Welcome to the Ranch!

Zorra (Cathey) and her horse, Shania

We had such a great time last Saturday!  Our trail ride was so much fun.  It was a beautiful, slightly cool afternoon.  The horses felt great and did a wonderful job crossing the creeks, cutting through the woods, and walking through open pastures.  We had experienced riders as well as beginners ride the trail and all did a great job.

Isaac is catching a ride with an Indian (Kyla) on her painted horse, Dolly. To the right is Jake as a deer hunter.

For me, the best part of the evening was seeing everyone come dressed up to the ride.  When the costume contest was first announced, I did not think that the Posse members would actually dress up.  Boy was I wrong.

Most people came in costume.  We had rodeo contestants, Indians, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, a deer hunter, a Western outlaw, and a gypsy.  Cathey Holliday came as a female Zorro.  She was my personal favorite; although, my daughter Kyla looked pretty authentic as a Native American.  Kyla researched actual symbols that Indians would paint on their horses.  She painted them on her horse, and dressed the part herself.

It was fun to see these costumed riders riding across Cross Creek Cattle Company.  After the ride, the Posse held their officer election.  We awarded two costume prizes.  One for the best dressed horse and one for the best costume.  The Sheriff judged the contest and had a hard time making his decision.  We also ate dinner and visited with one another.  All in all, we hosted a fun evening for the Posse.

Since this year’s costume contest was such a hit, it will probably occur next year, too.  They will have all year to try to top this year’s costumes.  As evidenced by the costumes this year, the members of the Posse not only ride horses well, but they are very creative.  Below are the costume contest winners.

Dorothy (Samantha Roesler) and Toto. Best Costume 2011.

Timber Thomson and her very painted horse, Patsy. Best Decorated Horse 2011.

It has been a busy week here at Cross Creek Cattle Company.  We have had several customers come pick up their orders of grass fed beef.  It is always nice to visit face-to-face with people.  Many times we end up showing our first-time customers around the place before giving them their beef.  Almost always, especially for young girls, our horses draw attention away from the cows or anything else to see here.

Horses are beautiful creatures.  They move powerfully and gracefully.  Their size and weight far outmatch any rider, and yet they can be controlled with a tiny bit in their mouth and/or leg pressure.  Equine therapy has proven successful for people with injuries, disabilities, and even with the rehabilitation of prisoners.  There is something magical about the relationships between horse and rider.

Teamwork is one of the greatest lessons learned when working with or riding a horse.  You and the animal have to be in sync; together you move as one and work as one.  If you are not in sync with your partner, then it is obvious.  You fall off, your horse gets injured, etc.  We encourage our children to begin riding horses as soon as they can sit and obey our commands.  Learning about teamwork at a young age is important to us.  Children gain first-hand the knowledge that they are part of something bigger than themselves.  It takes the focus off of self, which is a key character trait missing in our society.

Just as important is taking care of the horse.  Feeding, watering, haying, grooming, mucking stalls, etc. are necessary elements of horsemanship.  Children learn responsibility as they care for the needs of another.  It is not all fun and games; some of the chores are downright humbling and nasty.  If you ask me, humble service is another great lesson learned from working with horses.

Cross Creek Cattle Company is a proud sponsor of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Jr. Deputy Mounted Posse.  Sheriff Don Sowell, Coordinator Sonya Floyd, and Drillmaster Lane DeHaven in addition to countless volunteers and parents work tirelessly as they encourage the youth of our county to promote horsemanship skills, leadership, and citizenship.  The youth gain even a deeper understanding of teamwork as they learn and perform routines on horseback.  Teamwork is no longer just between horse and rider, but extends to all the horses and riders on the team.  It is much more difficult to accomplish well.

The Posse is a fine organization, which welcomes any youth interested in joining.  We are always taking new members.  To kick off this new year, Cross Creek Cattle Company is happy to host the annual trail ride on our ranch.  It is a fun time of fellowship and food.  Of course, we have a trail ride.  This year Jake, Kyla, and Rheaghan, a fellow Posse member, charted the course of the trail.

Boy, are they adventurous! My husband had to make some easier/safer alterations to their proposed plan, but all-in-all it will be fun for the riders.  To make it interesting, we kept some logs laying in the path as obstacles for the horses.  We trimmed tree limbs so people’s hats won’t get knocked off.  The trail takes riders up and down creeks, which is always challenging for new riders and exhilarating for the experienced ones.  It will be a fun ride.

We are so blessed to get to live here on the ranch.  We get to enjoy daily what the ranch has to offer.  It is not always fun and games, but there are always life skills to be learned.  We are also happy to be able to host this event and allow others to see how much our ranch has to offer.

