As equestrian enthusiasts we are constantly searching for that special place where horses give us the most enjoyment. I have been given the privilege to help open a window into the sensational world of the National and Northwest performance horse industries. We are blessed to have many talented trainers and competitors in the Northwest and I intend to do my best to show you the industry through their eyes. You will get advice on how to find a trainer and the right horse, and among many other things, how to get started. But be advised, this is an extremely fast paced world of fancy horses, thrills and spills, and I of course will do all I can to suck you in! Here’s a brief run-down of the different events we’ll be discussing:
Reining: Competitors execute a pattern that consists of circles with speed variations, spins, sliding stops and rollbacks. Horses are marked on each maneuver from a -1 ½ to a + 1 ½, added or subtracted to a score of 70, to reach a total score. Judging is based on a horse’s completion of the maneuvers with speed and precision. Reining became an Olympic sport in 1998 and has large followings in many countries. Dirt flying from sliding stops and whirlwind spins delight participants and dazzle fans. The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the main organization in the sport. www.nrha.com
Cutting: Born from the need of cattle ranchers to have horses with great cow sense for singling individuals out of a herd, cutting showcases the ability of a horse, on a slack rein, to keep a selected cow separated from her buddies. Competitors are given 2 ½ minutes to complete this task and typically will attempt to work two or three cows in that time. Horses are judged on their behavior in the herd, control of the cow, and eye appeal. A great cutter will leave you spellbound by his anticipation of his prey’s every move and the cat-like way he executes his mission. Fort Worth, TX is home to the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA). www.nchacutting.com
Working Cow Horse: Originating from Vaquero traditions of horsemanship and cattle ranching, this is an event that combines a reining pattern with a “fence work” or “cow work.” A single cow is let into the arena and the competitor must “box” the cow at the end of the arena first gaining control of the cow. Next the cow is driven around the corner of the pen and let fly down the long wall. The rider must turn the cow each direction on the fence and then circle the cow in each direction to complete the run. Generally, the fence work is done at break-neck speeds and is judged on the horse’s control of the cow while completing the required tasks. Cows are great equalizers and insure there is never a dull moment. To be successful in this sport, both horse and rider need to be extremely versatile, athletic and have a never say die attitude. The National Reined Cowhorse Association (NRCHA) headquartered in Byars, OK is the governing body for cowhorse competition. www.nrcha.com
Slide on in and visit my column on the NWHS website where you can view information on local performance horse associations, ask questions and make suggestions for future columns. I look forward to hearing from you!
Spotlight on Judy Caton
Judy Caton began the 2005 show season with a disappointing injury to her primary show horse that had her facing the possibility of spending the year as a spectator. She had Meerly Inwizable, a five year old gelding, for sale at the time and out of necessity took him to trainer, Darren Stancik to see if they could get him ready in time to fill her already purchased slot at NRHA Derby in May. After just 6 weeks of preparation, Judy and "Whiz Bob" made the finals in the Non Pro Derby and a lethal partnership was formed. They spent the rest of the summer getting to know each other and showing in the Northwest. In August the team competed in the Rancho Murietta Reining Spectacular where they threw down the biggest scores Judy had ever earned to win the Limited, Intermediate and Non Pro Derbies. Judy came home with her first buckles, Lawson Bronzes and saddles!
Competitive rides at WRHA shows earned the team a chance to compete in the NRHA National Adequan Affiliate Championships in the Intermediate and Limited divisions held during the NRHA Futurity in Oklahoma City in November. Battling nerves and the rush of walking down "The Gateway of Champions," Judy stayed focused enough to let Whiz carry her to their second major title as NRHA Adequan Affiliate Champion in the Intermediate Non Pro.
Judy offers these words of advice to those just starting out:
• Start on a broke horse that is honest enough to do his job correctly, even when you're not giving him the right cues. They may be hard to find but are well worth the search.
• Be patient with yourself and don't try to get it all overnight, that's why there are levels of competition. Get the mindset that you don't know anything about riding and let your trainer tear you apart and put you back together again. If you don't understand what they are trying to instruct you to do, stop, and have a discussion until you do get it.
• There is only one way to get to the show pen, and that's to just do it. You will never feel like your ready, so there is nothing to wait for. I used to go in with the attitude that I was the entertainment for the day. Remember that we all started in essentially the same place."
More than just a competitor, Judy is the owner of Caton Ranches, home of Parnelli Chic Olena, and her latest addition, Sweet Lil Starlight. She is one of the premier breeders of reining and working cowhorses in the Pacific Northwest. Judy and her 4 daughters Rachael, Aubrey, Emily and Michaela, run close to 50 head of horses and strive to maintain a remuda that includes a multitude of proven bloodlines, performers and producers. She finds that one of the most rewarding parts of a breeding program is the thrill of watching a baby conceived on paper three years earlier, begin to demonstrate talent.
Caton Ranches has also been a key factor in the growth of the local industry. This year the Northwest Reined Cowhorse Association's Caton Ranch Derby in Monroe and the Caton Ranch Futurity in Ellensburg were both sponsored and made possible by Judy. In addition, Caton Ranches has horses in training with Darren Stancik, Mike Helsen, Mike Marriott and Wade Reaney. For more information on all Caton Ranches' critters and their handlers, please visit the website at www.catonranches.com
Coming Events:
NRCHA World Championship Show in Stephenville, Texas, February 18-26. Many Northwest competitors will be there battling for the title of World Champion! For more information go to www.nrcha.com
Bio: (Use this for the Sidebar)
Allison Trimble is the owner of Coastal Equine in Ferndale, Washington. She is the National Reined Cowhorse Association Non Pro representative for the Northwest region and is on the board of directors for the Northwest Reined Cowhorse Association. She competes regularly and successes include: 2004 Circle Y Amateur Derby Champion, 2003 WRHA Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champion, and multiple time NRCHA World Show finalist. Coastal Equine offers stud services to Cue Bars Laddie and Cow Cuttin Colonel and have horses for sale from prospects to finished horses. They encourage visitors to stop by and say “Howdy!” and invite you to visit their website at www.coastalequine.com
Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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