July was an incredibly busy and exciting month for Saro and me. Right from the start, we hit the ground running, knowing we had a packed schedule ahead of us. During the first few days of the month, our focus was entirely on preparation—both mentally and physically—for the shows and events coming up. We made it a priority to dial in our training, and ensure Saro was feeling her best. Our first big event of the month took place on the first weekend of July when we headed to Warkworth to compete in the Ontario Ranch Horse Association show. It turned out to be a fantastic start to our month! We had an amazing day filled with positive energy and solid runs. Saro truly gave it her all, and our efforts paid off—we placed First in Junior Poles, Fourth in Junior Barrels, First in 3D Open Barrels, and Fourth in Junior Dash. It was an excellent day and I was very proud.
After returning home from Warkworth, Saro had a well-deserved break to rest and recover. I used this time to give her some light work and make sure she stayed limber without overworking her. Once she was rested, we gradually returned to training mode. I put a lot of focus on rebuilding her strength and conditioning her muscles, making sure she felt balanced and prepared for the next phase of our schedule. Around this time, Saro also had a visit from our incredible farrier, who came out to shoe her. This gave her the support she needed to perform comfortably and safely on various surfaces.
We headed to our first ever Ram Rodeo. This was a new environment for both of us, and although our runs didn’t go exactly as planned, it was an invaluable learning experience. The atmosphere was electric, with new sights, sounds, and challenges, but Saro handled it all with incredible composure. I was proud of how she adjusted to the unfamiliar surroundings—it was a big step for us, and one that I know will pay off in future competitions. Once we got home from the rodeo, we took a short break to rest and reflect before jumping into training again. Our focus shifted slightly as we began preparing for the final show of the month. I introduced more variety into our training by practicing different events like Flag, Keyhole, and Dash, in addition to our usual focus on Barrels and Poles. This variety not only kept things fresh but also helped Saro stay engaged and responsive.
The final show of the month was a huge success and a highlight of our summer so far. Saro went above and beyond my expectations, putting down some incredible runs. We placed Second in Barrels, First in Keyhole, First in Poles, Second in Dash, and First in Flag. Her performance across multiple events was a testament to all the hard work we had put in throughout the month. Ending July on such a high note was incredibly rewarding and motivating. To end July off strong, I took Saro to a local jackpot to wrap up the month. She did wonderful and placed us second in the 2D and won us some money, we unfortunately didn’t have the pole run we wanted but I was still super happy with her.
Looking ahead, we’ve got an exciting lineup for the rest of the season. We plan to attend several local club shows, participate in a number of fairs, and hit a few jackpots along the way. As we move into fall, we’re especially looking forward to competing in three high school rodeos, which will be a good adventure for us. Saro and I will continue our training and conditioning to ensure we’re ready for whatever comes next. Each show, each run, and each experience brings us closer together as a team—and I couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come.
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