Blue Moon and Guinness – The Twins
OTRR sits down with Rope Afghanistan….
Tell us how the idea of Rope Afghanistan originated? The idea started when my husband was asked to go to Afghanistan for the USDA (who he has worked for almost 40 years). He could not think about not swinging a rope for a year, so he took along two ropes. He then called me and asked that I send him one of the plastic steer heads we had. I did and he built his first dummy (called MRAP 1) from used MRAP parts and odds & ends there on the base. He started practicing and soon there were four or five soldiers who took an interest. On his first leave home, he told me that he thought it would be a great idea to have a “little dummy roping” and give away a buckle. I said “Great idea! I will work on it”. When he got back to the base, and mentioned his plan and said that there would be a buckle to the winner, his five or six grew to nearly twenty. He then called and said he would need more buckles and ropes. I mentioned this to a family friend (Allen Crumley) and he suggested doing a Facebook page to let people know what we were doing for the troops. When I set up the page, my thought was that we would get about 100 friends and a few donations to help out with the buckle costs. Needless to say the Facebook Page did a little better than that (4500 friends to date) who have donated cash, sponsored buckles (Arnold gave away 25 at his roping), sent ropes, dummies, pictures frames for the winners, snacks, letters or support, a custom made leather rope bag, and even commemorative coins for the soldiers. And we have had enough donations to be able to sponsor buckles at two other bases that will be holding their ropings in early December. The support has been just awesome.
I have checked out your website and your FB page and it is really growing. How many soldiers do you have involved in Rope Afghanistan? We have 30 on the base where Arnold is and about 40 more on other bases around the country.
What do you want to see happen with this organization? I hope to see this organization continue to grow and continue sending items to the troops as long as there is a soldier somewhere in the world that wants to rope. And possibly even take the cowboy way of life to soldiers on the bases here stateside.
When the soldiers come home, will this be something that will bond them together and continue? I think it will. Arnold has told me that the guys on his base have caught “roping fever” and will rope every chance they get now.
When will the dummy roping take place in October and what are the rules?The dummy roping took place on October 1 in Baraki Barak. The rules are just like the dummy ropings you see here. Everyone starts out at the same distance and advances back a foot when they catch. Last man standing wins.
Tell us about the soldiers that are competing, have they always been involved in this type of activity, or are they from all walks of life?They come from all walks of life. Some have roped a bit before and some have never even held a rope before now. But they catch on quick and they are very competitive with themselves and each other.
How much do the soldiers get to rope the dummy? Do they practice every day?Most of them rope in their down time. And practice time depends on the current situation at the base and how many missions they are doing each week.
What type of donations is Rope Afghanistan looking for?Money for the buckles and postage always helps, new ropes, rope gloves, how to DVD’s, caps, letters and cards of support, snack items, or just anything roping related. The soldiers are very appreciative of everything that is sent to them.
What can we do to help? Just spreading the word about who we are, what we do, and keeping our armed forces in our prayers out night, that each and everyone will come home safely is a huge help.
OTRR wants to give a HUGE thanks to Rope Afghanistan and all that they do! Please everyone take a moment to check out their website and find them on Facebook. It is very easy to make a donation by clicking here to go to their website.
On The Rodeo Road Fans…
Have a candid shot of someone in your family roping the dummy, what about a behind the scene shot at a rodeo, how about hanging out at the trailer, or just a really cool action shot at a rodeo… well OTRR would love to showcase them on our new website in 2011!
We are very excited about it and really think you all will love the new improvements and additions we will be adding to the site.
So… send your pictures to ontherodeoroad@gmail.com to be apart of the new site!!
Negativity…….How Do You Deal?
-”A squirrel is just a rat with a fancier outfit”
-carrie bradshaw, Sex and The City
Any Sex and The City fans out there? Uh, I love, love, love, Sex and The City!! I own the entire DVD set and the first movie. I am waiting for the second to come out on DVD. (of course I saw it in the theatre, WHOO HOO!)
Ok, this entry isn’t about Carrie Bradshaw and her kickass girlfriends…it is actually about Negative people. Negativity seems to be a hot topic right now. My girlfriends and I have talked about it a lot this season and how negativity can effect your life and your runs.
I don’t think there is one person on earth that hasn’t dealt with negative comments from others. It is almost inevitable to have someone around you that will be spewing negative comments at some point. We can’t control other people (Wouldn’t it be nice if we could at times?? haha!) but we absolutely can control how those comments affect our day to day life.
The rodeo family is a different world sometimes. Lets face it, it is a COMPETITION! If we weren’t competitive people then we wouldn’t spend hours in the arena practicing, or hours watching videos of ourselves trying to get better. Rodeo is hard and it is a major commitment. In the arena, we are all competing with each other but, what makes us a bit different, is that when we leave that arena, most of the time we are friends and family with the people we JUST competed against. I love that camaraderie and the familiarities of hanging at the trailer and talking about our runs or rides.
Of course, lets get real, every person you come in contact with in the arena is not your friend. Some are rats dressed like squirrels! You know who I am talking about……..they look nice and seem nice but they love to throw those jabs with that cutesy smile. UGGHH………makes you want to slap somebody! Of course, you can do what my grandmother would always say, “kill them with kindness my dear”. As much as I HATED to hear this as a child, lets face it….grandmothers are normally right and when dealing with people that seem to get a thrill in trying to make you feel bad…….it is good to just smile and walk way.
Although, some are not nice enough to disguise themselves as squirrels. You know the ones. They proudly walk around as a RAT!! They hide behind nothing and have no problem saying when you screw up, how bad your ride was, how horrible you ride or how stupid you look…….Let me tell you how I deal with these people…I DON’T!!!!!! Be choosy about your life!!! Remember, it is YOUR life. I have definitely cut people out of my life because of their drama and negativity. I made a stance years ago that I wasnt’ going to allow it around me and I haven’t. What that meant for me was culling some friends and family and by damn I did. I have cut some ties with some family members and some friends. Some people may think that is extreme, but for MY life, it is what makes sense. 
Find what works for you!!
I also think that in order to deal well with others, you have to work on yourself. I try to do this every day and I know it is hard but I think it is a must to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself and anyone else in your life. When you know who you are then it is harder for negative comments to affect you. If you KNOW that you want to get healthy and lose weight and someone around you is saying to you “no you can’t” then you just say in your mind “yes, I CAN!” Remember who you are and don’t let that person bring you down!
These are just some ways that I get through the negative comments. Of course a corona and a lime seems to fix a lot, too, and for some reason makes me be able to handle more. Is it just me or does Corona have that effect on your as well?
How do you deal with negativity?
Until Next Time!
Friday is FINALLY Here!
Good Morning OTRR Peeps!
We made it to Friday, everybody has to love Friday’s!!! Lots of stuff is going on here in the Bluegrass as we get ready for the opening day of the World Equestrian Games. I have to drive past the Horse Park on my way to work every morning and to see the changes has been very cool. I havent’ been IN the Park yet but can’t wait to see it! I hear it is almost unrecognizable.
This morning the air was warm, it is already 72 degrees and it supposed to be a 90 by this afternoon. This weather is unseasonably hot but I will take it, I am not a winter fan AT ALL. I will say that I am a bit ready for Fall. Even though Fall brings Winter, I do LOVE Fall. There is something about the cool crisp air, the colorful leaves on the ground and all the fun activities that come with this time of year that just makes Fall fun! In our neck of the woods we have the Fall Keeneland meet starting, festivals almost every weekend and of course UK Football and we can’t forget Quarter Horse Congress. It is such a fun time of year! Of course the biggest thing is that Starbucks has the Pumpkin Spice Latte’s back……HELLO…those are to die for! It is time to put the tank tops up and pull out the hoodies and fleeces…oh how I love my sweatshirts! Fall brings back running indoors, cooking chili at your horse trailer at overnight barrel races with buddies and signing up for the winter barrel racing series. Just thinking about all those events and fun times makes me so excited. Of course like I said…………it is going to be 90 degrees today….but there is still a twinge of Fall…I can smell it..it’s on it’s way. I can’t wait!!!!!
As for THIS weekend, I will just be hauling my horses to practice and hanging out with Corey and Anne. I am missing the MVP show which I HATE but my ponies just aren’t ready. So to all my friends heading up to Ohio today…….GOOD LUCK and HAVE TONS OF FUN!!!!!!!!!
Me and Dually at MVP Turn N Burn last October
Ky Horse Farm in the Fall
Taking a Mental Break….
Anne and Roanie
Well this season hasn’t been exactly what I had envisioned, but are they ever? I had a lot of goals and didn’t reach many of them, but sometimes you just have to roll with it and take what you can get. I have probably worked harder this season than any other, but I do know that eventually it will pay off. I have to stay positive and know that I am doing the grunt work now and eventually it will all come together. I think the part of waiting for it to all come together is the hardest part. You get small glimpses of it and you think “this is it” and then something knocks you back down and you are back to the grunt work. However it only makes ya stronger! I have realized though that sometimes you just have to take a mental break. I think these are very important. About 2 weeks ago, after a shitty practice and trying hard not to be frustrated I finally said “okay, time to step away” I am a very persistent person and sometimes this can get in the way of logic. I can easily admit that I get upset when I don’t reach my goals. I can easily turn into a psycho! I noticed this a few weeks ago and finally said to myself “you have nothing to prove, you have a nice horse and you need to take a break”
So that is what I did! I took a break! I hauled my horses the 4 hours back home, which was supposed to be that weekend where “it all came together” and it was the weekend where “it was still falling apart”. The good thing is I got in the truck on Sunday and felt relieved. I felt happy and free, that is when I knew a break was really what was needed. I am so thankful that I realized that and stepped back. I decided to take the pressure off, bring the fun back, and just enjoy what I had set out to do and that was HAVE FUN with my horses. No matter what it needs to be fun. I don’t make my living doing this and I should always try to enjoy it to the fullest which is totally who I am. I just let this season get to me mentally and was able to see that and walk away for a few weeks.
It has been 2 weeks since I stepped back and now I can see clearly and I am ready to get back out there again. It really doesn’t matter the length of the break but I really feel that breaks are important in every aspect of competition. We all need them and so do our animals. I feel like a new person now and have found my energy again and can’t wait to get back to working my horse. I know that he needed the break as well and we will come back stronger.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Cindy Gayle (Dena Kirkpatrick website)
“A set back is just a setup for a comeback”
Posted in Blue Moon and Guinness - The Twins
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Lets talk to Ed at East Hazel Saddlery… Part Two
If you missed Part One, please check it out here..
Do you keep things already made on hand, or is it by order only?
I hardly ever have anything on hand unless someone didn’t pick up an order. Usually have no problem finding a home for them though. I usually have several custom headstalls that I make for myself hanging around the shop.. Somebody will usually stop by and want them before I get a chance to use them. I usually have a few rope saddles on hand at all times to.
What makes your pieces different from other peoples?
I am a custom maker. If you get something from me it’s probably the only one. The great thing about making tack as it is ordered each item is different, they might be similar but you will never be at a rodeo and the person next to you will have the exact same gear on their horse! I make everything out of the best materials I can find and I don’t cut corners. If I don’t like it I will redo it until I do. The only drawback to this is that I’m slow. I can’t turn out tack fast. The main thing that make me different is that I’m accessible. If something happens to something I made for you I will stop what I am doing and get the issues fixed as soon as I can. I think customer service is sometimes overlooked in this business. My customers are a priority to me so it is important to get them back out on the Rodeo Road!
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
In five years from now I hope to be in a little stand alone shop instead of working out of my basement. I hope to continually build a happy and loyal customer base. I’m going to stay focused on my goal of producing simple, stylish, durable and affordable tack and saddles for everyone from beginners to world champions alike!!!
Everybody, thank you for your time and interest in what I do! If there is anything I can help you with or do for you, or if you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
Thanks again, God Bless, and Long Live The Cowboy!!!
Ed Rehmus
5357 New Providence Road
Hazel Ky 42049
fasteddie_26@yahoo.com
Here are some additional pictures from East Hazel Saddlery….
OTRR wants to give a HUGE Thanks to Ed at East Hazel Saddlery for opening up his tack shop to us and letting us show off his beautiful work! Thanks again!
Be sure and check back for more from Ed, he will be showcasing more pieces in the next few months.
Introducing East Hazel Saddlery………………
Hey OTRR Fans! Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and learn about East Hazel Saddlery, owner Ed Rehmus and see some pics of some GORGEOUS tack!! We are BIG fans and we know you will be too………
Ed, Tell us how long you have been in business and what got you started?
Well this all started about 14 years ago when I bought a calf roping saddle to bulldog out of. That thing was wore out, something was constantly breaking and getting me killed in the practice pen. After getting tired of picking dirt out of my ears from all the wrecks and no one around here that I know of that worked on saddles I decided to work on it my self. I went to the local western store and they have a VCR tape on saddle building. So I rented it and tore that old saddle apart. A week later i had a usable saddle with new fenders, stirrup leathers, and I narrowed the horn and re wrapped it. Fast forward ten years I really wasn’t making that much stuff. I made some split ear head stalls for friends for Christmas because I was broke and couldnt afford to buy them anything. They were simple copies of a Jon Isrel head stalls. After that Christmas the orders started coming in.
Tell us how you got involved in rodeo and how it has influenced your business now?
My rodeo career got started in an unlikely way, I didn’t grow up on a farm or ranch. We did have a horse for a couple years when I was little but never had any aspirations of being a cowboy. I was a freshman in college, and just got back from the 1992 Olympic try outs for Tae kwon Do. Man I got my but kicked out there and was really burned out. My room mate at the time Chuck Zickus, introduced me to some guys on the rodeo team at Murray State. They were the coolest people I have ever been around. So that is were I caught the Rodeo Disease! Rodeoing has influenced my business in a couple ways. First, it has made me strive to make a product that is rodeo tough. I always hated when something tore up right after I got it or between runs on my bulldogging horse. I only use the best leather and hardware I can find. And I make my tack a little heavier than needed. Secondly I make my tack to be simple, stylish and affordable! Affordable and dependable being the key.
What are your goals for East Hazel Saddlery?
The main goal is to make great leather goods that make my customers happy. Happy customers are who have made tack business a possibility to begin with. I want to continually hone my leather skills so I can keep making my products better!!
Are you all your products customized?
Right now everything is custom, except for the Isrel head stalls and sometime I tool those up too!! Everything is hand cut one at a time, tooled and sewn by me. Heck I even hand rub the edges of each piece for the best finish I can achieve.
What made you decide to begin working with leather?
What really got me interested in leather work were beautiful custom saddles. I know that sounds weird but that’s what got me interested. One of the guys that helped me the most with my bulldogging always had great horses, and custom saddles. At time I had no idea who Council, Barnes, Hogg, or Slone was but they were all there in his barn.. Every time I was over there I was going through his saddle racks looking at the saddles like they were works of art, and really they were!!
I am sure many of you are going to run to the phone to contact Ed about his goregous stuff! Here is his contact information:
East Hazel Saddlery
5357 New Providence Road
Hazel Ky 42049
fasteddie_26@yahoo.com
270-293-8675
Please stayed tuned for Part 2 of our interview with Ed from East Hazel Saddlery coming up later this week! Lots more to share and more pictures!
Brandenburg Equine Therapy comes to Kentucky
Last spring, On The Rodeo Road had the pleasure of interviewing Troy Brandenburg. If you missed this interview you will definitely want to check it out here.
Leigh and I have been fans of Troy’s for a long time. We have longed for the chance to have him work on our horses. We wanted to learn more about his technique. A date for him to come to the great state of Kentucky came with a promise of Derby tickets. Hey, a girl has to do what a girl has to do… just kidding. However, I did get him tickets because Troy and his lovely wife, Tiffany, were going to the Derby and I wanted it to be a great experience for them. Derby weekend it FLOODED and there was no way to go forward with our planned day. We were very disappointed but Troy promised to come back in 3 weeks….. IT WAS SO WORTH THE WAIT!
Troy really is amazing when it comes to his profession. We had lined up 10 horses. It was going to be a long day but that just gives everyone more opportunity to learn. First, Troy worked on Roanie and right off the bat before ever touching him could tell he was sore in his back. I was amazed that he could just SEE the soreness! He went to work on him, stretching, massaging, and showing me how to loosen him up. It was really an eye opening experience because I try to stay very tuned to my horses. They always get massages, liniment baths and their PHT blankets but this was so in depth. Troy pointed out some places to really work on since Roanie has some big muscling areas. I, now, focus on these areas each time I get on him. He showed me how to see the looseness in Roanie’s muscles and know when he is ready to work.
Troy Brandenburg stretching Roanie
Next, he moved on to Leigh’s horse, Dually. We have had some issues with Dually such as ducking barrels and just not being real happy this year. The vet route did not improve these issues. Troy, immediately, showed us how tight he was in his gaskins and all through his hips. He worked on Dually for a long time and you could see the relief by the time he was done! Dually was tracking better and really stepping up under himself. We are continuing our stretching regiment with him and Dually is coming back strong!
Troy is an asset to any program. We feel very strongly about his techniques and what he does for our equine friends. Not only does he help our horses but Troy helps the owner. He educates you on what he is doing and shows you how to help your horse in a way that many people overlook.Troy takes stretching maneuvers to a whole new level. I feel blessed to have gotten the chance to meet him and Tiffany.
