{"id":1470,"date":"2012-12-10T12:33:50","date_gmt":"2012-12-10T18:33:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rodeoclassifieds.com\/blog\/?p=1470"},"modified":"2012-12-10T12:36:54","modified_gmt":"2012-12-10T18:36:54","slug":"sailing-on-a-dream-takes-gerwatoski-to-second-straight-canadian-futurity-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.rodeoclassifieds.com\/blog\/sailing-on-a-dream-takes-gerwatoski-to-second-straight-canadian-futurity-championship\/","title":{"rendered":"Sailing On A Dream Takes Gerwatoski to Second Straight Canadian Futurity Championship."},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2011 we interviewed<\/a> Kim Gerwatoski about her Canadian Barrel Futurity win aboard the horse Solanos Millionaire.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2012,\u00a0 Kim found herself winning the title once again but on the 5 year old mare Sailing On A Dream.\u00a0\u00a0 Interestingly enough if you check the pedigrees on these horses they are out of the same dam (Millionaire Dreams) a daughter of Millionaire Playboy.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is quite a feat to come out on top as the leading\u00a0 futurity horse and rider on the Canadian Barrel Futurities circuit, but to do it twice and two years in a row at that, is certainly something to be commended.<\/p>\n

Kim answered some of our questions to give us an idea of what lead this team to success in 2012.<\/p>\n

-What is Sailing On A Dream’s barn name?\"\"<\/a>
\nJosey<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

-What is the training background on this horse? When was she started on barrels?
\nI raised and trained her entirely. \u00a0She was lightly started under saddle as a 2 year old. \u00a0She had more riding as a 3 year old and started some light barrel work. \u00a0As a 4 year old she had a lot of barrel work. \u00a0She was in the trailer being hauled from her 3 year old year on.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

-What is your training and riding style with this horse?
\nJosey is a very soft, flexible horse but has a bit of a diva attitude. \u00a0My approach was the same as my other horses in the fact that I like a horse really supple in their ribcage and knowing how to collect their entire frame. \u00a0I have always had to work a lot at coordinating her legs. \u00a0Often her mind is a few steps ahead of her feet.<\/span><\/strong>
\n
\n-What is it you like best about her?<\/span>
\nI love how she can really collect and power out of a turn although is inconsistent at that yet. \u00a0Josey absolutely loves people and loves to have a job.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

-Which CBF event was a highlight for you this year?
\nNo one futurity stands out for me with Josey. \u00a0The fact that I was able to repeat back to back Futurity Hi Point titles on horses out of the same mother that I trained from the ground up is rather neat. \u00a0Also notable, being these were that broodmares first two babies. \u00a0And there was several really tough futurity horses competing this year.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

-Do you have a favorite win or run that really stands out?\"\"<\/a>
\nNone of my runs were ever close to perfect or great all year so no, nothing stands out. \u00a0If it wasn’t this, it was that during a run. \u00a0Josey had trouble with her first barrel as she learned to go faster because she began holding her breath in the alley, just being bratty. \u00a0Sometimes she is too smart for her own good. \u00a0I am thinking she will outgrow that this year.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I could say that I was happiest with her at the Barrel Futurities of America. \u00a0That was her first competition, running against all those tough horses that had been running all year and with such a long haul and intimidating arena for her. \u00a0In the second go she was 45th of 450 entries. \u00a0We didn’t miss the short go by much.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Photo is from the Diamonds & Dirt Futurity in Bryan, Texas in March<\/strong><\/p>\n

-How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)?
\nI have certain “buttons” I like to make sure are working. \u00a0I warm up their muscles walking and trotting, do some suppling\/softening exercises, some loping, then sharpen them up and let them chill.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

-What kind of saddle do you use?
\nI have a handful to choose from- an older Larry Coats, an older Martin, and an older Tim Pihland are my favorites.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-What kind of pad do you use?
\nThe way my saddles fit I prefer a thicker pad than some people. \u00a0I have a few depending on the horse and the saddle but I prefer higher quality dense wool- \u00a0Cactus, Relentless, Todd Slone. \u00a0I use a thinner 3\/4″ Impact gel with my older Marlene McRae saddle.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

-What kind of bit do you use?
\nI start my young ones in various snaffle mouthpieces but prefer the draw headstalls. \u00a0I then love the medium shank Ed Wright to transition. \u00a0From there it really is dependent upon the individual but I do typically prefer a gag of some kind. \u00a0I am really liking the bit Kathy James designed.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-Are there any specific goals you set for yourself and your horse this season?
\nTaking into consideration who Josey was, I just wanted to do the best we could at each futurity- \u00a0whatever she was capable of and ready for. \u00a0I was hoping to win one this year, but I had to settle for reserve instead. \u00a0Consistency is a great quality though. \u00a0I had thought about how nice it would be to repeat the title on a few occasions early in the year, but it was never a set goal.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

-What do you look for in a futurity prospect?
\nI look for pedigree with a performance record , confirmation with great movement, along with attitude. \u00a0You need them all to stay at the top.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

– This is the second year in a row that you have won the high point futurity award, is there anything that stands out in your mind that has contributed to this success?
\nI have really worked hard at improving my horsemanship and am starting to know how I want a horse to feel in my hands. \u00a0When they have that “feel” I seem to win more money. \u00a0I watch others and research a lot. \u00a0I have often made mistakes and had to fix them but that is how you learn. \u00a0I am open to trying new things and really figuring out what works best–results don’t lie. \u00a0I also have a lot of riding time on my horses at an early age and they spend at least a year on the road before their first competition year. \u00a0I am also riding better and better horses.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

-If you were to share a tip for training futurity horses what would it be?
\nGet your horse softer in their face and body than you ever thought imaginable.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

-What do you do when you’re not barrel racing?
\nI have worked so hard at this for a while now that barrel racing is all I focus on- whether it be training or pedigrees. \u00a0I do try to keep in mind that barrel racing is not who I am though, it’s just something I enjoy doing.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Is there anything else you would like to add?
\nI would have to thank my husband the most. \u00a0He’s worked extra hard just so that I can get better horses and have the time I need to work with them. \u00a0He is also much more business minded than I am and has helped me make better choices. \u00a0\u00a0I am the worker bee, so I guess we complement each other!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I also was able to run Josey barefoot this entire year at the futurities, like I did last year’s colt as well. \u00a0I have learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t since I started this a couple years ago, and will continue to do so if each horse as an individual can handle what conditions I expose them to. \u00a0If not, I don’t hesitate to use shoes.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This video is from the BFA Futurity in Oklahoma City, OK in December of 2011<\/p>\n

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