Paramount+
Photo Credit: James Minchin III/Paramount+ “1923,” the Next Installment of the “Yellowstone” Dutton Family Origin Story, Will Debut on Sunday, December 18, in the U.S. and Canada Starring Academy Award® Winner Helen Mirren and Academy Award® Nominee Harrison Ford, “1923” is Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch Productions
Paramount+ today debuted the official trailer for the highly anticipated new original drama series 1923, starring Academy Award® winner Helen Mirren and Academy Award® nominee Harrison Ford. From Academy Award® nominee Taylor Sheridan, 1923 will debut on Sunday, December 18th, in the U.S. and Canada. The series will premiere on Monday, December 19th, on Paramount+ in the U.K. and Australia. Premiere dates for other Paramount+ international markets will be announced at a later date.
1923, the next installment of the Dutton family origin story, will introduce a new generation of Duttons led by patriarch Jacob (Ford)
and matriarch Cara (Mirren). The series will explore the early twentieth century when pandemics, historic drought, the end of Prohibition and the Great Depression all plague the mountain west, and the Duttons who call it home.
In addition to Ford and Mirren, 1923 also stars Darren Mann (“Animal Kingdom”), Michelle Randolph (“A Snow White Christmas”), James Badge Dale (“Hightown”), Marley Shelton (“Scream”), Brian Geraghty (“Big Sky”), Aminah Nieves (“Blueberry”), and Jerome Flynn (“Game of Thrones”). In addition to the Dec. 18th premiere
on Paramount+, Paramount Network will also host a linear airing of 1923’s debut episode, immediately following a new episode of “Yellowstone,” as a special simulcast event.
Photo
Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch Productions, 1923 is executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, John Linson, Art Linson, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari and Ben Richardson. 1923 is the latest addition to Sheridan’s growing slate on Paramount+, which in addition to 1883 and MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, includes TULSA KING and the upcoming series LIONESS and LAND MAN.
TAYLOR SHERIDAN
There’s a fire that burns within. A passion and dedication that pushes Western athletes to endure long days on the road and countless hours of sacrifice. All in the unwavering pursuit of perfection. Glory. And the right to be called… Champion.
Four action-packed nights. 11 western sporting disciplines. It’s a one-of kind celebration of the sports and spirit of the American West, featuring the sport’s greatest athletes in the ultimate high-stakes showdown. It’s a celebration of Western culture with the best in musical entertainment. And this year, you can get closer to the excitement than ever before.
Wednesday, March 8: The American Rodeo Contender Wild Card
Kicking off the action packed American Western Weekend, The American Contender Tournament Wild Card invites fans and spectators from all over the World to witness 126 athletes qualifying from the Regional Tournament vie for the FINAL spot to the Contender Finals and their last chance to advance towards the Million-dollar Bonus. It’s a full day of heartstopping competition where only 1 will rise to the challenge.
Thursday, March 9: The American Rodeo Contender Tournament Finals - The culmination of a months-long regional qualifying competition where the Regional Winners compete at Globe Life Field in Arlington to make it to The American Rodeo on Saturday Night. It’s “Joes vs. Pros” where underdogs ride for glory. Friday, March 10: The American Performance Horseman - It’s the first-of-its-kind event to celebrate the elegance and excellence of western equine performance sports, and the athletes who ride these powerful quarter horses. In this inaugural event, we’re bringing cutting, reined cow horse and reigning together where the Top 5 professional horsemen in each discipline will face off in a competitive format for a million dollar prize.
Saturday, March 11: The American Rodeo - The crown jewel. The biggest night in rodeo. The grand finale of The American Western Weekend, where stars collide and legends are born. Cheer on rodeo’s finest, champion athletes, or root for the underdog “Contenders” chasing $1,000,000. Ticketing information, headlining musical talent and on-sale information coming soon. For more information on The American Rodeo, visit www. americanrodeo.com.
For more information about the Arena VIP Experience, email tickets@ tetonridge.com or call (801)891-2980.
SCHEDULE:Wednesday, March 8: The American Rodeo Wild Card Doors Open: 8:00 AM, Event Begins: 9:00 AM. Thursday, March 9: The American Rodeo Contender Tournament Finals, Doors Open: 5:30 PM, Event Begins: 6:45 PM. Friday, March 10: The American Performance Horseman, Doors Open: 5:30 PM, Event Begins: 6:45 PM. Saturday, March 11: The American Rodeo, Doors Open: 4:30 PM, Event Begins: 5:45 PM. * Schedule subject to change
The American Rodeo and the Ariat World Series of Team Roping kick off a historical partnership aimed at professional and semi-professional team ropers. In addition to The American Rodeo becoming the official sponsor of the Ariat WSTR Open events, the WSTR and a The American’s huge rodeo have teamed up to present The American Rodeo Contender Tournament semifinals events held in conjunction with regionally located Ariat World Series of Team Roping American Rodeo Open qualifiers. These events are the direct path for team ropers to have a shot at competing at the 2023 American Rodeo and its $1,000,000 contender prize.
At 2022 Ariat World Series of Team Roping events, Open Ropers will have the opportunity to compete for $110,000 in added money! Great news and just the beginning of the big payouts on the road to the American. The goal of this program is to allow higher numbered ropers to compete for higher payouts at the high quality Open WSTR events across the country and provide a path to the American Rodeo; delivering a much better chance at qualifying for both the Ariat WSTR Open American Rodeo Finale and the 2023 American Rodeo than ever before.
The only teams who are guaranteed a bye to the American Rodeo, by-passing all the semi-finals and regional finals, are the top-five teams at the end of the 2022 PRCA season (who are not eligible for the $1M Contender prize).
Fifteen teams from the PRCA standings (6th thru 20th) will be eligible to enter the Regional Finals joining six teams from the WSTR American Contender Tournament semifinals and nine teams from the WSTR Finale Wild Card event at one of the three Regional Finals rodeos. These 30 teams split into three geographic regions of ten teams with $40,000 added in each regional location. Eastern Regional Finals, Central Regional Finals, Western Regional Finals (see Contender Tournament bracket for additional progression). The dates and times TBA.
Cowgirls are as diverse as the boots and hats they wear and the horses they ride. Some make their living horseback, while others go from the boardroom to the barn. Cowgirl artists express their takes on the West through a variety of mediums, including paint, clay, silver, leather, rawhide, poetry and music. Art of the Cowgirl, founded by Montana horsewoman Tammy Pate, celebrates and perpetuates the timeless talents of Western women through educational fellowships, competitions and special events.
The fifth annual Art of the Cowgirl main gathering returns to Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek, Arizona, January 18-22, 2023, with a full schedule of exciting opportunities that will immerse male and female attendees in the Western lifestyle. The heart of Art of the Cowgirl is its fellowship program, which unites emerging female artisans in traditional trades such as silversmithing, leathercraft, bootmaking, horse training and fine art with masters in those fields. The gathering is a fundraiser to facilitate these partnerships, which empower and educate women while honoring Western heritage.
The upcoming event will include hands-on workshops, horsemanship demonstrations, artist and maker presentations, panel discussions and a silent art auction. In the arenas, skilled horsewomen will compete in ranch rodeo, breakaway roping and the third annual World’s Greatest Horsewoman competition. New to the event, world champion reined cow horse trainer Erin Taormino will offer a youth cow horse clinic, followed by a youth cow horse competition.
Throughout the weekend, a curated trade show will showcase original art, apparel, gear, gifts and accessories made by cowgirl artisans. Cowgirl musicians will perform on the stage and chuckwagon cooks will have their fires burning and serving samples of their camp-style cuisine. The gathering culminates with the Elite Ranch Horse Sale, featuring select horses trained by top horsewomen.
For those wanting the ultimate Art of the Cowgirl experience, VIP tickets will be available. VIPs receive priority seating and parking, a swag bag and invitations to special events and receptions where they can mingle with the masters and other influential people in the Western industry. They also get to attend a new addition to Art of the Cowgirl: a compelling quick-draw competition co-hosted by the Cowgirl Artists of America. The artists will also be making their marks on range teepees, which will be sold to raise money for the fellowship program.
“We’re really focusing on the fellowships and artists and creating a hands-on art experience. We encourage everyone to come take it all in and support our artists,” says Pate. “The vibe of Art of the Cowgirl is so welcoming, whether you’ve been to a past event, or this will be your first. It’s a place to experience the true cowgirl spirit and connect with Western culture and the people who create it.”
Tickets are on sale October 1. Watch for updates on ticket sales, host hotels and a schedule of events at www.ArtoftheCowgirl.com, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Talented women artisans are constantly creating in homebased shops and studios, but time constraints, age restrictions, and geographical and financial barriers sometimes hinder them from honing their skills and developing their own businesses in traditional western arts and trades. The Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship program, established in 2019, removes some of these obstacles, encourages and furthers participation among western women and honors out western heritage.
