@sweater-equestrian - Tumblr Blog

Rare norwegian giraffe in her natural environment

in re my last reblog: I deeply wish my closest gay rodeo wasnt 6 hours away--while competing isnt my thing at all I want to go to one SO BAD

#maybe to photograph it? i am getting a camera this week :)

roancowgirl

HEY! Are you interested in riding ranch broncs? Are you interested in riding ranch broncs in a gay rodeo?

The Crossroads of the West Regional Rodeo in Ogden, UT will be offering ranch broncs this June. This stock is amateur friendly, and this is a great rodeo for newcomers to attend!

I have gear available to loan if you want to try your hand at broncs, and plan to run a mini school to show first timers the ropes before they ride their first bronc in a rodeo. I did this last year, and had a great turnout of folks that wanted to ride! Gear is available on a first come, first serve basis, and I’ll need a heads up if you plan to borrow.

It’s $35 per ride, and you have to compete both Saturday and Sunday to be eligible to win a buckle. You have to be a current member of an International Gay Rodeo Association(IGRA) chapter in order to compete. Memberships are $20-40.

You can find your local association here:

The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) exists to promote Western lifestyle and rodeo sports within the LGBTQ+ community while suppor

You must pre-register by June 12th in order to compete in ranch broncs, and you can sign up here:

IGRA Rodeo Registration

Got any questions? Shoot me a DM, I’m always happy to answer and help folks interested get their start! Let’s make this gay rodeo one to remember

cruzadocreacher

big fan of finding cool photo spots on hikes

konnichiwahowdy

Secretariat at Claiborne farm in 1989

the-barn-rat

Horse that sent me to the hospital in January got his massive fucking clods roughly chopped for the first time yesterday and i did not return to the hospital.

Real talk though this is one of my bigger accomplishments. This horse is very athletic and powerful and has been reactive in a way that was (obviously) dangerous. I still have complications in my quad muscle from that kick, three months later (peep the huge brace). But the horse is a completely different animal.

And he’s worth it. He’s going to an incredibly accomplished horsewoman who has ridden some of the most challenging endurance races in the world, and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t show up at some of the east coast 100 mile races within the next like. Five years. He’s that special. They’re going to be amazing.

#look at that big yawn!!#im so glad it went well for both of you!!#im sure he feels much better and im glad you didnt get kicked again!!

horsesarecreatures

SFF Pyro+/

Pyro was a gift to my husband, Jeff Loe, from George Altenberg, a breeder of Old World Polish Arabians. His only provision was that we keep Pyro intact to preserve his unique and revered Polish bloodlines.

I never intended to ride a stallion, especially in endurance. But by 4 yrs old, Pyro had proven himself a trustworthy spirit, gentle, cooperative, sane and athletic, with a liquid smooth trot that was effortless for him and for me!

Riding a stallion in endurance demands vigilance, not because the stallion is a problem, but because other riders may not notice the yellow tail ribbons signaling he’s a stallion and to be aware.

From the beginning, Pyro reveled in the challenge of the trails with enthusiasm, focus and natural speed, while I cautiously resisted, unsure of myself riding faster.

It took me 12 years to summon the courage to “let that pony run,” but when I did, Pyro literally “blew my hair back.” In 2016, we completed 1005 miles, winning AERC 1st Place Jim Jones Stallion Award, AHA 1st Place Middle Distance Award, AERC 1st Place NW Division, and PNER 1st Place Oregon. Of all the horses competing in AERC that year, he earned the highest point score of any stallion or gelding competing in endurance in 2016.

Along with 104 recorded ride completions, Pyro and I also formed such a strong bond that one pulse taker exclaimed, "That horse must really love you; when you walked away, his heart rate went up, and didn’t come down till you returned!” That love is mutual!

Pyro has always been safe to ride, self-correcting any momentary shyness by getting back under me to keep me in the saddle. This considerate trait helped me return to riding him after a near-fatal brainstem injury, and later, 2 spinal compression fractures forced me into 4 years of rehabilitation.

During that time, Pyro was my only physical therapist, carrying me patiently and slowly back toward strength, balance, and hope. Thanks to Pyro’s uncanny guidance, we are now competing again, in LDs, until or unless I can handle more.

Last fall we joined the Century Club with our first LD completion, me 75, him 25, combined ages 100. I have no idea how far Pyro will take me in endurance. But I trust him with my life and entrust him with our future together, hoping he will carry us 50 more endurance miles to earn AERC’s coveted 5000 miles award.

My husband, Jeff, and Hillcreek Pyra, Pyro’s daughter, achieved Legion of Excellence in 2022. Jeff has since been riding Hillcreek Pyrate, Pyro’s son, 960 miles so far, winning AERC NW Regional Mileage Championship and 1st Place NW HW division in 2024.

In addition to completing 235 miles this year, Pyro also, at age 26, bred and settled George Altenberg’s Pure Polish Arabian mare, Bella Donna SF, AHR 632936, that is due to foal in April 2026. This will preserve Pyro’s birthright legacy as well as his personal one, as an Arabian endurance National Champion.

-A story of SFF Pyro+/ by Patty Bratsberg

Photo Credit: Say ‘treat’ Photography

horsesarecreatures

Here is an interesting, seldom seen horned saddle. These were lower quality western saddles. Seldom maker marked. The tree is a “Hope” style that was first made in the late 1840s by Adolphus Hope of Washington County, Texas. Commercially made in the east, generally New York and sent west to St Louis by boat and even into Texas. These started to show up in the late 1850s but mostly made right after the Civil War and intended to fill a void in the western market for inexpensive cowboy saddles. This would of been a top-of-the-line model, costing about $25. Most were more stripped down and could be sold at a even lower price. The leather decoration was inspired by Californian saddlery work, but rendered in a simplified manner. Similar models were still being manufactured into the 1890s. This example is in remarkably nice condition. - Bill Manns