Road to the Horse

Living in Noodle, Texas, doesn’t often lend itself to offering a person an international perspective on things, but I got a wake up call to how international Road to the Horse has become a couple of months ago.

I have to admit, when I think of places Road to the Horse might be popular,  I think of countries like Australia or Canada . . . the countries four of this year’s competitors hail from. Italy, Germany and other points across “the pond” in Europe also come to mind because of the great work the American Quarter Horse Association has done in expanding it’s reach there and around the world. But probably the one place I never thought I’d get a phone call from was Israel.

Israel. Kind of appropriate for this month since we are celebrating holidays that were born in that country – Hannukah and Christmas. When I think of Israel, I think of deserts, the conflict with the Palestinians that we constantly hear about on the news, but I don’t think of horses.

Amir and steed near the sea of Galillee

The phone rang here at the ranch and on the other end of the line was a fella named Amir Shalev. He is working to help other Israeli riders learn more about natural horsemanship and comes to the U.S. each year to attend Chris Cox or Clinton Anderson clinics. He told me that there were about 4,000 horsemen in Israel and most of them know nothing about natural horsemanship. Now, he was calling to find out if he could “screen” a Road to the Horse DVD for young riders and show them more about what natural horsemanship was through the skills of those who are best at it.

You can guess my answer. It was a resounding “Yes!” Amir wanted to charge for attendance, which we agreed to if he agreed to donate the proceeds to a youth group in his area (copyright laws kept him from keeping the money).

More than 80 people came to the event and eight of the group ordered DVD’s to learn more about natural horsemanship.

Thrilled doesn’t begin to describe how I felt. When Steven and I started this event more than 10 years ago, we could not imagine what it would do to educate people about natural horsemanship. In our minds, we believed horsemen in the United States and maybe Canada would get on board to see these horsemen and women perform what some see as a miracle, but is, in fact, a method that is best for the horse and the long-term relationship we often look for to get the most from that relationship.

Road to the Horse is and has always been about the horse and the fact that it has gone beyond our borders is truly incredible. Thank you for making it happen.

Road to the Horse fans typically wait with anticipation to learn the identities of clinicians and judges, but even more so of the acclaimed Four Sixes horses that will make their way into the arena March 9. At that moment, fans will have the opportunity to see them live for the first time and perhaps claim one as their own. To add to the excitement, the American Quarter Horse Association, representing the official breed of Road to the Horse, will award the purchaser of the winning horse a coveted “Traveler’s” trophy.

Road to the Horse starts it’s three day run in Murfreesboro, Tenn., at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum. Already close to a sell-out, remaining tickets are available at www.roadtothehorse.com.

Thundering into the arena March 9 will be a band of brothers who have spent the last year of their lives roaming the legendary canyons and pastures of the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. Selected by Dr. Glenn Blodgett, 6666 horse division manager and head veterinarian, the horses are progeny of horses who trace to the historic stallions of the Four Sixes, including great American Quarter Horse foundation stallions, Grey Badger II, Hollywood Gold and Joe Hancock. The Four Sixes continues its influence in current generations with the mark of former champions Dash for Cash and Streakin Six, as well as Tanquery Gin, and currently stand an impressive array of both performance and racing stallions that includes NCHA Futurity Champion Royal Fletch and AQHA World Champion Genuine Masterpiece.

Four Sixes American Quarter Horses are bred to have cow sense, speed, gentleness and good looks. Some are kept for use on the ranch, others are trained for racing or performance competition, and some of the best are regularly consigned to several of the most prestigious auction sales in the United States, including an annual sale put on by the Four Sixes along with other noteworthy ranches.

All Four Sixes horses presented at Road to the Horse will be available for sale to the public, including those being gentled by competing clinicians Craig Cameron, Pat Parelli, Jonathan Field, Glenn Stewart, Guy McClean and Dan James. Interested persons may make inquiries at the Four Sixes booth during Road to the Horse.

To learn more about the Four Sixes, go to www.6666ranch.com. Horses will be available for preview on-line at roadtothehorse.com and at the event.

Some great Canadians have crossed the border to bring their talents and influence to the United States. Actors like Michael J. Fox. Entertainers like Celine Dion. And even great rodeo competitors like Robin Burwash. But a new brand of Canadian influence is heading to the lower 48 as Canadian clinicians Jonathan Field and Glenn Stewart come to Road to the Horse International.

