Back in November when a friend asked if I was interested in going to Art of the Cowgirl, how hard did I really have to think about it? Let’s see, at the end of January Abbotsford will be cold, wet and dark, while Phoenix will be sunny and warm, hard choice. Then add horses, cowgirls and a trade show, all within a 3 hour flight, count me in.
Our original plan was to “Uber” it back and forth from the suburb of Chandler out to the Corona Ranch. You would think that we would be smarter than to say, “it looks close on the map.” Well you would be incorrect. After doing some quick math we headed off to rent a car for our stay and yours truly became the designated driver in a vehicle loaded with blind spots! The SUV was equipped with a warning chime that repeatedly went off for no particular reason, except to let us know it was there. So let the fun begin…..
The Corona Ranch was a devine setting for the second year of this event. Two arenas went non-stop with clinics and demos, even with repeat performances by all we were unable to catch everything that was offered. Saturday night featured that finals of the Worlds Greatest Horsewoman and the Ranch Rodeo. It was edge of your seat stuff, especially the team roping event of the Ranch Rodeo. Put 2 cows and 4 riders in an arena, give them 6 loops and then say go.
Sunday afternoon featured the Elite Ranch Horse Sale which offered some really nice young horses, some of which had completed all during the event. It was a good thing that we did not have a truck and trailer sitting out in the parking lot. Just saying….
I’m hard pressed to think of a better way to spend a hand full of winter days. I know I’m marking it on my calendar for next year. And just maybe I’ll be able to experience a prickly pear Margarita!
To see some of the action from this event please go to my facebook page, Janice Reiter Photography.
