It was a sweet victory for Beau Galyean, after realizing his goal of winning a second championship in the famed Will Rogers at the 2017 Super Stakes Classic Open Final.
Beau thrilled the crowd aboard Metallic Rebel, marking a 229 to dominate the event by 5 points.
Metallic Rebel is a stallion by Metallic Cat, another successful sire championed by Beau. Metallic Rebel is owned by Thomas Guinn and now won more than $240,000. This win takes Beau’s lifetime earnings to more than $2.9-million.
Beau was the 2008 Futurity winner, the first time he won a buckle at a Triple Crown event.
Beau told CHTO’s Simone Cobb that he had a good feeling coming into the final.
John Mitchell claimed the Reserve buckle on CR Tuff Lucy with a 224 and Wes Galyean and Button Down Supercat picked up third just two points behind.
It all came together for Hayden Upton who claimed his first victory in the Will Rogers when he won the Ltd Open Classic Final at Fort Worth.
Hayden rode Superfly and marked a 222, some 6 points ahead of the field to win.
Hayden took home more than $4,100 for the win, taking his total winnings to $165,000.
Superfly, a 5-year-old gelding by Smooth As A Cat out of Lenas Horn, is owned by Brett and Shaye Johnson. The horse has been trained by Hayden throughout it’s career, with $26,000 in lifetime earnings.
Hayden Spoke with Simone Cobb about how he successfully changed his cow strategy for the final.
Jose Cruz came second on Wild Starz with a 216, while Wes Ashlock claimed third aboard Creyzy Eights just one point behind.
Cutting’s Kate Neubert is embarking on the ride of a lifetime as she vies for the coveted World Championship of Colt Starting title in March. Kate is one of five women contestants invited to compete in the annual Road to the Horse (RTTH) at Lexington Kentucky, the first time the event has featured an all-female lineup. Kate will be putting her skills, knowledge and ‘feel’ for a young horse to the test as she takes an untouched 3 year old quarter horse to break in and train in front of a panel of esteemed judges and a crowd of thousands.
“I think this is a unique opportunity and will be a lot of fun,” Neubert said. “The whole event is designed to be educational and entertaining at the same time while [you are] presenting your ideas of horsemanship to people.”
Road To The Horse is a colt starting and horsemanship tournament that began in 2003, boasting such winners as Clinton Anderson, Chris Cox and Craig Cameron. Kate will be up against horsewomen from around the world including High School Rodeo Champion Barbara Cox (married to Chris Cox), two-time NRCHA World Champion Sarah Winters Dawson, clinician and assistant trainer Rachelle Valentine and New Zealand National show jumper, Vicki Wilson.
The event covers three days and consists of 4 rounds beginning with competitors watching and choosing a colt. After selections are made, each individual has two 90-minute training sessions and the finale obstacle course to undertake with the colt. The contestants also have to give a 30-minute clinic where Kate said she plans to promote the skills of the cutting horse. Lastly, the women will get a 3-minute opportunity to wow the crowd with their horsemanship, which Kate is keeping secret until the event.
Kate, who is assistant trainer to Morgan Cromer based in Templeton, CA, grew up on ranches learning how to ride, rope and start horses from renowned horseman and father Bryan Neubert. Bryan himself learned from the legendary Bill Dorrance as well as other icons like Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt.
Kate said she learned by age 12, while starting her first horse, that preparation and safety is top priority. Kate believes that learning to communicate with the horse and where the horse is at mentally and physically is key to training.
“I don’t have a set pattern for training a horse,” Neubert said. “I try and evaluate how they think, move and learn as well as how does the horse respond and react. If you don’t read that well then you can cross a dangerous line for you and them.”
This year, the judges panel is lined with champion riders, cowboys and equine experts such as: Yvonne Barteau, Jack Brainard, Dr Jim Heird, Suzy Jeane, Cody Lambert and Jeff Williams. Kate’s own accomplishments include winning the 2012 PCCHA Intermediate Open Futurity title and advancing two horses to the semi-finals of the 2014 NCHA Futurity, her first year at the event. Kate has won more than $211,000 in NCHA earnings. Although in the middle of a demanding training schedule, Kate has said she has had to carve out enough time to mentally prepare for the event as well as address what challenges she might face.
I’m really working on my time frame,” Neubert said. “I’m trying to figure out what I can get done and how I can pace myself during the hour-and-a-half first and second day rounds.”
