Kick The Cat videos and Super Stake Finals

Super Stakes finals last night. KR Isadora Dual & Clay Johnson ended up on top. A total surprise for me, aswell as for Clay. He was going last and aiming for a 216 or there abouts. Just went down there and cut, dropped his hand and let the chips fall where they may. Well the chips fell to the tune of a 226! KR Isadora Dual had previous earnings of $18.000 and with the Championship last night pushed it to a cool $118.000!!


KR Isadora Dual
Pete Branch and his fine stallion Kit Kat Sugar held the lead for quite some time with a 224.5 from the middle of the first set. It was enough to secure the reserve though with room to spare ahead of Shesa Dirty Martini 221 and a trio splitting 4th, Cats Colonel & Tarin Rice, Short N Smooth & Paul Hansma and Boyd Rice & CR Sun Reys all scoring 220.
Kit Kat Sugar

In the Non Pro Hottish managed to stay on top from his 2nd draw in the 1st bunch. A cool 227 left him and owner/rider Dustin Adams 8 pts ahead of reserve champ Chet Smooth & Kyle Manion.
Non Pro results

Hottish & trainer Lloyd Cox

Hottish

A couple of vids from working 3 year old Kick The Cat yesterday. She's slowly getting back after her injury and she feels pretty good. Just taking it really slow and easy in the cowwork with no preassure what so ever. Will slowly pick up the pace and ask for more.



She's handling herself nicely. She was started in the hackamore and has never had a bit in her mouth. Hopefully I can keep her as light and responsive as she is through out.



Never worked on spins or any other reining manouvers, she just kinda gets it.



2nd cow we worked. Just really slow and making sure we ended on a good note.

Whata day!

Great day today!
Beautiful weather. Horses worked to perfection (well almost). Had some friends over for dinner, celebrating our first year here at Snösvad. Annelie fixed a great dinner, Salmon, and icecream warm berries and chocolate for desert!
Had Cat work the cows alittle. She did great! Still moving forward with caution and we have the cows to keep it relaxed, slow and easy. She wants to work them though and she's really trying to be good.
Camilla paid us a visit today, watching me work her Eros. He was also a good sport, though somewhat stressed about the cows beeing out. He did good though and I think Camilla looked pleased. I worked Polly out in the arena too for the first time and she was as always, mad as soon as I asked for something. I can reason with her though and shell give in I'm sure in time.

Hottish
Looks like Hottish finally will end up on top! I've been tooting his horn for some time on theese pages and it finally looks like I'm right. He just scored a 227 in the Super Stakes non pro finals and I have a hard time seeing somebody catch him. Will try to stay awake for the open finals though it wont get underway until close to 1 am our time.

Saturday

Kick The Cat is slowly working back to form from her injury and she was exceptional yesterday on the flag. Really in sync, stopping good, drawing and turning the way I wanted. We're still moving with caution and at very slow speeds, but she feels great. Will give her another run today and will work Polly some aswell. Camilla is popping over to look at Eros workout aswell.

Some great, great runs in the Super Stakes semis yesterday! Short N Smooth & Paul Hansma scored a whopping 228 followed by Boyd Rice & CR Sun Reys 221. A couple of 220:s & 219.5:s also leaving the bubble to make the finals at a fairly high 217.

In tonights finals I think the winner can be found among Short N Smooth, (If he's got any gas left as he's also last horse in the Non-Pro finals right before the open) CR Sun Reys and Pete Branch's Kit Kat Sugar. Boyd's son Tarin also has a capable horse in That Sly Bob, but like Short N Smooth he's had a tough schedule so far with final appearances in the John Deere division (Res champ), and Gelding finals (Champion).

Notable horses missing the finals: Futurity champion Oh Miss Caroline making her first appearance after her big win. She had a super tough last cow and lost her right before the buzzer. Michael Coopers Jae Bar One Time was on another planet when Cooper dropped his hand on that first cow. When the cow made her 1st move, I think the horse was counting empty seats in the arena, needless to say the ride was over before it started! Another horse I've been rooting for was Phil Hansons Fortune Bend. He squirted out a calf from the right side of the bunch only to watch her tail as she blew around the herd for a backfence. Morgan Cromers Fay Reys Sis and John Mitchells Martinis Pepto came close marking 216 and maybe should have been in.

Birthday and the All Roo

We had a birthday girl here Tuesday! Ida turned 10, and I quote; "it was the best day EVER!!" end quote. She got a new shiny red bike, a ton of grooming stuff for the horses, clothes, different PS Games and got to spend the day with horses and friends.