Featuring three teams of clinicians from the United States, Australia and Canada, Road to the Horse International will be held at Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 9-11. Nearly sold out, the remaining tickets are now on sale at www.roadtothehorse.com.

Field, of Abbotsford, British Columbia, has a gentle demeanor that translates clearly to the horses he trains. Starting as a hunt seat equestrian, Field began his professional career with horses following a tragic accident that nearly amputated his arm. While in the hospital, Jonathan’s mind kept returning to horses and to the dream of the connection he wanted with them. That vision gave him purpose and conviction, and Jonathan decided to dedicate his life to achieving that goal: To become the best horseman he could be. Jonathan’s success is not a surprise when you consider the gracious help, time and experience so many wise and talented horseman have personally shared with him. This willingness to share knowledge has sparked Jonathan to go the extra mile to help a student or a troubled horse, sometimes late into the evening at a clinic. He’ll say the best way to repay your teachers is by passing it on to others.

Stewart, of Baldonnel, British Columbia, admits that his methods have changed over the lifetime he has spent with horses. Moving from what was seen as traditional cowboy methods to natural horsemanship has made Stewart one of the most recognized clinicians in Canada. Glenn’s work and knowledge with horses is very diversified; he has taught clinics and given demonstrations for some of the top Lusitano breeders of Brazil,  puts on Colt Starting clinics in the Rocky Mountains 100 miles from the nearest road, and prepares performance horses for competition and sales.  He also does management consulting for equine facilities, implementing his Horse Development Program for everything from breeding farms, cutting horses, hunter jumpers to working equitation and dressage.

Australian Dan James and 2012 Road to the Horse clinician first caught the eye of Road to the Horse producer Tootie Bland when he first took to the arena at Project Cowboy, co-produced by the blazing fast blonde and Extreme Mustang Makeover creatorPatti Colbert.

“I kept my eye on him, because there was an idea brewing in my head about Road to the Horse and taking it to the next level,” Bland said. “Project Cowboy was a great proving ground for him because I not only got to see what he was like as a horseman, but I also got to see how he related to the audience and what he might be like on camera. Needless to say, he became my new Robert Redford, looks and all.”

Project Cowboy returns to the arena, times three, when it comes back in 2012 and Bland will be there scouting for her next new star.

Project Cowboy, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, seeks the individual who best represents the spirit of the cowboy. Cowboy isn’t the clothes you wear or the saddle you ride, but a state of mind. From equitation riders to rodeo competitors, mailmen to ranch hands, ordinary to extraordinary, Project Cowboy puts riders from all different disciplinesthrough the paces to find the winner, who will ride away with $10,000 cash and many benefits to help launch their equine career.

Competition will take place at the Horse Expo Pomona February 2-4, 2012 in Pomona, Calif., for cowboys only; at the Western States Expo in Sacramento, June 8-10, 2012, for cowgirls only; and then for both men and women at Taking The Reins August 17-19, 2012 in Madison, Wis.

“The fact that Project Cowboy is expanding its reach by offering men only and women only events, along with events in different areas, makes it a must-see for people searching for that great horseman or horsewoman who may be among us, but not well known,” Bland said. “Road to the Horse adds to that picture by providing them a platform to prove themselves even more.”

Road to the Horse is a one-of-a-kind experience thatcombines education and entertainment for an all out horsemanship experience.

The competition has in the past taken three internationally known, elite horse trainers and clinicians and puts them up against each other for the esteemed title of Road to the Horse Champion. These competitors choose a horse out of the remuda, a group of 10 horses, and they begin building a relationship between horse and human.

Unlike a horse show, these competitors are judged not only on a final test of skill, but the means to the end result. The goal of Road to the Horse is to teach horsemen and women that natural horsemanship is a kinder, gentler way of working with horses.

Road to the Horse fans continually ask the question, “What were the scores of the competitors?” While the event program included a score card a couple years ago, never before have the competitor scores been released to event attendees. Featuring a new international team format, Road to the Horse in Murfreesboro, TN on March 9-11, 2012 will be judged and scored a bit differently than in the past, including a live display of the scores at the event.

Gathering the best of the best from across the world, Road to the Horse 2012 International will feature the all-star lineup of Guy McLean and Dan James on Team Australia, Jonathan Field and Glenn Stewart on Team Canada and Craig Cameron and Pat Parelli on Team USA.