Kate said it will be a high pressure environment with the clock ticking down on an extremely short amount of training time while having to communicate and entertain the crowd.
“Everyone has a mic on,” Neubert said.
“The commentators are pretty good at not jumping in at a critical moment, but to shift focus from talking to them and training will be a bit of a challenge.”
Despite the time restraints, distractions and other factors, Kate is being strategic about one of the most crucial aspects of the event: choosing a colt.
“Everything is new for a horse at that stage,” Neubert said.
“The way the horse moves and thinks as well as which ones seem more agreeable are important. The ones that want to be [trained] and not have as much fear and nervousness from their environment growing up are key.”
Kate says that her love of working with young horses comes from how quickly they learn as well as watching their development.
“Watching them progress right in front of you is fun and rewarding,” Neubert said. “When everything is new to a horse, it is how you present it to the horse. They can handle a lot if you get them trusting you and present a little at a time.”
With the RTTH event set for March 23rd, Kate looks forward to it with both excitement and a few nerves and plans to set some personal goals.
“Hopefully I’ll have a good final round,” Neubert said. “To know you did as good a job as you can do and to get as far as possible.”
It’s February folks and expectations are high for you to show your loved ones that you really do love them! While spreading the love, do you shower special affection on your cat, your dog or your horse?
Did you know, three in four people celebrate their animal’s birthdays, so why not Valentine’s Day? In fact, according to a new study by the National Retail Federation, a total of $18.9 billion is spent on the holiday, with consumers dropping $703 million on their furry friends. Obviously for most, chocolate isn’t the answer, but there are plenty of ways you can show them how much they mean to you.
From diamond-studded collars to cat wall mazes, tempur pedic beds and homemade treats, every pooch, feline, and equine desire is catered for. Now, if you’re not in the market for diamonds, we have some great ideas for your horse listed below!
An apple a day (hand picked of course)
Cookies (apparently the best are ginger snaps and fig neutons)
Carrots broken and spread throughout their stall (so they can find little treats while stretching their legs)
Adding a splash of maple syrup to warm water during the winter
Starting colts. In this 9-part series, Wayne takes a colt from the first day in training to being saddled and ridden. These videos are fascinating, particularly as you see Wayne create curiosity, understanding and acceptance in the mind of the horse. It’s a learning frame of mind that helps set the horse up for life. These 9 videos are in two groups as Day 1 and Day 2 under the two-year-old category.
Generally when one hears the word “Hawaii” there are visions of palm trees, drinking coconuts, warm beach, a red sunset, pineapples, luaus and of course hula dancing…so how do cutting horses fit? Think about it – no, really. How does an island get resources for such a complex sport that requires cattle, horses and land?
CHTO asked member and former Hawaiian cutter, Dee West, all about it. Dee relocated to Texas to be in cutting’s capital.
Though today there are many differences between cutting in Hawaii and other mainland areas, like Texas, West began cutting in Hawaii from 1971 through 1973, where she said the main difference was the cattle.
“Back then cattle weren’t so in-bred. Cattle were slower and easier to cut and hold,” West said. “Now you have faster, tough cows, but it’s hard to have fresh cattle in all classes.”
When West was cutting in Hawaii, there was only one class; however, even though the sport has grown, obtaining fresh cattle for everyone on an island can be quite difficult as well as not always possible.
Just to show in Hawaii, West would have to fly to the main island of Hawaii and then take a barge and at the time there were only two stables on Oahu.
Dee West cutting in Hawaii.
“Every weekend we would put our horses on a barge to different islands. It was so much fun, but a full day of showing,” West said.
Even though there was only one class for cutting then and there was no prize money, ribbons were enough of an incentive to spark the interests of most and continue to help the sport grow.
West stated that Hawaiians are known for their competitiveness and everyone wanted to win, making ribbons and bragging rights a valuable prize worth traveling and competing for.
During her time in Hawaii, West showed a palomino stallion named Skippers Count and together, they won pleasure, trail and cutting events. West credits her passion for horses and cutting to stem from her experiences on the big island.
Despite cutting not being as big a sport in Hawaii when West resided there, the idea of the sport became big as the years went on. As a more serious contender, West moved to the mainland to continue to compete but says she “feels blessed to have had the opportunity to learn about cutting” in Hawaii.
