A small setback but overall positive - and get with the lingo

We took Remy to the Clinton Rodeo yesterday for more practice in a very busy environment. Remy handled the overall atmosphere very well, he galloped in the arena like an old pro. First the calves, then the bulls, not a problem. Actually, he looked like he had fun. He definitely likes the chase. Being chased - not so much.


It was a high school rodeo, so basically as warm up the kids were flying up and down at full speed along the narrow lane where we were standing with Remy. He was more skittish than at the last rodeo, Brandt thought the crowded warmup at Waterloo where Remy found himself caught between two huge Friesians set him back.


Overall, though, Remy was calm, standing at the trailer, quietly eating his hay. I was concerned that he would be so rattled that loading in the midst of all the commotion would be an issue. First, though, I had to untack him at the trailer, not an easy feat taking the bridle off and slipping the halter on with nothing to hold the horse (sorry, JP, your arms around Remy's neck are not cutting it). But all went well, Remy calmly boarded his limousine and he was a super traveler.


I do like the people at the rodeos, everyone is very friendly, polite, and has a smile. No 'DQ's' (Dressage Queens) here! And as always we were sticking out, Remy in his dressage saddle, JP and I sans Western hats, JP wearing his Topline Dressage sweater, and I turned out in my favorite Ralph's. But it didn't matter. One of the rodeo girls came up to me and  when she saw Remy shying away from the other horses commented "he is a real good horse, and all good horses have an issue somewhere".


Take away: Another great learning experience and Police Horse Training, here we come! Note to self: Get with the lingo (nobody refers to their horse as 'good boy', or 'good girl' as we do). Remy is not a "good boy"- he is a "good horse"!