Happy Holiday!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our rodeo families to yours!

Tis the Season - Candy Recipe

by Lisa Woodland

Who doesn't love homemade candy for Christmas? But, who has time to make it. Here is a yummy easy solution your and your friends will think you slaved all day.

Microwave Fudge

3 C of Milk Chocolate Chips (1 1/2 bags)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 c butter

1 c nuts (optional)

Place all ingredients except the nuts in a microwave save bowl.

Microwave at med heat until chocolate is melted 3-5 min.

Stirring 1 or 2 times.

Times will vary depending on microwave.

When Chocolate is all melted stir in nuts and pour into a greased 8x8 

pan.  

Refrigerate until set. 

Cut and deliver.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Worth Quoting

"Any act often repeated soon forms a habit; and habit allowed, steady gains in strength."

Tryon Edwards

Upcoming Events - Ed Wright Barrel Clinic

ED WRIGHT BARREL CLINIC

January 8, 9, and 10 

Washington County Fairgrounds

Hurricane, UT

Friday the 8th is a one day advanced clinic for those that have been to one of Ed's clinics before..

The cost of the one day is 200.00

Saturday and Sunday the 9th and 10th is the two day clinic....

The cost of the two day is 350.00

If you want to come all three days I will do a special for 400.00.

I will need a deposit of half by the 15th of December. That is a non-refundable deposit. I will then need the remaining amount by the 1st of January.

Stalls will be available for 15.00 per night and RV power hookups are also available for 10.00 per night.

For more information:

Kelle Roberts

435-632-7826 cell

435-574-2303 home

kelle_r@msn.com

2087 Dammeron Valley Dr. East

Dammeron Valley, UT. 84783

The Look of a Winner - Picture of the Week

Check out the focus and determination before coming out of the box.  This is the look of someone looking for the win.

Rodeo Road Recipes

by Kristie Binder


101 Rodeo Road Recipes: From our trailer to yours....is a selection of our family's favorite recipes while on the road. 

We are a rodeo family in Colorado.  While traveling, my family and I became tired of eating out or dining at the concession stand. Neither choice is healthy, weekend after weekend.

We enjoy visiting in the evening and sharing a good meal with friends.  This is how the book came to be.  My family and I knew there was a need for nutritious recipes, while on the rodeo road. Being on the road leaves little time to plan great meals for your family. 

With this recipe book, the planning is done for you!  All you have to do is shop, fill your trailer, and head out.   So Moms pack the trailer, dads load your gas grills, and invite friends to your trailer this weekend to create great memories!

Get your copy here:

www.rodeoroadrecipes.com

Worth Quoting

When riding a horse, we leave our fear, troubles, and sadness behind on the ground.
  - Juli Carlson

Upcoming Events - Goat Tying Clinic

Lynn Smith
Better Basics
Goat Tying &
Breakaway Roping School

• 3X National Collegiate Champion
• NIRA Team Coach
• 3X CNFR Qualifier

January 8-10 
Craig, Colorado


Tuition:
$250 for Goats 
$300 for Breakaway


For reservations:
www.goattyer.com

Turning It Off - Picture of the Week

It is so good to get one on the end of the rope and turn it off.  Great weekend riding a new horse!

Recommendation

By Lisa Woodland

Fels- Naptha is a bar of wonder. You buy it in the grocery store in the Laundry section.

I get the bar wet and then rub it right on the green and brown stains on our Levi's and shirts. This gets all those Cowboy stains out. So no need to fret anymore when your kids go to practice in their nice school cloths.

Pole Bending - Picture of the Week

Love, love, love live action shots!  What a great picture!

Staying Flat in the Rope Box

by Teresa Fackrell

One of the keys to roping is getting the right start out of the box.  In a previous post, we talked about going to the pin.  This puts your horse in the right position with the cattle.

Another way to get the right start is to make sure your horse is flat in the box.  You want your horse to be able to push off with all four feet not lunge or rear out of the box on two.  When they come out flat, they come to speed faster and you have the opportunity to rope quicker.

One thing that people do to cause their horses to squat in the box or be too far back on their hind quarters is they only focus on getting their horse in the corner and keeping them there.  So they put all of the pressure on them to get as far back in corner as possible.  They put a lot of pressure on their bit and reins.  Their horse has to squat or lean back in order to try to relieve some of the pressure. 

There is a simple process that you can use when you are practicing to help keep your horses flat in the box.

