IHP - THE VIDEO BLOG - CIRA BAECK

@MillionDollarLady

Defining Moments Worth A Million

By Simona Diale

Cira Baeck and Colonels Shining Gun, owned by Katarzyna Roleska

# Started riding at the age of 7 # Enjoyed trail riding and wasn't interested in showing # At age 14 started riding western and was finally drawn to 'learning more about technique' # Age 15 goes to Florida with her parents and ‌ that’s where the story begins

INTERNATIONAL HORSE PRESS The Video Blog

• Graphics Chiara Milani • Photo Andrea Bonaga

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My mom bought a Paint Horse Journal issue and Bill Horn was on the cover,” says NRHA’s newest as well as only Open Lady Million Dollar Rider. “We found out that he and his wife, Kim, lived close to where we were staying so we went to visit them, and that’s where it all started.

Cira Baeck and Shining Whiz, 2018 IRHA Open Futurity Co-Reserve Champions

#Inspirations

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NRHA’s first Million Dollar Rider, the legendary Bill Horn, is an inspiration to many and certainly was for Cira.

Today, the young Belgian trainer is also an inspiration for many. Hers is a story of love and passion for horses, hard work, ‘many tears and just as many smiles.’ As a teenager, she spent her summers in Florida, at Bill and Kim Horn’s facility, and that was when she decided she wanted to become a reining professional. “What was inspiring to me was BH’s joy when he had to get in the saddle, even at a later age,” she says. “He would get up every morning and could not wait to ride his horses. He was motivated and happy and because he was so talented, he could teach a horse so much in such a short period of time. I was, and still am, inspired by him.”

Cira Baeck and Whizasunnysailor BB, 2015 NRHA Open World Reserve Champions

#Milestones #In 2007, Cira and Don Quixote Escapes win the NRHA Non Pro World Championship #In 2008, this time with Peek A Boom, Cira clinched her second Non Pro World Championship #In 2011, Cira gives up her non pro status, “A decision I never regretted.” #In 2006 Whizasunnysailor BB makes his way into Cira's life.

The successful duo ride to the NRHA Open Reserve World Championship in 2015 #In 2014 Jojo [Colonels Shining Gun] makes his way into Cira’s life: “An incredibly talented horse who loved his job and is so sweet. He made me a better rider and showing him was a blast and improved me as a rider.” #Joining the CS Ranch Team four years ago: “A big step in my career which allowed me to focus on my horses and on everything that I love.” #The first time she saw BH’s NRHA Million Dollar portrait hanging in their house, surpassing the million-dollar-mark was also included in her plans: Last year, this became reality.

Enjoy Cira’s defining moments…

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If I have a problem, to this day, I go back and think ‘what would BH do?’ He made everything as simple.

He could train a horse and you didn’t even notice he was training it.

BH is the person that made me the trainer that I am today.

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