The cornerstone of Art of the Cowgirl, the fellowship program invests in the mentorship of emerging western women artisans. Fellowship recipients are paired with masters in traditional trades, such as saddle making, boot making, horse training and fine art for a once-in-a-lifetime, expenses-paid educational opportunity. Masters work with their students for one to two weeks, refining their skills, inviting innovation and empowering them to start their own businesses.
“I see women in traditional western trades struggling at times as they learn things on their own or grab a variety of small experiences to try to build their skill set,” says Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship Coordinator Jaimie Stoltzfus. “It’s also challenging to initiate connections to get the knowledge and business-building skills needed to advance. I also see financial barriers to entry in some of the western trades. The fellowship program works to help eliminate many of these barriers as we connect recipients with masters in the industry and fully fund the opportunity to learn for an extended period with additional follow-up support where needed. We also try to help equip our recipients with business advice, as well as financial resources for continuing education, tools and materials.”
Each fellowship recipient finishes a piece and donates it to the Art Auction held during the Art of the Cowgirl main event. All the proceeds from the main event, Art Auction and other events help fund future fellowships. The upcoming Art Auction, presented by Art of the West, will take place January 21 at 6 p.m. MST, at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek, Arizona. For those who are not at the main event to bid in person, live bidding will be available at CC.I.ive.
“One of the most rewarding parts of beings involved with Art of the Cowgirl is hearing the impact our program has on our fellowship recipients,” says Stoltzfus. “So many of them have shared that it is has been a life-changing experience for them and greatly impacted the trajectory of their future in their chosen trades. I also have seen how the program increases their confidence and reignites their passion. It’s incredible to see the talent and success grow in all our recipients through the years.”
Applications for the 2023 fellowships will be available for six weeks starting March 1, 2023, on the Art of the Cowgirl website and must be completed and submitted by April 15, 2023. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee and often the Master Artists to determine one recipient in each featured trade. Art of the Cowgirl is excited to announce the 2023 roster of Master Artists: • Trina Morris, Wheatland, Wyoming, Master Horsewoman
• Barbara Van Cleve, Big Timber, Montana, Master Photographer
• John Willemsma, Westcliffe, Colorado, Master Saddle Maker
• Teresa Black, Adel, Oregon, Master Horsehair Hitcher • Robin Brown, Indian Valley, Idaho, Master Cowdog Trainer • Lisa Sorrell, Guthrie, Oklahoma, Master Bootmaker • Barbara East, Gunnison, Colorado, Guest Master Fine Artist
Natural Resources Committee
Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) last week, introduced the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Protection Act of 2022 to ensure the humane management of wild horses and burros and protect them from slaughter. Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), and Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) are original cosponsors of the bill.
This new legislation will amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which was signed into law in 1971. In the more than fifty years since that law was passed, wild horse and burro populations have grown dramatically and climate change has impacted public lands, causing major management challenges for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Protection Act of 2022 will institute much-needed reforms to wild horse and burro management by transitioning BLM away from dangerous and fiscally irresponsible management strategies towards humane on-range management that supports jobs and local economies. The bill will prioritize fertility control, which keeps horses in the wild and saves taxpayer dollars.
“Wild horses and burros are American icons and an irreplaceable part of our nation’s landscape,” said Chair Grijalva. “These special creatures deserve federal protections that recognize their importance and ensure they are treated humanely. I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working together to craft modern-day solutions that keep wild horses and burros on the range.”
“This legislation is about more than just saving these incredible creatures who roam free today, it’s about ensuring the great wild horses and burros of Arizona and America live on for generations to come,” said Rep. Schweikert. “I’m proud to work on this bipartisan bill with my colleagues to secure protections for these important and threatened animals.”
“Nevada is home to the largest population of wild horses in the nation and I have seen time and time again how they continue to be endangered, both during roundups and after they have been removed from the land,” said Rep. Titus. “This bill will ensure that these creatures are treated with respect and care. I will continue to
fight for animal welfare and the protection of these iconic denizens of the Wild West.”
“It is crucial that we continue to provide federal resources and ensure the protection of our nation’s wild horses,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation which will reform management techniques and accountability measures with regard to the sensible, humane treatment of wild equines.”
“America’s wild horses and burros are majestic icons of our country and deserve protection to ensure their health and vibrancy,” said Rep. Cohen. “This legislation will modernize the 50-yearold protections and provide the Bureau of Land Management meaningful requirements to ensure the animals are safe in their environment.”
“Coloradans are uniquely aware of the vital role of wild horses and burros in the American West,” said Rep. Neguse. “We must update protections enacted decades ago to better reflect current herd-management needs and ensure the ethical and humane treatment of these animals.”
The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Protection Act of 2022 promotes humane management strategies, increases transparency and good government, protects wild horses and burros from slaughter, and promotes partnerships with nonprofit organizations and veterans. Specifically, this legislation will: Prohibit the slaughter of wild horses and burros and repeal the “Burns Amendment.” Protect wild horses and burros from being killed or destroyed as a population management tool. Require the use of humane, minimally invasive, scientifically proven fertility control and prioritize humane management strategies. Require creation and enforcement of regulations to ensure animal welfare for all aspects of wild horse and burro handling and management Emphasize partnerships with veterans and nonprofits to implement fertility control vaccine programs. Prohibit cash incentives for adopting a wild horse or burro, prohibit adopters from sending animals to slaughter, and require compliance checks for adopters. Require the Secretary of the Interior to track and report the number of wild horses or burros killed or injured during a roundup in a publicly available online database.
In the fall of 2022, Arno Honstetter rode the talented mare Ms Dreamy, owned by Frederick Christen, to finish fifth place at The Run For A Million presented by Teton Ridge. The $60,000 prize –the second largest in the German native’s career, was enough to push him to the precipice of a major milestone – a million dollars in earnings.
Just two months later, during the Cactus Classic, the talented professional passed that marker and joined an elite group of milliondollar earners in the National Reining Horse Association. “Reaching a million dollars in earnings hasn’t always been the goal. When I came over here in the beginning, I never thought I could be a million-dollar rider,” Honstetter admitted. “But when I started getting closer, maybe to a half-million in earnings, I thought maybe I could do it.” He added, “So this accomplishment means a lot. It’s what I do all day long. I love to ride, train, and raise horses. I gave up everything in my home country to come over here to try to be a horse trainer, so it’s pretty special.”
Honstetter grew up in Liggeringen, Germany, in the southern part of the country in the Bodensee on the Lake of Konstanz. His family didn’t have horses, but he’d always wanted to ride one. His parents purchased his first horse when he was eight years old, and while he tried his legs in an English saddle at first, he soon set his sights on western disciplines.
He was introduced to cutting, and when he was 16 years old, his father began asking where he could send his son to learn more about training horses. That’s when he met National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Famer Ken Wold and spent several years working with Wold in the United States, honing his skills in multiple disciplines, including cutting, cow horse, and reining.
“I learned everything about training, showing, and breeding horses there. We did everything on that ranch,” Honstetter recalled. “Kenny, his wife Ramona, and his mom were like family. It was probably the best time of my life.”
After spending four years with the Wolds, Honstetter moved back to Germany. “I started showing, and Andrea Fappani saw me show. I can’t remember what year it was – maybe 2004. We had a big show over there, and all these guys from the United States came over. Andrea asked me if I wanted to come
work for him, and long story short, I ended up being there for several years.”
Honstetter spent eight years total with Fappani, the NRHA’s All-Time Leading Rider, but he also took a year to ride with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Randy Paul, as well. Eventually, he went out on his own for several years before accepting the position of head trainer for Brenda Joyce and Rick Christen’s Story Book Stables, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2020.
“I thank Brenda and Rick for the opportunity they have given me, as well as all the owners over the years who have trusted me to ride such nice horses,” he said. “I thank Andrea Fappani, Randy Paul, and Ken Wold for what they’ve done for me, as well.” Arno and his wife, Laura, welcomed daughter Tatum nine months ago. He added that he hopes to help Story Book Stables become even more successful in the future.
“My biggest goal is to train and raise nice horses and do a good job running the ranch. I want us to produce really nice horses here at the ranch more than just buying and training them,” he said.
Screening for myosin-heavy chain myopathy is now included in AQHA's genetic health panel.
MYHM was added to the panel following a member rule change proposal made to the AQHA Stud Book and Registration Committee. At the 2022 AQHA Convention, the Stud Book and Registration
Committee approved MYHM’s addition to the panel, with the rule change forwarded to and approved by the AQHA Board of Directors.
