Stonesthrow Arena & Stable, Inc.

07/30/2026

07/30/2026

07/29/2026

I was riding pasture 11 in the rain the other morning, looking for stragglers...heifers that had missed the memo about moving, and instead I found three bulls. One that was large and ornery with a sore leg and a bad attitude. He stood up as soon as he saw me and squared off like it was go-time. Ting, the blue bull whisperer, looked up at me with his intelligent gaze as if to say, "I don't know partner, that one might be pretty rank to dig out of the trees but I will give it a shot."

I agreed with that good dog's assessment.

Some bulls are just rage and frustration on four feet. Let them soak in their own misery, I say. We'd deal with him on another day with some back up.

In the next corner of the pasture, we found this guy hunkered down in the trees but he was ready to move when he saw us. He heaved himself to his feet and headed out, taking Ting's guidance like a gentleman. He rumbled along, complaining about the things daddy-bovines bitch about...the weather, work and women, I reckon...as Ting walked him quietly down the pasture to the gate. Everytime we crossed a wet spot, this bull would stop to take a drink, tossing me a challenging look over his shoulder as if daring me to disagree with his choices, but he wouldn't make eye contact with Ting.

Once we reached the far side of the pasture and had this guy through the gate, I spied another stray bull hanging out by himself. He was rolling his head and shoulders in the dirt digging a bull hole, pawing grassroots up with his front feet and growling challenges to his invisible bull friends, deep in his throat. He was posturing for a fight. Throwing down the gauntlet. Practicing his karate moves.

I slipped up on him like a ghost, I guess, riding ole' Hombre, because as soon as he saw me, he jumped in the air and spooked. His eyes flinched closed as if to say, "Don't hurt me!"

I guess I knew why he was by himself; he'd got an ass kicking and was on time out until his ego recovered. He moved as light as a white tail deer in the direction I wanted him to go, threatening me from a great distance the entire time. I put Ting on flank just to keep him straight and I brought up the rear from a long way back, and that bull crab-walked, bowing his head and rolling his eyes threateningly (his way of letting me know how crazy he was) and moaning dire warnings all the way back to the herd.

There's only one thing I really know about bulls, my friends, and that is you can always push them anywhere they want to go...but sometimes even then, you need a bull-whispering dog to convince them. 😏

Have a good day folks. 😊

07/13/2026

."Ride hard, chase your goals, trust your horse, and never let pride stand in the way of protecting yourself. At the end of the day, no run is worth a life-changing injury."

This weekend was a reminder that no matter how experienced you are, horses are still 1,200-pound animals with minds of their own.

One of our trainers, Maddie, took a hard fall at Firecracker jackpot. It wasn’t because of a lack of talent from horse or rider, nor from ground conditions. It was simply one of those unpredictable moments that can happen to any of us. That’s the reality of this sport. We can do everything right and still find ourselves in situations we never expected.

That’s also why our advanced trainer, Payton, has worn a helmet every time she’s competed since the day she started. Even now, you’ll still see her in the competition arena with a helmet on and with no plans to stop. Experience doesn’t make you invincible. If anything, it teaches you to respect the risks that come with the sport we love.

Wearing a helmet doesn’t mean you’re not confident. It doesn’t make you less capable. It means you understand the risks and value the chance to ride another day.

You only get one brain. Protect it.

If this weekend reminds even one rider to put on a helmet before they swing a leg over, then it’s a conversation worth having. Ride hard, chase your goals, trust your horse, and never let pride stand in the way of protecting yourself. At the end of the day, no run is worth a life-changing injury.

EDIT: Wanted to add, Maddie and Rumor are okay! Sore, bruised, but back to work. Both are gritty girls!! We are so lucky to have them.
Also, reminder this is NO ONE’s fault! The ground was great all weekend. This team just had a freak accident!

Another EDIT: Since so many people think this is AI, I’m tagging the PHENOMENAL photographer that took this picture Andrew Jungkunz! I should have done that from the get go, but I didn’t think this would get so much traction.

07/10/2026

Are you paying attention, folks?

IP28 would criminalize hunting and fishing and likely has enough signatures to end up on the Oregon ballot. Even though it likely won't pass, outdoorsmen everywhere should take note.