Brat came out with me yesterday and had fun taking photos while I was having some fun cow cutting. This is a everyday part of life in some parts of Australia....but is also considered a sport and is very competitive. The horse I was riding in these photos is an Australian Champion in this event and holds a World Record. Anyways....here ya go. And thanks Brat.
Thanks Melon....and the other commenters. I didn't fear falling off...more just concentrating on what I had to do....and I think Brat can vouch for that...lmao!
One of the things I want to do someday... ride a fully trained cutting horse, the type where you just hang on and enjoy the ride. (and try not to get whipped off the side!) So, essentially, I'm jealous!
I did just get to experience a perfect piaffe on a very nice Grand Prix level Lusitano recently. He's for sale..... would cost more than twice my car!
And I thought you were going to say how unsafe this pose is.....muuuuuuwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!! Aussies are crazy...and anyone who wants to say anything about how unsafe we are.....had better not worry about coming to Australia! ROFLMFAO!!
hmmm "Whips, Spurs and Action!" I somehow knew this was one of your threads Judi, not sure how but I just knew :P
Great pics girl, kudos to the photographer and the rider, and maybe its because of where Im from I didnt see anything dangerous or scary in there, then again I spent a LOT of time at my grandparents which board horses and had an indoor riding arena where they used to do roping, penning and all sorts of events...
Ummm....Judi? You sure had a firm grip on that saddle horn! Need to let your legs do more of the work. Not that I know that much about riding - my wife was the jumper (different saddle of course) - she did a good job of scolding me (politely) on using that saddle horn when the pace picked up. All fairly mild in comparison to the riding displayed in the photos here. :-)
Judi, what fantabulous shots! I've always wanted to try a cutting horse, haven't yet had the opportunity. In this part of Ontario it's either gaming, reining or team penning. Lucky you!
You're right for the most part, glad2badad, in most disciplines you do use your legs a great deal...but what little I know of cutting means that you're basically meant to do as little as possible to interfere with the horse, you just stay on and let the horse do all the work! And seeing how quickly cows can change direction, I sure wouldn't want to be wondering if either of my legs were open or closed at a particular time.
And them greenhorns wondering how you stay with the horse and don't get slung off...well, your horse is going to be following the cow, so that's what you do, you watch the cow, not your horse!
well done pics, and looks like you guys had a fun day!
2 3 questions came to mind right off the bat:
what is the thing on your shoulder for? (saw your status on MS yesterday about being 'bound', but forgot to ask)
what breed of cattle is that? beautiful red coloration makes me think of a polled (Australian) red or red angus, but those in your pics are SO deep-bodied!
does the long handle on the whip add some benefit? just curious, as I've only ever used a much shorter handle & longer plait (12-24 ft / ~ 4-8 m.) ... is it for working in the pen vs. an open pasture?
Wow....questions, questions. I will try to answer them all.
In cutting you do let the horse do the work in the most part. You drop the reins during the working but you do need to use them at times...! It is advised that you grab the pommel on the turns, especially on this horse as she is fast.
You do use your legs at each turn to keep the horse from facing away from the beast and to spur it on. So while you do grip with your legs, there are times where you need to have your feet slightly from the sides for balance and spurring.
The cattle are just a beef breed....quite common in Australia....I think it is more of a crossbreed.
The extra piece of clothing is a shoulder guard. My physio straps me with plaster every few days....and now my surgeon has got me to wear the shoulder guard which is a little more easy on the eyes....and less plaster residue left over my back when we rip it off each time. At the moment I have the plaster and the guard on...so I am held in place firmly....and it isn't comfortable....hence my message that you saw.
As for whips....I am not an expert on the ins and outs of what you do and don't use....I just know how to use them....any takers??? LMAO!
Judi, You could make a lot of money being a shoulder guard model. It looks right stylish on you. : ) I actually thought it was just part of the outfit that you were wearing.
Judi, You could make a lot of money being a shoulder guard model. It looks right stylish on you. : ) I actually thought it was just part of the outfit that you were wearing.