1)      Back your horse into the corner.

2)      Then have your horse take a couple of steps towards the pin.

3)      Then back your horse in the corner.

4)      Then walk your horse all the way to the pin and stop.

5)      Let you horse relax while standing in the right position next to the chute.

6)      Then back them in the corner again.  You will notice that they are now flat and not squatting.  You also have more control of their motion in the box.

This simple process will relieve a lot of pressure on your horse. 

  A couple of things to note:

   1)  You should not perform this exercise every time before you rope.  Your horse may start to stall because they think they are only walking to the pin and not running to the cattle.  We usually do this just a couple of times out of 15 to 20 head of cattle.

   2)  When they are flat in the box, reward them by releasing some of the pressure on your rein.  Remember, they do not need to be back on their haunches and shoved in the corner.

   3)  Also, allow them to stand at the in but if they want to move out of position you need to get after them and put them back in position. 

Thanksgiving Friends

Thanksgiving is a timeFor reviewing what we treasure,
The people we hold dear,
Who give us so much pleasure.

Without you as my friend,
Life would be a bore;
Having you in my life
Is what I’m thankful for.

By Joanna Fuchs

Balance - Competition Versus Having Fun

by Teresa Fackrell


As we head into another weekend of high school rodeo, I find myself asking the same question.  What is the right balance of kids practicing, competing and being at the top of their game for the  rodeo and your kids having fun and enjoying it?


For example, every Friday night after the rodeo the kids have a dance. This is fun for them.  They love to hang out with all of their friends.  However, the dance usually gets over at midnight. By the time they get in and get to bed it is about 1 a.m.  Then on Saturday, they need to get up early and get the horses fed and get ready to compete.  So they are little more tired when they are competing on Saturday.  As we all know being tired makes your reaction time a little slower and when you are going for a 2 second breakaway run even a blink of an eye makes a difference.


As a mom, you always want your kids to do their best.  You know they have the ability to perform.    Sometimes,  they can out ride and out rope you.  However, you want them to have great memories of their time in high school. 


So how do you find the balance?  What is the best thing for them?  To rodeo at their highest level or to also be kids and enjoy their time traveling, competing and socializing?

Getting It Caught - Picture of the Week

Love it when you get it around the neck!  Look at the curl.

Worth Quoting

"A winning effort begins with preparation."

Joe Gibbs

Stringing the Calf - Picture on the Week

They caught him pitching his string.  Check out that horse really helping him out.

Handling the Goat

By Kendra Sagers

Goat tying is one of my favorite events in rodeo. As a coach and instructor of students at many levels of riding ability not to mention limitation of funds I like goat tying because anyone can learn to be good. You don’t have to buy a super expensive horse and the costs are really limited as the equipment needed beyond a horse is a goat and a string. If you really have the desire you can learn to be a winner.

The tip I have for today is in goat handling. While growing up tying goats I was always taught to go all of the way to the goat. However, in helping my daughter learn to be a better goat tyer I have found that there is a modification to this method that works better and helps you set up any goat better.

The trick - run straight down the line as if you were going to run all of the way to the goat. When you are about a foot away from his neck stop, grab the lead rope (remember to leave at least 6”-10” of room from the goats neck. At that point pull the goat to your left hip. This will really help you in handling a goat, as you will be the one in control and will not have to change direction based on what the goat does. Also, it lays to goat in a good position to throw and finish your tie.

Worth Quoting

Watch your thoughts, THEY BECOME WORDS.

Watch your words, THEY BECOME ACTIONS.

Watch your actions, THEY BECOME HABITS.

Watch your habits, THEY BECOME CHARACTER.

Watch your character, IT BECOMES YOUR DESTINY.

Thank You

                              Do you ever have experiences that make you realize how blessed you really are and what you really have.   Today, I attended a Veterans Day Program at our elementary school.   They paid tribute to all of the great men and women who have fought and died for our freedoms.  I pondered and realized that because of them I have this wonderful lifestyle.   I get the opportunity to ride horses, raise cattle, rodeo, and live a life some only dream about.   While chatting with my husband  he said, "the one thing I love about rodeo is that we still pay tribute to GOD and our Country."  This is so true whether it is at our local rodeo, National Little Britches, or the National Finals.  We always began with a Prayer and The National Anthem.  This is usually followed with or includes paying tribute to our Veterans.   I would Love to say, "THANK YOU" to all the men, women, and their families who have fought, are fighting, and have died so that I can live in this free Land and live the lifestyle we love so much. 

