacle. Number 2, you walked a few feet, dismounted and had to pick up all four feet of your equine, then remount. Thank goodness there was a mounting block for us old people who have trouble these days with the flat mount. Uh hum, I resemble that remark....

Next you went clockwise around the inside rail of the arena at your chosen speed back to your starting place. That was number 3. Now you proceeded to where there was a bale of hay (OK, a partial bale) sitting on a wooden pallet with a rope attached to the pallet. You had to drag the pallet complete with hay past two cones. Number 4. Once that was finished it was on to 5, that had two poles standing inside the arena, each with a ball sitting on top. You removed one or both balls and replaced it or them in the corresponding basket on poles tied to the arena fence.

6, Next up, some poles standing up right placed several feet apart. You did a serpentine to the other end, back to where you started and back down again. As soon as that was completed you went on to 7, a set of four cones set several feet apart that you did a serpentine down, stopped and then had back up to where you started from. After that for 8, you had a narrow bridge to walk over and then to the, big pause here..... dare I say it...... Dreaded strips of plastic hanging from over head poles that were waving in the wind. We got to see some real innovative and excellent horsemanship at this number 9 obstacle!!!

Just to keep the riders on their toes, for 10, the next challenge was a bucket of water (there were two buckets, one regular and one small size) sitting on top of a barrel to be picked up and carried to a second barrel with a tub on on top. You needed to pour the water from the bucket into the tub. Got to see some more skillful equine handling at this challenge.

Now at 11, came the time allowed for the rider to show anything special their equine did. It was wonderful to watch what each rider and their mount could do, what a talented bunch we had. I have to tell you that one rider and mount really stood out. It was Gavin and his horse (No, his wife Cathy's horse, no Gavin's horse, no Cathy's horse, OK>>>their horse) Pockets really gave us a show!!!!
And for 12, the final obstacle, you had to go counter clockwise around the inside of the arena at your choice of speed but one small variation, you had to drop your stirrups. Not a problem for any of these riders!! You stopped and exited thru the gate.

So, there you have the course. Lots of fun for the riders to ride and spectators to spect. And the winners are.

In the Junior division, lucky for us adults, the champion was Dylan Baudouine and his good horse Lucas. They really burned up the course and what a cowboy Dylan is growing up to be. Look for this young man in the big time competitions in the future!!
The reserve champion was Katlyn Wood and her horse Sonora. Another up and comer cowgirl and what a super team they made!

The Adult division.

Champion and inspiration was Cathy Campbell and her horse Lizard who did an awesome job!!! She not only did all the challenges but in the best time. Skill and timing!!

Reserve Champion was a competitor who did such a great job, Tammy Freeman and her horse Summit. We had to keep telling Tammy to BREATH before she went in the arena!! She must have been breathing out there as she and her horse had a great go. Congrats Tammy!!! Good job!!

First place went to Marianna Robinson and her horse Sundance. Some really nice team work here!!
Second went to Sherry Wood and her horse Missy. Another great team we enjoyed watching!!
Third was Kristie Dougan riding her horse Jake. Got to see some very nice partnering between horse and rider!

Fourth was Gavin Jordan and his horse, er, their horse Pockets........... What a job these two did. I thought there was going to be popcorn, it was that entertaining! Makes it even more rewarding when you realize that this nice horse was caught wild, a true Mustang, and look what a great partner he is with Gavin.
All the riders did a super job but special mention to some. Debbie Sullivan did a fine job of getting her nice gelding Slim thru the course. She a was a little nervous but you never would have known it. Good job Debbie. And FYI, it was great having your company for the day. There were two mule riders. Dawn Burghardt on her good mule Bojangles. This pair did an awesome job (no surprise there!!). Wil Willeford did an excellent job with his young mule Astordash who had never even been in that type of situation before. And have to mention our very own club president, James Verret who really showed solid horsemanship with his horse Leo getting the course conquered. Oh, and don't want to leave out the nice folks who came to watch the race. Talked to some really enjoyable people who just came to observe or were with someone participating in the race.

I want to especially take this opportunity to thank all responsible for putting on this competition as it gave me a wonderful day to spend with my Spanish Barb gelding, Cory, better known as the Grey Beastie. He just turned 29 and I just don't know how many more days I will have with him. I had so much fun!! (I can only speak for myself here, as Cory regards having to carry me as work, so figure his day was pretty much shot.)

We truly had a great bunch of riders and equines turn out for the Not So Extreme Cowboy Race, I hope it becomes an annual occurrence!!

Penny Dees and the Grey Beastie

The race consisted of 12 obstacles worth 20 points each. Scores were achieved by subtracting the total number of points earned by completeing an obstacle from the total time, in seconds. Lowest score wins - riders below are listed in winning order.

A word from our host...

Wow! You folks sure do know how to have a good time! The (Not So) Extreme Cowboy Race was designed to bring all sorts of riders together in an atmosphere of fun fellowship -- and it seemed to do just that. As host, I could not have asked for a group of more congenial, cooperative, and yes... competitive, riders.

Thank YOU for making it such a success! I congratulate you all as "winners"!

And special thanks to Ed for coordinating the registration; James for his leadership; Kathy Jordan for creating the great certificates and then tabulating all the scores on site; Kelli and Cydney for doing such a great job with judging -- and, heck, just about everybody for pitching in as needed.

Sincerely,

"Megaphone" Matt