BRIDLE & BIT Magazine December 2023 Edition by Bridle & Bit

DECEMBER 2023

AL DUNNING INTERVIEW Q - Congratulations on being a NCHA Million Dollar Open Rider -

How does this feel? A -It feels really great! This is not my only big win, I have had others, but this has been a great milestone. Getting to the Million Dollar mark was a long time coming, and it was a lot of fun getting there. We were competing in California, and it was a nice surprise.

Q - The horse that put you over the top is named “Donut”-

can you tell us about him and his cute name? A - Crispy Kreme is such a great horse. He is owned by C.H. DeHaan whom has been a great friend and client since early 2000. We bought him from Dawn Chapman and he has been so much fun to show. I only show him part time, C.H. shows him most of the time. I am so grateful to have horses like this to ride and show, and clients like C.H., whom have been riding with us for a long time.

Q - The Almosta Ranch brand sure has stood the test of time -

When did that name start and why? A - One thing I have done for many years, is write down on a simple yellow legal pad of paper my goals. In 1970 I was the manager of the barn at the Almosta Ranch located on the canal and Indian Bend Road. My goals were to become a horse trainer, marry Becky Lasley and to show and win. So, I quit College and made horses a full-time job all in the same year. By 1971 we were married. Ricky Bonanza was the stallion that we stood, and I did very well showing him. We had 3 horses in the big barn when I started as a full-time horse trainer. By 1971, I had the goals on that first sheet of paper pretty much handled. I had married Becky and was the head trainer at the Almosta Ranch. Becky and I would go to EVERY show and ride in EVERY class! I mean everything……..Becky and I won everything, and people started to take notice. That is how we built our new life together and business. One day a man showed up and said he had bought the land that the Almosta Ranch was built on and told me that they were going to develop the land and we had to move. I told him that I had a 3-year lease. He said we bought your lease and will give you top dollar to sell it to us. I used the money from the lease buy-out to make the down payment on the new Almosta Ranch location at 108th Street and Shea Blvd. on the Southeast Corner. I started with 16 acres there and just kept buying land around me as I had the funds come in from winning at shows. We ended up with 30 acres. I had a great mare named Pink Pony. She was one of the first horses that put me on the map. I had Ricky Bonanza as a stallion standing on the ranch, and Pink Pony was my Reining horse, and she was kicking everybody’s rear. I had won like a zillion in a row on her in the Reining and she was spectacular! That horse was the Love of my life! We bred Pink Pony to Boon Bar, and she had a baby named, 12

BY TRACY WAGER

More Oats Please. Shortly after her colt was born, Pink Pony coliced and died and left More Oats Please as an orphan. More Oats Please became a really special horse for us. This colt went thru some real trials himself growing up. Finally, I showed him at the AQHA World Show where I scored the highest score (at that time) ever scored there in Cutting. Now Becky at the same time was hiding in the bathroom going la, la, la, la, la so she could not hear how we were doing. She did not want to hear the crowd in case they all went Aaawwww, to indicate we had done poorly. When it was time to present the trophy, Becky came running down in time to get in the picture! Then, later on when I showed Expensive Hobby, Becky would duck under here announcers’ desk and not watch because she was afraid something would happen. This went on for many years and for the most part she will watch now, but if it is important, she will still hide because she cannot watch. When we built the Almosta Ranch on 160th Street in Rio Verde, there were so many things from our past that meant a lot to Becky and me. So, I integrated some stuff from the guys that had helped me along the way. I had BLUE DOT MARKS THE NEW LOCATION RIO VERDE THE LATE 1970’S three mentors originally. The first is Jim Paul, he built the patience poles we still use today. My main bridle hook that I still use everyday today, Jim Paul built. The first Hot Walker we had at the Almosta on Shea was built by John Hoyt and it was the first one I set up when we built the ranch on 160th Street. Don Dodge was the third mentor and a really big part of my going into the Cutting competition and Working Cow Horse. Several pieces of the Cutting Pen from Shea Blvd. Are part of the Cutting pen at the Almosta on 160th Street. Wood and pipe pieces from our original are used today in the square pen here today. Don Dodge was at the Almosta Ranch on Shea Blvd. on and off for 11 years. It was really important to us that we have a little piece of all the people that meant so much to us in our career. When I look at the Almosta Ranch now, I know why it means so much to both Becky and me. At the Almosta on Shea Blvd., after we made the deal to sell that land to developers, I had a guy I know bring his helicopter and land in our arena there. We wet everything down do there would not be too much dust blowing. We all got into the copter and flew around looking for places that would be perfect for the new Almosta Ranch to be built. When we flew over the land where it is right now, I told everyone that I am buying that land! They all thought I was crazy!

DECEMBER 2023

How do you like it? A - I love it! We are getting all the footing done by Thad Carr right now and that will make it even better.

Q - Is there anything else new happening at the

Almosta Ranch? A - The new owner Kris Charton had the covered arena built and a really nice new front entrance gate. She just finished putting all new steel fencing in for the pastures and turn-outs. We are working on new things every day, with more to come.

Q - What are your next goals, Al? A -To keep riding and winning!

There was nothing out here in Rio Verde and barely a road to even get to 160th Street. Back then it was a tiny road to get here, trees were growing all over the side of the road and hanging over. Horses and cattle ran wild all over, it was really dangerous to drive out here. We have always been visionaries. When we moved to 108th Street and Shea it was 12 miles to the nearest store and when we moved to 160th Street and Rio Verde Drive, guess what? It was 12 miles to the nearest store again! I remember when I called you, Tracy and told you that we needed help to promote an Open House and Clinic at the new Almosta Ranch on 160th Street. It was not finished yet and we had some time to plan. I had no idea; you had all the ideas. Tracy, you gave me a list of things and said, “Be ready, a lot of people will be coming!” You handled a lot of it, it was so wonderful. Over 500 people showed up to watch the clinic, eat lunch and see our new place. You ran the promotion in the Bridle & Bit, and then afterwards a big 4-page story with photos of all the fun we had that day! I will never forget that day, it was so amazing that all those people showed up to see me and the new Almosta Ranch we had just built.

Q - A new 300’ X 150’ covered arena has been erected at the

Almosta Ranch It sure is a magnificent building and the views are still amazing!

By the way, I am 73 years old now and not slowing down. Today I rode all day, and, in the afternoon, we did construction and work at the Almosta Ranch. I keep really busy every day with a full training barn, and still judge NRCHA events.

Q - The right partner in business is essential - What is it like to

have Becky as your partner? A - I want to make sure that this is said, when you have the right mate in life, the right partner…..that is what really puts it all together. Without Becky’s encouragement and criticism over the years (sometimes I get a little irritated by it), but it is all meaningful, because it is about us. About us and our lives and the business we put together all these years. Becky was involved in building the Al Dunning Training Stables from the beginning. She showed in classes I did not compete in and won it all! Becky quit showing to focus on our family after we lost our kids at the World Show. I was riding and Becky was showing. When she got finished, she said, “Where is McKenzie?” We stopped and asked everyone, we looked everywhere and could not find her. Everyone was looking for hours. She was sleeping on a stack of saddle pads being sold at a vendor’s booth and was around the corner behind the drapes. Another time at the AQHA World Show, I was watching Grady, who was 8 years old at the time. He was sitting in the stands, and I was schooling my horses in the arena at night. I told Grady to sit

DECEMBER 2023

continued on page 14 13

Kris Charton Interview -

Becky Dunning Interview -

the Million Dollar mark with NCHA as an Open rider at the Almosta Ranch. It was well attended and the hosted lunch from Munch Box was very good. Did you enjoy all the activity at the Almosta party & meeting new people? A -That was such an exciting day at Almosta Ranch. What an incredible achievement for Al, his team and family. I was thrilled to be able to help mark the occasion with Al’s friends, family, and colleagues. The event afforded me the chance to meet many of Al and Becky’s longtime friends including, the legendary horseman, Doug Williamson. That was truly a highlight for me.

the Million Dollar mark with the NCHA. How does that make you feel? A - I am ecstatic! I am just happy that finally it happened. Because Al did the other disciplines for so many years and switched to the Cutting full time. Many of the times that he won money is was not on the computer, so those winning were not counted. It was nice how many people showed up for the party to celebrate Al at the Almosta last month!

Q - Kris, you hosted a cool party for Al Dunning and his crossing

Q - Everyone got to see the new

covered arena. Impressive, at over 300’ long, it is one of the largest private covered riding areas in our state. The views are still amazing! Your investment into the Ranch continues with this new Covered Arena and a custom entrance and gate. What is next? A -Well, we’ll be adding a 20-stall barn in the Spring. I’m having to juggle some things around to create just the right space for it. But I think it will be a great addition to the ranch. We’ll have a new trainer joining Al Dunning and Erica Owen here at Almosta Ranch, but for now, just who that is will remain a bit of a secret. I’m hoping to announce that news in your publication this spring.

Q - When you first walked the Almosta Ranch and saw the views

& facility, what did you first think and feel? A - Honestly, it terrified me. It was a much bigger undertaking than what I originally thought I wanted. And way more than I am qualified to manage. But the Ranch was so beautiful, and the people were so knowledgeable and professional it captured my attention and my heart. Truthfully, had it not been for the fact that Al and Becky agreed to stay at the ranch to guide and advise me, I would never have attempted such an enterprise.

Q - The announcement of “NCHA Million Dollar Professional Rid-

er” was a new milestone for Al Dunning in his lifetime of achievements. As the owner of the Almosta Ranch, will you be entering the Cutting World of competition? A - Competition ??? I am not too sure about that. But Al has put me on one of his old champion cutters and I must admit it’s addicting. I’m having a blast and learning so much every time I work the flag or a cow. Yet, at this very early stage, I have an awful lot to learn. It’s undoubtedly far too early to think about competing.

Q - Al & Becky cared for the Almosta brand like it was family.

Passing that legacy on to you as the steward of the brand would seem like a lot of responsibility. How have you felt about that? A - Shepherding the Dunning’s legacy here at Almosta Ranch is not only my obligation, but also my great honor. However, given the reality that Al and Becky continue here alongside me, it’s a featherweight burden to carry.

Q - Last month Al went over

Q - Becky, since you don’t have to worry as much about manage-

ment of the Almosta - what have you been doing to stay busy? A - The Almosta was a big responsibility for a long time, but I still do a lot for the Al Dunning Training Stable! I am still very involved with the training stable business. I have some excellent help, but still deal with it on a daily basis. I love my announcing at the horse shows, but my grandchildren and my son and daughter are a real priority for me!

