Michael Damianos MICHAEL DAMIANOS PERFORMANCE HORSES If you are a Ranch Rider … What attracted you to trying Ranch classes? What element in Ranch Riding patterns really allows your horse to shine? How do you make sure you stand out to the judges? No division requires a larger variety of talents by the horse than the ranch division. If you are enamored by a beautiful, charismatic, athletic, responsive, graceful, brave, mentally focused, stalwart horse - then riding a ranch horse is your passion. The beauty of the patterns is that collectively the maneuvers offer something for every talent of a ranch horse. One way to prepare is to actually do ranch work with your horse. If you want to stand out in the pattern, you need to ride a horse that is fit and looks up to the challenge of ranch work. I believe it is better to look good or very good at every maneuver than excellent at a few. That way you display the versatility of your horse and appear confident. That requires promptness without looking rushed or pushed. The rider also needs to be spatially aware in the show pen in order to lay down an effective and attractive presentation. What characteristics (human and/or horse) make up a well-rounded competitor in your chosen division? Preparation and experience. In order for a horse or a ride to be great, they both have to develop a muscle memory, just like professional athletes. The right moves and actions must be reflexive to achieve excellence. That requires frequent, but not overwhelming preparation. Secondly, the cruelest, but most effective teacher is experience. No horse or rider ever got good staying home. It requires an inventory of experiences in the show ring to become good. Will Rogers said, “Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement.” Truer words were never spoken. What is the key to a good warm up prior to a pattern class? Before you swing a leg over a horse, know your pattern inside and out. Even then there will be days of mental lapse. Look at the arena and plan your pattern out. When you mount up, understand your horse needs to loosen up before competition just like you do. Picture your run in your head and repeat mentally to yourself what you need to do at each part of the pattern. Walk the pattern if you find it helpful. Remember, your goal is to be the best you can be. Never consider what you have to do to beat your competitor. Watch one or two runs before you, but not more. Watching too much just clouds your judgement. Never try something new you saw someone else do. Wait until you get home. Finally, never get in a fight with your horse before the class. Horses are incredibly perceptive and if you have angst or are stressed, your performance will be impaired. If given the chance to be in a scene of any western TV show, who would your character be and who would you share the screen with? I’d be some kind of horse whisperer. I would share the screen with my wife, Dawn. I couldn’t find a better leading lady than the one I already have! What horse past and present, exemplifies the working western discipline? For me, TR Despret For Achic+// (Desperado V x Smart Chic Olena daughter) was like no other. He was a national champion in English and western trail more than once. He could win the reining and the ranch riding and work a cow as well as anyone. He had the best characteristics of both the Arabian and the Quarter Horse. He was great in the arena and he was great doing ranch work. He was handsome in western tack and very photogenic. I miss him every day.
Ar abian Horse Times | 70 | Western 2023