Facts regarding the genetic health panel for MYHM, which first presents as immunemediated myositis or IMM: - For horses tested through AQHA, MYHM will automatically be
included in the results for tests ordered after December 1, 2022. - Breeding stallions tested after January 1, 2023, must have the complete panel, including MYHM, before offspring can be registered; stallions tested before January 1, 2023, who already have the 5-panel test results recorded with AQHA are not required to retroactively add MYHM. -
Horse owners who want to add MYHM to existing health panel results have the option to add it to their horse’s record so long as the original hair sample is still available and viable for testing; the cost to add MYHM to existing panel results is being offered at a discounted rate of $20. - MYHM is being offered separately to add on to existing 5-panel results for a limited time. Once that limited-time offer expires, MYHM will only be offered in the full genetic health panel through AQHA.
To learn more about MYHM and other genetic mutations, refer to www.aqha.com/ genetics. Genetic health panel results should be carefully considered when making thoughtful breeding decisions. If a horse is affected, consult with your veterinarian or other equine health care professional for managing your horse’s needs.
The 2022 Stock Horse of Texas Western Horseman World Championship Show saw 3,066 entries compete in twelve divisions for the chance to earn the title of all-around World champion from October 26 through October 30 at the Taylor County Expo in Abilene, Texas. When the dust settled from the last of the 650 cattle worked during the show, competitors walked away with not only bragging rights but also $43,680 and another $69,185 in prizes.
When the last horse rode out of the historic Will Rogers Coliseum at the 2022 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, it closed the door on a record-breaking year for NRCHA premier event entries and purses awarded, and did so in style. For the third straight year, the annual futurity saw a rise in entries, and in 2022 more than $1,000,000 was awarded in added money and prizes in Youth, Non Pro and Open classes during the show.
The final of the five annual premier NRCHA events produced by the nationwide organization brought the top 3-year-old horses to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete for the largest cow horse futurity purse to date, with the Open Futurity Champion Tornado Jonez, owned by Brandy Ragland and shown by Lee Deacon, being awarded $200,000, and the Non Pro Champion Debbie Crafton, taking home $40,000.
Paired with the Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, the 17-day show capped off a year that saw rising entry numbers in limited age events and horse show classes alike. Compared to 2021, when 95 Open Hackamore Classic entries vied for the title and purse, roan stallion Tee Boone, owned by J.T. III (Trey) and Sandra Neal and ridden by Jay McLaughlin, bested a field of 119 other entries to earn this year’s win.
It is a positive trend of increasing reined cow horse entries, and resulting increase in membership numbers. “Cow horse has been on the rise for several years, and our premier events have seen exponential growth in entries and purses over the past two years thanks to incredible support from our sponsors and the NRCHA Board of Directors,” said Anna Morrison, NRCHA executive director. “We chalk the growth
up to many factors, not the least of which is the amazing group of welcoming, downto-earth members we have. While the sport is challenging, our members make it easy to throw your hat in the ring as a newcomer to the cow horse family.”
The excitement surrounding the cow horse, which requires an athletic and versatile horse to cut, rein and go down the fence working a cow, is catching the eye of riders in other areas of the industry. In August, cow horse competitors qualified to compete in a 16-rider 2022 Cow Horse Challenge produced at The Run For A Million. The two qualifying events—held at NRCHA’s Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in March in Las Vegas, Nevada, and in June at the DT Horses Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona, brought out more than 90 bridle horses—the penultimate trained cow horse—trying to make it to the August event.
With a sell-out crowd watching the Cow Horse Challenge at The Run For A Million likened to the regularly
sold-out crowd seen at the 2022 Hashtags and Western Bloodstock World’s Greatest Horseman event in Fort Worth, it was clear cow horse could draw spectators no matter the location. The World’s Greatest Horseman, held in February, also saw riders that have made their name in the National Cutting Horse Association and in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association try their hand at the four-discipline special event, riders like Jesse Lennox and Dakota Kirkenschlager. In 2022, that event, like most of the premier events, saw the largest field ever drawn to compete for the prestigious title, which was first awarded in 1999.
And, in March 2023, when the top five NRCHA riders based on earnings from 2022 compete at the Teton Ridge-produced American Performance Horseman held at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, the most versatile Western performance event will once again take center stage.
“We’ve all been eagerly watching the top open riders list to see who would earn a spot
at The American Performance Horseman,” said Morrison. “We can’t wait to see our top cow horses and riders compete at Globe Life along with the top cutters and reiners in a brand new format and on a massive stage.”
Though the American Performance Horseman may be the biggest new event on the horizon for 2023, it won’t kick off the year for cow horse competitors. That is reserved for the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions, which concludes the NRCHA 2022 show year by crowning World and National Champions in all cow horse classes, as well as host the Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby; the Western Bloodstock, BDB Breeders and Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman; and the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman, presented by MARS Equestrian™. In short, the best of the best in reined cow horse are coming back to Texas in February.
“The Celebration of Champions is a great way to wrap up the 2022 show season and keep the momentum going for 2023,” said Emily Konkel, premier event manager. “In just one show, we crown 16 NRCHA World and National Champions and kick off the 2023 show year with a record-breaking check of $150,000 to the 2023 World’s Greatest Horseman. In 2022, we saw an increase in entries and payouts at nearly all our NRCHA premier events and can’t wait to see what the 2023 show year has in store for cow horse.”
From Texas, cow horses travel to the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada, held March 24 through April 1; and on to the Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona, May 31 through June 10. The show year continues into the summer with the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, before coming back to the cornerstone premier event, the Snaffle Bit Futurity®, in October.
US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes selected for the 2023 Eventing Emerging Athlete Program. The program is designed to identify and support athlete/horse combinations age 25 and under that have shown the potential to develop into U.S. Eventing Team candidates. Participants in the program have the opportunity to work with U.S. Eventing Development and Emerging Coach Leslie Law in building skills and knowledge necessary for success on the pathway to high performance.
Athletes are selected for the program based on their application, which includes their results at the CCI3*-L level. Applicants who have not yet achieved an MER at a CCI3*-L may be talent spotted into the program by the Performance Advisory Team. The selected athletes will participate in a training session in Ocala, Fla., Jan. 16-20, 2023, which will include mounted sessions and unmounted lectures throughout the week.
The following athletes have been selected for the 2023 program and are listed in alphabetical order. • Alexandra Baugh (Lexington, Ky.) • Amanda Beale (Malvern, Pa.) • Sophie Click (Coupeville, Wash.) • Kalli Core* (Orange, Texas) • Alexa Gartenberg (Gladwyne, Pa.) • Cosby Green (Lexington, Ky.) • Tommy Greengard* (Malibu, Calif.) • Kiersten Miller* (Rochester Hills, Mich.) • Ben Noonan (Ballwin, Mo.) • Meg Pellegrini (Wayne, Pa.) • Cassie Sanger (Lakeville, Conn.) • Madison Temkin (Sebastopol, Calif.) *indicates athlete was talent spotted into the program
Hi my name is Dana Yingling and I am proud to be representing the AZQHA as their new President for 2023. We are very excited to be hosting the Arizona Sun Circuit’s 50th anniversary. We have lots of spectacular awards to give away this year. We are giving a total of 12 golf carts away and 6 of them are designated for Non Pros. We are also offering beautiful 50th anniversary jackets or our newly designed Trophies for all of our Circuit Champions. But that’s not all, we are bringing back the ever famous SUN CIRCUIT PARTY so get ready for a night of fun. Other events to look forward to are the Hershberger Performance Horse Sale, the ARHFA Roping Futurity, and of course the Scottsdale Parada Del Sol Rodeo. So, as you can see we have a fun filled packed week scheduled for Sun Circuit 2023. I also want to send a special thank you out to all our sponsors and the City Of Scottsdale for making this such an amazing event. So come help us celebrate our 50th anniversary and I look forward to seeing everyone there.
Sincerely,
Dana Yingling AZQHA President
On Nov. 19, a pillar in the history of the National Reining Horse Association passed away. Richie Greenberg, 86, passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Greenberg first became involved with reining in the 1970s, in the early years of the association, and boasted membership number 59. His accomplishments as a non pro were impressive, but his legacy truly lies with a breeding program that is still influencing the sport of reining a half-century later. He was recognized for his impact with induction to the Association’s Hall of Fame in 2000.
As an entrepreneur, Partner in Wexner-Greenberg Associates, and Owner of Mid-North Realty, Inc., he pursued his interests in real estate development, management, and design, Native American Indian History, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera, downhill skiing, and was also a proponent of equine therapy programs for children with special needs.
Greenberg’s love of horses developed in his youth, and he got his first horse at only 12 years old. In 1972, he discovered Hollywood Jac 86, and the pair would make history together.
With “Jac,” Greenberg won his first bronze and his first saddle in 1974 at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, and that year won NRHA’s first Non Pro World Championship. They repeated both feats the following year, and it was the start of a run of six consecutive Non Pro World Championships, with 1976 won on Mr Nifty Bee, 177 Mr Ditto String, 1978 on Miss Doll Pine, and 1979 on Boggies Last.