Q - Al and you have been a team for a long time - what keeps it

going? A - We have had ups and downs, and a lot of divine intervention. It takes a lot of work for us both and we both keep working. It’s a lot of hard work. He is my life partner. Al has been an Elite Million Dollar Rider on EquiStat for many years. That includes the winnings of Reining, Cutting and Cow Horse.

Q - Will you start riding or showing again? A - I rode professionally for years and I quit to raise my family. I will not be showing again, I still have family to take care of. I work with Al every day and I can still ride with the best of them!

MORE Al Dunning

with these people. I am running up and down fencing my horse and I hear this, “Dad, Dad!” I looked all over and could not find him. Then I hear again, “Dad!” I look up and he is on the catwalk up on top of the coliseum arena. Way up on the top all by himself! It was a very dangerous place for him to be over the top of all of us riding in the arena. I said, “Grady, get down from there right now!” I thought, wow Becky wanted me to watch him and to make sure that he is OK, and now this kid is in a death-defying place overhead. When he comes down, I said, “Grady, how did you end up there?” He said, “Dad, I saw one of the workers go thru this door and I was interested in what was behind that door. So, I went thru the door and ended up finding the cool catwalk to climb on and I climbed up on it.” It was amazing that nothing happened but it sure thru Becky and I for a loop. That had such an effect on us, that Becky quit showing that minute and never showed again. She still does not show because now she is helping to raise our grand-daughters Gracie and Hadley. Becky does still do her show announcing, and she will lope horses at the Cutting shows sometimes for fun and to help.

DECEMBER 2023

Farrington Finishes with Silver and Ward Secures Bronze to Conclude Santiago 2023 Pan American Games

Santiago, Chile – The U.S. Jumping Team finished all three individual combinations in the top five to conclude equestrian competition at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, with Kent Farrington and Landon earning silver individually, McLain Ward and Contagious taking bronze, and Laura Kraut and Dorado 212 finishing just off the podium in fourth. The U.S. Jumping Team also secured their Olympic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games while taking team gold on Wednesday.

“We really came here for Wednesday, and they were just brilliant and got the job done there and today, as the individuals always are, is just the icing on the cake. All three of our combinations today have been impressive,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “We had some building partnerships on this team, with Kent and Landon and Laura and Dorado, and I couldn’t be happier with them, both of them jumped as well as they ever have all week. The courses were beautifully designed all week by Marina Azevedo (BRA), showcasing the cultural flare and history of Chile, while also proving technically challenging and built to championship specs. The first round of individual competition saw rails fall throughout the course, but a particularly tricky last line, including a triple bar to a double vertical combination to a long bending line to the final oxer stood out as the most difficult of the day. Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) and Landon, a 2012 Zangersheide gelding owned by Haity McNerney, were the first U.S. combination to test the track, showcasing Landon’s growth in confidence throughout the week. The pair had an unfortunate back toe in the water to add four faults to their score with room to improve in round two. “As a more inexperienced horse coming into this event, I think he continued to grow and improve throughout the week, and I’m just really thrilled with the result. These were big rounds today and some real jumping and I think that shows what the Pan Am Games has become in our sport,” said Farrington. “I’ve had him since the end of his seven-year-old year and he’s now ten, so really coming into his own. He’s won two five-star Grand Prixs already and just jumped better and better as the week went on. He’s an incredible athlete and you can see that he will battle is way out and finished 16

very strong.” Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Dorado 212, cared for by Margo Thomas, who were stellar all week, saw one rail fall in the first round, the A element of the very challenging one-stride combination toward the end of the course. Kraut has praised Dorado 212, a 2012 Oldenburg gelding owned by St. Bride’s Farm, for his continued try for her in the ring, especially in his first ever championship format competition with five rounds. With his longtime partner, Contagious, McLain Ward looked to add another medal to their accomplishments, heading into the first round in the lead overall. The pair were speedy and careful, but a slight shift before the triple bar caused the back rail to fall to add four, while the last oxer also fell from the cups, adding eight to their score, and bringing the leaderboard much tighter going into round two. “It was really a brilliant week for the American team. Really the goal for us here was to win a gold medal and qualify for Paris and I think we did that with a lot of style on Wednesday. I’m very proud of my team and my horse. Contagious really fought for me today. We got a bit unlucky in a few places, but there are always things that I can do better, but he performed great and I’m just really thankful to all of the people that make it possible for me to have a horse as special as him.” Ward and Contagious, a 2009 Zweibrücker gelding owned by Beechwood Stables LLC, and cared for by Virg Casterman, sitting in fifth, rode a brilliant second round, barely touching the back rail of the second-to-last oxer to add four faults to their total, finishing on a final score of 15.34. Landon, cared for by Denise Moriarty, continued to impress with Farrington, producing yet another clear in the second round to mark the pair’s third clear round in five total classes this week, ensuring they finished on their final score of 9.64, which would secure them the silver medal. Gaining valuable experience, Kraut and Dorado 212 finished their second round with two down to push them to fourth overall, just five-tenths of a point behind Ward and Contagious in third. Stephan de Freitas Barcha (BRA) and Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio took the individual gold medal on a final total of 8.06. Watch all of the equestrian competition on-demand on ClipMyHorseTV. For more information on the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games, visit www.santiago2023.org/en.

Keep Up with US Equestrian

Stay up to date on US Equestrian Teams at the Pan American Games on US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter or our discipline-specific accounts for USA Dressage, USA Eventing, and USA Jumping on Facebook and Instagram.

DECEMBER 2023

Celebrate Cowgirls Spirit at the Sixth Annual Art of the Cowgirl Art of the Cowgirl has become the premier event for Western female artists, makers and horsewomen to showcase their talents in traditional trades. Founded in 2018 by Montana horsewoman Tammy Pate, the event celebrates and perpetuates timeless Western trades and the women who keep them alive. The highly anticipated, annual event returns to Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek, Arizona, January 17-21, 2024. It offers a full schedule of exciting and educational opportunities honoring tradition and diversity in the Western lifestyle. The heart of Art of the Cowgirl is a fellowship program that pairs emerging female artisans in traditional trades such as silversmithing, leathercraft, boot making, horse training and fine art with masters in their fields. The fellowship removes geographic, financial and other barriers to entry and offers women access to the shops of top professionals. Each fellowship recipient shares their experience during Art of the Cowgirl, and items they made during their fellowship are auctioned to raise funds for future fellowships. The event kicks off with more than 15 hands-on workshops (preregistration required) in horsemanship, leathercraft, photography, creative writing and more. Some of the best cowgirls from the United States and Canada will compete in the preliminaries of the prestigious Kimes Ranch World’s Greatest Horsewoman presented by Western Horseman and the Wrangler All Women’s Ranch Rodeo presented by COWGIRL Magazine competition. The curated tradeshow, featuring dozens of vendors selling handmade, one-of-a-kind items, will be open to the public. Throughout the event, Art of the Cowgirl Masters and other

guests will conduct demonstrations and discussions, cowgirl musicians and poets will perform, and cooks will prepare food over the campfire to sample at the chuckwagons. Cowgirls will test their skills in a breakaway roping competition presented by Merck Animal Health and cow dog trials. On January 17 and 18, the Cowgirls Artists of America will sponsor a quick-draw contest for six to eight artists, and the completed artwork will be auctioned. On Saturday afternoon, a select group of high-quality ranch horses and performance prospects trained by top horsewomen will be auctioned at the Elite Horse Sale. The event culminates on Sunday with the cowdog trial, colt starting, and a special cowgirl poetry and music concert. Five-day passes are available for pre-order at ArtoftheCowgirl.com, and day passes will be available for purchase closer to the event. For more information, visit ArtoftheCowgirl.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Workshops allow Western women artisans to collaborate with and learn from experts at the annual Art of the Cowgirl main event. It’s estimated that mastering any skill takes at least 10,000 hours of deliberate practice, and after achieving that goal, most people remain students in their fields for a lifetime. Opportunities to learn and collaborate in a creative, supportive environment are also imperative. Art of the Cowgirl offers an inspiring place for women to gain exposure, experience and knowledge in various Western trades through educational workshops held during the Art of the Cowgirl main event, January 17–21, 2024, at Horseshoe Park Equestrian

DECEMBER 2023

Brian Bell Beats

Andrea Fappani in Run-Off to Win the 2023 NRHA Open Futurity Championship

A raucous crowd was entertained by incredible runs in the Jim Norick Coliseum as the scores of the 2023 National Reining Horse Association Futurity MS Diamonds TX Level 4 Finals climbed higher and higher. The audience was confident that Brian Bell and Crystalized Whizkey would take the win with a 225.5, but if the sport has proven anything, it’s that it’s not over until it’s over. The crowd was one of the largest in Futurity history, and the energy was palpable as NRHA Eight Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani ran into the pen as the last draw of the night and attempted to circumvent the lead. With another 225.5, Fappani had secured what could have been a co-championship. But for Bell, who had yet to win his first Level 4 Futurity Championship, it wasn’t enough. He rewrapped his horse's legs, zipped up his chaps, and ran in again to earn another impressive score of 224.5 to earn the coveted title. “I’ve been second twice, by half a point,” Bell said. “I just couldn't do it, I needed to know that I risked it all.” Bell rode Crystalized Whizkey, a mare by Whizkey N Diamonds out of Lonely At The Top, owned by Wallace Wood. This win earned the pair an incredible $350,000, with a portion of that, $17,500, going back to the nominator, Rhodes River Ranch. Crystalized Whizkey is a niece of Shesouttayourleague, one of the competitors in the last run-off that occurred at an NRHA Futurity in 2015. Making the event one for the history books, Fappani rode Inferno Thirty Five, a son of NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Inferno Sixty Six, the other competitor in the 2015 run-off. Heading into the NRHA Futurity, Bell was just shy of the money needed to be eligible to compete in The American Performance Horsemen presented by Teton Ridge in 2024, which factored into his decision to risk it all and go for first place, as second-place earnings wouldn’t qualify him. “I just decided to go for it,” Bell said. “I know I’ve got a good horse; she’s strong, and she’s gutsy, so I’m not going to back off.” Anyone who was a part of that roaring crowd, whether they were one who threw their hat in the arena or not, will keep this historic championship close to mind, but for Bell, it’s certainly a night he’ll never forget. 24

Isabel Sobral Wins NRHA Adequan® NAAC 13 & Under Championship; Flint and Sveen Earn Ancillary Titles

Held in conjunction with the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, the Adequan ® North American Affiliate Championships at the OKC Fairgrounds are an opportunity for horses who have aged out of the futurities and derbies to compete, while also offering competitors of all ages and capabilities take a spin through the pen. While the NAAC classes are the main focus, the show offers ancillary classes as well for those who did not qualify.