Kyla and Jake DeHaven are proud members of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Jr. Deputy Mounted Posse, which represent the county at several events throughout the year.  Their dad and ranch manager of Cross Creek Cattle Company is the Assistant Drill Master of this youth organization. 

One of the highlights of the year took place June 4th and 5th at the 59th Annual Grimes County Fair in Navasota, Texas.  They opened the rodeo with a performance dedicated to the United States Armed Forces.  Each member of the Posse is carrying flags from all branches of the military as well as the United States of America and State of Texas flags.

If you have never loped a horse in front of a large crowd while holding onto a flag doing a routine, you cannot fully appreciate the difficulty that these young riders overcome.  They even make it look easy.  The youngest member of the Posse is Jake, who just turned 10.  The oldest girl just graduated high school. 

Cross Creek Cattle Company is a proud sponsor of the Grimes County Mounted Posse.  We are also proud that our family participates in this organization.  We also join with the Posse in remembering the sacrifices that military families make every day. 

As the song, “If We Ever Make It Home,” by Wade Bowen states, “If we ever make it home, there’ll be peace like we’ve never known. Nobody’s gonna walk alone.  We’ll be leaning on each other.”  We stand with our troops and hope that they make it home soon.  We also thank them for their continued service to our country.

We might not be surrounded by heroes on a daily basis, but my hero of this performance was Randi Farquhar.  She is riding the white gelding at the end.  Her horse rears up seemingly on cue while they announce her name.  In doing so, the flag pole slipped out of its holder.  With sheer determination and strength, Randi held the flag until she exited the arena.  She told me, “All I could think was do NOT let the flag touch the ground.”

I hope you enjoy the performance.

As I sit here writing this morning, the temperatures have been below freezing for 49 hours straight.  We are looking for at least another 24 hour period of freezing temperatures.  Luckily we have had no ice storm or blizzard like other parts of the country.  We are happily expecting snowfall today and tomorrow, possibly as much as 3 inches. 

However, as exciting as that sounds to Texans, we are keeping in mind that almost everytime snow is predicted by meterologists, it does not happen.  They sound pretty sure with forecasts of 50% for the next two days. 

Regardless if it snows, we are busy breaking ice from drinking troughs.  Providing more hay than usual for the cattle and horses.  The cattle are on a good pasture with plenty of wind breaks.  The horses are clothed in their blankets.  Everything is doing well despite the low temperatures and even lower wind chill.

Through this artic blast of cold weather, I am most thankful that this was not the case on Saturday.  This past Saturday, the Grimes County Go-Texan Committee held its annual barbeque cookoff and trail ride.  In conjuction, the Grimes County Mounted Posse held its annual Pony Express ride. 

Members of the Posse, which include most of our family, take turns riding throughout the county in a relay fashion inviting each mayor to join us in celebrating Go-Texan Day.  This day precedes the opening of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Luckily, Saturday was a beautiful January day.  It was cool, not cold.  We were also blessed with blue skies and no rain.  The Posse ride went smoothly.  Considering the weather that began just Tuesday morning, we were greatly blessed with great weather.

We are getting ready for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  The Posse has been invited to ride with the Harris County Mounted Posse in the opening ceremony parade.  In addition, Jake is showing his heifer, Sugar, in March.  We have no choice, but to get ready. 

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HSLR) is the world’s largest livestock exhibition and world’s largest rodeo event.  Regardless if you have lived in the country or the city your entire life, the HLSR is a great family outing.  From petting zoos, milking demonstrations, livestock shows, vendors, carnival rides, to a full-blown rodeo, Houston offers a full day of entertainment, education, and fun.

Cross Creek Cattle Company is proud to play a small part in the almost three-week event.  The HLSR supports kids in agriculture by offering generous scholarships.  It also keeps our agricultural heritage alive in the 4th largest city in the United States.  For more information on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, click here.

Posse in Last Year's Parade.

Cross Creek Cattle Company is a proud sponsor of the Grimes County Mounted Posse.  Lane DeHaven, the ranch manager, is the assistant drill master.  Three of our children are members of the Posse.

The Grimes County Mounted Posse is a great youth organization sponsored and supported by Sheriff Don Sowell.  The members represent the county in many events throughout the year.  The Posse is an ambassador of the Go-Texan Committee.  The members of the Posse also perform routines before our county’s rodeos and special events.  Recently the ranch hosted their annual trail ride. 

It is great to see such a variety of ages, interests, and personalities in the organization.  The one thing everyone has in common is their love of horses.  One of the main goals of the Posse is to learn to work as a team and develop other good character traits.

