carrying on

I had an exciting volunteer opportunity this week, helping set up for an Area II event running tracks from starter all the way up to 3*-L divisions. It's a new venue for me, and pretty incredible to see just how much goes into the back end to make these big shows a reality. 

There are so many awesome takeaways from the two days I spent onsite, and I'll probably write more about it later.***

For now, tho, there was one simple (albeit niche) trick I learned, attributed to a very special man in the eventing community, Tremaine Cooper -- gone too soon.

(***maybe? does anybody else actually find this stuff interesting? I mean, obviously I do, and it's my blog so I can write about whatever I see fit.... but ya know, I do care sorta kinda a little bit about whether others are interested about these topics too???)

pictured: an underrated overperformer at basically every event ever:: the ropes

If you've ever been to a horse trial, you've probably encountered "ropes" --- barriers erected by some manner of stake or t-post, with twine spanning the distances. These ropes are generally intended to ensure both people and horses stay in their designated areas. 

the "Tremaine" method: a simple single twist loop, with a tail pulled through

Tho... As is natural where horses are concerned, there are always instances when horses simply, uh, decline any suggestion about where they ought to be at any given moment. Such as, horses disagreeing with a rider about a certain fence, depositing riders at said fence, and returning of their own volition back to the barns. Which often means... ahem, choosing their own path. 

For this reason, it's advantageous that whatever barriers exist between a horse and his barn at any given position, said barrier should either be entirely impervious to that horse --- or, 100% breakaway. Basically anything in between is not recommended. 

put that "tail" loop over the stake, and bam, you got yourself a quick release but firmly held knot!! these stakes are smooth fiber glass rods, hammered about 8" deep into the ground

We've probably all witnessed at one time or another, a horse bursting through a line of ropes. Sometimes they try to jump the rope, most of the time they just run through..... in both cases, often they end up dragging the rope until they can fully untangle. 

The purpose of Tremaine's tip above (and something you'll hear any good course designer recommend), is to attach the ropes to the stakes or t-posts or what have you, such that the ropes release from the posts in this exact sort of emergency. So if a loose horse ends up tangling with a rope, at least the stakes don't go along for the ride.  

not surprisingly, this stuff goes quickly when roping a course covered by 7 tracks

AND -- added bonus-- once the horse is secured and the event is cleared to go on, if your rope cleanly released from its stakes or t-posts or whatever, those items theoretically remain exactly where you left them. Which obviously makes resetting the ropes much much quicker and easier, ensuring the course can stay on schedule etc. 

the job goes quickly with an ATV!! Tremaine's quick release knots don't slip either, so one knot holds tension from stake to stake without allowing sag in earlier sections. they only release tension if the rope lifts off the stake (like if a horse gallops through it)

Imo, this is the sort of thing that made absolute perfect sense to me when explained. Very much a "Duh!" sorta moment. Except... Had it never been explained to me, I probably would have literally never thought about it at all, and would have assumed the rope should be securely fashioned to each individual stake. 

That's the beauty of sharing knowledge, tho, right? Of transferring that wisdom. This stuff isn't exactly rocket science, but isn't necessarily obvious at first blush either. And lord knows we don't need our horses suffering the consequences from reinventing the wheel each time, right??

ta da!!! who knew there were so many #hacks for even the simple stuff like roping a course??

Anyway, personally, it was extra special having the CD explain that he was showing me Tremaine's method. Which, sure, Tremaine undoubtedly learned it from someone else too.... 

Even so. This is how legacies carry on. I only knew Tremaine very very briefly, and not in such a way as he'd recognize me in a crowd or remember my name. But his memory is important to me, and it felt significant that this other CD is now teaching the next generation how to set ropes using the "Tremaine Method." 

And so, for the rest of you out there who ever have reason to set a rope -- if the pics aren't clear enough, hit me up and we'll keep the legacy going ;)