News - Cutting Horse Training Videos, Clinics, Coaching

Home » News

Trainer’s Corner – Cory Deel – Jacksboro, TX

January 7th, 2022 by Simone Cobb

Total Earnings: $237,828

Cory Deel grew up in Denton, North Carolina and rode bulls. He was encouraged to get a job and with no horse experience at all he started working for a horse trader cleaning stalls. The trader had cutting horses and gave Deel his first experience riding one. Deel went on to work for Eddie Braxton in South Carolina for four years where he worked a lot of horses and gained most of his knowledge. Deel moved to Texas to work for Mike and Tammy Jones in Wichita Falls. He showed horses and rode their colts. He then bought his current facility in Jacksboro, TX two years ago.

Keep On Reading!

Lights! Camera! Cutting!

January 7th, 2022 by Simone Cobb

The poster for The Cut’s Premiere.

Charlie Israel believed cutting had an important story to tell. So six years ago, he decided to put a film team together and make a documentary. Israel originally intended the documentary to be a promotional video but it quickly grew into much more after speaking with the father of cutting, Buster Welch. Israel, the film’s Executive Producer and visionary, then knew the right direction for the film would be to tell the story through Buster.

“Horses and cattle explain everything I know,” Buster said.

They gave Buster an understanding of humanity. “He used it as an [example] of how to live your life,” said Israel.

Keep On Reading!

John Mitchell and Janie Wood – NCHA 2021 Futurity Champions!

December 14th, 2021 by Simone Cobb

A lifetime of hard work, passion and perseverance culminated at the NCHA Futurity Final for John Mitchell. He and Janie Wood rode into the history books scoring a 230 to take out the 2021 Open Championship.

Making the win even sweeter, Janie Wood, daughter of the accomplished Junie Wood was home bred by Glade Knight’s Slate River Ranch. It was a fitting tribute to the late mare.

Cara Brewer on Tagging collected the Reserve Champion title with a 227.5. She was followed by Austin Shepard aboard Wood She B Magic tying for third place with Adan Banuelos and Hottish Metal who marked 224.

Member Spotlight – Jaylene Eppel – Enumclaw, WA

December 9th, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Jaylene Eppel was introduced to cutting horses in college. After a few lessons she was hooked. While still in school, Eppel bought a weanling that she eventually put in training to become her first show horse. Eppel currently has that horse’s foal.

Eppel’s most memorable moments in the sport was when she won her first buckles. One was for the 2K limited and then the other was for the high point rider of the day in 2012. Those are the buckles she wears to this day.

She is fortunate to own the 3 Bar C Ranch that raises Wagyu and Angus beef. She has plenty of cows to work and learn on and if she ever needs more she can borrow some from her brother down the road.

Keep On Reading!

No Cows? No Problem! Cutters and Their Menagerie of Solutions

December 9th, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Dustin Gay Working a Donkey

Think a bull-headed brahman is intimidating to cut? Then imagine going eye-to-eye with an elephant! Yes, an actual elephant. That is what one enterprising cutter did to solve his cattle crisis.

In fact, cutters around the world are finding creative solutions to their lack of cows that includes an eclectic mix of animals from donkeys, water buffalo and llamas to yes, even elephants.

Keep On Reading!

Judge’s Corner – Jonathan Rogers

December 9th, 2021 by Simone Cobb

At 27 years old, Jonathan Rogers was trading horses. A cutting horse trainer stopped by and offered him a job to start colts. While at that job, Rogers was able to take a spin on a finished cutter. He thought that was the most fun he had ever had on horse. A few years later, he met trainer Dave Stewart who showed him the business including the ups and the downs.

“It’s a good place for your family. Twenty years later, here we are,” Rogers said.

Besides being a trainer, Rogers has been a AAAA judge for 15 years.

Keep On Reading!

Trainer’s Corner: Austin Shepard – Summerdale, AL

November 2nd, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Total Earnings: $8,720,908

Austin Shepard grew up around cutting horses and learned the tricks of the trade from his late father, trainer Sam Shepard. He knew very early that cutting was what he wanted to pursue. His parents split up when Shepard was young so he and his mother moved into the city. He was very involved in sports and in the summer he would go ride horses with his dad. He wasn’t around the horses all the time so, he said, that only increased his interest in riding.

Keep On Reading!

Member Spotlight – Brett Shayler – Lipan, TX

November 2nd, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Brett and Chance To Cat
Photo by Diamond Double S Photography

Brett Shayler attended cuttings as a spectator for years when his mom showed. This past year he decided he would give it a try and found he really enjoyed doing the sport with his mother, Billie Aylesworth. They cheer each other on while showing and she uses her experience to coach him and help make a plan for his run.

Keep On Reading!

Fort Worth & Granbury Return To “1883” Filming The Yellowstone Prequel

November 2nd, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Sam Elliot blowing kisses to his fans in Granbury, TX. Photo by Austin Miller Imagery

“I don’t care if you live or die. But should you live, you tell them about me…” booms the trailer for the Paramount TV show, 1883. The show began filming in Fort Worth, Texas on August 24th and will make its much anticipated debut on December, 19th 2021.

