Chuck

I'm thinking about our neighbor Chuck.  He's having rotator cup surgery today.  Chuck is a retired jockey, and I've seen films of his scarier racing moments.  In one race on a muddy track, his horse trips and Chuck comes off but doesn't let go of the reins.  He's dragged down the track by this galloping horse, flopping around like a rag doll.  It's very hard to watch.  I can't help but wonder if that was a contributing factor in the need for surgery all these years later.

David and I and Elyssa watched Chuck compete in a National Reined Cow Horse Association competition this weekend.

Chuck and Rooster

First they do a reining pattern of circles, sliding stops and spins,

and then they do the "fence" part of the competition.  That's working a steer up and down a fence line (long side of the arena), then working the steer in a figure eight pattern.  It's pretty amazing.  Of course I worry about the steer.

Rooster is the nicest horse.  He is a pleasure to be around, and has the best manners.  David and I will be helping out at Chuck's barn while he recovers, and I think it just might be the perfect time to steal Rooster.  We have an empty stall.