Competition and Happy Ending!

It went by so quickly! I met so many incredible people and had such a great time! Neo went to the BEST HOME with his new mom. We got so many compliments on how calm and sweet Neo was, I was proud to show off my first mustang. The first portion of the competition involved backing in the Y shape, getting on the trailer, hoof picking, and trotting cones all in hand. After, we headed out to the trail challenge. You can see some pictures from Friday above. Below are Saturday's arena pattern and downtown Norco challenge.








Sunday was the big day. Time for Neo to find the perfect home, and he did. I walked him out (reluctantly) into the arena bareback and took the microphone. I talked about his calm demeanor, positive attitude, and smart as a whip brain. We trotted around while the bidding process started. There a LOT of people interested. I am not kidding when I tell you he was one of the best. When the bidding was over Priscilla had won her true love. She had visited him many times throughout the weekend and was taken with his personality and looks of her previous mustang Rio. They were from the same Elko, Nevada herd so maybe they were related. Either way, it was meant to be. You can tell from the picture below that this mustang had a very, very happy ending! It looks like they are both smiling in this picture:

Getting ready for the big day...

After 90 days of preparing, the big weekend finally came. Andy and I set the alarm to 2am and made it out to the barn by 3 Thursday May 13th. Neo was lying down in his stall when we got there. We hooked up the trailer and loaded him up. 9 hours later we made it to Norco, CA. It really is a "horse town". The sidewalks are bridle paths and there are more tack stores than grocery stores. Most every house had a paddock in the backyard. After we unpacked, I saddled Neo up and neaded out with Janet and Charlie (2 other trainers). We went up the hills and took a look around at what our competition trails might be like. It was steep and Neo handled it like a pro. I knew from that moment he was going to do well and take good care of us both! Here are some pics from that first day:

Neo Noir does Dressage!

Gotta love those white polos! How cute is this horse? He can pretty much do it all and it is pretty clear from the pictures below.
PS The pictures were taken when the wind was blowing between 22-30 mph!

Official Stats for Neo Noir

Here is the info on NEO NOIR:

3 year old gelding mustang captured in Elko, Nevada.

Brought to Woodland, CA Feb 12 2010 to be gentled and trained for the Extreme Mustang Makeover May 14-16th 2010.

He currently trailers, hoofpicks, lunges, stands for farrier, walks on lead, walks on tarps, around dogs, cats, children, under saddle collected walk, trot, canter, jumps obstacles, navigates water obstacles, trail rides, goes bareback, works in indoor/outdoor arena or round pens. Please email alyssaradtke@gmail.com for any other questions or information. Neo will be available for adoption through the BLM Extreme Mustang Makeover Competition in Norco, CA May 14-16th.

Bath Time!

The first day to hit 75, Neo got a bath. It was pretty uneventful (which is a good thing!) His tail will be the next project to tackle, it is pretty tangled after 3 years of being wild on the range. By the time we get to Norco, he is going to be a real show stopper. I am hoping he sheds out all the way, the hair by his freeze brand is growing in SUPER BLACK! We went on a few trail rides this week and also his first trailer ride since coming here. He practically trotted onto the trailer when I offered him a carrot. He really thinks this whole 'gentling' process is no big deal, I think he may have some labrador retriever in him! I am hoping to get in lots of riding in our final month and pictures too. Keep checking back! XOX Olly & Neo

April Update

Well, there is about 4 weeks until the EMM competition and I am getting excited! I am going to focus on getting Neo trail ready this month so hopefully he wont be too suprised by anything at the show. We worked with the tarp this week, bridge step up, and walking in and out of the trailer. He also had some out of state visitors (my parents) who commented "Was he really wild when you got him? He seems so tame it's hard to believe he was ever wild!" What a compliment to our little guy. He got a new saddle and bridle (thanks Patty!) and is officially western even though we do a lot of dressage work too. His western trot is so nice, I could hold a glass of red wine in one hand and not spill drop! Maybe that will be our next Youtube video!

Riding!

Here are some fun pictures from this past week. Enjoy!

Youtube 2nd ride!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z6zUIhAqaw

Event Information

Check the link for all the newest EMM info!
http://www.extrememustangmakeover.com/norco.php

What's in a name?

After much thought, the mustang has finally gotten a name. I had to submit one by tomorrow for the competition so I decided on "Neo Noir" meaning the 'new black'. Today he went off the lunge line for the first time ever and acted like an old pro. He walked, trotted, and even a little canter without any problems.

1st ride!

