Hey guys, I wanted to keep track of my paint fillies progress as we begin to prepare for training under saddle and really getting into competitive showing!

So this is Willow, Destined For Chex APHA/PtHA, and she is my Halter (though you'd never with her wonky teenage stage)/ Western Pleasure/Ranch bred baby. She was born last years and so far has shown really well for Color, In-Hand Trail, and Longe Line with only 3-4 months of handling since being turned out after weaning.

We still have a lot of firsts to over come: tying on a trailer, trailering in general due to Covid, going to new places and stalling overnight, our first BIG show, etc.

But all things considered, she takes everything pretty well and I've started preparing her for under saddle next year with all the down time! She takes a bit really well, gives to preasure, take a surcingle and girth like no big deal, working on ground driving, lets me stan on the mounting block on both sides while jumping or waving arms, lets me swing a rope over her, lets me drag things while we walk around.

I couldn't ask for a better mare honestly!

Willow will eventually be shown as an all-arounder from Reining, Ranch, Pleasure, Cutting, and Cow just to get some points for each even if we don't excel. I believe in the old school breeding where a horse could show in the morning and go home to the farm to work without any problems. It's what I will base my future breeding program on after Willow has shown a bit.

she is beautiful!

She's a very pretty little mare! Seems like she's going great! Can't wait to hear more :D

Awwwe it’s Willow! I follow your insta so I know some about her!

She's beautiful <3

That's awesome to know! I have such a tiny account that it seems so funny that others have seen her!

Thank you guys! Hopefully i'll be out to the barn soon to see her! Would love to start working on loading and tying when I do go out!

So far our show plans are Pinto/Paint World & Paint Congress for 2021 for our big shows. She will be lightly started under saddle in the beginning of next year, but I won't actively show her under saddle till at least may of 2021 so she has a few slow months under her belt. In those few months I will haul her to show for the exposure as well as trail riding. She has a pretty good head on her when it comes to spooking so i'm excited to see how she does.

she is very pretty! Can't wait to hear more <3

I forgot to update on Willow after seeing her Sunday! We had a great morning of training - working on transitions from walk/jog/lope/woah, letting her play and burn off steam, standing hard tied for the first time with no issues (!!!!), AND... WE LOADED INTO THE TRAILER FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!!!!!! When I say I am so proud of this filly I mean I. AM. PROUD. It took three attempts before we went in, but that was more me taking my time and making sure she was confident instead of rushing and just making her.

First attempt, we treated it like an In-Hand trail bridge and walked up with head lowered to smell then backed off.

Second attempt, walked back up and placed from feet on it then backed up before walking off.

Third attempt, she loaded right on, ate hay for a second while standing, then backed off!!!

We then loaded right on three more times before I called it at that and we had a nice spa day with a froot loops cereal bar and a bucket of gatorade.

Willow's mind never stops amazing me and I cannot wait to start her under saddle this winter. My trainer has even asked if she can use her as a lesson horse for advanced riders once we have her well started and a few good under saddle shows in her pocket - that's how much she loves Willow, is impressed by her and trusts her.

Paints are such amazing horses! And so pretty. You are lucky to have her :)

She sound so awesome! I love paint they are so beautiful and talented!