Good to know knots - for the Arena Challenge

I used to tell people that when I was growing up, as a condition of being fed supper, my Pa would make me tie knots. The truth is that yes, I often had to tie knots before supper, but he never withheld the evening meal. If he did, I would look like an Ethiopian refugee, so poor I was in the early days of tying knots. I am glad that later on I learned the value of knowing how to tie a few knots and I am truly amazed that many people can only tie 'granny' knots.

We face situations several times a week where building good knots would come in handy. Whether it's tying up boxes or hay bales; anchoring a guideline for a tarp; tying open a gate or tying it closed due to a broken latch; tying two different diameter ropes together to make the length of rope you need; or securing reins to the saddle horn to name a few.  I'm sure each of you could think of several other things right off where a good knot would be useful.    

In this year's Arena Challenge Stockhorse Division, competitors will have to tie several knots. I usually do several clinics leading up the challenge, but in case some can't make it or want a guide to practice, I'm including a couple of those knots below. And I'm not above also having a surprise knot for competitor to tie. I'm also putting a video at the bottom on what Stockhorse competitors will likely see at the Challenge.  

Sheet Bend

This knot is commonly used to connect two different diameter ropes, usually in order to make a longer rope when needed. It can be used on ropes of the same diameter as well.

Bowline

This non slip knot can be used at the end of a rope, or in the middle, but for horsemanship purposes the end of the line bowline is more common. Among the many uses are to tie at the end of a rope and create a honda for an expedient lariat or to fashion a halter. I have used this many times for a catch rope or what some call a neck rope, to bring horses in from a pasture, or even to pony a horse when the rider couldn't ride or walk the horse in and I didn't want to pony that horse using reins connect to a bit.

 

Clove Hitch

I ride pretty much exclusively in mecate's so when I free lunge horse or put him into a pen to rest a bit when saddled, I'll used the close hitch to tie up the lead part of the mecate to the saddle horn. The Clove Hitch is a common way to secure an end of a tarp to an anchor stake so that it can be easily tightened or released. And one great way to have fun with the clove hitch is to set the knot up and loop it over an unsuspecting person's feet then clang some pots together or otherwise make a racket and watch them standup in a panic and try to move.

National Day of the Cowgirl - September 15th

The National Day of the Cowgirl was created in November 2021 by Durango Boot Company, according to the National Day Archives, to take place every September 15th. Created to celebrate to the spirit, wisdom, strength and resiliency of the American Cowgirl, these are the women, known and unknown, who raise and tend livestock (and families for that matter), rodeo for a living or just for fun, or those who simply live the Western life of self responsibility, independence, integrity and will.

If a woman was writing this she would likely include those women who clean up the messes and fix the mistakes that men make - that would be true and accurate. And would probably agree that raising girls on horseback, respecting people and animals alike, and teaching them to rely on themselves and not be dependent upon men, is the best way to ensure the American Cowgirl continues to exist.  So let people know about this day so it can continue to grow in popularity. 

2023 9th Annual Functional Horsemanship Arena Challenge

Our annual Arena Challenge, the 9th year in a row, will be held 14 October 2023. This event is a little unique in horse competition for non-Pro riders as       we try to blend different facets of multiple disciplines into an event where all riders can ride   and compete be they Cowboys, Dressage riders, Eventers, Team Ropers, Trail riders, and yes even Barrel Racers can compete on an even of a playing field as I can make it. Although the former has to keep their yippy dogs home. Sorry, I kind of always make the joke.  No offense to Barrel Racers!

My objective in this annual event, other than for competitors to have a safe and fun event, is to promote horsemanship and the desire to increase knowledge and abilities. The focus on horsemanship is paramount. I try to design each competitive division (Stockhorse, Open, Intermediate and Novice) course as a safe but doable challenge the horse and rider. Each course is a combination of basic, intermediate or advanced maneuvers and obstacles as appropriate to the competitive division. Common maneuvers and obstacles that have been used in the past and may be used this year include: turn on the hocks; turn on the forehand; backing straight; backing in a serpentine; backing in an L shape; backing in a circle; trot through serpentine cones, move bending through switchback vertical poles; crossing a bridge; trot around a short circle using the Garrocha pole; trotting tight figures 8's; go through a cowboy curtain; retrieve ball from bucket and place on cone; open/close a gate; cross a tarp; retrieve and put on a slicker; dismount/remount; ground tying; backing a horse in hand; trailer loading; crossing ground poles; leg yield; shoulders in; transition from slow walk to fast walk; transition from slow trot to faster trot; canter departures on designated lead; simple lead changes; walk to trot transitions; trot departure to a canter transition; side passing straight; side passing in L shape; and side passing with front feet on platform; and blind folding a horse and leading on ground are just representative of some of the tasks that a competitor may see.

I use some the same tasks over several years in a row to stress certain performance. One year the riders were required to dismount, stand in a box and back their horses using just a feel on their reins or get  down rope, then drop their reins/lead and walk away to demonstrate their horse ground tying. The next  year the same was required and an observer could   see who worked on it and who did not. Another task was draping a towel over their horse's head and leading their horse blindfolded, such as bringing a horse through the smoke of a fire or out of a burning barn.  

Photo at above right is Paola Talamas, who won the Horsemanship Award in the 2022 Challenge trotting her horse over the cloverleaf obstacles on a nice loose rein.  

It can be challenging for a working cowboy to have to cross an arena on a leg yield or a shoulder's in maneuver. Likewise, when a Dressage competitor has to draw a   slicker off the fence and put in on, or, open and close a gate, may be challenging as well. Some may find an 8 foot turn around box hard to do on their horse with forward momentum, and yet others crossing a long narrow bridge difficult. A canter departure on a given lead will be easy for some, while others may find backing their horse in a circle or a serpentine is something they may need to practice.  Photo above is Celeste Hudgens who ran away with the Open division honors.  

In the Stockhorse division rider’s will be required to throw several loops on roping dummies and perform other roping and ranch horse related tasks. Most rider's in this division can throw head shots and heel trap loops - it's their stock in trade for Cowboys and Team Ropers. But I'll ask them to something different like throwing a loop to their off side and pivot their horse underneath the loop facing up on the roping dummy. Stockhorse competitors may al.so have work their horses on a Pro Cutter flag.  Other tasks may include dragging a heavy log; throw a loop around a barrel and trot around the barrel feeding out their slack and wrapping it around the barrel; and, trailer load their horse. Photo above is Don Carpenter, a retired rancher from Arizona and competitive team roper, who has previously won Stockhorse Division in past years.

We like to stress that the rider is really evaluating 

him or herself and not competing. In fact, it's nice 

to see someone complete their run and tell tips to others yet to compete. And in the lead up to the 

Arena Challenge, I'll out on several weekend clinics for registered competitors. These clinics are not practice for the Challenge, but are really problem solving sessions, working on getting horses softer 

and handier. I try to limit entries to this Challenge 

to 28 and usualy have 8-10 people on a list in case 

a competitor drops out at the last moment to open 

up a slot.

We are thankful for the great support in the past from many companies. Notable supporters for past Arena Challenges include the Cashel Company, Covenant Special Projects, Tractor Supply Company, Animal Health International, VCM Equine Management, Starr Western Wear, The Edge Equine Co., Camel-Bak and Hoof Wraps. When the awards ceremony has ended and everyone has been fed lunch and collected awards and prizes, I'd like to think that each and every competitor believes they value for themself and their horse when competing this event.