Clinic Weekend at Sonrisa Stables

Norco may have been the finale of our 90 training experience with Luna and Sweet Pea, but there was one other special treat we had at Norco last weekend... Team Sonrisa drove all the way down to support us at the competition too! They have their own wild horse training program and have had their mustangs 30 days now. Anthony and I came out to give them a clinic and a little fresh perspective on how they can gentle their new friends, Hulk, Mickey, Cruise, and Simba. 

Team mascot, Megan cooling off in the ice chest!

Working with Mickey, he quickly showed his one-sidedness. We focused on keeping our bodies in between his shoulders and hips to allow us 'in'. As she moves towards his hips, he is driven forward... move towards his shoulders, he is stopped... when you get to say where the feet go... you're the leader :)

One of the high lights of the weekend was Anthony saddling and putting the first rides on Hulk. The team was ecstatic! He was the most laid back gelding, if you could have seen how many kids were crawling all over him you would know why! 

Team Hulk! 

Getting ready to ride...

First steps, Hulk seemed relaxed when he had his team near him. It is clear they have shown him nothing but love and he trusts them. What a great moment it was!

Baby Cruise is the only yearling. He liked to turn his butt towards you so here I am using 'the cool kid method' to draw him towards me (head first). Pressure and release can be one of your most useful techniques if you pay close attention to your horse and their signs. The girls knew what signs to look for and immediately picked up on the subtle cues Cruise was giving them. 

I was so impressed with the teams and their support. Parents showed up with breakfast, lunch, water, and were so kind to us. Coach Karen was the reason we were invited, and I just think she is the bees knees!  It must be the company she keeps ;) The teams patience and perseverance has me so excited to see what they will accomplish in the next few months before their adoption event! Stay tuned, I am sure there will be updates from these guys!

Extreme Mustang Makeover Norco, 2013

What a weekend. After 90 days, all your hard work pays off at the show and then...it's over. 

Anthony and I both miss our horses, but I can assure you that they got the BEST homes we could have ever asked for. This event was so much fun to be a part of, I am still just reeling from all the emotion that went into it. If you followed me on facebook (facebook.com/mustangadoptions) then you may already know how we did. Here are some of the highlights...

Charles Brooks took this great picture of Marissa and Don and I before receiving our top ten awards.
Don took 1st place and Marissa 2nd, I was so honored to be in the top ten with them!

Getting ready for our top ten introductions

I can't believe I made the list!!!

Back, Back, Back, Blindfold! 

No hands! (or eyes!)

This was my impromptu freestyle outfit courtesy of CVS drugstore (crepe paper and scarf)
and Target girls department (dress)

Anthony and Luna-cita

So happy my mom came all the way from Michigan to watch me!

Anthony in the arena with Luna

 Not only did I make the top ten, my mom flew in to visit with my cousins from SoCal, Karen and some of the fabulous Sonrisa team drove to support me, Sarah and Monte drove up ready to adopt Sweet Pea, and I got to be a part of something so much bigger than a horse show. The trainers at these events are more than just horse people, they are down to earth, fun, generous, and I had so much fun being with everyone. There was not a single moment where I felt competitive pressure. Of course, I was nervous and so thankful I had Anthony and my mom by my side to keep me calm and collected!

The show itself went really well. Anthony's high point was taking 3rd in the handling and conditioning class. He not only called his horse to him like a puppy dog, he also picked up a front and hind foot at the same time! The crowd went wild!

My highlight was being a part of the top ten, it was somewhat un-expected and I only had 2 hours to come up with a plan. In the end,  decided that bareback and blindfolded might be fun (and it was!).
I also used the big ball she loved to play with so much, in fact, she has never hit that ball harder and I know the crowd could tell we were just having a grand time playing! My favorite part of that freestyle was having people come up to me and saying that they could really tell I was having fun! It was true, I really did a total blast.

Driving home 9 hours with an empty trailer really made us start thinking about our next adventure. Anthony and I decided he would be searching for his very own mustang next, and I promised to help keep him in shape while Anthony is busy with harvest. Oh yea, and we also have that wedding coming up in June to think about ;)

Once we got home, I checked the mail and found my application to title Dixie waiting for me. What a great way to end an adventure and begin the next, horse ownership! Watch for more posts about Dixie and her next endurance ride. We have a few planned!

I hope you enjoyed reading and following our progress. I am very happy to say that our mares are in wonderful homes and ready to begin their happily ever after. I will post more pictures and updates as I get them!

xo A & A

Are YOU ready?

Thank you Charles Brooks for the fabulous photography!

We are ready! 80 something days ago we picked up wild mustangs to train and tame for this competition and adoption. Each mustang took us on a journey that we will never forget. Anthony got his first experience training a 'wild one' and I am proud to say this was #11 for me. I may sound a little sappy here, but I can't really put into words how I have grown and learned from each horse. Not just in training and technique, but truly as a human being.

