Bert Miranda was here!  I don’t know how to thank him for making the time to work with me and my horse this past weekend.  I’ve been keeping you all updated on Bert Miranda and my journey with Ellie at HorseSynergy.Org  and through Malama Lio.  Anyone who has a horse that needs help would benefit from learning more about him.  Instead of writing about the past I would rather give you an update of where we are and what we are doing and how Bert helps us. 

My journey has me now as a member of the HWRA which means that Ellie needs to run barrels and do pole bending and the rider needs to be able to ride at a much quicker pace.  I’m thankful that Roberta Rita,  State Champion in her hay day of barrel racing, kindly shares with me the “how to’s” to help my horse and me ride better and she is the person who turned me onto Bert Miranda almost two years ago and I’m forever grateful. 

I’ve also been very active in sorting events.  Last year was my first to compete and we attended all of Greg Smith’s Sortings and Bud Gibson’s Ranch Sortings.  Bert would come over and work with me and Ellie on cows last year because that was my passion.

When Bert arrived this weekend and he walked into the arena after I had warmed Ellie up he asked me what I wanted to work on.  I grinned from ear to ear and told him well…. We have a schooling with Bud on Saturday and next week I have a barrel race and pole bending.  We need help preparing for both. 

I don’t’ know if trainers would all take that in stride or if they would say focus on one but I loved Bert’s response.  He just did the awe shucks head shake, grinned, and said OK.  I got off, we adjusted the stirrups, checked the cinch, and off he went with Ellie.  I sat at the end of the arena and watched.  

Normally, I ask to be the rider and have Bert work with me and my riding and how to get Ellie correct.  Lately, I’ve enjoyed having Bert get on, school Ellie in what we need her to do and when I cool her off I try to get the same results.  I know this is in a way cheating but I never said I wanted to be a trainer.  I just want to be able to ride my horse and get the same results I see him get when he rides. 

It was amazing to watch.  Ellie wasn’t as supple in her movements when Bert first started and as I watched them move around the arena I could see her melting right before my eyes.  When he started her on the barrels she was unsure of herself at a cantor and by the end he had her going pretty darn fast and she was moving under herself and well.  We do have to work on keeping the bend when moving at a faster pace but Bert assured me as her confidence level increases she will give me the bend… or maybe not… we’ll have to see. 

Toward the end of the lesson he started roll backs and movements used in sortings.  She really started getting her hind in under her and moving more freely.  This was Friday.  Saturday morning while he worked with us you could see her gaining confidence and freedom in her movement that she didn’t have the day before. 

Saturday, ended with us at the Schooling for the Ranch Sorting coming up on April 4^th at Town and Country with Bud Gibson.  To be honest, I often have trouble keeping Ellie framed which then will cause all kinds of things to happen, usually with the end result being that the cow gets away.  It is key to keep your horse framed.  We fell out a couple of times but I believe that because Bert worked with Ellie and me for two days prior we were better off.  I was amazed at our success of cutting cows out and being able to get where we needed to be with less fuss then in the past. 

We still have a way to go and I’m enjoying the journey.  I’m thankful that I found Bert Miranda and encourage anyone who has a horse they love but aren’t able to do what they want with it to reach out and try Bert.  He listens, he shares, and he works. 

Bert will be coming again in April but has limited time to work with horses and people.  He will be here on the 9^th and if you are interested please call me at 388-1485 to book your slot now.  He will be back during Memorial Day Weekend from May 22^nd through May 25^th.  Go to HorseSynergy.ORG for more details or call me.  Bert works one on one in a private session format:  You and your horse are what he focuses on no one else.