Well Cora is coming along slowly, but surely.She was very good and humble today! She loaded in the trailer for me and walked right into a stall for the first time. She has her good moments. She is working well in-hand.She had her front hooves trimmed two days ago and was good for the farrier. I have decided to show her in hand only at Gatorland even though we have been riding her at the barn. I feel it will be the best way to show off her best side. I think she will come around when she can bond with her person and they are not on such a time constraint. I think it is best for her to do this.
 
I know some of my trainer friends from the EMM are doing very well with their horses and I applaud them! I know they will do great!
 
Cheers, Rebecca

This article was written by my sister, Jennie Sloan, about our journey to the EMM in Texas last September! Please scroll to page 10 to read it!  

http://www.everything-equine.com/Mar09.pdf

Thanks and enjoy!

Rebecca & Bu

Cora is coming along. She tests me every step of the way, but I think we are making progress. She still has an adversion to pressure on her head-very frustrating, but she makes up for it by being so accepting of other tasks.

I have never seen a tougher horse. She is a real true challenge. It is nice to see her in a new situation when she actually lightens up and looks to me for guidance, but those moments, so far, have been few and far between.

She was good today. We worked on the ground-since noone else was around and went for a walk..yielding her hindquarters, stopping, backing-lounging-tying. She will do well in the in-hand portion of the event. I'm going to introduce her to the trailer next week.

We don't have much more time. I can't believe anyone took two mares with only 70 days to train them. I am very curious to see how those people did with two horses. I know I have had my hands full with this one-although maybe you get two chances to get an agreeable horse??? I guess maybe some don't have 5 other horses they have to work on a daily basis and give lessons??? Maybe they have more time? Kudos to them for taking on that challenge!

With this makeover we only have 68 days to train a wild, unhandled mustang to compete on a national level. This challenge with Cora is proving to be just that. A challenge. We had some trust issues early on, but I think she is coming around. I really wish I had an additional 30 days with her-but such is the challenge. 

The vet was out last week and took care of her teeth. He said she had capped teeth which made her mouth sore. That was one set back in training-trust is another and the fact that she is a dominate mare is the other.

Although for all the trouble we have done quite a bit; leads, lounges, starting to back well, accepts a rider in the walk-trot, and is now coming up to me of her own will.   

We will see if she gives me enough to feel safe at the competiton, as we only have 38 days left!

Wow this one is flying by....I would like Cora to find a good , safe home.

Rebecca

*Update 8-16-08*

 Bucephalus has continued to improved so much! We went on our first trail ride last weekend at Otter

 Creek Park and also schooled him at a friend's facility! He is a Super Star! 

    Please see our newspaper article and TV interview:

   http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/FEATURES/807250315

    *New* Check out Rebecca & Bucephalus' TV Interview! 

    http://www.wave3.com/global/story.asp?s=8649746  

   Mustang Makeover Update! Bucephalus is doing well in his training.  We have

   started the first steps towards reaching our goal of  getting to Texas! If you would

   like to help please visit our webstore and donate!!! All donations are appreciated!

   Rebecca is offering  free lessons, schooling rides, and T-Shirts to those who choose

    to support her in this endeavor!  Thanks so much.                                             

Hey everyone.. you probably received my e-mail letting everyone know how we did. I figured I would elaborate on this here.

The conditioning score.. which was 20% of our score was perfect! Bu was in excellent condition. Everyone commented on how wonderful he looked!I was pleased with this.

The in-hand competition was a little different. I was extremely nervous and it transfered to Bu. We had to trot in-hand around barrels and Bu did this well. We had to stop in the square, pivot, and then continue on to the trailer. We did the pivot pretty well. The trailer loading is what messed us up! He refused to load in that trailer and I took too long trying to get him into it. We only had 4 minutes to complete 6 obstacles. The 1 minute warning came on so I decided to move on and pick up his feet. This is normally no problem, but Bu  was distracted and it took me longer to get his feet up. This is where we ran out of time. So I didn't get to complete the back through the L, and the trot poles. This is what really hurt our overall score. The In-Hand course was 30% of our score.

The ridden course we did pretty well. This was 50% of our score. He got a perfect 10 for standing and mounting from Ken McNab! Then we had to ride a half circle at the canter to the left,stop at the cone, pivot to the right and then canter a circle to the right. We only got two strides of canter to the left, the pivot was good, then the canter depart for the right was great. Only Bu lost his balance in the turn and broke to a trot. We then had to trot into the chute.

 Bu trotted up to it and then we walked the rest of the way. They had a rope gate right at the entrance to the chute and Bu shyed at it. He did a pretty good back until the end of the L. He got a little frustrated, but then walked up to the gate pretty good. We had never practiced a gate so I was pleased at him being so calm going through it! He backed away from the gate so I didn't get a chance to close it.

We moved onto the next obstacle which was the bridge. He had walked over this bridge about 20 times in practice, but refused to do it in the competition. I think it had something to do with the plastic plants they put on each side of it. We continued on to the trot poles which he did fantastic at. We stopped at the cone and then did our freestyle.

The freestyle I did a figure eight at the trot. Two pivots both directions, stop and back, rode straight lines, rode large circles both directions.I think we did well here! He was listening.

We made some mistakes and I have learned from this experience. Bu has learned quite a bit and we will continue his dressage training. I hope to use him for an ambassador of the breed in the english disciplines.Overall this was  agreat experience. I think every trainer there probably has a few suggestions for the Mustang Heriatage Foundation, but they are trying to do a great thing and I support then in their efforts. I also appreciate them winning Bu for me! He is an amazing horse.

There were so many people that helped on this journey... Cathy Edens, Lesley Thompson, Bonnie Allison, Kristyn Williams, Robin Plank, Erin Allison, Joe Graft, Katie Graft, Mary Alice Tolbert, Debi Karsnitz, Mom, Jennie, Chris, Kim, Lisa, and Lori.. if I forgot anyone I apologize. Everyone was so supportive and I love you guys!

Thanks!

Rebecca & Bu

Well with a ton of hard work and a little luck we should do well in Texas..Bu and I have been logging the miles at all kinds of things. We have gone trail riding, to a horse show, represented the mustang breed at a trade fair, and logged many arena miles. This week will be a little of this and  a little of that.. just tweeking things really! He is a such a fantastic horse.No matter how we place in Texas I am extremely pleased with this guy! He is very awesome!

New pics uploading from today.