Spring Break
Equine Science program hosts horse ranching show
Justyna Tomtas
Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: News
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Breaking and training the horse for the past semester, Bradley's time with Miss Star Gun culminated Saturday when Bradley brought her, ready to sell, to the "Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale."
Miss Star Gun was one of more than 60 horses, raised by CSU students, up for sale to local buyers last weekend.
Since October, Bradley has trained Miss Star Gun, halter-breaking her, teaching her ground training and patterns, doing round pen work and more as a part of her work in the Equine Science program.
"(Selling her is) bitter sweet. I really got attached to her, and I love her to death," Bradley said. "I hope she goes somewhere good where she will be appreciated. I'm proud of her, and I want her to do well."
Before entering the sales arena, Miss Star Gun is led around the stadium numerous times to rid the nerves. She is brushed, her mane is put into place and she is now ready for sale.
Miss Star Gun is used to this beauty routine -- she's just most often winning over judges, not buyers.
The weekend before, on April 18, Miss Star Gun placed eighth overall out of more than 60 horses at a student competition.
Although the competition, held at the B.W. Pickett Equine Center in Fort Collins, was open to the public, its main purpose was for students to show their fellow classmates how far their horse had come, Bradley explained.
"She did much better than I ever expected. I didn't need first place; I was proud of her," said Bradley, coining that time as one of the most memorable she'd had with her horse.
Bradley, who grew up in Stillwater, Minn., said though she's worked with horses for the past 12 years, Miss Star Gun is the first horse she broke. All the other horses she worked with were older when Bradley spent time with them.
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