Adequan® NAAC 13 & Under Champions Isabella Sobral & Frame Draggin Isabella Sobral and Frame Draggin claimed the Adequan® NAAC 13 & Under Championship with an impressive score of 217.5. “I’m really excited. This is my first time to show at the Futurity,” Sobral said excitedly. Frame Draggin is an 11-year-old gelding by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Einsteins Revolution and out of Coronas Major. Sobral owns the gelding herself, and he was bred by Jackspar Enterprises. When she grows up, Sobral wants to be an equine lameness veterinarian, so the opportunity to show and learn more about horses is something she thinks is great. “My goal wasn’t to win the class; it was just to do good for our own sake,” said Sobral. “So my next goal is just to make it back to this point of showing and winning.” Sobral thanked her parents, who run Sobral Performance Horses.

DECEMBER 2023

PRCA’S TOP BAREBACK RIDER EVER CALLS IT A CAREER The cowboy who set the gold standard for PRCA bareback riders has called it a career. Kaycee Feild, who has won a record six PRCA Bareback Riding World Championships (201114, 2020-21), confirmed to the ProRodeo Sports News that he’s retiring. “Man, it’s actually kind of a weight lifted off my shoulders,” said Feild, 36, about announcing his retirement. “What I’m feeling, it is a pretty dang good feeling. I’m happy where I’m at, it feels good to be home with my family and look forward to being here, not missing games, junior rodeos.” Feild obtained his PRCA card in 2007 and qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 13 times – (2008-15, 2018-22) tied for fifth most ever for bareback riders. The Genola, Utah, cowboy won the average four times in 2011-14. “I’m so grateful for the sport of rodeo,” Feild said. “What I have from the sport, the opportunities it presented me with are humbling experiences. I got to go overseas with the National Patriot Tour and that was a lifechanging event to go over and see war firsthand and give thanks. That was presented to me because I had a cowboy hat, a pair of cowboy boots and a bareback riggin. “It is just a humbling place I’m in and I’m extremely grateful for the career I had and the success I had and the friendships I developed with the committeemen, cameramen, traveling partners, competitors, pickup men, gatemen, you name it. I have friendships that are special to me. “The bucking horses and accolades I have in the sport mean a lot to me. It was an extremely fun career that I was blessed to have. I was blessed with a durable body and a lot of people who kept me motivated. My family was a big part of every bit of it. My wife (Stephanie) was the best teammate a guy could have. The things I learned along the way, the ups and downs that the humbling sport of rodeo is, it makes me so excited for the next chapter and confident in the direction I’m going.” Kaycee and his wife, have three children, daughters Chaimberlyn, 10, and Remi, 5; and son, Huxyn, 8. Feild, who also has a PRCA bareback riding record 29 NFR round wins, was coming to grips with retirement for a little while. “I had my goals set at the beginning of the year to take my family as much as could and that was the No. 1 goal,” Feild said. “Obviously, a goal of mine was to be the world champion and not crossing that off hurts and to not retire at the NFR hurts. It is not the dream I had but it (retiring) is what I wanted more than anything. “It’s been five years that I have been talking to my wife (about retirement) and listening to some older athletes and friends who have retired over the years. It was evident to me last year come July if it wasn’t going to retire at the end of 2022, then for sure in 2023.” 32

Feild said his decision has nothing to do with injuries. “I still feel great physically and mentally,” he said. “It’s crazy that I have the least inflammation in my body since 2012. I was worried about what was going to be my motivator when I was done rodeoing to stay physically fit. I thought it was going to be hard to get in the gym, but I have found motivation of ‘How good can you feel.’ You’re not going to go to the rodeo and get beat up and start getting hurt. Your ribs aren’t going to hurt. Your shoulder is OK, your wrist is just fine, this is amazing. ‘How far are you going to push and how good are you going to feel.’ This makes it a little more fun.” Kaycee followed in the footsteps of his father, the late Lewis Feild, a ProRodeo Hall of Famer, and five-time PRCA World Champion in all-around 1987-89; and bareback riding 1985-86. Kaycee had eight 90-point rides at the NFR, including five in the last three years. His last ride at the 2022 NFR he won Round 10 with a 92-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Night Crawler. Since 2011, Feild has registered 25 90-point rides or better. “I find it hard to talk about it still,” Feild said of his career accomplishments. “It’s unreal and extremely humbling now that I’m able to look back on it. I’m not lying in bed and dreaming of riding bucking horses and the competing, it is lay my head down and rest and dream of what I have accomplished and how to utilize those tools into the next chapter into the next discipline.” During his decorated career, Feild found enjoyment in the arena in different ways. “It varied throughout my career,” Feild said. “I obviously loved riding bucking horses. I knew from a young age that’s what I wanted to do. Throughout my career, my favorite thing was drawing the toughest horses. I loved the challenge. I loved the hype behind big bad bucking horses and to be in the mental state to go at that horse with full confidence that was extremely fun. The most fun thing for me is when my family could be at the rodeos and have a win. It always fun to have them there and when I got to have my family come out on the stage and accept the awards with me and have my wife and kids feel that, because it was a full team, was special. I also can’t deny the friendships.” Outside of rodeo, Field has several businesses he’s involved with. “That’s something I’m excited and motivated about,” Feild said. “I still have PWR PRO that we have had for five years, and it is doing well. Our products are well liked in the Western community and to feel that support is humbling. My brother Shad and I have Warbonnet Cowboy hats, and he operates it and having a business with my brother is a blast. I’ve learned a lot from him. My newest venture is called KTK Fulfillment. We are Fulfillment center, and we will store your products and fulfill your orders. It is a very fast-paced business, and it is fun.

DECEMBER 2023

KALLI MCCALL WINS 2023 RESISTOL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Texas Cowgirl Battled All Season to Fulfill Her Rookie Title Dream

By Tim Gentry

When barrel racer Kalli McCall made the decision to turn pro for 2023, she had one goal in mind: to be crowned the Resistol Rookie of the Year. She could have turned pro a year earlier when she turned 18, but she knew she needed more horsepower to be a serious contender. Her go-to mount for the first half of the season was 16-yearold “Mohawk” (Dr Nicks Cash), a horse she’d had her entire rodeo career, plus she’d added some younger horses to share the load, especially in longer, outdoor pens.

McCall started off hot with a second-place finish in Denver, which she says was the most memorable of the entire season and jumped out to an early lead in the Rookie standings. Another highlight was winning the Resistol Rookie Roundup in April, which gave her a nice cushion atop the standings. Everything was going to plan. Then Reno happened. The run there was fine, but Mohawk came up lame the following day and had to be sent home. Truck and trailer troubles kept her stranded in Reno for over a week and forced her to turn out of several rodeos. It was definitely the low point of her season and threatened to derail her rookie title run. “I was the little rookie out there and didn’t have a clue what I was doing.” said McCall of the breakdown in Reno. “At the end of that week and a half, I was almost ready to pack up and go home. But I said, ‘No, I’m out here. I came out here for a reason and I’m going to stick through it because this is part of it.’ I gathered myself and stuck it out.” Even after she was back on the road, a cloud of bad luck seemed to follow her. She had fallen out of the rookie standings lead, and the young prospects she’d brought to back up Mohawk 34

weren’t panning out. Things wouldn’t turn around for her until she went north to Canada. McCall had seen a horse for sale that she was very interested in, Moons Dyna (“Dyna”), a 14-year-old bay mare who had everything McCall said she was looking for: “little, gritty and turn-y.” She had wanted to fly north earlier in the year to preview Dyna, but her first opportunity was when her rodeo schedule took her there. As luck would have it, she was up at a rodeo in the same performance as Dyna and had the chance to watch her work up close. The next day she got to make a practice run on Dyna and the pair “just clicked.” McCall purchased Dyna and they pulled a check together the very next day in what was only their second run together. McCall says Dyna has been everything she was advertised to be and then some. Together they pulled checks at several Canadian rodeos, including a pair of second place finishes at Strathmore and Langley that she singled out as very special to her. In fact, McCall had nothing but good things to say about her time in Canada. The rodeos and the people they brought together left a very positive impression on her. “It was a great experience,” she said of her first trip to Canada. “The rodeos are awesome up there, and the people are so nice. My little horse absolutely loved it up there.” Now that the season is over and she’s had a chance to reflect on what she’s been able to accomplish, McCall is understandably proud. It’s the fulfillment of a dream she’s carried for many years, and one that she’d only have one chance at. “It means everything,” said the new rookie titlist. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work and dedication to this. To come out on top in the end, this is what I worked for. It paid off. All the struggles and the long nights and all the crazy stuff. It feels great because this is what I worked so hard for.” Altogether, McCall’s official earnings for the 2023 season were $37,407. Second place honors went to Rainey Skelton, daughter of team roping legend Rich Skelton, of Llano, TX, with $29,990.