He also won Non Pro World Championships in 1984 on Miss Yellow Jac and in 1992 on Darlene Dillon. In 1986 he took the Novice Horse Non Pro World Championship in 1986 with Hollywood Bandito.
In total, Richie won nine world championships, one reserve world title, three Non Pro Futurity championships, one reserve
world title, three Non Pro Futurity reserve championships, two Non Pro Derby wins, two Superstakes Championships in the Non Pro and Limited Open, and one Superstakes Reserve Championship. At the time of his passing, Greenberg’s lifetime earnings finished just short of $200,000.
An avid businessman, he quickly became involved in the management side of the NRHA, serving on the Executive Board from 1975 to 1977, including a term as President. He was a staunch supporter of opening the NRHA to all breeds and is credited with helping establish the Non Pro divisions. In the May 2000 Reiner, NRHA Hall of Famer and Three Million Dollar Rider Time McQuay shared, “Richie Greenberg can be credited with making the Non Pro division what it is today. He stayed involved throughout the ups and downs and had a large part in ensuring it was a solid organization.”
While Greenberg and Hollywood Jac 86 made their mark in the show pen, it was the stallion’s prepotency as a sire that ensured his name is still found in the lineage of top horses competing today.
In 1984, Greenberg and Sally Brown created The Jac Pac, centered around Hollywood Jac 86 and his son Mr Boggie Jac. In 1993, Hollywood Jac 86 became the first stallion to sire the earners of more than a million dollars in NRHA money alone, and that same year was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame.
No doubt his most well-known son is Six Million Dollar Sire and fellow Hall of Famer Hollywood Dun It. Hollywood Dun It is also the sire of NRHA Three Million Dollar Hollywoodstinseltown. While both Greenberg and Jac are gone, the legacy they left in the reining industry will remain in perpetuity.
Memorial donations may be gifted to: “Equestrian Connection,” Equine Assisted Therapy, Not-for-Profit, 501(c)(3). equestrianconnection.org/donate.
A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Congregation Sukkat Shalom, 1001 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL. 60091.
Feb.16 – 26, 2023
The Arabian Horse Association of Arizona (AHAA) is excited to announce the return of the 68th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The world’s largest Arabian horse show will run from Thursday, Feb. 16 through Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, featuring the world’s best Arabians, exciting competitions, a shopping expo and more.
“Scottsdale is the mecca for Arabian horses and each year we’re thrilled to have unique, beautiful horses from around the world come here for this event,” said Taryl O’Shea, executive director of the AHAA. “The Arabian horse community helped shape what Scottsdale is today and has had tremendous impact both economically, culturally, and socially over the past six-plus decades. We’re grateful for the opportunity to welcome back the horse community, newcomers, and enthusiasts this February.”
The 2023 show will feature more than 2,000 horses competing for more than $3 million in prize money. Event goers can look forward to a huge variety of classes where Arabians will show their versatility, beauty, and grace. One is the new ranch horse classes testing the Arabians’ ability to perform ranch tasks, proving the uniqueness of this horse as good for pleasure riding, working and agility.
The immersive experience will return this year, giving attendees a hands-on experience to learn, touch and ride, hosted by HoofbeatZ USA, a Phoenixbased organization. The
interactive experience, included in the event ticket, introduces newcomers to the world of horses and all the benefits they offer.
Along with the engaging performances, event attendees will have the opportunity to see exhibits featuring fine art, crafts, clothing, and jewelry in the Shopping Expo adjacent to the main arena. More than 300 artisans and entrepreneurs are expected to sell unique goods and offer a wide variety of products and services. The AHAA will also be celebrating the second annual National Arabian Horse Day on February 19 with special events and activities at the show.
The 11-day show will start at 8 a.m. each day at WestWorld located at 16601 N. Pima Road in Scottsdale. General admission tickets cost $15, tickets for seniors are $10, while children aged 12 and under are free. Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, when military personnel and their families can attend for free. A family night will be held on Friday, Feb. 24 giving families free admission beginning at 6:30 p.m. A special general admission ticket good for all 11 days can be purchased for $75. Tickets are available each day at the gate or through Elevate via the website www.scottsdaleshow. com/tickets
The 2023 Scottsdale Show is proud to benefit several charities including Arabian Horse Promotional Fund, Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, Friends of Vail Foundation, Healing Hearts Animal Rescue and Refuge, Horses Help TRC, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), March of Dimes, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale Rotary & Youth For Troops.
Be sure to purchase your tickets for this exiciting new event - it is sure to sell out quickly. All Bulls, All Night, brings western culture to life with Professional Bull Riding an unforgettable night show and an overall event you are not to soon to forget. This night is all about showcasing the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s bull riders and bull fighters that brings our fans to their feet! It is one of the most popular performances, and we have hosted many world champions
who love to compete in the Cave Creek Rodeo Days arena.
Watch this premier high-energy event live at the Cave Creek Memorial Arena on Thursday night. Eight seconds is all it takes to get on the scoreboard but it’s definitely not as easy as it sounds! The score is determined by the PRCA judges who evaluate each rider and the bull for a score of up to 50 points, with a maximum of 100. At the end of the rodeo season, the top bull riders move on to compete for the XTREME BULLS tour championship.
Road to the Horse 2023 is a unique blend of Wild Cards and past Road to the Horse World Champions!
Defending 2022 World Champion Mike Major and 2021 Wild Card Champion Cole Cameron join fellow competitors Guy McLean and JR Robles to complete the lineup.
Mike Major is no stranger to the winner’s circle, he is a multiple AQHA World Champion and a sought after horsemanship clinician. Road to the Horse fans witnessed Major partner with the 6666 Ranch bred colt, Yellowhouse Canyon to take his first World Championship of Colt Starting title in 2022.
Road to the Horse 2021 Wild Card Challenge Champion Cole Cameron will work to follow in his father’s footsteps as he competes for his first championship title. Cameron captivated fans when he built a strong partnership with the colt Sixes Wrapper to win the Road to the Horse 2021 Wild Card title.
Road to the Horse 2023 takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 23-26. Tickets are available at www. RoadtotheHorse.com or by calling 800-514-3849. Stay up to date with all the news from Road to the Horse on Facebook and Instagram! Email info@roadtothehorse.com with questions or feel free to reach us via phone at 325-736-5000. What is Road to the Horse?
Founded in 2003, Road to the Horse strives to entertain and educate fans in the art of natural horsemanship. Road to the Horse challenges the world’s best equestrians to build a partnership with an untrained 3-year-old American Quarter Horse from the Four Sixes Ranch, across three intense days of competition. Fans witness the entire journey, from colt selection to the final obstacle challenge.
The Road to the Horse 2023 will take place on March 23-26 at Cowtown Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky.
US Equestrian is pleased to announce Ryder Richardson (Parker, Colo.) as the winner of the 2022 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award in recognition of his contributions and achievements this year.
The selection committee selected four nominees to interview via Zoom based on their letters of recommendation and resumes. Following the interviews, the committee discussed the candidates and ultimately selected Richardson, crediting his alignment with US Equestrian's vision to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible.
Richardson is an active competitor on the jumper circuit, plays lacrosse, and is involved in several equestrian sport committees and groups. He participates in the USHJA Zone 8 Committee,
The National Reining Horse Association’s competitors had even more opportunities to add to their horses’ lifetime earnings, thanks to a partnership with the American Paint Horse Association’s Chrome Cash incentive program.
At the NRHA Futurity alone, $5,000 in added money was available to registered Paint Horses. The Chrome Cash classes were offered as a part of the Level 4 Open and Non Pro Futurities, with $3,000 and $2,000 added, respectively. The incentive paid 14 places in the Open and six places in the Non Pro, rewarding hardworking Paints making their mark in the futurity arena.
In the Open Futurity, Bringnthaheat and Abby Lengel took the
top honors with a score of 226 in the first go round. For the effort, the pair earned $2,366. The mare, who is owned by Lengel, is sired by Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six and out of Tackie Dreams.
“I’ve had her from the beginning, I’ve done all the riding on her and she’s probably my favorite horse of all time,” Lengel said. “I think the Chrome Cash is another awesome way to get the Paints involved. I got [Bringnthaheat]’s Paint papers early on because I want to get more involved in the APHA.”
Reserve Champion – Customize My Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Gunna Be Custom) $1,440. Ridden by Casey Deary, Owned by Devin Warren, and Nominated by Garth Hystad. 3rd Place – CS Especially Moody (Gunners Special Nite x Judys A Little Moody) $1,080 Ridden by Duane Latimer, Owned and Nominated by XCS Ranch LLC.
In the Non Pro Futurity, preliminary leader Fire N Rein and Jack Medows secured the Chrome Cash prize with a score of 221.5. The Amy Medows-owned mare added $1,582 to her record before she even set foot in the Finals pen. Fire N Rein is sired by Four Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Chicsdreamofdiamonds.
