Now, I know full well it's not that long since horses were quite important down there.

That's true on this continent too. I have ridden, more than 45 years ago.  One lass I know via forums gave up an equine friend to go full-timing.  She posted a very interesting video on another site.  She's down in S.W. US right now, where horses and competitive riding is more common.  She said:


Quote:

This was the winning run at the 2006 All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus Ohio. Notice it's just her and the horse, no tack at all!! I've dabbled a little at what she is doing, which is called "reining". Not the tackless part, but the riding pattern part, but NEVER would have been able to do it without my trusty saddle and bridle.

WATCH FIRST Here's one video of Bridleless Reining with Stacie Westfall:  http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=27606393  




So, how much do Aussiesride horses these days?  BTW over here the Truck Camper rig is often associated with horse camping.

:-/

Hi LP,

Amazing.

I had horses when I was a kid, used to ride bareback and I had never owed a saddle, a saddle would have just been a problem, we used to ride and swim our horses daily as we lived just around the corner from the beach, a saddle would have been in the way.

We also used to ride bareback and without reins in the paddock just mucking about, mainly happened when we found ourselves near our paddocks and our reins had been left at home, naturally we had little control of where our horses went, we also must have looked like a bunch of puppets on strings.

The amount of time, patience and dedication Stacie must have spend on this horse, incredible.

thank you LP just beautiful, takes me back to my childhood

Cheers

Thanks Thenewme.  Can you tell me what kind of riding is done in Oz now?  Is anything done like this down there?

:)

Hi LK,

I really have no idea, my stint with horses was way back in my childhood I'm now 51.

I would really love to take my grandkids to see someone like Stacie at the Calgery Stampeed, what do you think the chances are LK.

Sorry I can not help you out with your questions about riding.

Cheers
Kate

The last riding event I saw live was at part of the Calgary Stampede in 1984.  I was in Calgary for other meetings, but staying with aunt and uncle.  There are lots of rodeo type events.

Now, you could try searching the site for two terms:  'reining', and 'bridleless reining'  

Or just browse some listing of horse events.

:-/

LK,
I know a few people who use horses to muster cattle, espcially in mountainous terrain,
I used to ride when I was younger, (grew up in the bush) but then aged 5, I discouvered MOTORBIKES!!!!! I have never looked back! (I lie, I rode again in my mid teens)
My youngest brother & young sister rode state & national eventing championships & the brother had a couple of runners up then nailed a win @ state level, then alass.......he too learnt the error of his ways & bought himself a trailbike.....the rest is history ;D ;D ;D ;D

Mick.
P.S. I even worked as a strapper for a while too!!

Quote:

Mick. P.S. I even worked as a strapper for a while too!!

Ah, ah :-? what's a strapper  :-?

Strapping up race horses ready for a ride or training, cleaning stables, feeding & washing them own after a run on the track.

Mick.