Rafter 7C Ranch

04/30/2026

Ivy and Cash laying down some tracks together. So thankful for the support of Logan Lamb for providing such a great horse for her to ride from Iron Tribe Performance Horses.

04/30/2026

Sharing Jesus and riding horses! This is the best life!

04/29/2026

Let’s ride!

04/26/2026

Fear is real. It is the first response we have when we doubt what God says is true. Satan’s first sucker-punch to our gut is doubt - not being confident in what God says and does for and through us. Fear is the result of doubt. That’s why God says so often in the Bible, “Do not fear.”

Alana Cruise and Colonel had a remarkable day yesterday overcoming doubt and fear - both of them. She struggled with doubt that Colonel would be confident in a water crossing. He doubted that she would take care of him and nothing would hurt him in the water.

Doubt leads to fear.

So Daisy and I rode with them.

We went first. We led the way. We encouraged, built up, and repeated truth (yes, it’s safe… yes, you can do it).

By the end Alana and Colonel were both trotting through, walking through, and standing content in the water. In it and through it = no doubt, no fear.

THIS is what believers do! They see someone who is struggling with the attacks of doubt in their lives (Did God really say?) and is giving way to fear (which often looks like self-reliance or avaoidance). Then that believer steps up and goes before and alongside their brother to guide and disciple.

Sometimes it’s quiet encouragement. Sometimes it’s a strong spur. Whatever it takes. But it takes time and yielding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

There are a lot of fearful people out there today (our President had another assassination attempt, our country is in chaos), BUT WE KNOW THE TRUTH: JESUS is our peace. Be the hands and feet of Jesus to someone today and help fear disappear.

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

04/25/2026

Legends.

04/25/2026

Saturday mornings with my favorite barn manager, Ranch Fuel to keep us going, and C & M Farm Supply to keep the horses happy and healthy. So thankful for their support of our show team and entire ranch needs. Be sure to give them your business!

04/24/2026

A little military history.

There are reasons we do specific things in the horse world. These common standards were not created by an organization like the FEI, USEF or other equestrian governing body. The origins of these practices are military. For example, when we enter a show ring, as pictured in the top image, we ride counterclockwise to the left. This is a centuries old cavalry and mounted military services rule that we still follow today.

Another example is in why we mount a horse on the left or near side? It's because cavalrymen wore their sabers on their left hip. When cavalrymen mounted on the left or nearside, their sabers remained stationary when the riders would swing their right leg over the saddle. This military near side mounting rule is still followed today.

The Haute école dressage movements pictured in the lower center collage are not "art" as many dressage rider believe. They are offensive and defensive cavalry battlefield movements employed against enemy infantry foot soldiers.

The lower left center image is a Capriole used by cavalry riders who were swarmed by enemy infantry. This powerful movement cause infantry to run from the cavalry horse, which allowed the cavalryman to escape the enemy foot soldier swarm. The lower center right image is the Courbette. This was used to break and scatter defensive square formations of infantry on the battlefield. Both are intimidation movements that could be deadly to an enemy soldier.

Another military based riding tradition is mounted drill team. Group drill team movements were a way to identify which riders in a troop that was in training had effective control of their horses, or not. Poor riders stick out in a drill team. Therefore, drill team training accelerated the instructor's ability to identify which riders needed more instruction.

The historical origins of effective horsemanship are most often found in military riding. It has only been since the 1970s that some of these military methods and practices have been replaced by less demanding civilian standards. For example, in warm up arenas today I regularly see chaos as every rider "does their own thing" without regard for any structured standards aimed at improved safety.

If you are doing something in your riding that you do not understand where it came from, the source is most likely military.

04/22/2026

Our Rafter 7C Ranch show team member spotlight today is on Kelli Kontogeorge Wright and her horse “Roanie.”

Kelli knows how to truly live out each day with a heart of gratitude! A cancer survivor, she decided to do something new with the fresh start God gave her and signed up to learn all about ranch horse competitions. This year, she and Roanie took home reserve champion in the Adult Walk Trot division at the March Tennessee Stock Horse Association show. Their teamwork is a picture of determination, grit, and the grace of God. God did this! We get to be a part of the blessing.

04/22/2026

That’s a lot of dirt being moved around for the new barn! Wow! So excited to see how God continues to work in and through every person and horse that passes through this ranch.

04/22/2026

Everyone should have the opportunity to walk alongside someone truly special through life. We are so blessed to be on this journey with Jakeley especially today on her birthday! Praying God reveals great and amazing things to you in the year ahead. Happy birthday!

04/22/2026

So blessed to have this amazing couple join us for riding each week. Watching them both grow in their own way and yet stop and watch to encourage one another is truly how a godly marriage should be. The smiles and the laughter outweigh every challenge, fear, and frustration. God did this!

“Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

04/20/2026

Fundamentals matter!