The Posse is in demand this month as the county gears up to celebrate Christmas.  Tonight they will be riding in Navasota, Texas in the city’s annual Christmas parade.  It begins at 6:30 p.m.  Then on Saturday morning, they will ride in the Plantersville Christmas Parade.  It begins at 9:00 a.m.  December the 18th the Posse will also ride in the Bedias Christmas Parade at 10:00 a.m.

Each town has a different feel in the way in which they organize their parades.  Navasota, the largest city in Grimes County, holds their parade in the evening.  Therefore, their floats are all about lights.  This parade has the most floats compared to the other towns.  Even in the dark, the Posse riding on horseback is a hit especially with the youth.

Plantersville’s parade is not as organized as Navasota’s.  They invite whoever wants to be a part of it to come and participate.  Families ride their horses, drive classic cars, and the Volunteer Fire Department plays a big role.  The Posse won best animal float last year.  This parade allows candy to be given out.  The Posse members have candy bags hanging from their saddle horns.  When I leave the parade with my two little boys, it looks like we have gone trick-or-treating.  Needless to say, they love this parade.

The best thing about Plantersville’s parade is that you get to see it twice.  The floats reach a certain point and turn around.  You get to see them coming and going.

Bedias has just recently begun hosting Christmas parades.  Their parade is most like the Plantersville one.  Both encourage the community to participate and not just formal organizations, clubs, and businesses.  It is also a fun parade to watch.  Last year, Santa Claus drove a pink Cadillac.  You will leave there with a lot of candy, too.

These parades are a little piece of Americana.  If you are in the mood for some down home entertainment, come out and support all the different towns in Grimes County as they put together their different parades.  Each parade takes place on the main streets of each town.  Just park alongside the road or stand on the side of the road. 

Make sure to look for the Posse riding on horseback.  They will have Santa hats on top of their cowboy hats.  Horses will be wearing sleigh bells.  After they pass by, you will be ready for Christmas.

Cross Creek Cattle Company hosted the annual Grimes County Sheriff Jr. Deputy Mounted Posse Trail Ride last weekend.  The whole family pitched in to make the ranch look its best.  The grounds were mowed, limbs trimmed, pastures shredded, burn piles burned, etc.  We did as much as possible to beautify the ranch.

The whole family also worked hard to ensure that everyone present had a good time, too.  Safety was our first priority.  The trails were cleared well.  The cattle were moved to a far pasture because not all horses behave themselves around cows.  Running across open fields was not allowed.  At all times, riders must control his/her horse for everyone’s safety.

We insisted that people exercise their horses in an enclosed arena before embarking on our trail ride.  It was a fortunate decision because one horse crow-hopped and misbehaved.  Another woman was thrown from her horse, and her horse was difficult to catch.  If it had not been in an arena, there is no telling where the horse would have gone.  Almost all of our gates were open for the trail ride.

Once everyone was ready, the riders set out on a long ride.  Jake was the leader.  He knew the trails like the back of his hand.  He was very excited to have this responsibility.  For about one hour and forty minutes, members of the Posse, family, friends, and neighbors rode all over our ranch.

We all helped to prepare the food and drink.  Before everyone arrived, plenty of chairs, hay bales, and tables were set up.  We served brisket, sausage, baked beans, potato salad, and bread.  We had batches of brownies for dessert.  People were able to choose between tea, water, and a variety of soft drinks.

Ruthie’s BBQ in Navasota smoked the brisket and cooked the sausage as well as prepared the potato salad.  It was delicious!  We want to thank Charles Henley, the owner of Ruthie’s,  for giving the Posse a discount on the meal.  We really appreciate it.

The Grimes County Posse is a great organization.  The members are sworn in by the sheriff and represent the county throughout the year.  The Posse members are also ambassadors for the Go-Texan Committee.  They ride horses in parades, do a Pony Express ride in February, and ride in the grand entry of some rodeos.  They also post colors at Tea Party events in the county.

Cross Creek Cattle Company is a proud sponsor of the Grimes County Posse.  We are proud to host events like the annual trail ride.  If you are looking for a great horse-related organization for youth, check with your local sheriff.  There might be a posse in your own county.  My husband and I are proud to have our children involved with such a good organization.

On Saturday, October 11th, the Holliday family of Cross Creek Cattle Company hosted a trail ride for the Grimes County Jr. Deputy Sherriff Mounted Posse.  Mr. and Mrs. Holliday as well as Lane, Kyla, and Jake DeHaven worked very hard to blaze and clean up trails.  Lane had also tried to shred all the pastures.