“I’m really excited as I prep her throughout this week, getting ready for Friday night,” Medows said. “The Chrome Cash is such a cool deal. The opportunity to get some money in the first go is really great for the industry and supporting APHA. It’s fantastic.”
Reserve Champion – Sighted In (Colonels Smoking Gun x Dainty Little Step) $1,088, Ridden by Mandy McCutcheon, Owned by Cade McCutcheon, and Nominated by Brooke Wharton
3rd Place – CS Face The Shine (Shine Chic Shine x Face Of A Gun Model) $939, Ridden by Gina-Marie Schumacher, Owned and Nominated by XCS Ranch LLC. Both solid and regular paint horses are eligible to compete in Chrome Cash classes.
You can’t force greatness on anyone. That goes for people and can also be said about horses. The great ones from any species and in any arena in life love what they do. That’s the extra “it factor” that sets them apart from the rest. Reigning and threetime world champion tiedown roper Caleb Smidt loves his job. His horse, Pocketful Of Light, who is the 2022 Nutrena Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year, presented by AQHA, loves it, too.
“‘Pockets’ is unbelievable, and I give him all the credit,” says Caleb, 33, who calls Bellville, Texas home. “No matter what I draw, I feel like I have a chance to win when I’m riding him. When I don’t win, it’s usually my fault, because Pockets hardly ever makes a mistake.”
Bred by Joe Festervan of Dallas, Pockets is by the Grays Starlight stallion Jonathan Starlight and out of Playful Pockets by Freckles Playboy. Caleb bought Pockets in February 2015 from Wyoming cowboy Ian Wells, who bought Pockets as a 4-yearold, trained him in the tie-down, then mostly “eased around and circuit rodeoed on him” to get him seasoned, Caleb says. It’s no coincidence that Caleb won his first world championship the year
he got Pockets.
“Pockets felt good from the very first run I made on him, and I’ve won everything on him,” says Caleb, who also won world titles in 2018 and 2021 on the 15-year-old bay, who stands 15.2 hands and tips the scales at a stout 1,300 pounds. Other Caleb-Pockets career highlights include winning tie-down roping at The American in both 2019 and 2022.
By a vote of Caleb’s top-25 cowboy peers, Pockets also took Horse of the Year honors in 2020. The talented tandem was dealt a devastating curveball that December, when on the eve of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Caleb tested positive for Covid. He was asymptomatic but not allowed to compete per NFR ground rules.
Pockets was Caleb’s main mount again this year. Fellow Texan and 2022 NFR qualifier Marty Yates also rode him on occasion. “A good horse is everything to those of us who rope for a living,” Caleb says. “Good horses just make our jobs so much easier, and it’s hard to win on horses that aren’t as good. I’ve always been a big believer in good horses, and Pockets has it all. He’s big and strong, and short-strided. He scores good and can haul butt and really run. He’s super easy to catch on, has a lot of rate and always stops hard and pulls. Pockets loves to stop. He’s just super easy and so consistent. He works the same every time, and that makes things so much easier on me.”
The Tulsa Reining Classic, one of the National Reining Horse Association’s Top 10 ranked shows, has become a member of 100X Shows, a subsidiary of 100X Equine, LLC. The transfer of ownership is effective for the 2023 show, scheduled August 25-September 3 at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“When we were approached by 100X Shows, we were excited about the opportunities they proposed to grow the event and contribute to the reining industry,” said Pete Kyle, Tulsa Reining Classic owner and manager. “Tamra and I are grateful to have the support of tremendous sponsors, exhibitors and breeders who have been an integral part of the show’s growth and success. We will remain involved with the show and know that the 100X Shows team will continue to make the Tulsa Reining Classic a standout event.”
Carter Smith, 100X Shows and 100X Equine co-founder and owner said, “We have been looking to expand in the horse show industry and acquiring a top reining show is a great opportunity. We are honored that Pete and Tamra have allowed us to take over the reins of TRC and look
forward to working with them to carry on the great tradition of this event.”
The Tulsa Reining Classic celebrated its 20th year in 2022. The TRC home to the South Central Affiliate Regional Championships, the largest qualifying event for the 2022 Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships. The show also includes American Quarter Horse Association approved classes along with a National Reining Horse Youth Association team tournament, plus several futurities and derbies. The Tulsa Reining Classic also hosted the inaugural National Ranch Riding Futurity for 3-year-old ranch riding horses and The Invitational Reining, a junior stallion stakes futurity program with a payout of $575,000 across Level 4 and Level 2 in open and non pro divisions.
A new addition for the show will be the 100X Stakes, as an exclusive 4-year-old only stallion stakes that will pay out a guaranteed $1,000,000 between Levels 1-4 of both the open and non-pro divisions. Stallion owners must enroll their stallions yearly for foals to be eligible to enter. For more information about the program, contact Andrea Stillo at Andrea@100Xshows.com or Chloe Lawrence at Chloe@100Xshows. com.
During the past three weeks, the top exhibitors and their American Quarter Horses competed at the 2022 Farnam AQHA World Championship Show; AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan); Adequan® Level 2 Championships; and Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions classes. The show ended November 19 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. The 2022 Farnam AQHA Superhorse Award is the top honor at the Farnam AQHA World. The Farnam Superhorse title is awarded to the horse that earns the most points in three or more Level 3 events in three categories during the show.
The 2022 Farnam AQHA Superhorse is Hez Blazin Trouble owned by Bonnie Sheren of Studio City, California. The 2015 sorrel gelding, by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Troubles A Blazin, was bred by Stanley and Susan Scott of Ocala, Florida. In the Superhorse race, Hez Blazin Trouble earned 44 points and was shown by AQHA Professional Horsemen Jason Martin of Pilot Point, Texas; Ross Roark of Andrews, Texas; and Sarah Hauer of Pilot Point, Texas. Hez Blazin Trouble won the world champion titles in senior western riding and performance halter geldings, the bronze world champion title in senior trail and was a finalist in senior hunter under saddle. Hez Blazin Trouble received an original Lisa Perry bronze and a $30,000 Cimarron award certificate, good toward the purchase of a Cimarron trailer.
The 2022 Reserve Farnam AQHA Superhorse Nothin But Nett, is owned by Susan Johns of Scottsdale, Arizona. The 2017 brown stallion, by Machine Made and out of KM Hot Number, was bred by Bret and Candy Parrish from Pavo, Georgia. Nothin But Nett earned 38 points and was shown by AQHA Professional Horsewoman Deanna Searles from Scottsdale, Arizona; AQHA Professional Horseman Jeffrey Pait of Aiken, South Carolina; and Rusty Green of Ocala, Florida. Nothin But Nett earned the world champion titles in junior western riding and performance halter stallions, fourth place in junior trail and fifth in junior western pleasure. The Reserve Farnam AQHA Superhorse receives a prize
package that includes $10,000.
Placing third is Hot Lopin Lily, owned by Caroline Cavallo of Gillespie, Illinois. The 2017 bay mare, by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Shes A Lopin Machine, was bred by Twylla Lynn Brown from Perry, Missouri. Hot Lopin Lily earned 35 points and was shown by AQHA Professional Horsemen Blake Weis of Pilot Point, Texas, and Ross Roark of Andrews, Texas. Hot Lopin Lily was the world champion in junior trail, reserve world champion in performance halter mares, third in junior western riding and was a finalist in junior western pleasure.
Placing fourth is Strutin To The Blues, owned by Rodger Call of Midway, Utah. The 2016 gray gelding, by Strutin On The Range and out of Dance To The Blues, was bred by Olivia Hoecker from Alachua, Florida. Strutin To The Blues earned 31.5 points and was shown by AQHA Professional Horseman Chuck Briggs of Azle, Texas, and Brian Holmes of Purcell, Oklahoma. Strutin To The Blues was the world champion in senior hunter hack, placed third in senior working hunter, fourth in senior pleasure driving, seventh in senior hunter under saddle and 10th in aged geldings.
Placing fifth is Snap It Send It, owned by Evon M. Werner of Paradise Valley, Arizona. The 2016 gray mare, by VS Code Red and out of Snap Krackle Pop, was bred by Twylla Lynn Brown from Perry, Missouri. Snap It Send It earned 25 points and was shown by AQHA Professional Horsemen Blake Weis of Pilot Point, Texas, and Jeffery Pait of Aiken, South Carolina. Snap It Send It won the reserve world champion title in senior western riding, placed fourth in performance halter mares, and ninth in senior trail and senior western pleasure.
The third- through fifth-place Farnam AQHA Superhorses each receive $2,500.
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Chase Outlaw stared at I’m Legit Too before letting out an exasperated yell in agony.
Outlaw knew he had let a golden opportunity pass him by during the championship round of the Monster Energy Invitational this weekend in Tucson, Arizona, when I’m Legit Too turned back to the right and bucked Outlaw off in 6.08 seconds on Sunday afternoon.