Cute Cowgirl - Picture of the Week

I just love all of the kids that we travel to rodeos with!  They are all so cute, polite and nice.

How To Get A Twist Out Of Your Bull Rope

First thing is to tie your knot the correct way. This will keep you from getting a twist.  Instead of flipping your loop over your knot you should run your tail through the loop.  If you already have a 

twist you have to reset the memory of the rope. 

1. Start by wrapping the rope, the part of the loop end closest to the block, around something stationary.  You do not want the rope to move or twist. 
2. Make about 2 wraps.  
3. After the rope is secure twist the loop end in the opposite direction of the twist that is in your rope.  Put as many twists as you can.   Make sure that you keep the loop end from getting kinks.  
4. After you have twisted the rope as much as you can stretch the rope out and secure the loop end.  Leave it like this for a few days. 

Easy Dinners for Practice Nights 3

Cowboy Spaghetti

Ingredients
Spaghetti Noodles (enough for a family of 5-6)
1 lb hamburger
1 Tbls Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbls chili powder
Other seasonings of your liking

Directions
1. Cook bacon & hamburger before hand (this just saves time)
2. Boil water and add noodles and cook until done. Drain noodles
3. Cook hamburger and add Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic, onion, other seasoning. Add tomato sauce according to your liking. When heated add to noodles
4. Top spaghetti with cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and onions.
5. Serve with garlic bread texas toast.

Have fun with this recipe it is very flexible and about your taste and liking. I have used a bunch of fresh tomatoes instead of sauce.

Stretching - Picture of the Week

I am always amazed at the angles and the positions of the horses body as they stretch out to perform.  It just looks like they should not be able to move that way.

Another Rodeo Observation

by Teresa Fackrell

Last night we were at an awards banquet for one of the youth rodeo associations we belong to.  As I get older, I must be getting more sappy.  The only thing that really stood out to me all night was the comadarie between the kids.

It was getting towards the end of awards presentation and they were awarding the saddles for the series.  They would bring up the Reserve All Around and the All Around.  They asked them what they liked about the other competitor.  It always amazing to me that these kids compete head to head at every rodeo.  However, all of these kids are friends.  Some of them are even best friends.

Every one of them had great things to say about the kid that had competed against them all year.  They congratulated and celebrated for each other. 

That is what I truly love about rodeo.  That the kids are there to help and support each other but they still compete as hard as they can against each other to win.

Cowboy Halloween

                   Traditionally Halloween is a holiday for dressing up as something different than you are everyday of the week.  When you are a cowboy

there is something about your loyalty that can't let you be something

different.   As hard as I have tried to convince my cowboy to be something

different for Halloween he always comes back to his roots.   This year is no exception!

2009  Cowboy Santa  

Chaps, Hat and cowboys boots included

2008   Zorro   Black Hat, Black shirt, Black Wranglers, Black boots  (I'm still a Cowboy)

2007 Cowgirl, her dog, indian princess, righthand man on his trusty steed.

2005  Dr Mont Meyers our local Veternarian

2004 A knight isn't complete with out his horse

2003  Bullseye and Zeak (not Woody)

A rodeo clown was he for 2 years in a row because mom I'm not a clown or a bullrider I'm a roper.

Some other things we have in our cap are John Wayne, Man from Snowy River, and my favorite idea if they can make it work are Team Roping Partners, One is the Header, one as the Heeler.  I told them they had to be creative and they could do it next year.

Rodeo moms we have an obligation and duty to keep our heritage strong even on Halloween.  Be creative and have fun! Love the life we live and don't try to be different because it is Halloween, Celebrate your Cowboy Heritage because, it's Halloween.

From one rodeo mom to another.

  "Just let' em be Cowboys!'

 That's what they are.

Easy Dinners for Practice Nights 2

by Lisa Woodland


Here is another easy dinner recipe:


BBQ Sandwiches

Ingredients:

2 lb Beef & Pork

1 Large Onion

Montreal Steak Seasoning

Salt and Pepper

16 oz Dr Pepper (Put half the bottle in with the roast.)

