November/December 2006 Nov. 12th - Jet is really showing progress.  For the SSC gymkhana I got a 19.383 in barrels for a 4th.  Then we got a 1st in the crazy 8 with a 13.448 and one of the fastest times of the whole day.  In poles it was a respectable 26.999 for a 4th.  The final event was the rescue race but we just had to run up and around a barrel.  It was basically a pure speed event that she got a 7.712 earning her a 2nd.  This all added up to a tie for a reserve Hi-Point. We had to do a runoff and she lost by only a few hundreths of a second.  What a gallant effort.  Steph had an easy 20 second barrel run and an easy 30 second poles.  We are gonna get a portion of our turn out worked over to make it more rideable.  This way she can get some more practice in before the beginning of the year.   Nov. 18th-19th - Yesterday at the NBHA I got an 18.432 getting us a check for 4th in the OPEN 3D.  Unfortunately, Stephanie got a no time.  They did much better today at the AzBRA getting a 19.775 for 1st in the 4D.  Jet started to go wide to barrel #2 but Stephanie did not give up, got her around it and headed to #3.  She was wide coming out of #3 but it was all for a reason.  I believe with this run, she is now in first place for the Youth Saddle by 1 point.  Jet and I got a 19.038 (which was 8th in the open 4D). Dec. 16th- She got her saddle and on her NEW horse.  These two didn't have the prettiest run but it netted them a 1st in the Youth 4D and that was all she needed to do.  They were awarded the trophy saddle after winning by 1 point.  Photos will be posted soon.  Although Jet had a great run with me in the open (18.630) she fell in the cracks low in the 3D.  That's ok, it's still an 18!!!  We hope to really get out there over the Christmas break to start off a really great 2007 year! October 2006 Oct. 8th - At this SSC gymkhana Stephanie finally got into the 19's with her fastest time so far on Jet a 19.957.  That put her about 9th out of 16 riders.  She took the Poles easy and had to correct one part so her time was a 34 something.   Seems like Jet is starting to get the hang of it. Oct. 21st & 22nd - With me photographing at the 4-H state horse show I had to rely on some great people to help get Stephanie and Jet to the NBHA Fall Classic at Empty acres.  I made it there in time to see her run on Sat. (there were 180+ riders in the open).  She was a bit over cautious, wanting a clean run and got a 22.611.  I told her all I wanted was for her to get a faster (clean) run on Sunday.  She did just that with a 20.437.  She wasn't in the money and not sure where she was overall for the youth.  We'll post that as soon as we know.  From the video it looked like barrel #1 was really nice.  A little wide on #2 and because the video was so dark I couldn't tell with #3.  There is no doubt that I can see Jet getting better, Steph just needs to ask for the speed in between the barrels.  Anyone that has seen that mare head home from barrel #3 knows that she has more than enough speed to get the job done!   Next weekend is the AzBRA where, at this moment, she is in a 3-way tie for the Youth Saddle Series Buckle. Oct. 28th - SHE DID IT!!!!!!!  At the AzBRA event this weekend Jet had a spectacular run with me, getting her first 18.  A FAST 18.277!!!  That earned a check for 4th in the Open 3D division.  She also did awesome for Stephanie securing her 2nd 19 this month.  A fabulous 19.222 with an easy lope to barrel #1 and a slight bobble at barrel #2.  That gave them a 2nd in the Youth 3D.  Now Stephanie is in a 3-way tie for the saddle series Youth Buckle.  The tie is with herself on Jet AND Jessie as well as with another young girl.  Way to go!  AND out of nowhere Jet and I are in a 2nd place tie for the Open Saddle.  UNBELIEVEABLE!  I predicted the 18sec. run before the end of the year and she met that challenge with time to spare.  Now we just want to see her be consistant with that and then we'll anxiously await that 17sec run.  September 2006 Sept. 2nd - Rescheduled due to rain. Sept. 10th - SSC - Again, there was good and not-so-good for Jet today.  Both her barrel runs she turned just before the 2nd barrel.  With me we were able to correct it quickly and still had a 23.373.  For the Tunnel Vision we got a 5th and Steph was out of the ribbons.  Jet was confused and wanted to turn after the barrel.  For Poles she decided to not listen to Steph and there was a no time.  I got on her and not pushing her she got a 26.178 so she redeemed herself.  Steph took speed barrels easy and wasn't in the ribbons.  I ended up with a 6th.  We are gonna try a different bit next weekend at the New River gymkhana and see if that helps.  Little by little she is starting to understand.  After watching her video I noticed that both our first turns (in barrels)were nearly flawless and I can tell that Jet is learning to get her hind end under her and dig in.  