I wanted to give some facts to anyone reading that is interested in our mustangs and coming to the adoption. There are 36 or so adoptable mustangs at the competition. PLEASE be sure to talk to the trainer about the horse you plan on bidding on, they will be happy to tell you if it is a good match. The MOST IMPORTANT GOAL is to get these horses FOREVER HOMES! Please feel free to email us with any other questions at mustangadoptions@gmail.com. Hope to see YOU soon at Norco!

Luna (Anthony's mare on the right)

• from Flannigan HMA 
• roughly 13 .1
• 4 years old
• solid on the trail
• fast learner
• forward 
• loves to be groomed on her head
• suitable for any discipline
• suitable for intermediate rider

Sweet Pea (my mare on the left)

• WILL BE BIDDED ON BY A FRIEND WHO WANTS TO BRING HER CLOSE TO HOME, NEAR ME.... 
• from Pancake HMA
• roughly 13 hands
• 5 years old
• solid on the trail
• fast learner
• laid back, quiet
• attention loving, 'pocket pony'
• nickers when I come in the morning
• suitable for discipline with any level rider with guidance and direction

Less than 3 weeks to NORCO!

Norco is less than 3 weeks away! We have spent the majority of the last few weeks on 'polishing' up our started mustangs. In 90 days they have done and seen more than a good number of domestic horses ever will see in their lives. These horses have impacted a number of people who have never seen a 'wild' to 'mild' process. I have had so many conversations with people debunking ideas about a 'wild' horse and the training that goes into getting a well started mustangs in 90 days. They are truly incredible examples of how willing and honest a horse can be. One of my personal favorite conversations was with the vet. It went something like this... 'This is my mustang, she was picked up from the corrals January 26th and was captured from the wild January 2012' (I was sitting on her in the middle of a parking lot and 5 other horses) he just stared at her and finally said 'I can't believe how quiet she is'. I just smiled, and thought about how quiet she was after out first ride too! I have to say, I am really proud of our little mares! I can't wait to show them off soon!

Sweet Pea, Jumping For Joy!

Ok so, I am actually the one jumping for joy, not Sweet Pea. 

I am happy because my horse is sweet (hence the name)

I am happy because I am on vacation (thank you easter bunny)

I am happy because I am with Anthony (awww)

I am happy because our wedding invitations arrived (ahhh!)

you get the idea...

In fact, this happens to be the first time I stood up on her as well as jumped off. She is a pretty laid back gal :)

She has great rhythm and stride in all of her gaits.

Another dressage prospect?

Just couldn't help myself from loving on her :)

No reins!

Keeping the beat, 2 thumbs up!

Just sitting around...

Love her movement, seriously!
This horse has the SMOOTHEST gaits ever. Maybe she is part gaited?

Luna Looking Lovely!

 Yesterday we snuck out to the barn for a few hours to work with our horses and take some pictures. As soon as I got there, I noticed I forgot to charge the camera and had a battery sign on. We only had a few minutes each to quickly take pictures of each other, but I think we both succeeded in showing off all the progress our mares have made. Enjoy :)

Ground tie and hoof picking

Luna nice and calm

More ground tie practice

Such a good girl, proud trainer

trot

look at that movement! dressage horse anyone?!

Having fun :)

Anthony has done such a great job with his first mustang, I am very happy to have dragged him into this whole mustang scene! You always feel like you teach them so much when 'un-wilding- them but really they are teaching us too. We have had many conversations about training and approaches that have stemmed from experiences these horses have given us. I am thankful I have a wonderful future husband who shares my love of horses too! Otherwise, who would I be able to talk about horses 24/7 with?!? 

Rides of March

This weekend Anthony and I headed to Reno for an endurance ride. It only took 6 hours to get there in the dark with 2 mustangs, Dixie and Luna (Anthony's new Extreme Mustang Makeover mare) where we unloaded, fed and watered, and then settled in for the night. Anthony and Luna did the LD (limited distance) at a leisurely pace, and had a blast. Luna was exposed to people, horses, trailers, rv's, vet checks, riding alone and with a group. She handled everything so well! People were absolutely amazed she had only been 'unwilded' a month and a half! He even had people asking to take a picture with her :)

Dancing Dixie and I took a shot at our first 50, and completed! I am so proud of my little stang! Since her hairy coat was covering her brand, people regularly asked what breed she was... no one guessed mustang! We heard thoroughbred and saddlebred the most often due to her muscular body and long back. She was pretty tired Sunday and walked to the pasture slower than normal, but by the end of the day was running around again. Talk about a fast recovery! I, on the other hand, am really sore and will not be running around any time soon! 

Beautiful landscape and great weather...

Don't worry, little Sweet Pea was not forgotten! She stayed home and relaxed Saturday and Sunday we took a ride to Willow Tree Stables in Novato for a great relaxing trail ride with some fabulous folks we befriended earlier. It was so gorgeous and the horses all behaved like angels... what a great way to end the weekend!