BBQ Sauce (Your Choice)

Directions

1. Cook roast with 1/2 Dr Pepper, onion, and seasonings in crock pot or Dutch oven for 6 hours. (Perhaps while you are at work)

2. Take roast out and shred it back into the crock pot or Dutch oven.

3. Add BBQ Sauce and the rest of the Dr Pepper. (Keep on a low temperature)

3. Go out and practice.

4. Come in and serve on a Hamburger bun, on top of a salad, or in a tortilla.

Practice Makes Perfect - Picture of the Week

Since my son started tie down roping.  This is what he does almost every single day.

Worth Quoting

"We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn" Mary Catherine Bateson

So true and helpful in Rodeo I am always learning new things.    

Easy Dinner for Practice Nights

One of the hardest things for me as a rodeo mom is dinner time. What usually happens is the kids get home from school and have a snack and then we are rushing to get home work done so we can practice.  At 8:00 or later we are rushing to get home to put away horses eat dinner and get in bed just so we can do it all over again.  Here is an easy meal that can be prepared ahead and then thrown together in the end.

Dutch Oven Pizza

Ingredients

Rhodes bread dough (1 loaf per Dutch oven)

Pizza sauce (1 can per pizza)

Toppings of your choice

Mozzarella cheese

Charcoal briquettes

12-14 in Dutch oven

                   

Directions

1. Line Dutch oven with tin foil. Spray with a thin layer of cooking spray. Spread 1 loaf of dough in bottom of Dutch oven. Add sauce and toppings your choice. Put lid on Dutch oven.

2. Start charcoal and then go saddle horses. The coals are ready when they turn grey. Line 15-20 coals evenly in a circle and set Dutch oven on top then add 20-25 coals on the top of the Dutch oven. More coals on top then on bottom.

3.  Bake 25-45 minutes to cook depending on how hot your coals are.  Check every 10 minutes to avoid burning. If you see a hot spot redistribute the coals.

This can be cooking while you are practicing.  The arena works great because of the sand and coals. Clean up is easy!

Calf Roping - Picture of the Week

I love live action shots.  Look at the curl come around.  That calf is caught!

Goat Training Tip

A couple of ideas on getting your goat horse to run past the goat.

1) Put a bucket of grain at the bottom of the arena or tie a buddy horse at that end.
2) Practice running and getting off in the direction of the gate where the horse naturally wants to go. 

Too Cute Cowboy - Picture of the Week

This cowboy is too cute.  He kinda has a Kenny Chesney island looking shirt on! Could you really say no to this?

Barrel Clinic

CONNIE COMBS BARREL RACING CLINIC
OCTOBER 17-18, 2009
WASATCH COUNTY SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER , INDOOR ARENA,
HEBER CITY, UT.
LIMITED TO 12 riders
TUITION $275
For more information, call Nancy
(801) 745-2079 or (801) 791-5341

Worth Quoting

"Failure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it."


Mia Hamm

Steer Wrestling Quick Tip

It is important in Steer Wrestling to keep your feet in front of you.  As you lean down off your horse onto the steer, be sure to let your horse continue to run by.  This pulls your feet forward and puts them in the right position.  If you pull your feet off, they will be behind you and you risk the possibility of you and the steer going end over end. 

Steer Wrestling At It's Best - Picture of the Week

Check out the feet off the ground. He is already getting his head turned before his feet even touch!

Tyler Magnus Team Roping Clinic

Tyler Magnus 
WINNING THROUGH HORSEMANSHIP
Team Roping Clinic

Broken Bit Arena
Idaho Falls, Idaho

November 14th and 15th, 2009
$850 ~ Includes Lunch
Limited to 10 Students

50% Deposit Required to Reserve Your Spot
For more information call Tennie @ 208-589-5484
Located just 2 miles North of Highway 20
Exit 310 on the Lewisville Highway

Worth Quoting

"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best." ~Tim Duncan

Getting One Caught - Picture of the Week

Catching that calf in mid stride. Wow!

Worth Quoting

The Outside of a Horse is good for the inside of a Man. --- Will Rogers

Josh Peek Tie Down and Breakaway School

Josh Peek
Tie Down Roping, 
Boys Goat Tying, Breakaway Calf Roping School
Craig, Colorado

Tuition: $275 Goats, $300 Breakaway, 
$500 Goats and Breakaway, 
$500 Tie Down,
10% multiple student discount 
($100 deposit upon reservation)
(Dates may vary slightly for this school) 

VISA/MASTERCARD ACCEPTED
INDOOR, HEATED ARENA!!