However, don’t expect Outlaw to be making any excuses or worrying about what could have been at this weekend’s Unleash The Beast season opener when he heads to St. Louis next weekend for the PBR St. Louis Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires.
Outlaw knows that winning a world title is going to come with a rollercoaster of success and failures inside the arena.
It is how you respond that defines a World Champion The 30-year-old admitted as such after he won Round 2 earlier in Tucson with his 90-point ride aboard Smooth Over It. I’m putting my hands on that (gold) buckle this year and if I don’t, it’ll be my own fault,” Outlaw said. “I’m here to ride every bull that I stick my hand in the rope on. That’s always the goal. Since 2019,
that was the last full season that I had. I started 2021 off well and then bad luck, but that’s bull riding. We just have to keep our head down and just keeping our hammer cocked.”
Outlaw began the 2023 season 2-for-3 with a seventhplace finish, and he will head into St. Louis next weekend sitting seventh in the Unleash The Beast standings and 86.5 points behind No. 1 Brady Oleson. Sunday was Outlaw’s first round win since he won Round 5 of the 2019 PBR World Finals, finishing third in the world standings behind Jess Lockwood and Jose Vitor Leme. He began Tucson with an 88.5-point ride on Deets in Round 1 on Saturday night. 2019 is also the last year Outlaw has been fully healthy and on the premier series.
Outlaw, who has had five shoulder surgeries since 2015, had been limited to only seven UTB events prior to Tucson in the last three seasons because of two reconstructive left shoulder surgeries, a right knee surgery/hip injury and a severe left groin tear that wiped out his 2022 UTB season after four events and The American. In 2020 and 2021, Outlaw was limited to just 12 outs at all levels of PBR competition.
Outlaw eventually returned to competition from his groin surgery during the PBR Team Series with the Oklahoma Freedom, going 9-for-18 (50%) and helping the Freedom advance to the semifinal round of the PBR Team Series Championship weekend.
The Hamburg, Arkansas, native continues to be a pillar of inspiration and strength as he continues to overcome adversity on and off the dirt, and he wants to show everyone just how strong the human body and mind can be. In 2019, Outlaw earned an emotional victory in St. Louis when he won the Mason Lowe Memorial Bull Riding and dedicated the win to his fallen friend.
Joey Williams is way too busy being a wife, mom to three littles and rancher to take off and hit the rodeo trail. But a multi-talented bay mare by the name of Baybe Bullet, who’s “Baybe” (pronounced “baby”) for short, changed Joey’s mind on that.
“I wouldn’t be rodeoing if I didn’t have this horse,” says Joey, who on the back of Baybe this year qualified for her second-straight Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping, November 29-30 at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas. “I’m busy to the max ranching and raising three kids. She’s 100 percent the only reason I’ve been out on the road. Baybe has taken me places I never imagined I would go over the past couple of years. She’s the real MVP on our team. She’s just super special, and she loves her job.”
Baybe is a 2011 bay mare by Frenchmans Bullet and out of Beanie Baybe Chic. By Frenchmans Guy, Frenchmans Bullet has sired 88 American Quarter Horse foals. His foals have earned more than $60,000 in barrel racing competition, led by Queen Of Bullets. Baybe is the stallion’s third-leading progeny by earnings.
Joey was the 2012 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association breakaway roping champion back when her last name was Painter, and she rodeoed for Black Hills State University. Ten years later, she’s Joey Williams, Taylor’s wife, and mom to Landon, 6, Carson, 4, and Shay, 1. The Williams family runs a cow-calf operation in the remote rolling hills and timber country of Volborg, Montana, where they’re raising cattle, kids and horses. Baybe, who’s 11, came right off of the ranch.
“Baybe was literally born, raised and trained here,” Joey says. “Our family owned both the mare (Beanie Baybe Chick) and stud (Frenchmans Bullet) Baybe’s out of and by. Taylor has bred horses for a lot of years, and we have some full siblings to Baybe who are rockstars, as well. Taylor halter breaks them and takes it from there. From the first day he started Baybe in the round pen, she has been easy, and it has been obvious she enjoys her job.
“We’ve always been very high on Baybe. We think she’s great, and making the Finals on her was so exciting. When we got the call that she was the Horse of the Year, that was the icing on the cake. For Baybe to get the vote of my peers shows me we’re not just ownerblind. It’s an irreplaceable feeling. I shed tears over it.”
Joey and Taylor co-own and share Baybe, who’s no one-trick pony. “Baybe was actually my husband’s heel horse,” Joey says with a grin. “After college, there wasn’t a lot for breakaway ropers up here where we live, so we went to team roping jackpots for several years. Taylor has won the Montana Circuit Finals heeling on Baybe three times now.”
Breakaway roping is a speed event, and Joey has proven wicked-fast roping skills. Baybe has stepped up and earned her cowgirl’s confidence under all arena conditions. “I can’t name a setup where she doesn’t work,” Joey says. “Baybe’s the type I can feel confident on everywhere. I won most of my money at oneheaders this year, but we did also win the threehead average at Ellensburg (Washington).
“I’ve roped on a lot of horses in my life, and Baybe’s just rock solid in the corner. She stands there like a statue and leaves off of my hand. She leaves so flat that it’s easy to get my first swing up fast. She doesn’t have a fancy, drag-your-butt horse show stop, but she shuts it down and is rock solid there, too. Baybe’s a great horse, and we’re on the same page, for sure. She’s a competitor, but she’s also a sweet mare. I can set my kids on her and lead them around. And when we get home from a rodeo, she heads out to the pasture pretty hot to take a break.”
Joey wore back number 8 at the 2022 Wrangler NFBR. Here's an interview with Joey after she won Round 8 at the 2021 Wrangler NFBR. “I’m excited,” she says. “It was a whole lot of fun last year We’re already dealing with Montana weather (in late October), so it’ll be tough to practice. But this is my normal, so I’ll just try to show up mentally prepared and not let it get in my head. Baybe will be ready. She’s always ready.”
Regular-season leader Martha Angelone rode this year’s reserve Breakaway Roping Horse of the Year, Spots Lil Legend. “Legend” is owned by Tanner Green, who’s the grandson of ProRodeo Hall of Fame All-Around Cowboy Phil Lyne. Teen sensation Josie Conner’s Stylish Drifter, aka “Dutch,” finished third in the voting.
By Jessica Hein
Lights, camera, action! Big Time Movie Star and other Paints scored big in the 2022 American Rope Horse Futurity Association World Championship, October 20-22 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Piloted by ProRodeo legend Trevor Brazile, Big Time Movie Star—a flashy 2018 bay tobiano mare by Shady Lil Starlight (QH) and out of A Masters Hobby—won the Chrome Cash Open Futurity Heading and Heeling sidepots, en route to a Top Five finish overall in the Open Heeling finals, which paid $17,000. The mare is owned by Relentless Remuda of Decatur, Texas.
Seven S Blackjack and Makenzie Cowan doubled up on payouts too, winning the Non-Pro Heading Chrome Cash jackpot and the Non-Pro Heading championship, pocketing more than $8,000. The 2018 brown solid stallion is by Catty Hawk and out of Seven S Cattle Kate (QH), and he’s owned by Cowan Ranch Inc. of Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Four Chrome Cash sidepots featured $3,000 added; Congrats to our champs: Chrome Cash Open Futurity Heading - Big Time Movie Star & Trevor Brazile: $1,200, Jess Tru Ruby & JoJo Lemond: $700, Whizin To Tinseltown & Bryce Briggs: $500. Chrome Cash Open Futurity Heeling - Big Time Movie Star & Trevor Brazile: $1,300, KJ Corona Cartel & Johnryan Foster: $960 Kid Charlemage & Lane Siggins: $620, DE Bright Lights & Cole Davidson: $320, Chrome Cash Non-Pro Heading - Seven S Blackjack & MaKenzie Cowan: $700, Chrome Cash Non-Pro Heeling - Southern Cattitude & James Robert Marshall: $500 RJ Hyfive Cat & Bonnie Matlack: $300, Wrussian Roolette & Kasper Blackwell: $200
Image by Jackie Jensen, WPRA
Courtesy of WPRA
The third annual Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping presented by Teton Ridge came to a close on Wednesday with fast-paced emotional action.
Taylor Munsell, the 2019 college champion from Alva, Oklahoma, set the pace in round six at 2.1 seconds for her second win in the 10-head competition. Munsell also tied with J.J. Hampton for the win in round 10. It was the first time in 2022 that Hampton got to make the victory lap, but the third final round win for the veteran roper from Stephenville, Texas resident. She also won round 10 in 2020 and 2021.
