September flew by! The first two weeks were spent programming and artificially inseminating 19 heifers. A huge thanks to Shane Stout (an instructor at Graham School for Cattleman in Lane, KS which Limón attended last year) who came down for the second year in a row to help with this. On the heels of the first round of AI, the second round began. The second round was 27 first-calf heifers that have spent their entire time since being imported to Mexico at ranch headquarters. Immediately following AI, they were all transported up to the rented ranch, Rancho Ojo de Agua. Looking into October, we hope to catch up on all the bookkeeping and maintenance, as it currently promises to be a more laid back month.
Expo Esperanza 2017
The 8th annual Expo Esperanza was held this past August. Nearly 70 participants entered 475 projects in 7 discipline areas. In some of the future posts, we will highlight the projects, activities and the people involved in the 3 day event.
In the Arena...
The Presentation of the Mexican flag was brought in on horseback by the Interns who taught the horse riding classes. The welcome and prayer followed before the competitions began.
Morning competitions were held in the arena on the campus of the orphanage.
In the ring, the Advanced participants show their "Bovinos" (cattle) projects in a showmanship class. There is also an intermediates cattle class. The cattle are owned by Rancho Agua Viva.
The Dog project was re-designed this year to focus more on dog obedience for Intermediate and Advanced participants.
The "small species" class is unique to the Beginner Expo participants.
Sheep participants have 2 opportunities to show at Expo. With the same lamb, they can show in the Showmanship and Production classes.
Equitation competitions are open to all age groups. Historically, horse classes have the most entries at Expo!
Barrel Racing is a favorite of the participants and a real crowd pleaser! Open to Intermediate and Advanced Expo participants, 5 horses ran the barrels with 20 participants.
Chicken projects are cared for by the participants for 4 weeks prior to Expo Esperanza. The project has 2 classes, production and showmanship, and is open to all age groups. There is especially a lot of enthusiasm with the Beginners!