Cats show bosal if we ever do go to town to show. 5/8" all roo with a semi stiff core. Wasn't totally pleased with it though. The core is twisted rawhide, but a bit to stiff for her and it had a little flaw in the twist that didn't show until it was shapeing time. It'll have to do until I find the time to braid another....

Today's Eros

Worked Eros again today and thought I'd share where we're at after some 45 day's or so.
He's doing really well, tries to be good and willing. Sometimes he get's alittle "pony", heavy in the hand and a thousand legs flying around but you can alway's reason with him and get him collected up and relax.



Usually rides him about 35-45 minutes and have yet to get him exhausted. I'm a fairly big guy and don't want to over do it.





Also rode out on Kick The Cat today. No goal, just out n about going nowhere in particular. She gets alittle nervous at times, but if you give her time and comfort her some, she responds and lets you guide her past just about anything.

CR Sun Reys

CR Sun Reys

Watched the best run yet in the Super Stakes. Not totally surprising Boyd Rice's CR Sun Reys posted a 223. Gritty little horse, flashy and with spectacular moves. Here's hoping she keeps it together in the semis! She showed some serious potential in the Futurity too but was maybee a tad green and had some misses that kept her from advancing to the finals there. By Dual Rey and out of the great mare Play Peek A Boon (Freckles Playboy-Peek A Boon) she's got the breeding for sure.

I'm beat....

Sitting on the kitchen couch, recouperating. Waiting for today's 2nd set of the Super Stakes 2nd go. Just got back from riding my two fillies. Man, are they different or what?! Started with La Flor del Viento or "Polly" for short. She's 2 years old and tough as nails. 4th time on her back and we got into it alittle. She's about as stubborn as they come but smart and really athletic. After getting to many "why should I's" from her I decided it was time to "insist" on alittle try atleast. Pulled my hat down, feet all tucked in the stirrups, deep seat and mecate tail flippin down on her but when she showed the attitude. Exploded around the arena for a couple of laps, buckin and carrying on. Put my hand on her neck, sweet talked her a little and she stopped, looked at me and was a perfect angel for the rest of the session.

After that it was time for the other filly, Kick The Cat 3yo. She's Pollys total opposite, all nerves and really responsive. She's gotten really big lately and is starting to fill out pretty good. She stands about 15 hands. Takes about 20 minutes for her to land though and listen without overreacting to everything. We finished off on a good note working the flag alittle. Slow and easy. She's as soft as they come though and a very nice ride when she simmers down.

In the Super Stakes yesterday, my favorite Hottish did just what I feared. Worked his first cow like a champ with spectacular moves with a tremendous eye appeal. Then came the misses, a loss and Lloyd Cox leaving the working area without a score. Waiting for Rocking W:s Fortune Bend here in a bit. He looked great in the first go. Also in this set is Pete Branch's Kit Kat Sugar, John Mitchells Itsy Bitsy Boon and Martinis Pepto.

Down to 183

After the first go of the Super Stakes we're down to 183 horses. All of the favorites made it, but trying to figure this one is impossible. Futurity Champ Oh Miss Caroline marked a 214.5 and leading the pack with 222 are two horses with a combined $35.000 in the bank, Autumns Indian Mate & Short N Smooth. All of my personal favorites made it, but there's a backside to it aswell. I'm looking at a yearling brother to Fortune Bend and his pricetag didn't exactly drop by his brothers performance yesterday. A 219 with room to spare and looking really bright on the cows.
Fortune Bend brother

Good to see the Sargoods two King of The Cats fillies made it, Bratz Cat & Kitty Cat Cutie. Boyds two, CR Sun Reys (moms a sis to Peeka Pep) and CR Smart Brow April along with Ronnies Jewel Bars Cat and Michael Coopers Jae Bar One Time.
Other then that, picking the winner this early is next to impossible but twisting my arm I'd go with Hottish if Lloyd keeps picking the right cows and he limits his misses.

Snow is coming down horizontaly today!! Wet and windy, great day for arenawork! Rode all three colts yesterday and will today too. Shod Eros and Kick The Cat yesterday too. Will step it up some with Cat today, asking alittle bit more. In a couple of day's we'll be back on the cows. Eros was pretty full of himself yesterday so we stayed on the basics and worked some on patience. Polly is doing allright. She still questions just about everything and get's mad if I insist. It'll pass though and she's going to be a sweet ride in time.

Weekend's almost here...

Got 5 day's off starting Friday! Busy weekend though. Easter dinner with the family at moms and dad's summer house, Ida's 10th birthday a boatload of riding lessons friday-saturday and ofcourse all our horses to work.

