Winter Life

Had my second lesson today. Riding is going great! Just have to focus on my speech for the next week... oh and school, basketball, FFA, staying healthy, the list goes onnnnnn - but all worth it! District basketball last weekend. Girls got second, boys took first. Not only did they win, but they got the sportsmanship award and Steve Lear got coach of the year. Outstanding day for the Outlaws. Went skiing yesterday after a long weekend of ball where there was a much needed 25" of snow. Powder, babyyyyyyy!!! Dug in a couple tele runs and then prepared myself by resting for today. 10:00 - English tutor, 11:30 - interview for CJD speech, 1:00 - Riding lesson with June Becker, 4:00 - interview for CJD speech, 5:00 - pick up groceries for Ma, 7:00 - FFA meeting, 7:30 - interview for CJD speech. Pheeeewwwwwww. Still lovin' life! 

Winter sunrise - February 2011

Nostalgia

In response to the "more pictures" comment, I decided to look through my computer for appropriate pictures to add for y'all to look at. When I hit the old riding and 4-H pictures, it got me thinking about the  eager days at horse shows, frustrating days in the dusty arena, and successful days where I felt like all my hard work finally paid off. I have come a long way from the girl with the green, velvet helmet with the chin-strap riding the fat paint horse that rolled her off at the Imnaha Play-day Rodeo. Oh, and the girl who was afraid to lope as a first-year junior? Yeah, that was me. Looking back on these days makes me realize what it took to get here. Chief Joseph Day's court. Something I've always dreamed of doing, but always seemed so far away. Tempus fugit - time flies. Now I am living the dream. I can't even describe how amazing it felt to do a run-in at try-outs - time after time I've watched (in awe) previous court members (at the time my biggest idols) race around the arena. My turn. Closest thing to flying? Maybe not, but it sure feels like it. 

Elsa Steen (2005ish) and Buddy at Eastern Oregon Livestock Show. Thanks to Elsa and her family I have the privilege of riding this beautiful animal and I can't express the extent of my gratitude.

Speech Topic!

On February 7, 2011, six days after my 16th Birthday (wahoooo!) Brooke and I received our speech topics. "What does it take to produce Chief Joseph Days and what are the economic impacts?" It'll be great to interview the head-honchos and get a better understanding behind the scenes of what makes CJD such a fantastic rodeo. Oh, and speaking of behind the scenes, volunteers are needed this year! Just thought I'd throw that out there... But anyway, we're giving our speeches in about three weeks to the Chamber for critiquing. Yesterday we had a fitting for our Pendleton jacket where we were told to try on a mock-jacket made out of a not-so-attractive bed sheet. I liked the style - a little more tailored than the usual boxy cut. I also have a hunch that one of our colors is purple (which I would love) but I'm not getting my hopes up... Just hunchin'. With regards to riding, Buddy has been checked by the vet, had his teeth worked on, and is getting shoes with snow pads on this weekend. Last weekend I attended a tremendously helpful Reining Clinic put on by a prestigious local reining horseman by the name of Matt McDowell. Oh and new snazzy saddle - hopefully the last one I ever have to buy... Ready to step it up a notch!