The amount of rainfall we have received lately made it impossible to get all the shredding done.  Every time Lane tried to shred, the water would begin rising out of the soil under the weight of the tractor tires.  The last thing we want is for our pastures to be full of ruts.  Therefore not much shredding occurred.

At one point Lane pulled a log out of a pathway only to be instructed to put it back.  It turns out that my dad, Kenton Holliday, had spent a bit of time carefully trimming off any branches.  He intended the log to stay in order to make the trail more challenging and interesting for the riders.

The day before the trail ride and meeting the weather was nice.  It was sunny and cool.  We were hoping that the weather would hold and make a perfect day for horseback riding.  I made brownies and rice krispie treats for dessert. The Hollidays purchased drinks and provided cakes.  The day of the event we went over early to help set-up.

Later we arrived at the barn to saddle up and ride the horses through the creeks to the cabin.  Our plan was to wait there for the trail ride to begin.  Just as the last saddle was being tightened up on the fourth horse, it started to rain.  Soon after, our phone rang and the trail ride had been canceled.  However, we were still having a meeting of the Posse at the cabin.

I promise you that nobody was more disappointed than the Hollidays and the DeHavens.  We had worked so hard and were really looking forward to people enjoying our ranch.  We have creeks, trails, pastures, woods, logs in the paths, and more.  It really is the perfect place to ride your horse.

About 30 people showed up for the meeting.  I felt this was a pretty good turn-out especially considering there was rain and no ride.  The Imhoff ranch donated food, which we enjoyed after the meeting.  Despite the weather, the Posse had a good get-together.  Now we are trying to find a date to re-schedule the trail ride.

Last week I described the performance that the Grimes County Jr. Deputy Sheriff’s Mounted Posse was practicing for the grand entry of two rodeos.  They did a great job representing the county at the rodeos.  At the last minute, the Posse had to change their ending song from the “Star-Spangled Banner” to the “Grand Ole Flag.”  Apparently the professional drill team that followed our performance were already using the national anthem.

Kyla and Jake ride in first holding the Texas and American flags.  They ride into position and hold it while other team members ride their horses in different drill patterns.  Clayton is riding a black and white paint mare.  Together they made a great pair and are relatively easy to spot.

I just thought that ya’ll would like to see the performance for yourselves.  Enjoy the video!

My oldest three children are members of the Grimes County Jr. Deputy Sheriff’s Mounted Posse.  This weekend they will ride in the grand entry to start off the rodeos on Saturday and Sunday.  The Posse has been meeting about every other week for practice.  This is something that my husband does with the kids.  I usually stay home with the youngest members of our family.  But since this was the last practice before the performance, I decided to go.

Kyla and Jake practicing their entrance.

Kyla and Jake begin the performance.  Kyla will be holding the Texas flag and Jake will be holding the American flag.  Music plays while they walk into position in the center of the rodeo arena.

Meanwhile, the other older riders take their positions on either side of the arena.  When the music changes to “In God We Still Trust” by Diamond Rio, these riders immediately go into a lope and stay in a lope while doing various formations.  Clayton is one of these riders.  He rides his horse, Roxie, and together they have learned to do these fast exercises.  He does a great job weaving between other riders and around his brother and sister standing in the middle of the arena.

Clayton and Roxie at a lope with Kyla in the background.

They do figure eights and split into two circles moving in opposite directions.  Then they come to a standstill resting for the big finale.  The song ends and the “Star Spangled Banner” begins.  Eight riders form a circle in the middle of the arena with their horses’ butts together.  These riders are all holding flags.  Two have POW/MIA flags, two have Posse flags, two have Texas flags, and two have the American flag.  As the song plays, they leave at a gallop two by two.  They have so coordinated the music with their moves that the last two riders who are holding the American flags exit at the end and, in my opinion, the climax of our national anthem.  It is very stirring.

I am so glad that my children were able to experience being members of the Posse.  They had many opportunities to ride in all different terrains and conditions.  They made friends with other horse-loving children.  They also developed closer relationships to their horses.  The Posse might not have taught them to better horseman (and woman), but it certainly gave them activities in which to grow in their horsemanship ability.

Isaac and Andrew riding their horses at Posse practice.

I hope that this organization will continue in the years to come because I have two other boys who also love horses and would love to join the Posse.  They are already practicing on their stick horses, although Andrew needs to learn to take better care of his horse.  I am quite sure that the head is supposed to be up, instead of being drug through the dirt.

I look forward to watching the performances with the flags and the matching uniforms.  I am confident that they will do a great job representing Grimes County.  In addition, my children also know that they are representing Cross Creek Cattle Company.  We have no doubt that they will make us proud.