DECEMBER 2023

Cody Dorman died November 6th. He held on long enough to watch and inspire his best friend to accomplish a milestone two days before. Cody would have turned 18 years old in December. He suffered from Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, a rare genetic condition characterized by growth delay and various neurological challenges. His life will be remembered by the hundreds of thousands of people and one horse he lifted up. CODY’S WISH is a thoroughbred racehorse. He won 11 of 16 races making over $3 million in his career. He will stand at stud next year breeding 200 mares at $75,000 a piece. He is a two time Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile Champion - but his beginnings weren’t that promising. It’s a remarkable story of the power of a horse in a person’s life and visa versa. This story is different because usually a person picks out a favorite horse. What makes this relationship so unique is CODY’S WISH, a horse, picked Cody Dorman, a human, out. Cody Dorman wasn’t supposed to live past the age of five. With shear determination and great care from his family and doctors he shattered that glass ceiling. Cody had many physical challenges. He had 40 surgical procedures in his life, however Cody’s parents describe his greatest battles as mental battles more than physical ones. He fought depression. During one ominous period when he was twelve years old Cody’s parents called upon the Make-A-Wish foundation to grant him a one last one - a tour of a racehorse breeding farm. It was something he dreamed of. 36

Cody Dorman and CODY’S WISH BY Dr. Joe Carter DVM

On the day he visited Godolphin stables, the farm was working with and gentling young horses that had recently been weaned from their mothers. CODY’S WISH wasn’t even CODY’S WISH yet. He had no name. He was referred to by his year of birth, sex, father, mother, and mother’s father - the 2018 colt by CURLIN out of DANCE CARD by TAPIT. The young horses were being taught to walk with a halter and lead rope on that day. To say young horses recently weaned and separated from their mothers are fractious is an understatement. They are pretty much like angry teenagers finding their place in the world. He was acting like all the other recently weaned temperamental juveniles, but a funny thing happened. When the 2018 colt by CURLIN out of DANCE CARD by TAPIT was led up to Cody Dorman he didn’t spook and run off at the sight of his wheel chair. He didn’t act standoffish like the other fillies and colts. He reacted exactly the opposite. He extended his nose out to Cody, nuzzling him and in effect laying his head on Cody’s lap. There was an immediate bond. After that visit the 2018 colt by CURLIN out of DANCE CARD by TAPIT was known as CODY’S WISH. The Jockey Club, which is the registry of thoroughbreds, soon there after

officially granted him that name. Cody Dorman would often visit CODY’S WISH when he was feeling hopeless or depressed and CODY’S WISH would alway pick his spirits up. However, one time it worked in reverse. A couple years into his career the trainer of CODY’S WISH wasn’t sure CODY’S WISH wanted to be a racehorse. He didn’t race as a two year old and he was beaten in his first races the summer of his three year old year. That fall at Churchill Downs Cody Dorman came to visit CODY’S WISH before his first fall race. The trainer noticed an immediate improvement in CODY’S WISH’s attitude. Guess what happened? HE WON! The visit from the boy in a wheelchair had tripped a trigger. With inspiration from his old friend he ran away from the field of horses winning the race by six lengths. With a win under his belt and a few whispers from his best friend, CODY’S WISH became a dominant racehorse. He was particularly successful at what became his specialty distance - one mile. At one point he won five races in a row. The Breeder’s Cup races are the most prestigious horse races not named the triple crown. CODY’S WISH showed enough promise and won

DECEMBER 2023

enough qualifying races to be entered in the $2 million Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile race in November 2022. News of the special bond between the boy and the horse was now becoming known to the general public. Cody Dorman had visited his soulmate several times during his win streak. NBC featured their relationship prominently during their television broadcast. Cody Dorman travelled to see his old friend compete in the Breeder’s Cup. When asked about CODY’S WISH’s chances before the race, Cody Dorman replied “He will win.” The betting public wasn’t as sure, but his best friend did not disappoint. HE WON! NBC Sports race caller Larry Collmus summed up the finish with these words: “The wish has come true! That one’s for you, Cody!” It was a great finish to his four-year-old year. There was much excitement when Godolphin announced CODY’S WISH would delay his retirement to become a breeding stallion for one year and continue to race. The question then became could CODY’S WISH do it again? Two weekends ago, CODY’S WISH was set to defend his championship title in the 2023 Breeders Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita racetrack in California. Cody Dorman and

his family visited him beforehand and attended the race on November 4th. CODY’S WISH broke from the starting gates, but was be continued on page 40

DECEMBER 2023

FROM PAGE 36

CODY’S WISH

DECEMBER 2023

His life will be remembered by the hundreds of thousands of people and one horse he lifted up. CODY’S WISH is a thoroughbred racehorse. He won 11 of 16 races making over $3 million in his career. He will stand at stud next year breeding 200 mares at $75,000 a piece. He is a two time Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile Champion - but his beginnings weren’t that promising. It’s a remarkable story of the power of a horse in a person’s life and visa versa. This story is different because usually a person picks out a favorite horse. What makes this relationship so unique is CODY’S WISH, a horse, picked Cody Dorman, a human, out. Cody Dorman wasn’t supposed to live past the age of five. With shear determination and great care from his family and doctors he shattered that glass ceiling. Cody had many physical challenges. He had 40 surgical procedures in his life, however Cody’s parents describe his greatest battles as mental battles more than physical ones. He fought depression. During one ominous period when he was twelve years old Cody’s parents called upon the Make-A-Wish foundation to grant him a one last one - a tour of a racehorse breeding farm. It was something he dreamed of. On the day he visited Godolphin stables, the farm was working with and gentling young horses that had recently been weaned from their mothers. CODY’S WISH wasn’t even CODY’S WISH yet. He had no name. He was referred to by his year of birth, sex, father, mother, and mother’s father the 2018 colt by CURLIN out of DANCE CARD by TAPIT. The young horses were being taught to walk with a halter and lead rope on that day. To say young horses recently weaned and separated from their mothers are fractious continued on page 42

DECEMBER 2023

FROM PAGE 40

CODY’S WISH

is an understatement. They are pretty much like angry teenagers finding their place in the world. He was acting like all the other recently weaned temperamental juveniles, but a funny thing happened. When the 2018 colt by CURLIN out of DANCE CARD by TAPIT was led up to Cody Dorman he didn’t spook and run off at the sight of his wheel chair. He didn’t act standoffish like the other fillies and colts. He reacted exactly the opposite. He extended his nose out to Cody, nuzzling him and in effect laying his head on Cody’s lap. There was an immediate bond. After that visit the 2018 colt by CURLIN out of DANCE CARD by TAPIT was known as CODY’S WISH. The Jockey Club, which is the registry of thoroughbreds, soon there after officially granted him that name. Cody Dorman would often visit CODY’S WISH when he was feeling hopeless or depressed and CODY’S WISH would alway pick his spirits up. However, one time it worked in reverse. A couple years into his career the trainer of CODY’S WISH wasn’t sure CODY’S WISH wanted to be a racehorse. He didn’t race as a two year old and he was beaten in his first races the summer of his three year old year. That fall at Churchill Downs Cody Dorman came to visit CODY’S WISH before his first fall race. The trainer noticed an immediate improvement in CODY’S WISH’s attitude. 42

Guess what happened? HE WON! The visit from the boy in a wheelchair had tripped a trigger. With inspiration from his old friend he ran away from the field of horses winning the race by six lengths. With a win under his belt and a few whispers from his best friend, CODY’S WISH became a dominant racehorse.

replied “He will win.” The betting public wasn’t as sure, but his best friend did not disappoint. HE WON! NBC Sports race caller Larry Collmus summed up the finish with these words: “The wish has come true! That one’s for you, Cody!” It was a great finish to his four-year-old year. There was much excitement when Godol-

He was particularly successful at what became his specialty distance - one mile. At one point he won five races in a row. The Breeder’s Cup races are the most prestigious horse races not named the triple crown. CODY’S WISH showed enough promise and won enough qualifying races to be entered in the $2 million Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile race in November 2022. News of the special bond between the boy and the horse was now becoming known to the general public. Cody Dorman had visited his soulmate several times during his win streak. NBC featured their relationship prominently during their television broadcast. Cody Dorman travelled to see his old friend compete in the Breeder’s Cup. When asked about CODY’S WISH’s chances before the race, Cody Dorman

phin announced CODY’S WISH would delay his retirement to become a breeding stallion for one year and continue to race. The question then became could CODY’S WISH do it again? Two weekends ago, CODY’S WISH was set to defend his championship title in the 2023 Breeders Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita racetrack in California. Cody Dorman and his family visited him beforehand and attended the race on November 4th. CODY’S WISH broke from the starting gates, but was behind the pack in last place. He quickly advanced forward. Soon he was dueling stride for stride with 2023 Preakness winner NATIONAL TREASURE. The two of them raced down the stretch eyeball to eyeball. Who was going to win? CODY’S WISH did not disappoint. He won in thrilling fashion. The champion with the heart and the courage be-stilled

DECEMBER 2023

upon him by his human friend prevailed. Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin’s U.S. operations, noted after the race that it was “a Hollywood ending to a Hollywood story. You could not have scripted it to end any better.” But there was more to this story. The happy ending quickly turned sad. Two days after the race, on November 6th, Cody Dorman’s family announced he had succumb to his illness and passed away. His parents said, “With Cody’s diagnosis at birth, we always knew this day would come, but we were determined to help Cody live his best life for however long we had him. Anyone who has seen him at the racetrack, especially around CODY’S WISH, understands that in many ways he taught us all how to live, always keeping a positive attitude and being more concerned about those around him than himself.” “CODY’S WISH, displayed his usual perseverance and toughness in winning a second Breeders’ Cup. Those are the same characteristics Cody has shown time and again for the 18 years we were blessed to have him. We have been completely amazed to experience the impact Cody has had on so many people, through the journey that this wondrous racehorse has taken us all on. From Churchill Downs, to Keeneland, to Saratoga, to Santa Anita this weekend, we could not move 20 feet without someone stopping to tell us just that.” And so ends the story of Cody Dorman and CODY’S WISH. It is a remarkable story about the impact of a horse in a boy’s life and visa versa. Joe Carter

DECEMBER 2023

WPRA Announces 2023 Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year presented by Montana Silversmiths

By Ann Bleiker

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – The backbone of any rodeo is no doubt the rodeo committee and their countless volunteers that donate their time and skills to put on a good show for the fans. While the contestants and animals are the stars, they would never shine if it were not for the work of a large supporting cast of volunteers that come together, working for a common goal of making the event a success.

In 1948, the Girls Rodeo Association, now Women’s Professional Rodeo Association was Built For Women By Women by 38 strong female leaders in the western industry. In honor of them and in partnership with Montana Silversmiths, one female committee member/ volunteer that has gone above and beyond in their local community to make the rodeo a success and/or who has been a staple of the local rodeo for numerous years keeping the tradition alive is being honored with the WPRA Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year for 2023. This year’s recipient is Tammie Hiatt representing the Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo in Henryetta, Oklahoma. Tammie Hiatt epitomizes the exceptional standard of an outstanding rodeo committee Tammie Hiatt woman. She has been a rodeo 2023 Outstanding Committee competitor, is a community leader having served four terms as Woman of the Year presented by Montana Silversmiths the President of the Chamber of Commerce, a businesswoman and a founding member of the annual Labor Day Rodeo in Henryetta, Oklahoma, 30 years ago. Five years ago, the rodeo received PRCA and WPRA sanctioning. She brings her expertise and familiarity of these diverse roles to direct the production of this small-town rodeo. “Wow what a great honor to receive,” stated Hiatt upon learning of the award. “I never dreamed this award would go to someone at a small rodeo like ours. This is very exciting for me and our rodeo. I am so humbled and thankful for this honor.” Hiatt has been a proponent of the WPRA and its members from the beginning and implemented tractor drags during the performance for the barrel racers long before it was requested. The rodeo also added breakaway roping with equal added money the first year the event expanded to any PRCA rodeo interested in having the event. She and her husband Mark Hiatt are affiliated with REMAX Double Diamond Properties and she is co-owner of Hiatt Window & Glass. Through her personal businesses she has stepped up and has sponsored the breakaway roping at the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals every year it has been part of the circuit finals. The WPRA received over 35 nominations for this award and was excited to have received so many great stories of the many outstanding women out there. As an Association, we are excited to continue to grow this program and recognize an outstanding committee woman on an annual basis. Tammie Hiatt will be officially recognized during the WPRA Star Celebration with the Top 15 barrel racers on Thursday, December 7 at the South Point Hotel and Casino and will receive a custom made Montana Silversmiths buckle.