“1883 follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America. It is a stark retelling of Western expansion, and an intense study of one family fleeing poverty to seek a better future in America’s promised land — Montana,” according to Paramount Network.

1883 is a prequel to the successful TV show, Yellowstone which stars Kevin Costner. Both shows were created by Taylor Sheridan, who also produces, directs and writes the pilots and many of the episodes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Member Spotlight – Eric Van Boekel – Mount Elgin, ON, Canada

October 7th, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Eric and Katherine Van Boekel

Eric Van Boekel was originally a team penner. There was just something about that feeling when a horse gets a hold of a cow. He then started riding with Randy Chartier in 2003 and ventured into the cutting horse scene.

The obvious next step for Van Boekel was to buy his own cutting horse. He tried to do both sports together but it started to get complicated because one sport was offensive and one was defensive. He picked cutting.

Keep On Reading!

Trainer’s Corner: Tim Smith – Payson, AZ

October 7th, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Total Earnings: $6,000,000

Tim Smith has amassed over six million dollars in lifetime earnings. Smith attended college for a year on a basketball scholarship in Minnesota. After getting injured, he joined his brother Mike, who was a cutting horse trainer in California. Smith quickly developed a passion for cutting.

Other than his brother, the only other person Smith worked for was Bill Martin, a cutting horse trainer in Southern California.

Keep On Reading!

Healing With Horses

October 7th, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Brad Langenberg

Horses have a way of touching our hearts in the darkest of times. The bond that can be created with a horse is true and authentic. Who isn’t touched by a nicker from their favorite horse? Or when the horse follows you freely? Many horse lovers use time in the barn as a therapeutic way of coping with whatever life throws their way.

People have been using the powerful bond with equines as therapy for addiction. They are forgiving, honest animals that bring so much joy to people. Whether it’s their incredible athletic ability, their personality, and/or that ability to connect with people, they touch us in ways that are hard to define and their impact can be life changing.

Keep On Reading!

Member Spotlight – Levi Price – Porter, OK

September 3rd, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Levi and Miss Cheekacat

Growing up rodeoing, Levi Price has always loved the western lifestyle. The summer before he started high school he got a job with a cutting horse trainer 10 miles from home. It did not take Price long to fall in love with the sport.

Later, he attended college on a rodeo scholarship at Conners State College where he almost finished his Animal Science degree. After college, he worked for Ed Dufurrena’s as his two year old trainer for more than two years in Gainesville, TX.

His favorite memory is the night Stevie Rey Von won the NCHA Futurity in 2015; he had been at Dufurrena’s for about a year. It was a great experience for Price to see the horse work everyday and watch it pay off claiming the coveted title. He said they were all very inspired to get back to work after that big night!

Keep On Reading!

Trainer’s Corner – Phil Hanson – Weatherford, TX

September 3rd, 2021 by Simone Cobb

Total Earnings: $4,429,007

Phil Hanson’s dad, Phil Sr., was a performance horse trainer so he grew up riding and being involved in the industry. As a kid he had summer jobs building houses and later pursued a degree in Architectural Drafting and Design from Phoenix Institute of Technology. The housing market wasn’t doing well when he graduated so after having no luck finding a job, he turned to training horses.

It was meant to be, with Hanson having gone on to win all of the Triple Crown events and more. In the beginning, when his cutting horse training business was getting off the ground, he would work horses and then draft house designs.

Keep On Reading!

Rediscovering The Will Rogers – The Difference A Door Makes!

September 3rd, 2021 by Simone Cobb

“…this change was out of necessity. The summer show entries were up more than 30 percent, and we were obligated to find new ways to help accelerate the show’s pace…” said McCarthy.

Showing a horse in the famed Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum at Fort Worth, TX, is the holy grail of experiences for most cutting horse competitors. It’s a tradition that goes back some 54 years to 1967. Not only does the coliseum have legendary status, it’s an arena cutters’ love for the way it allows them to work cows.

Built in 1936, its design was ahead of its time. But it has not been without its faults. One of the greatest frustrations for riders has been the use of one gate to let in both the cows and competitors. This meant everyone was locked in the arena until each set had been completed which took approximately 90 minutes. It made a long day even longer and came with the danger of riders missing their run if they missed the gate.
Keep On Reading!

Trainer’s Corner – Cory Deel – Jacksboro, TX

Lights! Camera! Cutting!

John Mitchell and Janie Wood – NCHA 2021 Futurity Champions!

Member Spotlight – Jaylene Eppel – Enumclaw, WA

No Cows? No Problem! Cutters and Their Menagerie of Solutions

Judge’s Corner – Jonathan Rogers

Trainer’s Corner: Austin Shepard – Summerdale, AL

Member Spotlight – Brett Shayler – Lipan, TX

Fort Worth & Granbury Return To “1883” Filming The Yellowstone Prequel

Member Spotlight – Eric Van Boekel – Mount Elgin, ON, Canada

Trainer’s Corner: Tim Smith – Payson, AZ

Healing With Horses

Member Spotlight – Levi Price – Porter, OK

Trainer’s Corner – Phil Hanson – Weatherford, TX

Rediscovering The Will Rogers – The Difference A Door Makes!

Quick Links

In the News