Learn how to get the most out of what these top trainers reveal to you from their years of hard work, trial and error and success!
To really pick up on those subtle movements and changes, try to watch each video at least three times, if not more. The more you watch, the more it becomes ingrained into your mind and the easier it is to apply it.
Take notes when you watch and you’ll see the different things that stand out each time.
Go out and practice what you’ve been watching then watch the video again!
Watch every time you have wait for someone or something on your phone or ipad!
Find out how to search for the video or video category you are looking for, or where to change your membership details and more by watching this quick video.
Attitude is everything! You may have the best horse and a lot of skill, but if your mind isn’t in the right place, you may as well say goodbye to success.
Not only that, how do you overcome the tough times, or if something goes wrong? It’s all in your perspective says trainer Gavin Jordan Gavin who has not only won more than $2-million in earnings himself but has been a caddy to a professional golfer because of his motivational skills.
Want to finally make some real progress in your cutting endeavors? Find out how to set goals and keep to them to get ahead and enjoy more success in the show pen.
Now you can study Matt Gaines’ awesome Futurity winning run from two angles, at once!
We videoed Matt and Second Spot’s run from behind and paired it with Video Wests to give you greater insight into this near perfect run. It’s a cool way to watch a great trainer and a great horse at their best.
Let us know what you think? Post your comments below.
Shane Crawford from Mount Olive, Ms, brought home his second world championship when he took out the 2016 Mercuria $50,000 Amateur World Title.
Shane and War Dually came into the finals almost $10,000 in the lead. He scored a 195 in the first go, but came back to win the second go with a 218 and take the title.
At just 14 years of age, Shane and his horse War Dually could be considered experienced haulers, after three years on the road.
The pair also won the $2K Limited Rider in 2014. Shane told CHTO’s Simone Cobb he wants to be a trainer when he grows up.
Karen Bourghnou won the Reserve buckle on Copenhagen Cat and Shannon Lamb came third aboard Torino Ichi.
Second Spot defied her name and rode into the history books with one of the greatest trainers in the sport on her back, Matt Gaines.
Matt, who has won almost every major title on offer, finally grasped the Holy Grail of cutting when he took out the Open Futurity Final in Fort Worth.
The pair put on a spectacular display of precision and speed to notch up an amazing 229, some 7 points ahead of the field while the crowd roared its approval!
An emotional Matt told CHTO’s Simone Cobb he felt elated, relieved and blessed to experience this moment.
Second Spot was bred and raised by Gary and Shannon Barker of Madill, Ok by the sire Spots Hot out of Reycy Moon.
Matt, from Weatherford, Tx, wins more than $225,000 for the title, taking the second highest ever money earner’s total winnings to almost $7.9-million.
Austin Shepard, from Mobile, Al, won the Reserve Championship aboard Sir Long Legs with a 222, taking home $195,000. Sir Long Legs is a High Brow Cat owned by Lew Hall.
Third place went to RL Chartier on Crafty With Cows and a score of 219.5.
Total prize money for the open amounted to $1.975 million, with a $65,000 bonus total awarded to first and second place thanks to Jerry’s Chevrolet and Great American Insurance Group.
Eric Schmoyer proved too dominant at the 2016 Mercuria World Finals, taking out the $15K Amateur Title and the show average.
Eric rode Ms Nita to finish the year with more than $17,600 in earnings. He beat Jim Townsend from Washington on MKMiss Trona Cat, who won the Reserve buckle, while Austin Paddock from California came third on AA Wild Way.
Eric, who began cutting about 5 years ago, made the World Finals in the same event in 2014.
Based in Pennsylvania, Eric told CHTO’s Simone Cobb about the challenges of cutting there and the help he got from his trainer Ben Roberson.
Congratulations to Jill Roth who put in a strong showing at the 2016 Mercuria World Finals to win the $25K Novice/Non Pro Championship.
Jill, who comes from California, came into the finals in second place just $56 behind. After marking a massive 225 in the second go, Jill got just the boost she needed to take the title and the show average.She took home more than $32,500 for the year’s winnings.
Putting up a strong fight for the title was Sherry Graham, Tx, who won the Reserve Buckle on Lil Luigi Long Legs.
Jill spoke to CHTO’s Simone Cobb about what it meant to win her second world championship. Jill was the 2013 $50,000 Amateur World Champion.
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