Round seven saw Joey Williams break the 2.0 second mark. Williams, from Volborg, Montana, stopped the clock in 1.9 seconds for the win. Round eight got even faster as world standings leader Martha Angelone got the win at 1.8. That added $5,080 to her impressive earnings and put the seal on her 2022 world championship. It also earned her the Betty Gayle Copper Fast Time Award from the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. She finished the season with $130,303 and earned her first world title.
“This is awesome,” Angelone said. “I left Virginia with nothing. When they started adding breakaway roping to the pro rodeos, I set a goal to go to as many as I could, win as much as I could and get a world title.”
Cadee Williams from Weatherford, Texas, won the event championship by roping 10 calves in 31.9 seconds to get the second most prestigious title in rodeo. Williams grew up in Montana as Cadee Tew, married a Texan and now she and her family spend summers in Montana and compete at rodeos there.
“We all knew that Martha was going to win it (the world title) so going for the average was the next goal.” Williams said. “My mare is just seven years old, so this was a real test. We do this as a family, so it’s a win for the whole family.”
The big money winner in the South Point Arena was Cheyanne Guillory, from Kingston, Oklahoma who collected $27,037. The following are results from the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping, Tuesday, November 30, 2022. For complete results and standings go here.
The newest class of APHA Hall of Fame inductees have been selected; they will be honored June 30, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of the APHA Hall of Fame & Awards Celebration. Inductees are:
RH Mr Imprint—This 1994 sorrel overo stallion was a three-time world and reserve world champion at halter and a top APHA
sire. He was owned by Phil and Sue Drawdy of Fort Pierce, Florida.
Un Zip Me—The 1987 black overo mare earned 10 Amateur world and reserve world championships in Western pleasure, trail, Western riding and showmanship, along with three world and national titles in Open Western pleasure. She was owned by Harlene and Russell Rowe of Long Beach, California.
Lynn Simons—A successful trainer, breeder and exhibitor from Aubrey, Texas, the late visionary was influential in establishing APHA as a top breed organization.
Fred Tabor—Involved since the 1970s, the horseman established Tabor Ranch in California and Texas, where he bred, trained and showed champion halter horses. Recently retired, he now resides in Rancho Murieta, California.
Pat Trebesch—A supporter of APHA for more than 50 years, the horseman from Aubrey, Texas, is respected as an APHA breeder, exhibitor and former trainer, judge and coach.
Craig Wood—The former APHA president from Owenton, Kentucky, is a Paint breeder, judge and Professional Horseman and was instrumental in guiding APHA.
The Arizona Paint Horse Club is getting ready for our biggest show of the year.
APHC Copper Country Paint – O- Rama 2022-2023 December 29th-31st, 2022
4 Judges January 1st-3rd,2023
4 Judges West World of Scottsdale, AZ YOU DONT WANT TO MISS THIS SHOW
By William Pitts
Horse advocates say the number of horses found shot to death is now at 25 after they found another ten carcasses in the forest near Alpine, AZ.
Last week the number was at 15. Simone Netherlands, leader of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, has been leading the effort to find and identify the horse's remains. She said in addition to the 25 confirmed dead, there are 25 more that are missing. "We logged them as missing because we would see one horse dead out of that group," she said.
Netherlands said she doesn't expect to find the missing horses alive, which would make 50 horses shot and killed. Because of a long-standing argument over whether these horses are "wild" or feral, horse advocates have logged 350 out of the approximately 400 horses in that area, Netherlands said, which is how they've identified the 25 that went missing. “We have to fight for these horses, Netherlands said, "and it's literally a battle for their protection so that we can have this piece of very important Arizona history left.”
The horses have all been shot, Netherlands said. Many have been shot in the body or neck and between the eyes. The reward for information that leads to a conviction has also been raised to $35,000.
Young adults are encouraged to apply to continue their involvement in the equine industry.
The AQHLead program is now accepting applications for the Class of 2023. The deadline to apply is December 31. A partnership between the American Quarter Horse Association and American Quarter Horse Foundation, the AQHLead program is designed for young adults, ages 19-34, to help
support their development as young leaders in the equine industry.
AQHLead travel grants will be awarded to 10 applicants for the Class of 2023 to offset the cost of travel and participation in the 2023 AQHA Convention in February 24-27 in Fort Worth, Texas.
During the program, participants will attend leadership-focused webinars to provide additional insights into AQHA and the industry. They will also have the opportunity to partner with a mentor from the American Quarter Horse industry to learn about their mentor’s leadership activities in service to AQHA and the equine industry, and benefit from gaining more insight into their roles in impacting the industry.
Selected young adults will be able to apply for one of five additional travel grants to attend a major industry event or place of interest. AQHLead is supported by a grant from the Dogwood Foundation.
The Foundation for the Horse, which in 2020 initiated its first-ever campaign “Taking the Lead – The Campaign for the Horse,” has announced $11.4 million in campaign gifts and commitments. It has surpassed its $10 million goal. The Foundation made
the announcement during the recent AAEP Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The threeyear campaign concludes on December 31.
The campaign appeals to everyone who cares about the health and well-being of the world’s horses. Its priorities are equine medical research, scholarships for veterinary students, and programs for horses at risk of abandonment, neglect, infectious disease, or in need of urgent medical care.
The campaign is chaired by Dr. Monty McInturff, founding partner and president of Tennessee Equine Hospital in Thompson’s Station, Tenn. It launched quietly in January 2020. It announced its $10 million aspirations publicly in December 2021 with $6.8 million committed at that time. Campaign Success
The campaign’s success will grow The Foundation’s ability to provide scholarships and grants exponentially. Therefore, it can touch more equines and the people who care for them in meaningful ways. “This is our way of giving back to the horse,” said Dr. McInturff. “It’s horse doctors, horse owners, and industry organizations going above and beyond for the welfare of horses. Donors and those who love the horse have made this possible. Equine veterinarians have been making this possible through The Foundation for going on 29 years.”
Foundation Chair Dr. Rick Mitchell, co-founder and partnerowner of Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Conn., stated, “This is what we’re all about—providing resources so that students become first-rate equine veterinarians, researchers improve the practice of equine medicine, and programs help horses in times of urgent need. It is our duty to serve the medical needs of the horse. No other organization does what we do.”
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® crowned Lee Deacon and Tornado Jonez the 2022 Open Champion in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, October 22 in front of a sold-out crowd at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The win was the first for both the Australian-born rider and the bay gelding’s owner, Brandy Ragland.
“Unreal. It’s unbelievable,” Deacon. “In 2016, I made the Limited Finals and that is the last time I made any Finals. I’m very thankful, humbled and grateful. I can’t believe God would allow me the blessing of this and I don’t want to take it for granted. Now, how can I use this to glorify him. I hope I’m an example for any one of these guys who are working as hard as we do, they can achieve it if you just don’t quit. We all face adversity. It’s tough but we keep going. It’s our dream.”
Deacon and the 2019 gelding, bred by the Missi Jonez Partnership, sired by Stevie Rey Von and out of Missi Jonez (out of Travelin Jonez), marked a 224 in the cow work in set two of three in the Finals. Then, Deacon
returned to the back gate to cheer on his fellow competitors. In the end, his composite 667 (H: 222/R: 221/C: 224), held to take the Open and Intermediate Open titles.
The pair earned $200,000 in the Open and another $45,000 in the Intermediate Open. The Reserve Champion was Sarah Dawson aboard 2019 gelding Vince Von (Stevie Rey Von x Hottness x Spots Hot), owned by Wendy Buehler and bred by Fults Ranch LTD), scored a 662.5 (H:222/ R:226.5/C:214) and the $100,000 paycheck.
On Friday, October 21, Debbie Crafton piloted four horses in the Non Pro Finals for the Snaffle Bit Futurity. Aboard 2019 mare Biscuits R Smokin
“This is what we work for,”
Crafton, who also won the 2020 Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity, said. “I love 3-year-olds and the Derby horses, that is my comfort place. I am used to riding all these and it is a mindset to go and do my job as a rider. [The adrenaline] kind of carries you. There was a moment where I felt like I could use a cup of coffee, but I knew as soon as I got back up [to the arena] I could get back to it.”
While Crafton bested a Non Pro field of 21 riding for a $150,923.27 purse. For her, it was hanging out with her second family “The love of this sport,” she said. “I love the people here! All these people here are my family. I have my family at home, but I love these people and this sport. It is just an amazing sport.”
2018 PBR Rookie of the Year Keyshawn Whitehorse still has not forgotten the taste in his mouth following the inaugural PBR Team Series Championship three weeks ago.
Whitehorse and his Arizona Ridge Riders teammates lost to the Nashville Stampede 264-182.75 in the championship game inside T-Mobile Arena.
“I was pissed,” said Whitehorse, who knew if he rode Whiplash that could have been the difference. “They told us not to worry about it and that our team did good, and yeah we did, but I don’t like losing and I don’t like losing like that, especially. It’s like, you’re about to have a taste of the cake and they take it away or they ate it all before you got to it. You bask in the loss, you bask in the trials like that, take it in and use that for energy, fuel and focus.”
