NCHA EASTERN NATIONALS CHAMPION Q&A
Open
HORSE: SECRET SMOOTHIE NICKNAME: “SAM” RIDER: TREY WILSON OWNER: Gerda Williams
A. My first time was in Jackson, Mississippi, back in ‘93. I remember having dinner at the Governor’s Mansion and the big fish fry. I miss the old days, but I enjoy it in West Monroe, Louisiana. It’s iconic for the weekend cutters. Location doesn’t matter; it’s just the show we need to have!
Q. WHAT QUALITIES MAKE YOUR HORSE STAND OUT?
A. Sam is low, quick and strong. I’m not a very big guy myself, and he puts it on me a little bit - he makes you work for it! I haven’t had him for a long time, but we’ve always gotten along. He’s always been there for me.
Q. HOW DO YOU MENTALLY PREPARE FOR THE FINALS?
A. It works best if I just put my pants on the same way I do every morning. I don’t try to change anything. I keep the same mentality for every run. 78
CUTTING HORSE CHATTER • SUMMER 2022
Q. LOOKING BACK ON YOUR RUN, WHAT STICKS OUT TO YOU MOST?
A. The cows were tough, but I thought I did a pretty good job cutting - better than I had all week. The cow I wanted for my third cut wasn’t there, so we cut a re-run. I had a little bit of a bobble at the end, so I was pleased when we marked a 219.
Q. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHILE WATCHING COWS?
A. First, I identify the worst cow in the pen and get that one out of the way. Then, it’s a process of elimination. I’m looking at how they react to other horses. What do they look like when a guy’s driving them? I turn that picture around and focus on it that way.
Q. WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR HEAD WHILE WALKING TO THE HERD?
A. Don’t make any mistakes, and try to get the biggest check. Like any cutting, you’re just trying to do the best you can. If you win, you win. If you don’t, you don’t. I’m just lucky to be there.
Q. WHO IS YOUR HERO IN THE SHOW PEN?
A. Sam Shepard – I worked for him for 6 or 7 years. It was simple there, and his horses were quiet and calm. My heroes are the guys that make everything about the horse.
Q. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2022 SHOW SEASON?
A. I want to show Sam as much as we can, and if we get to Will Rogers for the NCHA World Finals, that’d be great.
Q. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?
A. Thank you to Gerda Williams, Sam’s owner. She’s been a pretty big fan of ours, and I’m fortunate she lets me show him. It’s good to be around amazing owners like Gerda, and I’ve got a barn full of them. We’ve got a pretty great team. ★
SETH PETIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Q. IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME AT THE NCHA EASTERN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY 6666 RANCH? IF NOT, WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