DECEMBER 2023

ROCKER STEINER ENJOYS DAY AT NASCAR RACE IN PHOENIX

PHOENIX – The worlds of rodeo and NASCAR collided Nov. 4 at Phoenix Raceway. Bareback rider Rocker Steiner, a two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier 2022-23, shared a day with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Parker Retzlaff out of the Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport stable. Retzlaff drives the No. 31 FunkAway Chevy Camaro. Steiner, 19, was thrilled to be part of the NASCAR experience. The morning started with Steiner climbing into a pace car – with Retzlaff driving – and making some laps over 100 mph at the one-mile oval. “The coolest part about that is that it’s so much different than watching it on TV and being in a car going half as fast as these guys are going when they are racing,” Steiner said. “Going around that track, you feel like you’re flying. I could only imagine what it would feel like going twice as fast with 37 other cars around you. It is pretty crazy what these guys do. “It is a cool sport. I think athletes recognize athletes and it is cool to see how different another sport is.” Steiner’s father Sid, the 2002 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion and grandfather, Bobby, 1973 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider, also spent the day at the track in Phoenix. And none of the Steiners – cowboys at the track – were out of place. “I had people coming up to me and recognizing me, so I guess I have done something right,” Rocker said. “NASCAR has a lot of the same fans as rodeo does and a lot of NASCAR people know what rodeo is. It was kind of the same crowd. It was cool being here.”

Rocker, Sid, and Bobby walked around the pits and shared a few moments with legendary NASCAR Hall of Fame owner Richard Childress and his grandson, Austin Dillon, who drives the famed No. 3 Chevy for RCR. The same No. 3 entry the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. won six championships and 67 races between 1984 and 2000 for RCR with sponsorship from Wrangler Jeans and GM Goodwrench. “Meeting a guy like Richard Childress and just getting to be around somebody like that is cool and it is even cooler to get to hang out with him in his element,” Rocker said. The Steiners capped a day at the races by watching the 20-year-old Retzlaff compete in the Xfinity Series Championship race from the Jordan Anderson Racing pit box on pit row. Cole Custer won the Xfinity Series Championship by capturing the race title and Retzlaff had a solid 13th place finish in the 38-car field. It was cool to have Rocker and his family and all you guys here,” Retzlaff said to the ProRodeo Sports News. “It was a blast to show you guys what we do and hopefully all you guys can come back to another race.” Retzlaff’s sponsor FunkAway offers a full line of extreme odor eliminating products all Made in America. FunkAway products do not mask smells, but with the patented OM Complex™, eliminate the grossest, most extreme, sickest smells. The kind you find in horse stalls, trailers, trucks, public restrooms, or even worse, a teenager’s bedroom. FunkAway products can be found in 1000’s of retail locations including Walmart, Amazon & FunkAway.com

Josh Frost 2023 Linderman Award Recipient

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The PRCA Linderman Award is one of the most prestigious awards in ProRodeo. It recognizes a cowboy who won at least $1,000 in three events, and those events must include at least one roughstock and one timed-event. The 2023 Linderman Award winner is Randlett, Utah, cowboy Josh Frost. This past season Frost earned $232,034 in bull riding, $2,395 in tie-down roping, $1,976 in the steer wrestling, and another $482 in team roping. Frost said he takes great pride in the award and its goal he sets out for himself at the beginning of every year. “It means a lot to win this award, I put a lot of work into it every year to make it happen,” said Frost, 28. “It can be hard to balance two timed events when you’re trying to win a gold buckle in the bull riding. It’s always more challenging than you think, winning $1,000 sounds easy, but there aren’t easy events to win money in the PRCA that’s for sure.” Frost’s focus remains on winning a world title in the bull riding, where he sits third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings headed into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but he said if there was 56

another event that’s his favorite and best it would probably have to be tie-

down roping. “The tie-down roping is definitely the best of the two events for me, I practice that one a lot more,” he said. “I’m more competitive there and can win a little bit more money, whereas with the steer wrestling my size can hold me back a little bit at times.” Frost has now won four straight Linderman awards. His first came back in 2019, followed up by 2021, 2022, and now 2023. He hopes to be remembered as not just a bull rider, but a cowboy. He’s gained even more respect for the other events along the way. The Linderman Award was not awarded in 2020. “I think competing for this award just goes down to my cowboy roots and wanting to be remembered as a cowboy,” Frost said. “I have a lot of respect for the other cowboys and the other events in our sport of rodeo. “I grew up being an all-around guy and roping. I take a lot of pride in knowing that I can compete at a professional level in three events,”

DECEMBER 2023

Dana Avila and Always Do 2023 Select All Around Amateur

Dana Avila and Always Do During the past three weeks, AQHA Select AllAround Amateur contenders competed in a variety of events aboard their American Quarter Horses throughout the AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan®. The 2023 Select All-Around Amateur is Dana Avila of Scottsdale, Arizona, showing Always Do. Dana Avila and Always Do received a prize package that included a neck wreath, $10,000 and a Lisa Perry Bronze. The 2018 Ranching Heritage-Bred gelding, by Cat Man Do and out of Greyt Little Steps by Greyt Whiz, was bred by the W. T. Waggoner Estate and earned 63 points in the Select all-around competition. They were world champions in amateur working western rail and Select ranch riding, fourth in Select horsemanship, fifth in amateur ranch trail, and placed in the Select performance geldings. Amateur working western rail and ranch trail count toward the Select all-around as these classes are not offered in the Select division. The reserve Select all-around amateur is Scott Reinartz of Crossroads, Texas, who showed Only One Request. The 2014 bay gelding is by One N Only and out of Simply The Best by RL Best Of Sudden. Reinartz and Only One Request were the reserve world champions in both Select horsemanship and Select showmanship, bronze champions in Select performance geldings, and placed in the Select hunt seat equitation and the Select trail. Reinartz and Only One Request received $5,000 and a silver bowl. The third-place Select all-around amateur is Shelley Otness of 62

Williamsville, Illinois, showing Cool Coastin Machine. The 2014 bay gelding is by Machine Made and out of Cool Coastin Lady by Certain Potential. They were the world champions in Select showmanship, reserve world champions in select hunt seat equitation, and placed in Select horsemanship. The fourth-place Select all-around amateur is Christine Campbell of Palmetto, Florida, showing Good Lookin Mechanic. The 2017 chesnut gelding is by Mechanic and out of Fabulous Looker by Fabulous Frolic and was bred by Carrie Gross of Sumpterville, Florida. The team was world champions in the Select hunter hack, bronze champions in Select hunt seat equitation, and placed in the Select equiation over fences and Select working hunter. The fifth-place Select all-around amateur is Laina Banks showing Strawberri Wine. The 2008 red roan mare is by Openrange and out of Buddys Buffalo Gal by Buddy Man Jack and was bred by Katie Green of Ocala, Florida. They were world champions in the Select western riding, fourth in the Select showmanship, and placed in Select performance mares. The Select all-around amateur third- through fifth-place award winners each received $1,500. Gene Graves Super-Select Special Recognition AQHA also awarded the Gene Graves Super-Select Special Recognition Award. The award is presented to the Super-Select exhibitor, age 70 and over, earning the greatest number of points in competition at the 2023 Adequan® Select World. The 2023 Gene Graves Super-Select Recognition Award recipient is Karen Dean showing One More Whizkey. The 2017 palomino mare is by Whizkey N Diamonds and out of One More Night by Gunners Special Nite. The pair was third in amateur ranch trail. Dean and One More Whizkey received a specially designed plaque.

DECEMBER 2023

Ranching Heritage Top Horses Two horses earned special awards at the 2023 Nutrena 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 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City October 26 - November 15.

Battle Reys and Nathan Anderson.

Those two horses are AQHA Ranching Heritage-Bred award winners. This recognition comes with a specially designed trophy and a $250 cash prize to both the owner and $250 for the breeder. The AQHA Ranching Heritage program highlights ranches that are certified as AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders. These working cattle ranches produce quality horses needed to work on the ranch. The program is designed to showcase the qualities of a working ranch horse by recognizing the top Ranching Heritage-Bred horses competing at major events. The awards are given to the top-placing Ranching HeritageBred horse in each division, with the tie-breaker going to the horse that defeats the most horses. Anyone can show these horses, which are eligible for special events such as AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenges. This year, these two horses earned Top Ranching HeritageBred awards in these divisions: Amateur and Select Amateur: Always Do, 2018 gray gelding by Cat Man Do and out of Greyt Little Steps by Greyt Whiz; bred by the W. T. Waggoner Estate of Vernon, Texas; owned and shown by Dana Avila of Scottsdale, Arizona Open: Battle Reys, 2018 bay stallion by Dual Rey and out of Dejavu N Blue by Smooth As A Cat; bred by Aaron Ranch of Commerce, Texas; owned by Mark and Deanna Akin of Purcell, Oklahoma; shown by Nathen Anderson of Elmore City, Oklahoma

READ EVERY EDITION ONLINE!