You would never know the quiet 3 year old in an aisle full of horses was a WILD MUSTANG only 30 days ago! March 12 marks the 30 day mark which means only 60 more to go. It has been a while since I have blogged which means the weather has been nice and I have been busy out at the barn! Today is the first day it has rained in over a week. Where to start? Riding on the lunge line has become an old hat trick. Andy and I have gotten on him using a mounting block and jumping up without one too. He has explored the properties 3 outdoor arena's and indoor arena too. He can walk the cavaletti's without even blinking. Maybe he will be a hunter/jumper? I used protective galloping boots when I lunge him, he looks so cute. He is also using side reins to support his neck and self carriage development. He gets so sweaty after a workout, I know he is tired! He also is working on getting a bath. He likes to be sprayed in the face but no where else (go figure). Yesterday, I sprayed the front half of his body, including his legs. It was a big deal compared to the first time he danced around like it was going to kill him! I hope to have him riding off the lunge line by this weekend. Check back for more updates soon! And PS If you know of ANYONE who is able to give us a RIDE to the SHOW in May PLEASE contact me! I was going with another trainer that had to drop out and now I have no way of getting there...

Rainy Day!

It has been pretty wet around here the past few days. I thought the mustang might like a dryer spot in the barn with the other horses. So, we put a halter on and walked right out of his pen into the rain and to the other barn. It wasn't very far but it was loud from the rain. He took a few looks around and a long pause before casually walking into the stall. He sniffed his new neighbors and went about checking out the stall. He acted like it was no big deal. Yesterday when the rain was coming down in buckets, he was a little more cautious. It is so loud when the rain hits the aluminum roof! Again, he made sure to pause and check things out before walking into the rain. We headed for the indoor arena. He has been walking all around the 1200 acre property pretty nice. There were even a few people in the indoor who commented on how great he was doing.

Thanks!

I wanted to post a blog for everyone that has helped me along the way:

Andy thank you so much for helping me on this project, a lot of long hours have been put in and you have been right by my side the whole time!

Janna of Black Sterling Frisians has allowed me the privilege to work with some of the "finest horse flesh in the country". I have found a home here helping to train the sale horses in dressage, saddle seat, and driving. You are an amazing rider to watch in the ring! I have learned so much from working with you. I know where I am going for my next friesian: www.blacksterlingfriesians.com

Jenny, my trainer back in Michigan who has been "phone counseling" me over any issues that I need to work out. She has always been by my side, even if we are quite a ways away!

Aspen, my blog stalker! If it weren't for you I would have no following (or tack!) Thank you for telling me I am not crazy to do this project!

Also many thanks to Robert and Patricia who trailered, Laura for borrowing your saddle ( I plan on returning it in 1 piece!), my parents for not calling me crazy, and you, for reading this crazy story as it unfolds. Come back real soon, I think this boy is going to be worth following to the finals!

February 21st

He has officially been here for over 1 week and come a loooong way! Last I posted he was just starting to leave the pen. We have blocked his "aisle" so he has a limited amount of space to use when he does leave. Lots of hard work and hours have been put in to desensitize him. Yesterday he walked the whole length of the aisle, past horses, trees, open pens, and trees. No butt rope anymore for this boy, he just takes it all in. Sometimes he stops to think for a second and then walk on again. I have never seen such a smart mustang. I hoof picked both front feet with ease and the backs are coming along too. The saddle and bridle have been on and off without issues. I do need to get a smaller bridle for him before I start the lunging work though. Here he is today for the first time in the round pen and taking a stroll around the property!

Elvis has left the building...

Well, sort of. He did leave his pen today! It was an exciting day. Using the butt rope to guide/encourage him he made a successful walk around the pen 10 times each direction and then we casually walked right out and into the aisle. For the most part, he was great. Now it's just practice, practice, practice!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Day 3 was awesome. After reviewing everything from the last 2 days, I introduced leading with a butt rope. With some practice, he got the hang of it pretty quick. He also tried on a few different hats, and played with a saddle pad. It smelled like horse, so he was pretty curious. He is willing to do just about anything for a chin scratching!

Day 2

What a day. Started the morning using the lunge whip to start rubbing and continued on until I was standing right next to him. He turned to see what was going on. From there, it was curiosity and a laid back attitude about people. I was able to interact with him, brush him, pet his head, use the whip to touch his body from his pole to his feet. And on top of it, it was a beautiful sunny day! Hope tomorrow is just as nice!

Day 1

Well, he got here around 2:30pm today and had a nice quiet trailer ride from the Litchfield, CA corral. He walked off the trailer into his pen and sniffed around. We could tell right away this guy is a sweetheart! Between 2:30-6pm we were able to walk around the pen, move him on both sides, and he even took a nibble of hay from me at the end! I hope you like the pictures, I can't wait until we can brush him and get that mud off! Enjoy, Olly