Taylor Merrill Training

June and “Caits First Down” aka Vader winning the race at Sebastopol Wranglers today, both the Open and the Youth. These two have come such a long way together.

Last season was bitter sweet, Taylor and “Hay Drop Of Frosty” aka Ty got the closest they have been yet to making Hall of Fame needing only 5 runs. 2 of those 5 runs they needed were in figure 8 flag so naturally their very first time towards their Hall of Fame run this year was an 11.3 flags! Ty is by “MP Haypatch Tiger” (PC Frenchmans Hayday x Rose Patch) and out of “JW Drop Of Luck” (Trapper Bar Drop x Baldy Sox Jaye”

Mason and “Jetta Turbo Dragon” aka Jetta are really starting to come together as a team. Jetta is a mare that we have been holding on to for years of unsuccessful breeding attempts but we haven’t been able to let her go or sell her. It’s been awesome to see her getting the attention she deserves. Jetta is by ”Firewater Dragon” ( Fire Water Flit x Ima Cruisin) and out of “Hawks Excell” (Hawkish x Excella)

Watching the kids grow in their riding skills and horsemanship is always so cool and rewarding. It’s only been a few days and Mason is already figuring out Jetta and has made some huge improvements. This mare is a cool mare and is one that we have struggled with our decision to keep. We have tried over and over and have not been able to keep her in foal. She’s big, strong and intimidating to ride and Mason has done a great job stepping up to learn how to ride her. It’s still early on but fingers crossed that these two will grow into a team together 🤞. On a side note, we had four horses in the arena this morning and every single one of them had our brand on them. All but Jetta we’ve had since before they were 2 and Daphne is our very first baby by Fame. What a cool feeling it is to have a barn full of horses that we have bred, raised and trained.

Taylor and “Hay Drop Of Frosty” aka Ty had a rough end to their season. They missed their Hall Of Fame by 4 runs and had a really difficult state show. The one bright spot was that they won their first AAA+ state champion buckle in speed ball and even though they did not run it, they were the #1 qualifier and fastest time of the show for the match race. It’s time to regroup and get ready to hit next season hard.

Taylor and “Hay Drop Of Frosty” aka Ty ran their first AAA+ flags run tonight leaving them down to 4 runs for hall of fame. They set a new district record too!

Madilyn Casarotti and her mare “Shesa Frosty Belle” aka Bella are really figuring it out. They clocked a 17.7 to win the junior rodeo last weekend. Great job Madilyn!