My friend Amanda rode my haffy/welsh cob, Summer

Heading out to find us some cows ;)

This couple have the most gorgeous TWH mares I;ve ever seen, and I REAAAAALLLLLY want the champagne mare!

Spotted the cows!

Summer's first glance at them lol

The champagne Walker I'm in love with :)

We took a little break. During a short stop, someone's horse went off bucking and tossed the guy, he cracked some ribs! They caught his horse and he INSISTED on riding back to camp (although they got him to ride a different horse). So while that was going on, we all just relaxed in some shade.
Harley's new saddle is SUPER COMFY!!!

Haha

The group waitin' around

Ok, let's go get some cows!

Ok, cows are almost back to camp, now one guy is going to rope a cow

So than another guy can RIDE IT BACK!

Cow rider fell off, so gotta re-rope a cow!

And the kid rode the cow all the way to and into the cow pen! :)

Moving the cows through the fence

Stop to take a drink

Moving on to the pen

And here are some of the photos Amanda took.

I was riding my Fell gelding, Harley

There were some TAAAALLL weeds! Where'd my pony go?

Remember that shot of Amanda taking a photo?

Harley was good with the cows

That was fun!

Including the 15 minute or so break, it was about 4 hours of fun! :)

JEALOUS!!! I have always wanted to do something like this!!! And I think my mare would absolutly LOVE it!!  Looks like you had a grand time.

 Looks like y'all had a great day!  I went on a droving trip once in Australia, we were bringing the cows down from the high country, but no one rode them, LOL.  

Just a heads-up, I don't know if that is one of your bridles on Summer, but it looks like the noseband has slipped down onto the soft tissue where it can do some damage, might want to check that.  Everyone looks great though and kudos to the two of you for being the smart ones in helmets!

 Oh that looks wonderful! I want to go on one!!! 

Where was that? I'm sure you said, but I forgot.  The scenery is gorgeous!  And Harley handled it like a pro - good boy!!

Thanks guys! :)

Solo, that's not part of the bridle, that's the halter, I left it on underneath, and it was on too loose ;)

Jayne, it was in Mormon Lake, which is near Flagstaff. MUCH cooler weather than the 114 it was in Phoenix this weekend! :)

Looks like a fun time, Jessi! :)  Those TWH mares are lookers - and yup, that champagne girl is really really lovely.   What kind of saddle did you get for Harley?   I want to get a different saddle at some point - my Circle Y trail saddle is OK, but it's really, freaking heavy - probably well over 40 pounds easily.

That is totally unfair, as going on a cattle drive is on MY bucket list. LOL

What a great time it had to be. Good people, good horses, good laughs, good views, good times.

And you have now given me another reason for wanting to go to the beautful state of Arizona.

I had always thought a cattle drive would be fun, so when I saw this advertised, I just HAD to go :) Dad paid for me for my birthday, and hubby paid for Amanda (so he wouldn't have to go lol!!!!)

The saddle is an Abetta Serenity Endurance (nicer than their regular one). It's about $400-440 (depends on size) from http://www.buytack.com/products/saddles/act/20554.htm I like to use a western saddle for trails. I have a regular Abetta one and I like it, been using it for YEARS. But it was too narrow for wide Harley, so I figured, if I'm going to buy him one, I'm going to buy a NICE one ;) I LOVE the abettas because they are comfy, hardy, and LIGHT :)

That is super cool, Jessi!  You and Amanda look great herding those doggies. 

I love the new saddle!  It looks so comfy.

So are you going to train Harley to be a cutting horse now?

^^^ LOL!!! Silliest looking cuttin' horse in town ;)

That looks like too much fun!!!  I want to go next time.

 Great!...What a feeling just to sit here(on the other side of the world and a completely different style of riding,) and see so much American Riding History and Culture...God, I wish I could of been there...

rr

Wow, Jessi, stunning scenery and pretty ponies! Looks like you all had a blast. As much as I love long trail rides, I don't think I could go on a cattle drive...I would be too sad thinking about all the cute cows who would soon become steaks. Now, if they were being rounded up in order to be pet and adored, I would sign up in a heartbeat!

Then you would've liked this one, they don't become steaks ;) They're used for cattle drives for fun like we did and some horse cattle work :)