Legacy of Legends 2014 Day 1

I'm always excited the first day of the Event. Heck, I'm excited every day of this event. Ok, I'll be real honest. I'm excited for the event that will be held next year the first weekend in February 2015!

Things are about to start, you can tell, when the saddles start showing up.

The morning session includes 9 colts that have been haltered, that will be handled quite a bit for their first time.

Carolyn welcomes everyone who has realized that they can benefit from this event in so many ways. When you see people here, you know they value their horses and have intentions of trying to make the best life for them that they can. Admittedly though, there are some folks who come for the Social Aspect of it, and seeing people that they only see here.

The colt pictured here with Carolyn, is one of her own, and will be "started" by Buck, and auctioned off at the end of the weekend. Proceeds go towards scholarships to young people who will continue on with the horsemanship and help them to realize their dream

Buck also welcomes everyone and thanks them for coming. He is about to begin working with the colt

There are 9 colts that will be started over this weekend. Each morning, each "starter" will have 1 hour. There is no determined amount of work that must be done, only what is comfortable for the rider and the colt. Each one will be worked with 3 mornings in a row.

Mindy Bower is a true horsewoman in her own right. She is Buck's wife's sister

Reata will also be starting another colt this year, this is the 3rd time she will be doing this demonstration

It has been about 30-40 minutes

A bit of a warm up with their first saddles

* It is now the next 3 colts ..... following is Buster McLaury, who also worked and studied with Ray Hunt for years. * He is, I believe, in his 60's, but if I'm wrong, I'll deny I typed it. This mare was brought by our good friends Mark and Lee Smith from Arizona. She is an older mare, I believe about 5. She'd had a leg injury younger and so had never been 'started' She was an astoundingly beautiful mare, and so hypersensitive. THIS is something I was excited to watch. I have to admit that early on I was a bit unhappy that it seemed like the most worried horse, that might be the hardest to handle, was given to the oldest person to start. Inside, at this point, I'm grumbling to myself.

Kip Fladland, also studied with Ray

At this point, Wayne and I had to leave to run an errand into town. So this is all I saw for Buster's demonstration on this first day.

When we got back, Jaton Lord and Nick Dowers were already on their colts and helping each other out. This colts are getting comfort from each other and from Jaton and Nick. I love that there is NO real worry or anxiety in these colts. It's been less than an hour on the first day, and they look pretty happy to me

Wayne Robinson's colt is already outside the round pen and traveling around the arena, looking like a saddle horse. In UNDER AN HOUR.

As usual, there is a jumping demonstration by Melanie Smith Taylor (a former Olympic Winner)

This little girl is 10! I was so excited to see this, as was Jilly!

And this young girl is demonstrating here for her 2nd time, though on a different horse

Buck is about to have a Horsemanship Class Level 1. Only 20 People get to ride in this class, but what an opportunity! Don't you wanna?

After horsemanship, Wayne, Jaton and Nick demonstrate some of their skills as Reiners, and Cutters. Please take note of the LOOSE Reins

LOOSE REINS

LOOSE REINS