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Description
Rowan Sommerfelt
SC Just About Blue #sc_justaboutblue
The Jorvik Performance Horseman
Phase Two, Reined Cow Horse
#P2_TJPH_RC
[Right hand fence turn]
•
[28.05.2023]
•
Nāika excitedly bounced down the alley and quickly picked up a lope once I asked her to. We came down the center line, gradually speeding up to a gallop.

Rico being her grandsire from Dundee's side definitely showed when we dropped her hind into the sand, coming to a smooth and impressive sliding stop for a cow horse! The crowd was cheering us on, but both of us were too focussed to notice.

Swiftly backing up around 10-15ish feet to the center of the arena, I asked her to do a 1/4 turn to the left so we would be facing the left fence. After a short breather, we were off at a lope, then gallop, to the right.

Once we rounded one big and fast circle, then a small and slow - we were already halfway through the reining pattern. Nāika effortlessly swapped leads to the left, speeding up through the change.

We completed the same set of circles to the left, one large and fast, the second small and slow before describing a figure eight and changing leads back to the right. Keeping a steady pace, we continued around the top of the arena to turn the corner short to the right.

Now facing the short side, I edged the mare on into gallop down parallel to the long side. She did just as asked, before committing nicely to the ground and coming to a stop just a few feet behind the center marker.

Nāika stood back up, snorting and briefly rubbing her face on her leg. But we weren't done yet, as evident by the next maneuver. Spins to the right being next, I shut him off after three and a half turns.

We picked up a steady left lead lope and followed our previous tracks around the corner of the arena. Keeping my eyes on where I wanted to go next, I turned the colt sharply around the corner.

After letting her run down the arena, we came to our last stop a few feet behind the center marker. She let out a snort as she sorted her short legs, but immediately reacted once I asked her to spin to the left.

After completing three and a half spins once again, I quickly hesitated to demonstrate the end of the first part. The crowd was loudly cheering us on and Nāika's ears perked up as the cow was released into the arena.

Showing off her best extended trot, we cruised down the arena and began to box the cow. I must say, staying centered and calm on this mare was quite tricky! She was moving all over the place, just like her sire.

Rolling over her hocks, dashing left and right. After 30 seconds of boxing, I began to pick up my reins and guide Nāika to push the steer down the fence.

Luckily, the cow didn't do anything dumb and reacted to the pressure just as I wanted. We drove the black steer down the fence, just keeping behind him.

With the center marker passed, I allowed Nāika to pass and turn the cow into the fence, where she commited hard to the ground and nearly disappeared into a dust cloud.

The calf dashed off into the direction we just came from, the short mare on its heels. We turned it one last time into the fence, this time to the right and the crowd errupted in loud whistles.

A smile was slowly sneaking onto my face. The cow bounced off the fence, giving us a perfect chance to circle. Nāika was right up with that steer, pushing him inward to the left with her shoulder.

Nāika's short legs were running hard to keep up with the steer, but we finished the first circle nicely. Just temporarily falling back to change sides of the cow and leads, we immediately pushed back to our old position.

This time circling to the right, I was relieved to finally hear the bell go off. Happily patting both steer and Nāika, I helped guide the calf back to the alley before exiting.

Shortie really earned her oats today.

Description
Rowan Sommerfelt
SC Just About Blue #sc_justaboutblue
The Jorvik Performance Horseman
Phase Two, Reined Cow Horse
#P2_TJPH_RC
[Right hand fence turn]
•
[28.05.2023]
•
Nāika excitedly bounced down the alley and quickly picked up a lope once I asked her to. We came down the center line, gradually speeding up to a gallop.

Rico being her grandsire from Dundee's side definitely showed when we dropped her hind into the sand, coming to a smooth and impressive sliding stop for a cow horse! The crowd was cheering us on, but both of us were too focussed to notice.

Swiftly backing up around 10-15ish feet to the center of the arena, I asked her to do a 1/4 turn to the left so we would be facing the left fence. After a short breather, we were off at a lope, then gallop, to the right.

Once we rounded one big and fast circle, then a small and slow - we were already halfway through the reining pattern. Nāika effortlessly swapped leads to the left, speeding up through the change.

We completed the same set of circles to the left, one large and fast, the second small and slow before describing a figure eight and changing leads back to the right. Keeping a steady pace, we continued around the top of the arena to turn the corner short to the right.

Now facing the short side, I edged the mare on into gallop down parallel to the long side. She did just as asked, before committing nicely to the ground and coming to a stop just a few feet behind the center marker.

Nāika stood back up, snorting and briefly rubbing her face on her leg. But we weren't done yet, as evident by the next maneuver. Spins to the right being next, I shut him off after three and a half turns.

We picked up a steady left lead lope and followed our previous tracks around the corner of the arena. Keeping my eyes on where I wanted to go next, I turned the colt sharply around the corner.

After letting her run down the arena, we came to our last stop a few feet behind the center marker. She let out a snort as she sorted her short legs, but immediately reacted once I asked her to spin to the left.

After completing three and a half spins once again, I quickly hesitated to demonstrate the end of the first part. The crowd was loudly cheering us on and Nāika's ears perked up as the cow was released into the arena.

Showing off her best extended trot, we cruised down the arena and began to box the cow. I must say, staying centered and calm on this mare was quite tricky! She was moving all over the place, just like her sire.

Rolling over her hocks, dashing left and right. After 30 seconds of boxing, I began to pick up my reins and guide Nāika to push the steer down the fence.

Luckily, the cow didn't do anything dumb and reacted to the pressure just as I wanted. We drove the black steer down the fence, just keeping behind him.

With the center marker passed, I allowed Nāika to pass and turn the cow into the fence, where she commited hard to the ground and nearly disappeared into a dust cloud.

The calf dashed off into the direction we just came from, the short mare on its heels. We turned it one last time into the fence, this time to the right and the crowd errupted in loud whistles.

A smile was slowly sneaking onto my face. The cow bounced off the fence, giving us a perfect chance to circle. Nāika was right up with that steer, pushing him inward to the left with her shoulder.

Nāika's short legs were running hard to keep up with the steer, but we finished the first circle nicely. Just temporarily falling back to change sides of the cow and leads, we immediately pushed back to our old position.

This time circling to the right, I was relieved to finally hear the bell go off. Happily patting both steer and Nāika, I helped guide the calf back to the alley before exiting.

Shortie really earned her oats today.