FIND US ON FACEBOOK 64

DECEMBER 2023

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Unveils

Code of the West Interactive Exhibit

OKLAHOMA CITY – The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Devon Energy unveiled The Cowboy’s new Code of the West interactive exhibit Wednesday, Nov. 8, which is now on permanent exhibit at the Museum. The state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar addition to the Museum’s experience was made possible through a generous donation from Devon Energy. “When Devon was approached about the museum’s vision to create an interactive exhibit on the Code of the West, we knew we had to be a part of it,” said Rick Muncrief, Devon Energy president and CEO. “The Code of the West principles are something I personally try to live by and how I strive to manage, plus they also align perfectly with Devon’s values of ‘Integrity, Relationships, Courage and Results.’ That is why I am honored to announce Devon as the presenting sponsor of the Code of the West Interactive Exhibit with a gift to the museum’s Live the Code capital campaign.” The Code of the West is an interactive, wide-screen exhibition, highlighting the values of the Code of the West as written by author Jim Owen in his book Cowboy Ethics – What Wall Street Can Learn from the Code of the West. While various versions of the code exist going back to Zane Grey’s 1934 novel, The Code of the West, Owen’s version was adopted by the Museum for use in the interactive exhibit. The nearly 30ft LED main screen features shifting images from the museum’s collection, as well as the 10 components of the code, encouraging guests to interact with one of two touchscreens on either end of the exhibit. Guests are then able to explore code, choosing the component and associated values that resonate most with them. After making their choices, guests are prompted to take their picture using embedded cameras at the interactive kiosk and add their image and chosen values to a tapestry of images on the widescreen at the center of the exhibit in real-time. Guests are also able to receive a digital file of their custom image to share on social media, amplifying the impact of the Code of the West experience and extending its influence beyond museum walls. The new exhibit is the first in a series of projects over the next three years that are part of The Cowboy’s recently launched Live the Code capital campaign, an initiative to raise $40 million to modernize the Museum’s guest experiences and infrastructure. “This campaign is a transformational moment for The Cowboy,” said Larry Nichols, Devon chairman emeritus, museum board member and capital campaign chairman. “The initiatives we’re

implementing will allow this museum to continue to be a best-inthe-world destination for Western history, art and culture while preserving the important values that are so often associated with the West; values that have been so important to me personally as well. This new Code of the West Interactive Exhibit is the first example of the state-of-the-art technologies being added to the experience here at the Museum that will allow guests to engage with our stories in innovative ways; ways that will appeal for generations to come.” Guests can already see the benefits realized from the newly launched capital campaign with this Code of the West interactive exhibit at The Cowboy, thanks to the presenting sponsor Devon. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Devon, its board and leadership team,” said Pat Fitzgerald, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum president and CEO. “It is truly an organization that demonstrates these values every day, and this partnership elevates both of our institutions.” Major campaign efforts include transforming the Museum’s exhibits by creating best-in-the-world experiences to teach and interpret the diverse history of the West; enhancing the storage capacity and environmental conditions of the vaults that serve as the finest repository of Western and Native American art, artifacts and documents; and investing in facility and infrastructure upgrades. About the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Founded in 1955, the Museum collects, preserves and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts while sponsoring dynamic educational programs to stimulate interest in the enduring legacy of the American West. The Museum is located only six miles northeast of downtown Oklahoma City at 1700 Northeast 63rd Street. For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org. About Devon Energy Devon Energy is a leading oil and gas producer in the U.S. with a premier multi-basin portfolio headlined by a world-class acreage position in the Delaware Basin. Devon’s disciplined cash-return business model is designed to achieve strong returns, generate free cash flow and return capital to shareholders, while focusing on safe and sustainable operations. For more information, please visit www.devonenergy.com.

Mallory Vroegh is AQHA All-Around Amateur

The 2023 AQHA All-Around Amateur is Mallory Vroegh of Grimes, Iowa, who showed Cool Made Machine, owned by AQHA Professional Horsewoman Shannon Walker. Walker is also Vroegh’s mother and received this award for her during the in-arena presentation. The 2017 bay gelding by Machine Made and out of Cool Krymsun Lady was bred by Knapp Quarter Horse Farms LC of Van Meter, Iowa. Vroegh and Cool Made Machine earned 38.5 points in amateur competition by being the reserve world champions in hunt seat equitation, placing third in performance halter geldings and hunter under saddle, seventh in horsemanship and eighth in western pleasure. The team received a prize package that included a neck wreath, $10,000 and a Lisa Perry Bronze.

DECEMBER 2023

Sandy Jirkovsky APHA director of judges & professional horsemen By Jessica Hein The American Paint Horse Association is proud to announce the appointment of Sandy Jirkovsky as its new director of judges and professional horsemen. Jirkovsky, a highly respected and accomplished professional in the equine industry, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. Most recently, Jirkovsky

served as APHA’s director of Youth and Amateur activities; Jirkovsky will continue to assist with those programs until that role is filled. Jirkovsky grew up in the horse industry and has been a professional trainer and coach since 1975. She has been a carded judge with APHA, AQHA, ApHC, NRHA, NRCHA and NSBA for over 30 years. A popular instructor

at judging seminars and clinics around the world, Jirkovsky has a passion for teaching and judging. She previously served on APHA’s Board of Directors, as well.

Pursuit of Excellence

In her capacity as director of judges and professional horsemen, Jirkovsky will play

a pivotal role in overseeing the judging standards and practices for APHA-sanctioned events. She will work closely with the association’s leadership and the broader equine community to ensure the highest level of judging excellence in all events involving American Paint Horses. Furthermore, she will enhance the Markel/APHA Professional Horseman’s program and serve as staff liaison to the judges and professional horsemen advisory committees, among other duties. “Sandy Jirkovsky’s appointment is a step forward for the American Paint Horse Association,” APHA Chief Executive Officer David Dellin said. “Her wealth of experience and dedication to the equine industry make her the ideal person to guide our judging programs to even greater heights.” With a history of active involvement in equine organizations as an exhibitor, breeder, trainer, clinician, judge and staff member, Jirkovsky is well-prepared to lead the association’s judging and professional horsemen initiatives. “I am truly honored to be named the director of judges and professional horsemen for the American Paint Horse Association,” Jirkovsky said. “APHA has a rich tradition of excellence and innovation, and I am committed to maintaining and elevating the high standards for which the association is known. I look forward to working with the APHA team and the equine community to ensure that our judging and professional horsemen programs continue to be a source of pride and integrity for our organization.” Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal. vided back to 70

DECEMBER 2023

Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, was born on the 11th of May, 1992.

The purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo passed away on October 21st at his home in Conqueiros, Portugal, where he lived his entire life with the Costa family. The announcement was made by Karen Becker, DVM, who had met Bobi several times. Bobi lived his whole life in Conqueiros, Portugal, where

World’s oldest dog, Bobi, dies at 31 The Guinness World Record holder lived to be 31 years and 165 days old

he roamed freely. This was captured in 1999, when the dog was only seven years old. Photo courtesy Guinness World Records While reaching a recordbreaking age, Bobi was considered “lucky” to have even survived puppyhood in a litter of four. Since the Costa

family already owned too many animals at the time, it was not part of the plan to keep Bobi. “Unfortunately, at that time it was considered normal by older people […] to bury the animals in a hole so that they would not survive,” Leonel Costca, Bobi’s owner, says. The litter was taken away by Costca’s parents. Luckily, Bobi was accidentally left behind and dodged the ordeal. He was secretly kept by Costca and his brothers—and the rest was history. Costca attributes Bobi’s long life to the “calm, peaceful” environment he lived in. The old dog was free-roaming and was never tied up, chained, nor leashed. Even in his latter senior years, and was less mobile, Bobi remained “very sociable,” spending time in the backyard with his feline companions. Another notable part of Bobi’s long life was his human food diet. “What we ate, they ate too,” Costca says. Bobi, the world’s oldest dog living (and oldest dog ever!) is celebrating his birthday in Portugal, surrounded by family, friends, and hundreds of admirers, Guinness reports. Photo courtesy Guinness World Records Bobi was recognized the world’s oldest dog living and oldest dog ever by Guinness in February 2023. The Serviço Medico-Veterinário do Município de Leiria (Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria), where he was registered, confirmed his birth date (May 11, 1992). Bobi’s age was also verified by the Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia (SIAC), a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government and managed by the SNMV (Sindicato Nacional dos Médicos Veterinários; National Union of Veterinarians).

DECEMBER 2023

Hot Lopin Lily wins the AQHA Superhorse Title 2023 Superhorse Hot Lopin Lily ridden by AQHA Pro Horseman Blake Weis in senior trail

The 2023 AQHA Superhorse Award is the top honor at the Nutrena AQHA World, and it’s awarded to the horse that earns the most points in three or more Level 3 events in three or more categories during the show. The 2023 AQHA Superhorse is Hot Lopin Lily, owned by Caroline Cavallo of Staunton, Illinois. The 2017 bay mare, by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Shes A Lopin Machine by A Good Machine, was bred by Twylla Lynn Brown from Perry, Missouri. Hot Lopin Lily earned 49 points in the Superhorse competition 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 senior trail and performance halter mares, third in senior western riding and was eighth in senior western pleasure. I n addition to the title of 2023 AQHA Superhorse, they will receive a rose bouquet, a two-thousand-dollar Equibrand gift certificate, a bronze by Lisa Perry, a Blue Ribbon Tack work saddle and $15,000. The 2023 Reserve AQHA Superhorse is Sevens Star Glo owned and bred by Marshall Wier of Lipan, Texas. The 2017 buckskin stallion, by CSR Dual Glo and out of Sevens Tootsie by Hes Dun His Time earned 29 points and was shown by Logan Dee Harkey of Clyde, Texas; Cade Rice of Lipan, Texas; AQHA Professional Horseman Buddy Laney of McFarland, Wisconsin; and Bethanie Ilene Shofner of Clyde, Texas. Sevens Star Glo won the world champion title in senior heading, was fifth in senior pole bending and performance halter stallions and was a finalist in senior tie-down roping and senior heeling. The Reserve AQHA Superhorse receives a prize package that includes $10,000. Placing third 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 by Skys Blue Boy, was bred by Olivia Hoecker from Alachua, Florida. Strutin To The Blues earned 74

21 points and was shown by AQHA Professional Horseman Chuck Briggs of Azle, Texas. Strutin To The Blues was the world champion in senior hunter hack, fourth in senior working hunter and senior pleasure driving, and 10th in aged geldings. Placing fourth is That Is That, owned by Michael Schultz from West Bend, Wisconsin. The 2018 gray gelding by Only Blue Sky and out of Detailed Assets by Allocate Your Assets, was bred by Jennifer Clark from Monon, Indiana. That Is That earned 20 points and was shown by AQHA Professional Horsemen Chuck Briggs of Azle, Texas. That Is That was the world champion in junior working hunter, the reserve world champion in junior hunter hack and was the bronze world champion in junior pleasure driving. Placing fifth is Cee My Special Nite, owned by Libby Williams Haydon of Phoenix. The 2017 buckskin stallion is by Gunners Special Nite and out of Cee Dun It Do it by Hollywod Dun It, was bred by McQuay Stables of Aubrey, Texas. Cee My Special Nite earned 14.5 points and was shown by AQHA Professional Horsemen Pete Kyle of Amarillo, Texas, and Ross Roark of Andrews, Texas. Cee My Special Nite was the bronze world champion in performance halter stallions, finished fourth in senior reining and was a finalist in ranch riding and heading. The third- through fifth-place AQHA Superhorses each receive $2,500.

