Cracker Day 2009

[Elf Mommy]

I took over 1200 photos. It is really hard to pare down what I'm posting for you all. Here are the first few I've put together.

Barrel Riding:

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Is this a big day somewhere there? Love the photos! My niece will be at the world barrel show in July - I think it's in Mississippi. Lexi wants to barrel race or pole bend on Kota eventually

 

[Elf Mommy]

Yes, it's a fundraiser for the North Florida Cattleman's Association and the Rough Riders in our area, as well.

I'm working on the pole bending photos now!

 

[Bo B Bunny]

How FUN!

We went to a tack swap/sale yesterday! it was about an hour from home but SO worth it! Lexi had her birthday money in hand and got a pair of smoothy black chaps that fit perfect~ and a gorgeous new show shirt with LOTS of bling! She's thrilled.

She's always shown in black with white, red, orange or lavendar. Lately we find we like the black and white A LOT! it looked really good on Pokie. She games in pink. Pink headstall, boots and all that LOL!

Now, I think she's going to only show Kota. Pokie is just too much of a problem....

 

[Elf Mommy]

I'm not a horse person, so I can't call things by their right names, but I love how the things around their feet match the blanket under their saddle, etc. When it all matches, the photos just POP!

Again...not someone who grew up around horses, I never really wanted one. Taking these photos yesterday, made me literally ache to draw them, sculpt them, paint them, make charcoal sketches of them....sigh...such GORGEOUS animals!!!

 

[Elf Mommy]

Pole Bending

What I really love is that a lot of the young riders are children of people I went to high school with.

I just love the raw power in the horse's muscles!

Such fluid movement

A feisty horse:

 

[Elf Mommy]

Loading Bull Riders

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Oh yeah, I love the tack they use in gaming! Pretty colors!

The wrapped things like on the white horse with red, white and blue on..... are called Polo Wraps.... and the ones that are more of a long thing that covers that area and one piece are called splint boots.... both of these are to protect and support the lower leg joints and then the little things that wrap around the ankle/hoof top... are called bell boots... these things also help keep the horse from "over reaching" as well as protecting their hoof/coronet band (right above the hoof there is a white line - sort of like the fingernail bed on a person.

 

[Elf Mommy]

Interesting that some riders use them and others don't.

 

[JadeIcing]

:biggrin2:That looks like fun any more.

 

[kirst3buns]

Great pictures and it looks like fun! My daughter rides Saddleseat. What a difference from those pictures

 

[Elf Mommy]

I'm still working on uploading bull riding. I will be posting the rides one at a time. 8 seconds or less can still be a bunch of photos. hehe

 

[Elf Mommy]

Bull Rider #1....didn't get out of the pen. The dirt was too high and they had to use the tractor to push the dirt down so the gate could swing open.

The bull had fun, though!

They finally had to drag him back in

 

[Elf Mommy]

Bull Rider Number 2

Open the GATE:

Out he comes!

Catching some AIR!

Clown at the ready...

Starting to slip...

Off the side:

Down he goes!

You've got the bull's attention!

Bull in the Butt

Kicking him away

Down goes the clown!

Hurry! Get up!

Run, clown! Run!

Faster!!!

(Everyone came out just fine, by the way! It's just an exciting thing to watch!)

 

[Elf Mommy]

Bull Rider Number Three:

Out of the GATE!

Up in the air!

I love the lines on this shot, the curves are awesome!

Losing his grip

Hands free, about to jump

EJECT! EJECT! EJECT!

If I close my eyes, maybe I won't SEE there was a man on me!

Hitting the ground

Off and running!

I'll go this way, you go that way!

One last kick!

Time to go in

 

[irishlops]

i find bull riding creuel.
but, people think differnt things.
*************************************
i have to say, i love the horses.

 

[Elf Mommy]

Bull Rider Number Four

Out of the chute!

This one had a good ride. I believe he made the full 8 seconds.

I think this is my favorite shot of this rider:

Finally starting to slip:

Around

And over

and down...and the clown comes in

 

[BSAR]

Such neat shots!!
Great pics!

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Yeah, some people don't use splint boots or bell boots or even wraps when they game their horses. It all depends on the horse, the situation and all that.... Lexi just got a pair of splints for the horses cause she hasn't had the need until now.

My brother inlaw is a bullrider..... he was actually the 3rd in the world at one time.

My hubby's 2nd cousins are all three jr. bullriders....... they love it.

 

[Elf Mommy]

irishlops wrote:

i find bull riding creuel.
but, people think differnt things.
*************************************
i have to say, i love the horses.

My daughter and nephew asked a lot of questions of their Papaw to see if what they were doing was cruel. I'm sure that there are exhibitions that aren't all on the up and up, but this one is a family event. The bulls are not harmed in any way.

ETA: I loved the horses, too!!! Seeing them go through their paces was so awesome! I can see why people get so addicted to this animal.