Lady Longears Ranch and Arena

Last Saturdays barrel race at the Ranch left me speechless. Simply speechless. Paying out over $7500 with over 215 entries for a day show is just…WOW! Here we are a week later from one of the BEST days and I still haven’t been able to find the right words to share. I fear some may think I’m ignoring or even being ungrateful. The truth is, I’ve simply grown further away from social media. There’s a lot of good information out there but there’s also a lot of things that cause hurt, and a whole lot of people just being mean. Being intentional with my time and energy led me to stop mindless scrolling and do more writing/journaling. I think that the best way to thank you for being a part of such a heart filled, happy day is to share some of my notes from that day with you. I will preface this by saying I received a text early Saturday morning from a friend who has carried me through the valleys. They knew it was a big day for me and said- “About half way thru today when the chaos is going on, take a step back, look around at everything and take a moment just for yourself.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath and just smile!”
Excerpt-
That ‘moment’ happened without me even having to set an alarm, write a note or even try to remember. I had been in the crows nest for quite some time. Taking entries, answering questions and trying to keep up with the messages/texts that seemed to be piling up on my phone. I love the people that come here. I love my friends that are helping today. I love the horsepower that is here. I love that I get to catch up with so many people in my little slice of heaven. I walked out the door and the sounds made me stop in my tracks. I paused, closed my eyes and just listened. The cheering for someone taking an exhibition was so joyful and plentiful. It was like someone just set a record at the Thomas and Mack. Then I heard the quiet giggles of little girls on their ponies walking by. They were deep in a conversation but what I felt was the foundation of a lifelong friendship being built. I took a deep breath trying to absorb every little detail. I want to remember this feeling forever. I walk down the stairs and that’s when I was met with SO many warm hellos, smiles and hugs. I want to stop and chat with every single person I see. I try to make eye contact and at least smile/wave at as many friends as I can. And then I realize, there’s lots of people here that I don’t even recognize. It feels so good that people choose to be here, that they choose to spend their hard earned money to come here, and they choose to run in this pen. My heart is beating a bit faster, I’m smiling a bit bigger and I’ve got a bit of a pep in my step. And then, as if on cue, I realize the song ‘Living’ is playing on the loud speaker. This time when I hear the song I know that I am not just going thru the motions of the day, I’m actually living them ❤️.

There are only a few exhibitions left in the 9:00 range. If needed I will open up 8-9am and move open arena to 7am. Be at the gate in plenty of time for your purchased exhibition time. As much as I’d love to add time to the day, I just don’t have that super power.

The pre draw closes at 7pm on Friday. The benefit of pre entering is if you need to get in and out you can be sure to be in early in draw.

The regular draw will close at 11:30am Saturday to give you plenty of time to plan. You can still enter after 11:30, you will just be added on to the draw.

If you are entering more than one horse and want one first/last, etc just let me know. I want to work with you to make it as easy as possible.

You can use a paper entry and enter at the show BUT there is a $10 office fee. I’d be happy to walk you thru how to use SaddleBook or you can search YouTube for lots and lots of videos. It’s a really useful tool!

P*e Wee’s are 10&u and cannot enter any other classes. There will be a Leadline class and a non Leadline class. All PW entries will be done at the show.

You will be running on a standard pattern. The holding pens will be up like the last few shows. I’ve had quite a few people ask about removing them. Please let me know your opinion as I’d love to take them down for the next show 🙌

Parking is in the hay field to the left coming in the lane.

There is a hose/water at the corner by the bucking chutes.

I have lots of pens available if anyone needs to arrive early and stay the night!

🌟Pay At Show Information🌟
I’m sure you noticed that there was the pay at show option on SaddleBook. The last time I offered this I had a list of people who bought exbos and entered classes and never showed up or paid. It became a job for me to collect money from them. Once you use SaddleBook, I am responsible for your fees. It is unfair to me as and others as well as they could have bought the exbo time. They may have also looked at the projected payout and chose to run here but since 18 people entered but didn’t pay or show up it significantly changed the payout. You do not have to pre enter so please DO NOT ENTER UNLESS YOU ARE 1000% SURE YOU ARE COMING. If you are unsure, wait until you are on your way or even wait until you’ve arrived. Once you enter or purchase an exhibition, you are responsible for paying your fees.

YOU MUST PAY BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR EXHIBITION. I will be at the gate area to make this easier for you (versus going to the crows nest).

CLASS FEES MUST BE PAID BY 2:00. The show starts at 2:30 and that last half hour is always the most hectic so please do not wait until the last second. I have to have cut off times in order to keep the start time accurate.

I wanted to offer this to give you the option of no extra credit card charges. I don’t even charge you an office fee if you use SaddleBook. I am always looking for ways to keep things affordable for the contestant so please be respectful of that and pay your fees.