About the Nutrena AQHA World

The Nutrena AQHA World, Adequan® Select World and Adequan® Level 2 Championships are the premier events in the equine industry for amateur, Select amateur and open exhibitors. The show includes Level 3 and Adequan® Level 2 classes, as well as Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions classes. The shows feature over three weeks of exciting competition, educational opportunities and a bountiful trade show. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.

DECEMBER 2023

2023 Heel Horse of the Year Kadabra King

Patrick Smith rides “Turbo” back to rodeo’s center stage

By Lane Karney for The American Quarter Horse Journal

At 43, two-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion team roper Patrick Smith is kind of a comeback kid riding a second career wave right now. After a seven-year absence at the Super Bowl of Rodeo, he’s about to rope at his second-straight Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Patrick’s rodeo resurgence has everything to do with his young-gun header, Tanner Tomlinson, and Patrick’s heel horse, Kadabra King. And by a vote of Patrick’s cowboy peers, “Turbo” was just named the 2023 Nutrena Heel Horse of the Year, presented by AQHA, for the second-straight season. Patrick and his wife, Christi, proudly co-own the

SHOP LOCAL FIND US ON For Personal Service

Cell: 602-390-3555

EMAIL: bridleandbit@aol.com

Disclaimer

The Publisher and Editor cannot be held responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of information contained in this publication; the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher and Editors, neither does the publication of advertisements constitute any endorsement by the Publisher and Editors of the products advertised.

2010 dun gelding who is by Abrakadabracre and out of Quixote Jessie by Holidoc. Turbo was bred by Wayne and Carolann Hodges of Weatherford, Texas. But Patrick smiles when he speaks of the journey that started with a broncy 4-year-old and led to back-to-back horse-of-the-year honors. “Turbo was an outlaw. He wasn’t terrible to be around but wanted to buck every single time you saddled him. I sent him to my good friend Ben Gambrell, who just spent the first six months only roping the machine, going really slow. After that, he just spent six

months roping only slow cattle,” says Patrick, who is roping at his 14th NFR. “After that, he was really good when he was good, but looked at every piece of trash and Ferris wheel there was. When he was 9, Turbo really came into his own. That’s when he went from being really good but inconsistent to being spoton every time.” It’s no secret that there is a strong correlation between the best ropers and the best horses, and Patrick aboard Turbo is Exhibit A. “I’ve always said my great years were tied to great horses. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of great horses. Having Turbo and a great header in Tanner is like having ‘Jaws’ (upon whom Patrick won the 2003 NFR average with Matt Tyler and his first gold buckle in 2005 with Clay Tryan) with Clay, and ‘Amigo’ (registered as Sunday Night Bingo, who tied with Randon Adams’ great horse Baileys Copper Doc for heel horse of the year in 2007, and carried Patrick to his second world championship in 2010 with Trevor Brazile). Great horses let us go to the next level,” says Patrick, who rode Turbo to a new NFR average record behind Tanner in 2022. “Glory to God for the great horses. I’ve had some really good ones but am fortunate to have had some great ones, and Turbo definitely fits in that category.” Patrick’s peers clearly agree that Turbo fits into that category, since the horse of the year awards in the timed events are voted on by the top 25 in the world standings. “I want to say thank you to all the other ropers that voted for him. I truly believe Turbo’s one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden, and it’s special to win it back-to-back. There are some really special horses out there, but not one that went to 70 out of the 75 rodeos we went to and all the jackpots. Turbo’s a warrior and I think that’s what it takes to win this title,” Patrick says..

DECEMBER 2023

2023 Head Horse of the Year Mr Joes Shadow Bar Clint Summers’ secret weapon is anything but average

By Lane Karney for The American Quarter Horse Journal

Clint Summers has earned a reputation for rodeo horsepower. He’s headed to his third Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which runs December 7-16 in Las Vegas, and is part of the exclusive list of NFR team roping switch-enders, who’ve both headed and heeled at the Super Bowl of Rodeo. Clint made his first appearance heeling for 2017 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion header Erich Rogers in 2018, and returned in 2021 heading for Ross Ashford. This year, Clint will nod his head, roping with 13-time NFR heeler Jake Long.

Clint wisely placed heavy emphasis on his arsenal of head horses when he made the transition from professional heeling to heading at the highest level. The top 25 in the world standings con-

cur that Clint’s Mr Joes Shadow Bar, better known at the barn as “Joe,” is the 2023 Nutrena Head Horse of the Year, presented by AQHA. Joe is a 2011 bay gelding by Mr Joes Bar Song and out of Princess Hailstone by Nick Eyed Cody. He was bred by Randy and Treva Smyser of Sheridan, Missouri. “It’s not every day you find one like him. You would never think he can run and do the things he can do, because he’s so laid back. Normally when a horse can run like that, they get pretty amped up, but his heart doesn’t hardly beat when you ride in the box,” says Clint, 32, of Lake City, Florida. “Joe’s so laid back, and the same whether you’re out in the warm-up arena or riding in the box.” This story can’t be told without mention of two other iconic NFR switch-enders. Clint purchased the 2011 brown gelding from 33-time National Finals (22-time National Finals Rodeo and 11 National Finals Steer Roping) qualifier and AQHA Professional Horseman J. D. Yates. “I got Joe last fall on my way home from Pendleton. I tried him in August, but J. D. let me leave him there until I got done in the Northwest. The rest has been history. That horse has been very, very helpful for me and my family,” says Clint, who also rode Joe to 2023 Head Horse of the Bob Feist Invitational honors. The other impactful mention is that of the King of the Cowboys, 26-time PRCA World Champion and three-time AQHA World Champion Trevor Brazile. When it comes to making the move from heeling to heading, and knowing the importance of great horses, who better for Clint to lean on. “When I quit heeling, Trevor had a big influence on it and told me he’d help me. He was always known for having the best horses and being the very best. The only way I was going to do it was if he was behind me 100 percent. I needed his help, and he has been all-in,” Clint says. “We’ve talked about every horse I’ve bought, even if he doesn’t come from him.” Because riding great horses is at the forefront of Clint’s roping program, being honored by his peers as riding the very best in 2023 holds a special place for him. “That’s a big award. Obviously, I try to get the best horses I can get my hands on. But I want to be known for having some of the very best. I work at that, so to get recognized with this award is special and gratifying,” Clint says. “I’ve been lucky to have Joe and a big support system in my family and friends. I wouldn’t be able to win this if I didn’t have them on my side.”

DECEMBER 2023

TERRY BRADSHAW’S OKLAHOMA RANCH NFL LEGEND MOVES SOUTH TO TEXAS.

OUT-OF-STATE INTERESTS VENTURE NOW DEVELOPING LARGE SCALE MULTIFACETED EQUINE COMPLEX ON 800-ACRE FACILITY. DALLAS, Nov. 7, 2023 /CNW/ -- The Icon Global Group has announced the completed sale of the Bradshaw Ranch owned by NFL Quarterback Legend and Host of Fox TV NFL Sunday, Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw recently closed the sale of his long-time ranch and home near Thackerville, Oklahoma, handing off more than twenty years of ownership. The enormous homestead on the sprawling almost 800-acre property was also the primary filming location for E Entertainment Television’s, “The Bradshaw Bunch”. The extensive property was also an intensive grazing and working cattle operation as well as being an internationally renowned breeder of world champion halter class quarter horses. It was listed on the market for $22.5 million dollars. The property has been re-branded as Red River Equine. The ranch is being re-developed and marketed as a large-scale premiere breeding, training, and sales preparation facility catering to several different aspects of the American Quarter Horse industry. The facility will stand a variety of specialty proven stallions for breeding, provide embryo transfer as well as other niche management and breeding practices focused on augmenting various alternative breeder, trainer, and competitor needs in the rapidly growing sector of the horse industry. The new ownership is a joint venture between two formerly out-of-state identities, Billy, and Suzzone Franks of Texas, together with Chad and Tiffeny Beus who have relocated from Utah to lead the venture development. Beus stated, “We chose this location and facility because of its very central geographical location to all points within the region, especially central to Texas and Oklahoma. This is important to our clientele and to the expansion requirements of our business. The large size of the ranch with its already 84

established infrastructure and first-class facilities of the long-standing Bradshaw operation was a perfect platform from which to not only launch our operations but importantly to build upon, improve, and diversify he said. Terry Bradshaw said, “The decision-making process to finally selling has been a long and winding road. Along the way, we have been presented with and considered many great offers, opportunities, and proposals. However, between my own schedule, the TV series, my family’s changing needs, our horse and cattle business, as well as many other commitments, neither timing nor opportunity was ever on our side or completely aligned. Plus, and frankly, I loved this ranch so much, having built it from the ground up, so I was very tied to it. Tammy and I really didn’t want to make the final break until we found our perfect sunset opportunity to do what we enjoy on a smaller scale and in a place, we absolutely love, and we found that. Working with Bernie Uechtritz and his Team over at Icon Global has really been phenomenal. Tammy and I appreciate Bernie’s long-time professionalism, patience, personality, and counsel. I sincerely recommend Icon Global to anyone within the equestrian, ranching, and land business needs, whether simplistic or especially complex like our deal.” Icon Global founder Bernard Uechtritz added, “This important sale was the culmination and alignment of the efforts of many people, teams, and factors over time, and far too many to mention everyone involved. However, I do want to especially recognize and thank my good friends and professional associates starting with Bill Fandel in Telluride, Colorado, as well as Jeff Boswell and Brian Pickens in Dallas and Houston, all of whom were integral to the team at Icon’s success formula in getting this deal beginning to end, across the line. Michael Ferguson and his team at Capital Farm Credit in Bryan were masterful in leading the critical financing aspects of the sale which closed in record time despite what Mother Nature and Murphy’s law had thrown at us along the way. We were able to announce the call for offers marketing in April and then complete our closed sale process in just a couple of months”.

