It is always so enjoyable for me to watch newcomers to the cowhorse industry having fun and improving. I met Sarah and Judd Sherman at the Lynn Anderson clinic in March and have gotten to know their family at all the shows this year. To me, they have done a great job of getting involved and becoming part of the community. I thought it would be a perfect time, as the show season came to a close, to ask them to reflect on their first year showing cowhorses. I sat down with Sarah the last day of the Idaho Futurity and picked her brain.
What sparked your interest in working cow horses?
We have both always loved riding, and with two young children we were looking for a hobby that we could do as a family. Cheryl James [the equine photographer] is a long time friend of ours and has always told us that she thought we would really enjoy the venue. She was very right--it is a great sport for a family to get involved in, and it really suits our competitive and outgoing nature.
After you decided to give it a shot, what steps did you take to get started?
We started out looking at horses for sale online and weren’t having much luck, so we decided we should get professional help. We live near Dean McCann, so we called him to find out if he was taking on any new non pros. I bought a horse from one of Dean’s existing clients, and after the first time I worked a cow, I was hooked. Dean helped us find a horse for Judd, and he was hooked just as easily. We leave our horses in training, but we go and ride as often as we possibly can.
In March, we both went and rode in the Lynn Anderson clinic, even though we had hardly ridden, and started getting ready for our first show. Judd and I both started out showing in the boxing class for the first part of the year and showed at all of the NWRCHA shows. In July, we started showing down the fence in the Non Pro Hackamore, and it was such a blast. With some encouragement, I also went to Idaho and showed my gelding at the IRCHA Derby and showed in all three events. It was really fun, and I ended up Reserve in the Intermediate Non Pro Futurity!
We kind of jumped in head first, but it has really all worked out well. We also purchased a two-year-old that we put in training with Cayley Wilson to send to the Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno. This fall, we had a great time watching our mare shown in the futurities at Reno and Nampa, ID. I am planning on showing her as well next year in some of the special events.
What was the highlight of your first year of showing?
The highlight of the year was going down the fence the first time in Ellensburg. Everyone was so supportive, and when I made my debut down the fence, the cheering in the stands from all the other cowhorse people was great! It was such a rush! I know I still have a ton to learn, but this is the most fun I have ever had riding horses. This is a really competitive sport, but the Northwest cow horse community is such a welcoming and friendly environment. Everyone is always cheering each other on and offering good advice. It makes it easy to learn and have fun at the same time.
Anything you would have done differently?
I wish I had started years ago!
What are some of the pros and cons of coming to the horse shows as a family?
It is so nice to be able to be together and spend quality time with the kids. It’s great for the kids to learn early on that though the horses are great to ride, there is a lot of work and dedication involved. We have been bringing our niece Rylan along to the shows to babysit, and that has been very helpful.
Judd and I both always like to do our best, and it can be difficult because we show in the same class so we have to remember to support each other without getting competitive.
Any advice for our readers who are wanting to get started?
Listen to the people around you and learn from their successes and mistakes. Most people are very helpful and knowledgeable and will give you their advice if you ask. I also think it is important to become involved and to understand that a lot of people volunteer their time to make the shows happen. Take the time to thank them for all their hard work. Realize that you aren’t going to be able to figure it all out in one year. Many of the people you are showing with have been showing for many years to get where they are. Try not to worry about how you place or score, just focus on improving yourself with each run and make sure to HAVE FUN!
Bio:
Sarah and Judd Sherman are both dentists in Yelm, Washington at Today's Dental Center. They have a wonderful family-oriented practice. Their family also includes their son Braxton, 3, and daughter Henlee, 1.