Super Stakes 1st go continued yesterday with a lot of great runs! One of my absolute favorites, Hottish & Lloyd Cox marked a 219 along with Clint Allens Duals For Amanda & John Mitchell's Martinis Pepto. The latter looked great! Right on the money in each and every turn. Hottish is as alway's, all over the place, displaying freakish athletic talent but a miss here and there has prevented him from any major championships. I know I've been tooting his horn for awhile now, but he needs to clean up his runs some before he's a serious threat.

Hottish & Lloyd Cox

Today the 1st go wraps up with the last 112 entries. My guess is a 212-213 or there abouts should get you in to the second round. Left to work is a bunch of great horses with Futurity Champion Oh Miss Caroline & Craig Thomson, 1st in the 3rd bunch, leading the way.
Oh Miss Caroline

For me personally, set 5 is the most intriguing. Boyd Rice has his two Center Ranch owned Futurity semifinalists CR Sun Reys & CR Smart Brow April showing. Also, Matt Sargoods King of The Cats mare Bratz Cat and Phil Hansons is showing ms Walton's Fortune Bend.
CR Sun Reys

CR Smart Brow April

Wednesday

Got three horses going again, Eros, Kick The Cat and Polly. Easter weekend is almost here giving me some x-tra day's off from the office and thus more time to play with the pony's. Will get back to work also with Evas arab mare who cut her head and mouth pretty bad a couple of weeks ago. Will try her in the bosal and I think she'll do fine. She's sensetive enough and knows the signals fairly well from all the groundwork we did earlier.

Super Stakes Classic Non Pro finals last night saw our acquaintance Brandon Dufurrena placing third on Nievas scoring 219 and adding another cool $16.800 to her earnings. Congrats Brandon!
Winner was Becky Clark on Peeka Pep brother Widows Peek (Widow Freckles - Peek A Boon) scoring 224.5.

Widows Peek & Jason Clark

The Super Stakes 4yo Derby kicked off with the 1st go aswell yesterday. Leading the pack after about half way through is Autumns Indian Mate & Dirk Blakesly, 222. Just a point behind is Shannon Hall & Royal Red Rosita scoring 221. Shannon got his start with Gary Ray back in the day and Gary is also in the hunt with a 214.5 run on his Miss Herman Cat.
Royal Red Rosita

177 + ties advance to the 2nd go, out of 292 total entries.

Today the 1st round continues with horses like Futurity Res.Champ, Jewel Bars Cat & Ronnie Rice, Abilene Spectacular champ Jae Bar One Time & Michael Cooper. I'm also rooting hard for Matt & Patti Sargoods Kitty Cat Cutie! Good Luck to all!

Super Stakes Classic finals

Cat Man Blue & Sean Flynn got their first Limited age event win last night. First major for Flynn in Will Rogers aswell. Going 2nd in the 1st bunch, the duo took a comanding lead after a super strong 225 run. Sean got his cows cut really good and especiallly the 2nd one got the action going. They worked her a good portion and with alot of turns at super high speed, something the judges favored. Cat Man Blue is by High Brow Cat and out of Super show mare Quintan Blue $590.000, who had two offspring placing in the final. The second one, Blue One Time (One Time Pepto) ended up split 4th with Clint Allen posting a 220.

Cat Man Blue

Final score
Res.Champ, Little Pepto Cat also have his papers in order beeing by HBC and out of another great show mare, Little Pepto Gal $490.000. Little Pepto Cat is also qualified for the Ltd Non-Pro finals today and Tuesdays Non-Pro finals with owner Bob Kingsley in the saddle.
Little Pepto Cat
Former Futurity Champ One Time Royalty is back in the game placing 3rd with Lloyd Cox in the saddle. a 220.5 got it done and another $46.000 in the bank.
One Time Royalty

Blue One Time

Reys Desire

Rascal Cats

Got me a little cold with temp, cough and a runny nose but horses to ride none the less. Eros is back in full swing and doing really good allthough he does brace upp and gets alittle stiff travelling to the right at some speed. Will work more on that and get him shod here in a bit and see if that helps. Kick The Cat is getting back to work also. Just easing her back into it with lots of walk and trott before we get to the fast action on a cow in a week or two. Polly's been rode twice now and she's ok. She still gets mad at times though so you gotta humor her and cuddle her alittle.

Back in business

Back from Fort Worth and my Texas adventures. Good to be home! Eager to get back to working the horses. Hopefully Cat has healed up so we can get her going again. Polly has been a handful during my absence and sure needs to be put to work also. Camillas Eros I think has benefitted most from a 10 day rest to soak up all the new info and we're going to pick up where we left off.