· NFR Qualifier 3 Times
· NFR Tie Down Calf Roping Qualifier 2 Times
· NFR Steer Wrestling Qualifier
· Public Speaker
· Teacher of Cowboy Ethics & Ten Codes of the West, a teaching on How to be Better Men and Women…

”May you live each day with courage and strive to be your Best!” Josh Peek

Click here for flyer.

Washing Horses Tip

By Kendra Sagers

I hate bathing horses. At least I did until I found a way to do it more efficiently. The part I hated the most was getting wet and having to scrub the soap on and then rinse it off.

I found a solution. I purchased a garden hose sprayer like the one pictured. With this I simply add any shampoo or soap I choose. Then I turn the dial to the desired lather. If I am just doing an after ride spray off I usually set it to 1-2 T. Spoons per gallon, but if I want to really get a horse clean I will set it to 4 T. Spoons per gallon. You can play with the spray to set it where you need it, but I have found this really helps me at bath and cool down time.

Getting It Around the Neck - Picture of the Week

Gotta love live action pictures! As I always say, the only you have to do in Breakaway Roping is get it around the neck. Yeah my kids love that advice!

Introducing Harmonic Health

by Wendy Winn

Acuscope & Myopulse Therapy for Horses, Humans and Canine

Revolutionary life-changing technology heals tissue at the cellular level and rebalances bio-electrical flow, reducing your body's time to heal by two-three times and in some cases heals chronic pain that has not healed in years.

The Electro-Acuscope & Myopulse are sophisticated electronic medical instruments with an input-output (read/treat) mechanism. The low voltage micro-current allows healing of damaged neural and connective tissue. What makes the Acuscope & Myopulse instruments unique to other micro-current devices is that they are able to decipher abnormal tissue response and adjust the electrical output to produce a corrective current that normalizes or relaxes damaged tissue. The treatment is NON-INVASIVE and virtually painless. The body functions through low-voltage conductivity with different currents that flow through connective tissues including muscles, tendons, ligaments and bone as well as neurological and brain wave conductivity.

When a human or animal becomes injured the body’s normal electrical conductivity becomes altered. Acuscope & Myopulse micro-current therapy is administered through various types of small therapeutic probes that offer a corrective signal that normalizes abnormalities with no discomfort or side effects.

Email info@harmonichealthut.com

Or Call one of our Thorp Certified Therapist

Destiny @ 435-201-0500

Wendy @ 435-681-0170

www.harmonichealthut.com

Horses and Salt

By Kendra Sagers

Do you ever worry about your horse drinking enough when you are on the road? How about if he is getting enough salt from the salt block at home? I always wondered this as well.

So, what is the solution? I found it is really easy, especially if you are feeding your horse any type of grain and/or supplement. The answer is to actually feed your horse salt. I offer my horses at home a salt block and add loose salt to their feed ration. However, on the road I only take the loose salt. I feed about 1-2 tablespoons of salt each feeding. This amount depends on the size of the horse, how much they are sweating, and how much they are drinking. You can ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.

The salt I use is labeled for livestock and can be purchased quite inexpensively. This picture is of the salt I am currently feeding. It is a natural mineral salt, so it also supplies trace minerals. Plain table salt can also be used (I suggest the salt that is not iodized).

If my horse is not drinking enough on the road I will often add a bit of salt to the ration. The amount of water a horse drinks is directly related to the amount of salt a horse eats. I have found adding salt to the grain has been a great way to keep my horses healthier on the road and at home. This loose salt is convenient to haul. I put it in a small tupperware like container with a measuring spoon. If you are like me anything that will help keep my horse healthy and help prevent colic is a great investment. I hope this tip will help you out on the rodeo road.

Football Rodeo Lesson

By Edna Hancock

The other day I was sitting at a football game. Our team intercepted a pass and made a run for the end zone. He almost made a touchdown. The thing that stopped him was he looked back to see if there was someone trying to tackle him. When he looked back he slowed down and sure enough the guy that was on his heels was given the opportunity to tackle him.

As I sat in the stands and reflected on it. I realized that looking back in any sport will slow you down. DON'T LOOK BACK!!

If you are running poles, barrels, football touchdowns...what ever it is. DON'T LOOK BACK. Just the act of turning your head (and consequently your shoulders) slows you down. I have seen girls running poles look back to see if they knocked one over and slow down and then loose the coveted first place finish. DON'T LOOK BACK. It is alot easier to say then to implement, but if you practice that way it will be easier to do at the rodeo or football game or in life.