Total training time- 65 hours 50 minutes
Stacy warming up Jac and Newt before the Congress freestyle 2013.
Jac’s first trip to a horse show was a visit to the All American Quarter Horse Congress…during the freestyle reining.
Jac wasn’t ready to show, but I wanted to introduce people to Jac…and introduce Jac to people.
Jac’s training has progressed well to this point but I decided that it wasn’t fair to expect Jac to handle the emotional pressure of over 5,000 people in the crowd by himself, so I decided to pony (lead) him in from an older horse.
Notice at 3:35 how Jac reacts when the crowd begins to applaud. Eventually, I will have Jac trained to listen to me under pressure. The process of training a horse to handle the pressure from the crowd will involve gradually increasing the pressure on Jac in varying ways at home; example of this already exist including:
- whipping with the stick and string
- using a plastic bag to sack him out
- getting Jac’s attention back when horses are running in the pasture while Stacy is riding
Notice at 9:50 when the crowd applauds again how differently Jac responds. This is because during the first occurrence of the ‘crowd pressure’ he was handled in a way he was accustomed to at home. This gave him confidence in the leader, in this case a combination of me and Newt. Eventually that leader will be the rider alone. The choice to pony is also a great example of prevention; I prevented a potential problem with creative thinking.
This was an emotional moment for me with Jac because it had such a feeling of ‘coming full circle’. You may remember from watching the pilot episode that I trained Jac’s grandmother. Then I trained Roxy and competed in the same arena I was now leading Jac in. Roxy impacted the world…but she was still my personal friend. Although the memories often bring me tears they are not often sadness anymore, instead they are gratefulness that I was able to experience the intimate knowing of a horse like Roxy, tinged with joy, wonder, and an intensity of emotions I cannot put into words.
Although nobody can replace her, Roxy’s spirit lives on, not only in our hearts, but in Jac as well.
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[…] horses will benefit from exposure. If you look back at Jac in Episode 28 when I ponied him into the same arena he tried to climb on top of Newt when the clapping started. I […]
[…] had spent time at the Quarter Horse Congress preparing for his debut at the freestyle reining (see Episode 28) he had not been ridden in front of a […]
I have seen this video of the poem before this episode and it made me weep every time. Stay strong and know that nobody can take there places but open up a new spot in your heart.
Stacy, that poem has been rewritten from it’s original. It is called “To All Parents” and originally was for parents who have lost a child. It was given to my family, 31 years ago when my brother was killed. It came from the newspaper at the time.
This is the original.
A Child Of Mine (To All Parents)
by Edgar Guest
I will lend you, for a little time,
A child of mine, He said.
For you to love the while he lives,
And mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty-two or three.
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for Me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief.
You’ll have his lovely memories,
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there,
I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked the wide world over,
In search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes,
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labour vain.
Nor hate me when I come
To take him home again?
I fancied that I heard them say,
‘Dear Lord, Thy will be done!’
For all the joys Thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness,
We’ll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him,
Much sooner than we’ve planned.
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand.
From The Book LIVING THE YEARS 1949
Thank you for all that you do and share with the world Stacy! In Aug 2013 I lost my AQHA
mare “I’m made in the shade” aka Maddie, granddaughter to Hollywood Jac. Your videos with Roxy inspired me to ride her bareback and we had SO much fun. She was a reining horse before I got her in May 2010, and knew all the ins and outs. My time with her was very short. She made me smile more times than I could count, and she was my rock when my world around me was crashing down.
I wish I was able to follow in your footsteps and find a foal of hers, but to my knowledge she didn’t have any.
Thank you for sharing your stories and videos with us. You are an inspiration to many.
I look forward to seeing Jac’s progress and training!
Thank you for that Stacy! I have a 24ish year old mare I adopted from an abuse shelter about 6 years ago. She is hornery but has my heart totally. She has Cushings now and her health is declining although she’s still pretty healthy. I was literally going hard on my elliptical, where I usually watch your training videos, when you began reading your poem and the tears began to flow. Do you know how hard it is to do the elliptical when you are all choked up?? Lol. I know I won’t have her forever and again, thank you for sharing that. By the way, my husband and I live in East Tennessee (Knoxville) and you and your family are more than welcome to come stay with us if you want to come check things out, since I think I’ve seen that you like the area! You give so much I’d love to repay you!!
Stacy, this was so beautiful. Thank you for showing us how to do all that you have and taking the time to answer all the questions. I loved the poem and it brought tears, as I have been there, also.
God Bless and the best of everything to you and your kindness for helping everyone.
You are a great inspiration.
Loved this…..yes I teared up…Jac pranced around like a pro…Newt was beautiful too…but what I also saw was how many people love you and look up to you….. these young kids and even the older folks…. it shows how real ..down to earth and genuine you seem to be…. but my question is… what in the world were you saying at the 1:47 mark…. looked a little like my country talk…lol….
Wow that’s a gorgeous poem, it’s like Roxy asked you to take care of jac for her. I love watching your videos and have learned so much from them. Will keep watching for you. Your an inspiration to us all! I wish you would come do clinics in Canada. I’d surely be one of them attending! 🙂 keep up the good work Stacy!
Wow, that poem brought tears when you quoted it. So true.
This was perfectly done Stacy. I too have loved dearly. Such a hard thing to take when they are called back home.. But your poem was perfect. Thankyou so much for sharing your training, your horses, your family and your life with us. You train with such grace. Something I am going to work on. Thanks again. Happy Trails my friend.