Howdy All!

I managed to have a fairly good sleep last night, then was up early this morning at 6 AM.  I fed oats for Rick and he got to sleep in.  Shortly thereafter I went our for a morning run.  Here at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, we are situated quite close to the South Saskatchewan River which has a beautiful park and walking trails that goes for miles.

Today was a rather quiet day.  Between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM we have track times to utilize it for hooking an outfit and or exercising the outriding horses.  We had 6 horses that needed to go and  we got it done.

This race season, there are 4 of us traveling down the road.  Karina hails from Ontario, yet born in Quebec.  She brings to us a smiley and friendly personality.  Karina worked with horses in Banff, giving carriage rides to tourists.  She oversees the horses that may have leg issues that need to be tended to.  Her helpful hand keeping things in order in the travelling barn/liner  relieves me to do other things around the camp.

Come race time, “Team 23” gets all the tack, horses and wagon ready for our turn on the track in the 9th heat.  Being ready ahead of time allows us to go and watch the first 3 heats.   For the opening ceremonies, the crowd was treated to a trick riding show.  One of the gals performing is Payton Bensmiller, daughter of Lisa.

This young gal is only twelve years old and has been riding since she was 3.  She has a passion for performing and has traveled far and wide gaining more and more recognition every day.

Payton makes her job look so easy and effortless.  She puts her heart and soul into each and every performance.  She’s a joy to watch.

As the evening went on, the air got colder.  The coats and sweaters came out.  Our hook tonight was Spirit on the Left Lead, Spin on the Right Lead, Spirit on the Left Wheel and Glory on the Right Wheel.  Chance and Casey rode Beau and Ice.

Coming off the two barrel, Rick said the wheelers started hard lifting the front of the chuckwagon off the ground.  Around the figure eight they went.  Colt Cosgrave was off the one barrel and got the rail.  Rick trailed in behind and stayed there till the finish line.  We posted a time of  1:18.68 good for 5th on the day and brought us up to 22nd in the show.

These fine looking young men were quite the duo to have received the mini chuckwagon.  I`m not quite sure how they`ll share it but I`m sure they`ll find a way.

Not long after the races were completed the sky to the west was brewing.  It was time to batten the hatches as we were sure to get wet.  It was a spectacular sight to see.

Until tomorrow

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23“

P.S.  I believe success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination.