This is a placeholder text
Group text
by joanro on 12 June 2013 - 17:06
Ok, I'm catching my breath now, after laughing so hard at Bee's posts!
Now that you mentioned rider and writer, while I was mowing, it dawned on me that I must have gotten confused when my instructor in Written Communication suggested I become a Writer. My logic was to load up and go to work at Circus World because I must have interpreted her advice as RIDER, not WRITER. Wonder what my life story would be if I'd followed her advice and became a WRITER ? LOL
Now, on to the part about Willy Nelson.
I was working for a rodeo company owned by a guy that I didn't like too much. We were in Bartlett, New Hampshire, at Attitash ski resort in the White Mountains. There was no power, except at the rodeo arena, and it was hot, so I parked my rig a long way from the arena where there were some beautiful shade trees. A few barrel racers and I were the only ones parked there. It must have been close to a 1/4 mile to the arena, cause I had to start early to ride to the arena in time for my acts to go on.
The last performance was on Sunday and I heard that Willy Nelson was in the audience. During intermission, I was up by the arena, and in the beer tent, sure enough,there was Willy. He was surrounded by his entourage, and seemed to be enjoying some brew. And right there, trying to get his attention was the stock contractor (that's the guy who owns the rodeo livestock, and is hired by the producers to put the rodeo on). That was the guy I didn't like, but the committee had hired me, as it was a mutual feeling. Any way, he was trying to get close to Willy to get some promotional pictures, but Willy would have no part of him and had his body guards send the stock contractor on his way.
But the guy was hustling around, having his people find every Willy Nelson tape they could find, so they could play them during the bull riding...sort of a suck up to Willy, you might say.
So my Horse and Bull Act was between Barrel Racing and the Bull Riding (bucking bulls, for those not familiar). I did my act with Sierra and Cassidy ( Cisco, to any body reading this. Now you know my paint's real name! well...you know what I'll have to do.....) without a glitch.
I rode back to my trailer on Sierra, Cassidy...I mean Cisco, jogging free along side. I had just dismounted the big ol bull, put a halter on Cassidy and tied him to the trailer, when I noticed a beat up, or well used, old station wagon pull up just beyond my trailer. I could hear the Bull Riding event going on at the arena, Willy Nelson songs being played for each bull being bucked. So I wondered who would be driving from the arena and pulling up by me. The car doors opened and some big, I mean BIG guys got out, then a little guy got out. It was Willy himself. He walked over to me and hugged me, said he doesn't do hand shakes,. He said he heard about my act and came to the rodeo to see it. I did the logical thing, and invited him to get on Sierra. He said yes, and, since he's so little, his guys had to lift him up and put him on (the bull was seventeen hands, at his back, so no insult to Willy not being able to reach the stirrup). He asked me if his crew could film, that they would probably use it for promotions. I said, sure what ever you want. I lead him around like a pony ride, cause Sierra would not have taken kindly to a stranger riding him. Willy had fun, I think, and his guys helped him down, he thanked me and gave me a hug goodbye.
In the meantime, the barrel racers that were parked back there near me, were freaking out and sounded like a bunch of screaming teeny boppers, at a concert. (some of those girls got to get pictures, and autographs, said they'd mail pictures to me, but you know how that goes)
So, now I walk all the way back to the arena to get paid, rodeo's over by now, Willy is long gone. One of the barrel racers walked back with me to collect her winnings, and she blurts out to the stock contractor, "GUESS WHAT! WILLY NELSON RODE JOAN's BULL !! "
The guy was so pissed at me, after all "trouble" he went to trying to impress the him with the WILLY NELSON songs during bull riding, and the singer left during bull riding to come and talk to me. That was the last time I ever worked one of his rodeos.
Now that you mentioned rider and writer, while I was mowing, it dawned on me that I must have gotten confused when my instructor in Written Communication suggested I become a Writer. My logic was to load up and go to work at Circus World because I must have interpreted her advice as RIDER, not WRITER. Wonder what my life story would be if I'd followed her advice and became a WRITER ? LOL
Now, on to the part about Willy Nelson.
I was working for a rodeo company owned by a guy that I didn't like too much. We were in Bartlett, New Hampshire, at Attitash ski resort in the White Mountains. There was no power, except at the rodeo arena, and it was hot, so I parked my rig a long way from the arena where there were some beautiful shade trees. A few barrel racers and I were the only ones parked there. It must have been close to a 1/4 mile to the arena, cause I had to start early to ride to the arena in time for my acts to go on.
The last performance was on Sunday and I heard that Willy Nelson was in the audience. During intermission, I was up by the arena, and in the beer tent, sure enough,there was Willy. He was surrounded by his entourage, and seemed to be enjoying some brew. And right there, trying to get his attention was the stock contractor (that's the guy who owns the rodeo livestock, and is hired by the producers to put the rodeo on). That was the guy I didn't like, but the committee had hired me, as it was a mutual feeling. Any way, he was trying to get close to Willy to get some promotional pictures, but Willy would have no part of him and had his body guards send the stock contractor on his way.
But the guy was hustling around, having his people find every Willy Nelson tape they could find, so they could play them during the bull riding...sort of a suck up to Willy, you might say.
So my Horse and Bull Act was between Barrel Racing and the Bull Riding (bucking bulls, for those not familiar). I did my act with Sierra and Cassidy ( Cisco, to any body reading this. Now you know my paint's real name! well...you know what I'll have to do.....) without a glitch.
I rode back to my trailer on Sierra, Cassidy...I mean Cisco, jogging free along side. I had just dismounted the big ol bull, put a halter on Cassidy and tied him to the trailer, when I noticed a beat up, or well used, old station wagon pull up just beyond my trailer. I could hear the Bull Riding event going on at the arena, Willy Nelson songs being played for each bull being bucked. So I wondered who would be driving from the arena and pulling up by me. The car doors opened and some big, I mean BIG guys got out, then a little guy got out. It was Willy himself. He walked over to me and hugged me, said he doesn't do hand shakes,. He said he heard about my act and came to the rodeo to see it. I did the logical thing, and invited him to get on Sierra. He said yes, and, since he's so little, his guys had to lift him up and put him on (the bull was seventeen hands, at his back, so no insult to Willy not being able to reach the stirrup). He asked me if his crew could film, that they would probably use it for promotions. I said, sure what ever you want. I lead him around like a pony ride, cause Sierra would not have taken kindly to a stranger riding him. Willy had fun, I think, and his guys helped him down, he thanked me and gave me a hug goodbye.
In the meantime, the barrel racers that were parked back there near me, were freaking out and sounded like a bunch of screaming teeny boppers, at a concert. (some of those girls got to get pictures, and autographs, said they'd mail pictures to me, but you know how that goes)
So, now I walk all the way back to the arena to get paid, rodeo's over by now, Willy is long gone. One of the barrel racers walked back with me to collect her winnings, and she blurts out to the stock contractor, "GUESS WHAT! WILLY NELSON RODE JOAN's BULL !! "
The guy was so pissed at me, after all "trouble" he went to trying to impress the him with the WILLY NELSON songs during bull riding, and the singer left during bull riding to come and talk to me. That was the last time I ever worked one of his rodeos.
by Blitzen on 14 June 2013 - 09:06
Joanro, thanks for sharing your photos and your very interesting life. My friends with sled dogs just love seeing the photos of what you have done with them. Some may not know that arctic breeds aren't the easiest dogs to train. It takes a gifted person to be able to work with animals at this level. Few can do that.
by Sunsilver on 14 June 2013 - 10:06
Joan, I'd be interested in hearing your experiences with the Royal Lippizaner Stallion Show.
My riding instructor spent 3 years in the Spanish Riding School (The Stallion show is NOT affiliated with them, I know) so Lippizaners have a special place in my heart.
My riding instructor spent 3 years in the Spanish Riding School (The Stallion show is NOT affiliated with them, I know) so Lippizaners have a special place in my heart.
by joanro on 14 June 2013 - 11:06
Lashinsky's show was staying at a friend of mine's place in Bradenton, Fl and they needed some horse shoeing done. Ralph ( owner of the stables) called me to do the work for them. One of their young horses had kicked the wall in his stall, injured his hind foot. The vet had been called and he'd pulled out a chunk of wood from the sole of the horse's foot. Days had gone by and no improvement. So the head horse guy (don't remember his name, this was around 1979) asked me to look at the horse's foot. I had them soak it in hot epsom salts first, to open up the wound. When I probed inside, in felt something that didn't belong, trimmed out the area as much as I could and exposed the tip of a piece of wood. I asked for some needle nose pliers and got ahold of the piece. I pulled gently, so's not to break it, and the thing was about three inches long, and big around as my pinky finger. It was so deep inside that, by the time it was removed , I suspect the horse developed bone infection. The vet couldn't clear it up and after months of lameness, before and after I removed the chunk of wood, and the horse carrying that foot off the ground , he foundered in the other hind foot. Ultimately, he had to be put down.
During the time they were at Ralph's, they had a horse they were training and wanted to put a bow on him. I showed them my method, and essentially put on a seminar for them, putting a bow on a horse.
Another Lipizzaner experience I had was at Medieval Times. I auditioned, and they had me ride one of their high schooled stallions. The show director would say, "Piaffe", and I put the horse into piaffe; or he would say, " canter half pass", and I'd execute that maneuver.He asked for "passage", and I put this magnificent animal into a glorious passage. When the director asked for the march, the two step, and the high trot he was' gob-smacked' to see the horse respond so precisely to my nearly imperceptible cues. Everything I asked for, the horse did smoothly, transitions were flawless and it was a real horsegasm, having that magnificant 60 shades of grey stallion between my legs. .
Unfortunately, the set up at their stables was where I would have to leave my own horses at the facility, and live off property. Hired help would be feeding, cleaning my stalls. That is something I have never done, allow any one to handle, feed or even water my stock. So, I had a great experience, showed my ability to execute dressage movements on a horse I'd never even seen before, and brought them a beautiful blue roan mustang I'd broke to ride,that they were going to try out for their jousting act.
During the time they were at Ralph's, they had a horse they were training and wanted to put a bow on him. I showed them my method, and essentially put on a seminar for them, putting a bow on a horse.
Another Lipizzaner experience I had was at Medieval Times. I auditioned, and they had me ride one of their high schooled stallions. The show director would say, "Piaffe", and I put the horse into piaffe; or he would say, " canter half pass", and I'd execute that maneuver.He asked for "passage", and I put this magnificent animal into a glorious passage. When the director asked for the march, the two step, and the high trot he was' gob-smacked' to see the horse respond so precisely to my nearly imperceptible cues. Everything I asked for, the horse did smoothly, transitions were flawless and it was a real horsegasm, having that magnificant 60 shades of grey stallion between my legs. .
Unfortunately, the set up at their stables was where I would have to leave my own horses at the facility, and live off property. Hired help would be feeding, cleaning my stalls. That is something I have never done, allow any one to handle, feed or even water my stock. So, I had a great experience, showed my ability to execute dressage movements on a horse I'd never even seen before, and brought them a beautiful blue roan mustang I'd broke to ride,that they were going to try out for their jousting act.
by Blitzen on 14 June 2013 - 13:06
Have you started to write that book yet?
by joanro on 14 June 2013 - 13:06
LOL, I'll just collect all these posts, print them, put them in order, and call it them "Memoirs of a Dream Fulfilled".
When I have a minute, I'll go through some more stuff and put up a news paper article from Venice, Fl at Ringling winter quarters about shoeing their horses. Seems like that was a biggy in my life, shoeing, 'cause during off season that's one of the ways I supported myself.
I've got some pictures training my GSDs and some from trials, but I'll have to search. They're in boxes, too.
When I have a minute, I'll go through some more stuff and put up a news paper article from Venice, Fl at Ringling winter quarters about shoeing their horses. Seems like that was a biggy in my life, shoeing, 'cause during off season that's one of the ways I supported myself.
I've got some pictures training my GSDs and some from trials, but I'll have to search. They're in boxes, too.
by andhourspass on 15 June 2013 - 02:06
I'm glued to the screen every time you post new stories! I just love them. How do you teach a horse to bow? Why did you call Cassidy Cisco? Where did you learn to shoe a horse?
by joanro on 15 June 2013 - 09:06
I have time to answer one question, hours, other two later.
The paint horse, Cassidy, I worked with voice and hand signals ( the whips being an extension of my hands, not for discipline). When I called him, he responded to his name as well as the best trained obedience dog will. The first time I performed with him, every time the announcer said " Cassidy", the horse was looking for a follow-up direction. I made the stage name up during that performance, and didn't have any more conflict between the announcer and me, for Cassidy.
More later.... Adding: when the people from the audience would come to see the horses after the show, if they had Cassidy's name, the horse would hear it being used over and over, wearing his name out so it wouldn't have any more significance to him when I used it.
The paint horse, Cassidy, I worked with voice and hand signals ( the whips being an extension of my hands, not for discipline). When I called him, he responded to his name as well as the best trained obedience dog will. The first time I performed with him, every time the announcer said " Cassidy", the horse was looking for a follow-up direction. I made the stage name up during that performance, and didn't have any more conflict between the announcer and me, for Cassidy.
More later.... Adding: when the people from the audience would come to see the horses after the show, if they had Cassidy's name, the horse would hear it being used over and over, wearing his name out so it wouldn't have any more significance to him when I used it.
by Sunsilver on 15 June 2013 - 09:06
Another Lipizzaner experience I had was at Medieval Times. I auditioned, and they had me ride one of their high schooled stallions. The show director would say, "Piaffe", and I put the horse into piaffe; or he would say, " canter half pass", and I'd execute that maneuver.He asked for "passage", and I put this magnificent animal into a glorious passage. When the director asked for the march, the two step, and the high trot he was' gob-smacked' to see the horse respond so precisely to my nearly imperceptible cues. Everything I asked for, the horse did smoothly, transitions were flawless and it was a real horsegasm, having that magnificant 60 shades of grey stallion between my legs. .
[sigh!] I SO want to go back to riding again! Yes, they have Lippizaners as part of the Medieval Times act here in Toronto, too. And I was totally amazed to see the High School manoevers being done without any tack on the horse AT ALL!
"Nearly imperceptible cues..." YES, that's the way it SHOULD be done! When my instructor did advanced dressage with his horse, you could barely see the signals he was giving. She looked like she was dancing for him! SO unlike much of the dressage riding I've seen lately on YouTube....
by rtdmmcintyre on 15 June 2013 - 11:06
Ok Ok I got it you are way cooler then I will ever be. lol
so many people here I would like to meet one day. this place is loaded with fascinating people even though they don't agree all the time I would love to meet most of them.
so many people here I would like to meet one day. this place is loaded with fascinating people even though they don't agree all the time I would love to meet most of them.
Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top