Whitehorse channeled that passion at this weekend’s Unleash The Beast season-opener, going 3-for-3 (264 points) at the Monster Energy Invitational in Tucson, Arizona, for a third-place finish behind event winner Brady Oleson (3-for-3, 268.5) and runner-up Thiago Salgado (3-for-3, 266.75).Whitehorse received a huge ovation from the Arizona fanbase, as did fellow Arizona Ridge Riders Vitor Losnake and Eduardo Aparecido, as the Grand Canyon State continues to embrace its first-ever professional bull riding team.
Losnake went 2-for-3 for an eighth-place finish. “It’s huge having myself, Vitor and Eduardo here to be able to ride and perform, so hopefully we gain some spectators and grow a bigger fanbase,” Whitehorse said. “I think a lot of these people will go to Glendale later on this year for the Team Series, so hopefully they recognize us and have even more of a reason to come and cheer louder.”
Whitehorse capped his emphatic showing at Tucson Arena with a 91-point ride on Kid Knapper in the championship round Sunday after riding Witch Trial for 87.75 points in Round 1 and Big Pokey in Round 2 for 85.25 points. The 25-year-old will head into next weekend’s PBR St. Louis Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires, ranked third in the Unleash The Beast standings and 62.5 points behind Oleson.
Whitehorse was one of the surprising riders who went undrafted during the PBR Team Series Draft, presented by ZipRecruiter, in May before ultimately signing with Arizona as a free agent in July. The five-time PBR World Finals qualifier went 5-for-18 for Arizona during the PBR Team Series, including a 90-point ride against Cold Creek in the postseason.
“Main thing is that Colby gave me the confidence even more so, because he is all about energy and stuff like that and he believes in me a lot and what not,” Whitehorse said. “On top of that, Paulo is just always telling you to trust yourself, so that’s kind of the basis of it. There’s no fundamental training or anything like that. When you make it pro, you have a lot of the fundamentals down, it’s just all about how consistent you can be in your hand and keeping that collective.
“I love Arizona. It just feels like a family with them. I feel like the only difference on another team where I have some of my buddies I grew up with, but other than that, I like the coaches, I like the staff, I love everything about it. I mean … we look good in black.” Arizona is also close to home for Whitehorse.
Whitehorse made the seven-hour drive to this weekend’s season-opener with his dad, Norbert, from McCracken Spring, Utah, and he considers bull ridings in Arizona kind of like home games. Arizona also has a large Native American population, and they always embrace Whitehorse, who is from the Navajo Nation.
“Absolutely, on the reservation and Native Americans in general all around the country love bull riding and love the Western sports,” Whitehorse concluded. “I’m just happy that I don’t live too far from here, so the fanbase comes from all parts around here. This fanbase is ecstatic, they’re really into it. They know a good bull ride when they see one and they dang sure let you know that they’re proud of you.”
Sam Matlock Rose of Gainesville, Texas, passed away on November 18, 2022. He was the son of Matlock Rose and Pearla Fredaline Bush Rose, born June 9, 1954, in McKinney, Texas. Sam grew up around his uncles, Stanley, Billy and Jimmy Bush who first introduced him to cutting. He also spent many weekends and summers on the Sid Richardson Ranch in Benbrook, Texas, with a man named Carolton Penn and his wife Myrtle. In the early years, Mr. Penn taught Sam and perfected his fundamentals of roping, branding, livestock, and horse management.
Sam was a Director Emeritus of the American Quarter Horse Association while serving on the Hall of Fame, Judges, Show, Show Council, Grievance and Show Violations Hearing Committees. He was also Chairman of the Judges Committee and served on the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission since its inception. Sam also served on the Judges Committee of the National Reined Cow Horse Association and was its chairman for a time. Sam provided his extensive amount of knowledge to the Brazilian Quarter Horse Association where he worked closely and initiated a Judges Department to its success. Sam was a worldrenowned, certified judge for the AQHA, NCHA and NRCHA, officiating at multiple AQHA World Shows, NCHA Triple Crown Major Events, and the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurities, as well as its other major events such as the Stallion Stakes, Derby, and World’s Greatest Horseman competitions. He became an NCHA member in 1981 and an NCHA Judge in 1999, earning a AAAA rating.
Sam accepted the opportunity to head the Judges Department of the National Cutting Horse Association as its Director of Judges in April of 2022.
Las Vegas Events announced today that Tim Keener will become the new president of the organization, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Keener currently serves as the vice president of event and ticket operations for LVE. Keener will replace its long-tenured president Pat Christenson who will transition to a consultant role to the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees through 2023.
“Tim brings a wealth of experience, leadership skills and institutional knowledge to the position,” said LVE Board of Trustees Chairman Bill McBeath. “For more than 21 years, Las Vegas Events has enjoyed tremendous continuity and success under the direction of Pat Christenson. Our expectation is that Tim will continue to build on the core tenets of the organization and lead it into the future.”
Keener, a native of West Virginia and a graduate from West Virginia University with both an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Sports Administration, has extensive experience in the development, operation and management of special events.
In 1988, Keener began his career in sports management in Charlotte, where he spent the next six years working at Raycom Sports and GNI Sports. While at Raycom Sports and GNI Sports, he served in a variety of roles overseeing the operation and execution of numerous collegiate football and basketball events.
In 1994, Keener moved across town to ESPN Regional Television where he worked for nearly eight years in the management and operations of various special events, including collegiate basketball, football and golf events. During his time at ERT, he developed extensive experience in the television production of special events.
While at ERT, Keener was responsible for coordinating the Las Vegas Showdown, a collegiate basketball event which included
UNLV as the anchor team. It was during this time that Keener developed a relationship with Christenson and UNLV, as well as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. This relationship led Keener to Las Vegas after being hired by Christenson at LVE in 2001.
For more than 21 years at LVE, Keener has been responsible for the administration and operation of all company-related events pertaining to operational planning, event ticketing, sponsor fulfillment and sales and game day-execution. Most notably, Keener has overseen the planning and execution of a variety of events, including the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®, the Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals, SCORE Off-Road Racing, USA Men’s Basketball Training Camp and Exhibition, the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and several NCAA Championship events (2008 USA Olympic Wrestling and Judo Trials).
In particular, Keener’s role with the Wrangler NFR has allowed him to work closely with General Manager Allen Rheinheimer, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Thomas & Mack Center senior staff on many aspects of the production and operation of the event. During his tenure, he has coordinated the front of house setup, shuttle bus operations, the outside interactive plaza, installation of onsite branding and the management of both the Cowboy Corral and Ace’s High Saloon & Exhibit. Keener’s department also oversees all aspects of event ticketing for the NFR.
In addition, Keener has led LVE’s coordination of the America’s Party citywide pyrotechnic display on New Year’s Eve and currently oversees the NCAA Championship bid process that takes place every four years. Through this relationship with the NCAA, Keener will manage the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four Hockey Finals that was awarded to the destination.
Tim makes his home in Las Vegas with his wife, Bridget. Their son, Tim, Jr., is a teacher in the Clark County School District.
The equine industry contributes about $122 billion annually to the U.S. economy, employing 1.74 million people. And, Texas has the highest per-state horse population with over 767,100 horses. So, it’s no surprise that Texas A&M University has
a strong equine focus, and that focus is growing this year thanks to a newly approved Equine Science Institute.
Texas A&M University’s System Board of Regents has approved the new institute which will bring together
science and academic expertise and facilities to advance the university’s equine imperatives: curriculum enhancement, outreach and engagement expansion, facility construction, and partnership development.Support for
establishing the new institute totals nearly $25 million.
The university anticipates graduating industry leaders and to generate research and veterinary medical care to improve the horse industry.
The Last Cowboy from Academy Award® nominee and "Yellowstone" co-creator Taylor Sheridan takes an inside glance into the lives of the NRHA Professional cowboys and cowgirls as they compete in the high-stakes sport of reining and gear up for the incomparable event, “The Run for a Million.” The Run for a Million, presented by Teton Ridge, is the richest event in the history of reining. Sixteen riders, including some of the most accomplished NRHA Professionals in history, will compete for a purse of $1,000,000, with $500,000 awarded to the champion.
The upcoming season dives deep into the intense preparation and training riders experience as they elevate and preserve cowboy traditions in this challenging athletic event. Sixteen riders will test their mental, physical, and emotional strength.
This year's NRHA professionals include:Casey Deary - Andrea Fappani - Shawn FlaridaArno Honstetter - Francesco Martinotti - Jordan McBurney
- Sean McBurny - Cade McCutcheon - Matt Palmer
- Nathan Piper - Fernando Salgado - Craig SchmersalJosh Tishman - Dany Tremblay
- Jason Vanlandingham - Billy Williams
