We are very fortunate to live only 9 miles from the Hippodrome in North Augusta, SC. This is the facility where they house all the contestants each year for the NBHA World Championship in Augusta, GA. But, even better than that is that we have about 25 barrel racing friends within 2 miles of our home. One such friend is veteran barrel racer C.D. Giacobone. He has owned and ridden some of the best horses in the business over the years. His son Anthony and his nephew Brian are barrel racers too. Last night Pee Wee and I went out on our first adventure down highway 125 to visit Midland Quarter Horses owned by Giacobone. Being 21, I did not expect any problems and Pee Wee did great. He trotted the whole way and was ready to hit the arena when I arrived. But, that was not my intent. I told Andre' I would not run him on the barrels. I just wanted to continue my efforts to leg him up for this weekend. The NBHA Dixie Nationals are in town and I plan on having my old man in shape. My expectations for the show are pretty low. 1D riders like BFA World Champion Brett Monroe and NBHA World Champion Sara McDonald will run this weekend. Sara owns the pen at the Hippodrome on Jerry. So, if the old man and I can be 2 seconds off... I am cool with that. Anyway, don't tell Andre' but I could not resist running Pee Wee in front of the boys down the road. He really turned three barrels nice. Shhhh. Anyway, we had a nice ride down the road home to cool down. Wish me luck Friday I run about 9:30am... should be fun.

More later.

Ryan