A definate improvement due to Stephanie practicing rollbacks on her. Sept. 16th - NRSC - I'd say all-in-all Jet had a pretty good night.  Steph got a 20.8 in Barrels taking it easy but a little wide on barrel 2.  I got a 20.7 but we had some "hang" time around 2 & 3.  Jet went past one pole for Steph so she had to correct it.  With me we got an easy 27.404 after a timer malfunction on our first run.  Jet was really nice in the Big "O" for Stephs first run but again, the timer malfunctioned.  With her 2nd run she had a 14.8 which got her 2nd place.  I had a 13.691 with a pretty smooth run.  She wasn't sure about the pole keyhole for Steph and tried to go outside the poles so Steph lost some time there.  I just took her easy so she would feel comfortable with that pattern. Stephanie ended up with 1-second, 1-third and 2-fifths.  We're still in search of that first 19 second barrel run that is right at our finger tips.  Then we can continue on for our 18 second goal. Steph will be attending a Marlene McRae barrel clinic in March and we hope that will finish polishing these diamonds in the ruff. Stephanie & Jet tied for reserve hi-point.  Way to go! Sept. 23rd - What a great first AzBR association event we went to tonight.  I got a 19.071 which got us a 3rd place check in the open 4D!    Stephanie finally got a descent, clean run with a 20.632 which got her 1st in the Youth 4D and her first check on Jet.  Even though this was the first of 4 events for the buckle, Stephanie is "technically" in a 3 way tie for the Youth saddle series buckle(there were no winners in the 2D).  I think the hi-lite for many was getting to watch Sherry Cervi (world champ barrel racer) ride 5 of her horses.  Pretty awesome! August 2006  Aug. 5th - (Stephanies 16th Bday) we took "Jet" to her first event since we bought her just over 2 weeks ago.  It was the NBHA event in Payson.  I rode her in the open and her first "Official" time EVER was a 20.1 which netted her a 2nd place check in the 4-D.  HER FIRST TIME OUT AND SHE GOT A CHECK.  Jessie did the same thing at her first 4D event 5 years ago.  She is easily in reach of Jessie's 19 sec. runs and should be even faster.  Stephanie still needs time to click with her.  On their first run Jet was anticipating the turn and Steph shifted her weight just a little too soon for barrel #2.  Jet made a nice turn, only it was BEFORE the barrel.  Her 2nd run was a 23.6 with very little effort.  We hope for a better run next time.  As soon as they click they will be a great team.  For Scottsdale this coming weekend she will run Jessie (old faithful) as her point horse and just play on Jet.  Our goal is to have them in 18 second runs by the first event in January. Aug. 11th - We ran up to the local arena today for a little more practice.  The more we ride this mare the more excited we get about her potential.  We tried to practice a little bit of poles today.  Man does she have some flying lead changes.  All I can say is.... hold on tight Steph!  We'll see how she does tomorrow at the SSC gymkhana.  I think she will make a killer pole bender too!  Guess we'll have to wait and see. Aug. 12th - Well their first gymkhana had some good points and some not-so-good points.  But, each event will only make them better.  Her class was large with approximately 23 riders.  In the barrels she improved last weekends time by 3 seconds getting a 20.947 (beating my time of the day a 21.349.  I won't be trying the left barrel first again).  That put her at 13th in her class.   In the Turn-N-Burn they got a 9.959, again beating my time on Jet.  It was a beautiful turn and that put her 8th in her class.  The Cat's Cradle event was a tough one.  Jet has tons of power.  She took off then there was a slight hesitation then with a 2nd burst of speed Stephs right foot came out of the stirrup as she was making a left turn.  Unfortunately, she made an "Unscheduled Dismount." Steph was not hurt, jumped up and took Jet back thru the pattern to school her.  Way to Cowgirl up!  With that in mind (and after switching bits) she took the next event, Pole Bending, nice and easy.  I took Jet at a faster pace thru the poles and she did a pretty smooth run with a 27.526.  Steph will work on roll backs in the evenings and hopefully we'll get her to the arena at least once a week.  Knowing she has lots of room for improvement is good.  The only way to go is up! Aug. 20th - We made it to the arena twice this weekend working a lot on the poles.  I think Steph is really getting the feel for Jet.  She is a much different ride than Jessie but as long as Steph keeps her leg on her, a light rein and looks where she's going they will do good.  She worked to fine tune a few things and they seemed more in synch. Jet is right there with Jessie and Miss Jessie has been at this for 5 years.  There is definately a ton of potential here.