DECEMBER 2023

It’s estimated that mastering any skill takes at least 10,000 hours of deliberate practice, and after achieving that goal, most people remain students in their fields for a lifetime. Opportunities to learn and collaborate in a creative, supportive environment are also imperative. Art of the Cowgirl offers an inspiring place for women to gain exposure, experience and knowledge in various Western trades through educational workshops held during the Art of the Cowgirl main event,

Workshops allow Western women artisans to collaborate and learn from experts at the annual Art of the Cowgirl January 17–21, 2024, at Horseshoe Park Equestrian Center in Queen Creek, Arizona. Gaining the confidence and knowledge to start a hobby or small business in the Western industry can be especially daunting for women in agriculture due to family obligations, responsibilities at home, and financial and geographical boundaries. Art of the Cowgirl

aims to reduce some of those barriers to entry through its fellowship program, which unites recipients with experts in their fields for extended one-on-one learning opportunities. The workshops help raise funds for the fellowship program while giving women expert advice, hands-on experience and stepping stones to pursue their passions.

DECEMBER 2023

“Art of the cowgirl offers a wonderful opportunity to participate and learn in a community that seeks to raise up women of all skill levels,” says Traditional Cowboy Arts Association saddlemaker John Willemsma, who will teach a workshop on drawing for leather tooling. The event will offer 18 workshops instructed by Art of the Cowgirl’s masters, such as Willemsma, Robin Brown, Teresa Black and Trina Morris, as well as guest presenters. Topics include horsemanship, photography, creative writing, purse making, drawing for leather tooling and entrepreneurship. “If you are seeking to expand your artistic skills, horsemanship or Western craft, these workshops are so rich and full of hands-on, expert knowledge,” notes Phyllis Burchett and Kimberly Beers, instructors for the photography workshop. “At the heart of Art of the Cowgirl is a community sharing artistic skills and knowledge. We have often witnessed Art of the Cowgirl workshop instructors being completely open in sharing their expertise. This open learning environment is one of the reasons we wanted to be involved in Art of the Cowgirl events.” Making its debut at Art of the Cowgirl, Boss Mares, Inc., a newly formed non-profit organization supporting female business owners and entrepreneurs in the Western industry, will hold two two-hour workshops featuring three successful businesswomen in the Western industry who will share advice with attendees to help them energize their creativity and take their businesses to new levels. Collaboration is a common theme at Art of the Cowgirl, and the workshops provide the perfect place to learn from the industry’s best, celebrate successful women and honor Western traditions.

DECEMBER 2023

Celebrate Cowgirls Spirit at the Sixth Annual Art of the Cowgirl Main Event Art of the Cowgirl has become the premier event for Western female artists, makers and horsewomen to showcase their talents in traditional trades. Founded in 2018 by Montana horsewoman Tammy Pate, the event celebrates and perpetuates timeless Western trades and the women who keep them alive. The highly anticipated, annual event returns to Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre in Queen

Creek, Arizona, January 17-21, 2024. It offers a full schedule of exciting and educational opportunities honoring tradition and diversity in the Western lifestyle. The heart of Art of the Cowgirl is a fellowship program that pairs emerging female artisans in traditional trades such as silversmithing, leathercraft, boot making, horse training and fine art with masters in their fields. The fellowship removes

geographic, financial and other barriers to entry and offers women access to the shops of top professionals. Each fellowship recipient shares their experience during Art of the Cowgirl, and items they made during their fellowship are auctioned to raise funds for future fellowships. The event kicks off with more than 15 hands-on workshops (pre-registration required) in horsemanship, leathercraft,

DECEMBER 2023

photography, creative writing and more. Some of the best cowgirls from the United States and Canada will compete in the preliminaries of the prestigious Kimes Ranch World’s Greatest Horsewoman presented by Western Horseman and the Wrangler All Women’s Ranch Rodeo presented by COWGIRL Magazine competition. The curated tradeshow, featuring dozens of vendors selling handmade, one-of-a-kind items, will be open to the public. Throughout the event, Art of the Cowgirl Masters and other guests will conduct demonstrations and discussions, cowgirl musicians and poets will perform, and cooks will prepare food over the campfire to sample at the chuckwagons. Cowgirls will test their skills in a breakaway roping competition presented by Merck Animal Health and cow dog trials. On January 17 and 18, the Cowgirls Artists of America will sponsor a quickdraw contest for six to eight artists, and the completed artwork will be auctioned. On Saturday afternoon, a select group of high-quality ranch horses and performance prospects trained by top horsewomen will be auctioned at the Elite Horse Sale. The event culminates on Sunday with the cowdog trial, colt starting, and a special cowgirl poetry and music concert. Five-day passes are available for pre-order at ArtoftheCowgirl. com, and day passes will be available for purchase closer to the event. For more information, visit ArtoftheCowgirl.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

DECEMBER 2023

Join Us For the 51st Annual Sun Circuit March 1-10, 2024. This is shaping up to be another Sun Circuit for the Record Books! Stay tuned as we bring you news, schedules, events, parties and more. Show In Comfort and Style The Scottsdale Arizona Sun Circuit is the largest AQHA

SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA SUN CIRCUIT: IT‘S NOT JUST A HORSE SHOW IT’S AN EQUINE EXTRAVAGANZA!

circuit in the West, yet there is a class for every exhibitor at every level. Enjoy the great atmosphere and fantastic March weather while you show at the World Class equestrian facilities of WestWorld of Scottsdale, Arizona. There are three indoor, climate controlled arenas along with multiple outdoor arenas with plenty of extra space for

warm-ups. Exhibitors love showing in Scottsdale with its plethora of great dining, shopping, events and activities. The staff of Sun Circuit loves being here too and is always welcoming and ready to make your experience a great one. Plan your show. The complete class schedule is posted

DECEMBER 2023

online. Hershberger Performance Horse Sale is back kicking off Sun Circuit on February 29 with the preview and March 1 for the sale. All this plus more to come! •ARHFA Sun Circuit Roping Futurity will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 2 & 3 •$10,000 Added to Snippity Snap 4 and 5 Year Old NSBA Open Trail. •$7,500 Added Nothin But Nett 5 and under Maiden Stakes Western Riding •Arizona Golden Cowboy with $2,500 Added Sponsored by Cushing Performance Horses •Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch Junior and Senior Bridle Spectaculars with $2,500 added to each •Parkinson Performance Horses Amateur Spectacular with $1,000 added •Anchor Cross Ranch Amateur Boxing Spectacular with $1,000 added •2,000 Added Never Have I Ever Non Pro Western Pleasure •NSBA Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle Futurities •$15,000 added in Super Sires Stakes Classes • 2024 National Championships Change in Format Expands Participation To All Exhibitors in Amateur and Select Horsemanship, Equitation and Showmanship No ranking requirements to participate. Tournament style competition runs concurrent with respective AQHA classes to determine The Four finalists who compete in head to head matchups. As in the past, The Four exhibitors in each division and discipline will be awarded leather jackets and the National Champion will receive the title and National Champion buckle.

DECEMBER 2023

100

DECEMBER 2023

101

By Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Llay Llay, Chile – Four U.S. athletes contested a challenging 120 km ride at the 2023 FEI Pan American Endurance Championships on Friday, Nov. 24. The event was a tough test and saw only one team, the host nation of Chile, have the required number of three combinations complete to earn a team result. However, the U.S. contingent did earn a success-

102

FEI Pan American Endurance Championships Prove too Tough in Chile with only One Team Finishes ful individual completion thanks to young rider Uma Kraskin (Deland, Fla.), making her senior championship team debut riding CL Magnolia, a 2014 mare owned by Carlos Letelier of Haras El Molino in Chile. The pair finished 13th out of a field of 29 starters. Kraskin connected with Haras El Molino Endurance

through her mentor and coach, Cheryl Van Deusen, who was also her teammate at this event. “El Molino paired me and ‘Maggie’ up as we were both ready and looking to do our first 120 km,” said Kraskin. “I rode her in two 120 km competitions before the Pan Am. Maggie is 9 years old and is very calm and

DECEMBER 2023

relaxed. She’s incredibly sweet and loving and never gives up. Even at the start, she was focused and calm. Nothing really spooks her. I just let her do her job, which she is awesome at!” Kraskin described the track as “technical but manageable,” and had good strategy support from the team. “The ground was very hard with lots of hills, but also good flat spaces to gallop on,” she said. “I’ve trained on hills, but I’m more used to softer ground. My strategy was to read my horse and ride the horse I had on that day as well as observing the terrain and weather around me and adjusting as necessary. I found my Chef d’Equipe Lisanne Dorion and team vet Olivia Rudolphi very helpful in helping me make the best decisions for my horse.” In addition to Kraskin, two other U.S. athletes partnered with Chilean horses for the championship. Cheryl Van Deusen (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) rode C.L. Misteriosa, a 2012 mare owned by Carlos Letelier, and Tom Rajala (Hillsborough, N.C.) rode HF Barii, a 2010 Arabian mare owned by Maxi Wimmer. “Some team members opted to partner with El Molino endurance in Chile to overcome logistical challenges and reduce the variables of training for a different set of course dynamics,” said Chef d’Equipe Lisanne Dorion. “Our one U.S.based combination (Niki Beck (Gillette, Wyo.) and Majestic Cloudy Boy, her own 2009 Appaloosa gelding) smartly trained in Wyoming, is a Tevis-tested rider and horse, and managed the course and heat meaningfully.” Dorion added that while borrowing horses from the host country does significantly change the way an athlete can prepare for a championship ride, the experience was beneficial for the team members.

“Ranchers working for Ranchers” It’s not just a business, it’s our way of life.”

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE OUR LISTINGS!

aglandssw.com

www.

Ag Lands Southwest

uses a wide range of ranch marketing services to sell your property as quickly as practicable.

With our experience, knowledge and nation-wide marketing strategies, listing your ranch with Ag Lands Southwest

Tamra Kelly, Broker Serving Arizona and New Mexico Ag Lands Southwest, LLC

(928) 830-9127

SCAN QR CODE

will maximize its exposure to qualified buyers!

AG LANDS SOUTHWEST specializes in agricultural properties in Arizona and New Mexico - Working Cattle Ranches - Farms - Hunting Properties - Horse Properties Representing buyers and sellers DECEMBER 2023

103

104

DECEMBER 2023

105

106

DECEMBER 2023

107

108

DECEMBER 2023

109

110

DECEMBER 2023

111

112

DECEMBER 2023

113

114

DECEMBER 2023

115

116

DECEMBER 2023

BRIDLE & BIT Magazine December 2023 Edition

Articles inside

Al Dunning Interview

Dana Avila and Always Do 2023 Select All Around Amateur

Brian Bell Beats

Farrington Finishes with Silver and Ward Secures Bronze to Conclude Santiago 2023 Pan American Games

AL DUNNING INTERVIEW