Watching the first 2 go's of the Super Stakes Classic in Ft Worth, you really appreciate the quality of horses and horsemen on the other side of the pond. It takes a special horse to go all the way in Will Rogers Coliseum and I really applaude our friends Styrbjörn & Monas decision to go for it with their new mare Miss Hickory Cat! Though the result maybe was less than expected, I'm sure the experience will be remembered with pleasure for years to come.

Special Nu Baby
Speaking of the Super Stakes Classic, Matt Gaines and his Special Nu Baby "won" the goarounds posting a 441.5 pts combined. An average of 73.5 to 74 in the two go's. It took a 435 to advance to the finals Saturday.

2nd go result.

Roger Wagners Stylish Martini also had impressive rounds, first go especially scoring a 222. A three way tie for 3rd between the three High Brow Cat's; 2012 World Champ. Bet Hesa Cat & Austin Shepard, Arbuckle Champ. Little Pepto Cat & Matt Gaines and multiple LTA Amateur Champ. Wiley Cat & Michael Cooper. Theese five should be the ones battling it out but former Futurity Champ. One Time Royalty has also looked decent and might have a say.

Stylish Martini

Bet Hesa Cat

Little Pepto Cat

Wiley Cat

Had it not been for a lousy draw in the finals I think Clint Allens Blue One Time would've had a shot also but showing last in the 2nd set is far from ideal.
Blue One Time

Sunday

Somebody likes her pony!!


Dragging the arena on an oldie from the 50:ies.


Had a full day yesterday, replaced some broken tiles on the roof from the winter storms, rode Eros, drove Annelies trotter mare Ritzy, held a lesson and then put the first ride on Polly. Will repeat on Polly and Eros today hold another lesson and then start packing for my Texas trip tomorrow.

La Flor del Viento, first ride

Got on "Polly" today. Pretty uneventful, just walking around letting her go where she pleased, stopped her and backed a step here and there. She's a whole lot tougher then Kick The Cat was and just about everything needs to be questioned before she does what I ask. Once the mandatory objection is noted, she's willing enough usually.

PCCHA Derby finals

Russ Westfall and Just As Reckless was head and shoulders above the rest in the PCCHA Derby, winning 2 gorounds out of 3. Posting a grand 225 in the 3rd go and scoring a combined 666.5 points total, 11 more than 2nd place El Gato Benito & Mike Wood. 3rd place to Morgan Cromer and Fay Reys Sis.
Just As Reckles

Finals score sheet

Next up is the NCHA Super Stakes kicking of with the classic March 24th. I'll be attending in person cheering on our own Styrbjörn as he makes his Will Rogers debute!

Rode Eros out on the trail the other day. Ida tagged along riding Elton and everything went smooth as can be. Worked him alittle more in earnest in the arena thursday and he again got alittle stiff and bracey working to the right. He'll get 10 day's off while I'm in Texas, something I think will do him good. Fixing to put the first ride on Polly aswell this weekend and have her soak alittle during my absence. Should be fun.

PCCHA Derby

The PCCHA Derby kicks off tomorrow in Paso Robles, California. The best 4 year olds of the west face off in a 3 goround deal. Scheduled fairly close to the Super Stakes in Ft Worth later this month, the event is pretty much a western state deal. The premier Texas trainers & horses stay home, leaving a cool $100.000+ added for the taking.

Some pretty decent horses lined up though. Morgan Cromer's, Faye Rey Sis probably is the one to beat with two Futurity Championships (PCCHA 2011, Idaho 2011) and close to $50.000 in earnings.
Faye Reys Sis

Russ Westfalls CD Royal duo, Futurity semifinalist Just As Reckless & CD Royal Highness aiming to take his former apprentice down.
Just As Reckless

Interesting appearances from Luke Neuberts This Cats Crackin and Gavin Jordans Tomcats Chick Magnet also. Friend Håkan was seriously contemplating a purchase of the latter as a 2 year old and I was looking long and hard at Lukes pony.

Sunday March 11

Another great day today! Warm n sunny but still that crispness in the air, really nice. Started off early feeding horses and cattle, cleaning out the stalls and the regular morning chores. Ida, Annelie and Sofia took a morning ride/drive on Elton, Ritzy and Sofias horse Max. I got busy wrapping up the chores and then helping a lady with her horse. She's had some trouble with bucking issues so I rode him for a bit and later helped with some loading training. Turned out the heiffers in the little pasture by the arena today and they went jumping and hopping around there like crazy, pretty fun to watch.

Next up was Eros. Our second go out in the arena. Worked him there yesterday too for a bit. Ida borrowed old Avenir from Annelie and also rode in the arena.