If you ever have the chance to meet Troy Brandenburg and have him work on your horses, JUMP ON IT! He is definitely someone you want on your side!
SeaBuck Complete Review and a discount to OTRR Fans!!
Blue Moon and Dually
I was given the opportunity to add SeaBuck Complete to my feeding program over a month ago. I wanted to share with the OTRR readers what I thought of this product. I feel that my horses already get outstanding care, but I am always open to anything that will help them. I know that each of them is different and they all have individual needs, so I try to treat each horses needs separate.
I chose to put my horse Dually on Seabuck. Dually is an 11 year old gelding that I barrel race on. Many of you have read my post about Dually on OTRR. This entire year has been a roller coaster with him. I have tried many different things in trying to make him feel better and perform, we have come across many obstacles, with hock and stifle issues and him just not feeling well over all. He has been off physically as well as mentally. When I was approached to give SeaBuck a try I was told that this product offers overall benefits to the health and wellness of the Horse. Well, ask yourself…..isn’t that what we are all looking for? I know that we all want our horses to stay healthy and feel their best…that is the ULTIMATE goal, and sometimes it is very hard to reach. So I said I would give it a try. I work in the equine health industry and I am very aware of a LOT of equine supplements and pharmaceuticals. I know that there are GREAT products out there and that there are good and mediocre products as well. I also know from my experience that each product can affect each horse differently. From the results that I have seen I would put this product in to the GREAT category.
Noticeable benefits so far: My horse has more controlled energy. You can just see it in his behavior that he feels better. He runs and gallops in the field and has a spirit to him that he has been missing for a while. His coat also feels and looks GREAT and to me, that really shows that he is feeling well from the inside out. Dually will hopefully be going back to the arena soon and I can see how these differences will come in to play when I run him.
SeaBuck has graciously offered a discount to the OTRR readers, so each of you can try this product for yourself!
If you to www.seabuck.com and type in the coupon code SBCS2010 at checkout, each customer will get a 25% discount on a gallon purchase. You can also call in to 866-593-9446 and get the same discount if they mention the code.
Thanks so much to SeaBuck for this great opportunity!! If any of you readers already use SeaBuck, let me know your thoughts!
Peace Out,
Blue Moon
What keeps you motivated??
Guinness and Roanie
Hello All… Guinness here… Lets talk motivation…
What keeps you motivated??
I think anyone involved in rodeo, athletics, horses, competition of any kind, or just day to day activities, you ask yourself “what keeps me motivated” There are so many different answers to that question, none of them incorrect in my opinion. Motivation is something we all need at times and we all lack at times.
I find that this season is one that hasn’t turned out at all like I envisioned. Has that happened to any of you? I found myself in January thinking about all the great jackpots I would take my younger horse to this year, and then by fall be hitting some small amateur rodeos on him and all would be great. That hasn’t happened at all, because my mind always runs a little faster than my horse. He will get there and I am sure of that, but I have watched the season slip by without getting to really run my horse and be competitive. So once things don’t pan out the way you want them too… sometimes the motivation leaves. I get fed up, aggravated and not happy with how my year has played out. However, that is when you really have to get your mind right and dig deep and find the real motivation that you need. Motivation is necessary when things aren’t going as planned. When you are on top of the world, it is much easier to get up and go, but when your season hasn’t turned out the way you wanted it to, it is harder and it takes a toll on you mentally. When this happens to you.. What motivates you?
Well for me it is many things, but most of all, I know that if I sit at home, throw in the towel and say forget it, I am not going to get any further along. I will start next season out right where I threw in the towel and that ISNT where I want to be. I think about if I sat out now and said “forget it”, everything I have worked so hard for would have been a waste of time!
I also find a lot of motivation in my friends, they are constantly there to push me if I am not happy with the day! They want to see me do well as I do them. So I really feel like you have to surround yourself with a great network of people.
One other thing I find that is completely necessary is having a positive attitude and mindset. If you cant see it, you cant be it! I honestly believe that and I vision everyday what I want my end result to be and I continue to work hard toward it.
It is funny though when you think about the season and how things are never really how you had them planned in your head. My season hasn’t been what I thought it would be, but it has had some great surprises over the summer. One being a great friend of mine has pushed/forced/drug/beaten me to run her great mare, (haha, just kidding) and it has been a blast! So.. we entered at a rodeo next week! So sometimes things do turn around and work out! If you can see it, you can be it!!
