Herding in Buffalo...Not Herding Buffalo

Well, not exactly in Buffalo, but close by.  We have been busy here the last couple of weeks, and we’re enjoyed every minute.  But for me, working sheep and cattle with good friends and their border collies has been the icing on the cake, so to speak.  Many mornings found Rue and me at Wendy and John Auzqui’s ranch east of Clearmont (less than a half-hour's drive from our RV park).  

Wendy is an excellent instructor, and I always come away with a lot more knowledge and understanding that when I began.  When we arrived to work, the sheep were ready and waiting.  It almost looks like they're looking forward to it, but maybe it's the green grass that awaits after they are done "working."

Here are some pics of Rue on stock, as well as Wendy and Linda Lulias working some of their dogs.  I had a great time, and look forward to the next.

Here is Rue working cattle.

Wendy was teaching Rue how to work a single.

She gets a pat for doing it right.

Then Wendy's Jet showed Rue how the pros do it...one step at a time!

Linda has a new pup.  Gill got to meet sheep for the first time this week.

How's this for some early intensity!

Wendy and Frank set out sheep for some early morning work in the hay field.

Quirt got a chance to work...

then Linda and Sammy took a turn.

Back in the arena, Wendy's Tony set out cattle

and Linda's Tria worked.

After which, she watched intently while others took their turns.

Linda and Sammy practiced shedding (where the dog is required to separate several head of stock from the group and hold them for a period of time).  

It's a challenge, because it is counter to the border collie's natural instinct to gather stock into a group.  I think Sammy gets it!

Blaise showed some blazing speed on a set of five sheep,

Then had fun working a single for the first time.

Doing what you love with people you enjoy in a beautiful setting...it just doesn't get much better than this!   

Rope 'em Cowgirls and Cowboys

Last Saturday, we noticed there was a Roping for Knowledge event scheduled at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.  We decided to see what that was all about and headed to the outskirts of town for a look-see.  (Notice, that when I’m in the western states, I start to talk more like a cowgirl.)  Anyway, we had a great time.  Roping for Knowledge is affiliated with Sheridan College, and is an event to raise scholarship money for area students.  There were several events, and we watched the breakaway roping and the adult-youth team roping, as well as some of the open team roping event.

In all the events, the four-legged participants were well protected.  All the horses wore boots or some sort of protection on their feet and legs.  And many of the calves wore helmets to protect their heads and horns.

The breakaway roping involves a young rider trying to put a loop on a speeding calf.  

As the calf broke from the chute, a line of ropers waiting their turns ensured that the calf would run in a straight line…at least until it reached the end of the horses and riders.

There were quite a few near misses,

as well as some very nice throws.  

When the throw was successful, the roper reined the horse to a sliding stop.  The end of the rope, instead of being firmly attached to the saddle horn, was held only by a string.  It was designed to break away, signaling the rider’s time catching the calf, which then ran free.

This young rider caught her calf, but “just a nose.”  (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.)  

In the adult-youth event, a young roper teamed up with a more experienced one.  Based on the names of the participants, often this was a parent-child team.  Usually the young roper tried to put a loop on the calf’s head, and the adult was the “heeler” who tried to catch the calf’s hind feet. 

Again, there were a number of unsuccessful attempts, but a few teams secured their calves.

The open team roping followed, and a number of participants were husband-wife teams working together.  

And while spectators, some quite young, watched

and I took pictures, this young cowboy practiced his loops while cheering on his dad, who was participating in the open team roping.  He was dressed for the occasion right down to his spurs, and I'm sure it won't be long before he is in the arena with the rest of them.

When I asked him about the feather proudly displayed on his pint-sized Stetson, he replied, “My Daddy gotten it for me.”