Eros did really good too.

Super nice and responsive considering he's new to the arena, ghusting wind and another horse in there with him. Had to tie his tail up as it's really thick and long and he steps on it if I dont. He did super as stated and is really coming along good.

Eros has been here for a month today and I've only rode him maybe 8-9 times or so. First couple of weeks we dedicated to ground work and building some sort of a foundation.




Avenir and Ida looked great together! He's a great ol horse that really takes care of his rider. He's 25 years old and an ex racehorse Annelies had in her care for 23 years now. Ida looked pretty cute ontop with her feet barely beneath the saddle!


Our friend Styrbjörn is entered up in the NCHA Super Stakes Classic on March 24th! I believe he'll be the first Swede horseback in the Will Rogers Memorial Arena, pretty cool. I'll be flying over to Fort Worth on March 19 and follow his progress aswell as check out a couple of ranches and their yearlings while I'm at it.

Up and down

Gave Eros a pretty good workout yesterday. He started out great, soft, quiet and fairly responsive. When we stepped it up alittle he tensed up and got stiff as a board, especially working to the right. Had to take my foot of the pedal and worked on suppleness for quite awhile. Moving different body parts in different directions. We will take a little x-tra time to bring the softness with us when we move up in speed. We finished on a good note though and he pretty quickly got back into his comfort zone.

The Cattlemens open Derby and Classic are in the books and this is how the finals shook out:

5/6 yo Classic


Pounce and Phil Hanson claimed the 5/6 championships with a 221 over Cat Zahir, Boons A Dreaming and Tarins Ric & Miz Savannah Taz.

4 yo Derby


Bonanza Champ Pete Branch and Kit Kat Sugar dominated the Derby finals. The duo posted a great 223 (same as Bonanza) to win the event pulling away! They really stood out as the only exeptional run of the night. Cuts were good and the stallion by High Brow Cat x Sugar N Dulce worked without flaw.

Kit Kat Sugar

Reserve went to That Sly Bob & Tarin Rice scoring 218. Tarin had a great outing in Graham as he took reserve in the derby, won the gelding and placed split 3rd in the 5/6 classic, collecting a cool $26.000 total!

Cattlemens day 2

Some pretty rough runs in the Cattlemens 4yo yesterday. Misstakes a plenty by horses that normally would breeze through to the 2nd go. Matt Gaines Smart Lookin Hanna maybe most notably. They were going pretty good when the mare had a small miss that had her overshooting the cow in her next stop and Matt had to grab a rein and turn her. An automatic 60 as a result. A couple of similar runs by Futurity finalist Austin Rey, Fut.semifinalist RL Mojo Cat and the one I was keeping an x-tra eyball on, Fut.Non Pro Ltd finalist Bratz Cat.
Kit Kat Sugar

Leading the pack is RL Chartier and Light Reys with a 219 trailed by Pete Branch on his recent Bonanza champ Kit Kat Sugar, 218.5. A bunch of nice runs followed the top two but I'm pulling extra for CR Smart Brow April & Boyd Rice, 216, who's back after the terrible trailer accident wich claimed Boyd's turnback horse Paints life in January.
CR Smart Brow April

After the 5/6 2nd go, 3 horses share top honours heading in to todays clean slate finals. George C Merada, Pounce and Boons A Dreaming all scored a combined 437.5 in the 2 gorounds.

Spring is in the air

Beautiful day today!
Sun shining from a cloudless sky and actually starting to warm up a bit.

Just got back in from working the little "yeller feller" Eros. He's been off since Saturday and was a bit fresh. Did really good though and he's a little more comfortable working in all gaits and speeds now. He was a little tense lopeing the first couple of sessions, but I think it's important for them to know they can lope with me on their back, knowing nothin bad's gonna happen. He was excellent today, though alittle weary bout the sunreys streaming in through the arena windows.

We've had a run of bad luck here lately with a couple of the horses. My filly Cat's been hurt for a couple of weeks and I'll leave her alone for another week or so. Eva's arabian mare hurt herself also the other day, so Eros is getting most of my attention at the moment. Have been working Polly aswell and she's about to burst with energy and being a general pain in the pasture. She's pretty much all business when she gets to do something though and she'll be fun to ride I'm sure in a couple of weeks when it's time to step on for real.

Cattlemens Derby is in full swing in Graham, Tx. 1st go of the 5/6 classic yesterday and 2nd go today. The 4year olds will wrap up their 1st go today also with the remaining 4 sets. Will keep an x-tra eye on Matt & Patti Sargood's Bratz Cat. I'll be looking at a full brother when I fly over for the Super Stakes later this month.