“Each team member will be responsible for putting their best foot forward and contributing to the team score. Because Road to the Horse 2012 International is a team effort, we’ll not only be displaying each competitor’s individual round pen and obstacle course scores broken down into judging categories but also the total team scores bigger than life on the Road to the Horse Jumbo-Tron,” says Tootie Bland, Road to the Horse owner and producer.

After the largest ever Road to the Horse remuda comes thundering into the arena in all the glory that the Four Sixes Ranch has to provide, the colt selection process will begin. The competitors will walk two by two into the midst of the remuda, carefully surveying the behavior of each horse in order to determine the best matches for their team. Each clinician will choose a colt with the assistance of their teammate. After their selections, they alone will be responsible for starting the career of their new equine partner.

A grand total of 4 round pen challenges, 2 on Friday and 2 on Saturday, will give competitors the opportunity to display their horsemanship ability and prove exactly why they were chosen to compete in the World Championship of Colt-Starting. Each round pen challenge will consist of 3 round pens set up in the arena, with one competitor for each team in a round pen. The second competitor on the team will offer guidance, advice and support to their teammate from outside the pen during the session. Although the clinician on the outside of the round pen is not allowed to touch or train his teammate’s horse, he can earn points for teamwork.

Friday will kick off the competition with the first round pen challenges while the second round pen challenges will take place on Saturday. The scores from each competitor will be displayed on the Road to the Horse Jumbo-Tron immediately after each round pen session and will be broken down into individual judging categories.

Sunday will feature all six individual competitors completing their own obstacle course on the colt that they started during the previous two days. After all six obstacle courses have been completed, all course scores will be displayed on the Jumbo-Tron and the totals of all sessions will be provided to determine the winning team.

To further test the merit and confidence of the international teams, Bland will announce an optional “twist” at the event that will award bonus points towards the competitors should they accept the challenge.

“We’ll find out how confident they are in their team and if they are gamblers or not. No one knows what the twist is but me. I always like to throw in a surprise for both the competitors and the attendees. Of course there will still be two mystery obstacles during the obstacle course, but this is an added bonus that will leave you holding on to the edge of your seat!” says Bland.

A variety of seating tickets are available ranging in price from $80-100 for general seating to $150-200 for premier seats with all tickets good for all three days of the event. A special seating block is available for Road to the Horse Nation members, where they can cheer on their favorite competitors while enjoying camaraderie with fellow members and horsemen.

Also, don’t miss out on tickets to the Prichards Distillery VIP Suite, where you can meet and mingle with the competitors, judges and other influential people in the equine industry while enjoying catered meals, adult beverages and live feed of the event from comfy couches.

To buy your tickets today, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 877-772-5425 to order over the phone with the assistance of a customer service representative.

The format has been released, the competitor names announced and tickets are now on sale for Road to the Horse 2012 International – let the games begin! Taking the floor of the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN on March 9-11, 2012, six of the world’s best clinicians from Australia, Canada and the United States will represent their home country and compete for the title of World Champion of Colt-Starting in a first ever international competition dubbed playfully, “A Horse of a Different Color”.

Road to the Horse 2012 International will feature the all-star lineup of Guy McLean and Dan James on Team Australia, Jonathan Field and Glenn Stewart on Team Canada and Craig Cameron and Pat Parelli on Team USA. While still working in partnership with one another, each competitor will bring their own skills and natural horsemanship talents to the table in a competition that is sure to showcase rapid-fire excitement.

“We are ramping it up this year! Going International has given me the opportunity to bring the best horseman in the world to Road to the Horse. If you love Road to the Horse then you can multiply that by 6 this year in Clinicians and double it with horse power. The 6666 Ranch will be bringing the largest remuda of horses to the event ever in our history and I can’t wait to see that beautiful remuda come rolling down the alley and bust into the arena! Now that will be something to see!” says Tootie Bland, Road to the Horse owner and producer.

A variety of seating tickets are available ranging in price from $80-100 for general seating to $150-200 for premier seats. A special seating block is available for Road to the Horse Nation members, where they can cheer on their favorite competitors while enjoying camaraderie with fellow members and horsemen.

Those looking for a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of the event won’t want to miss out on tickets to the Prichards Distillery VIP Suite, where you can meet and mingle with the competitors, judges and other influential people in the equine industry while enjoying catered meals, adult beverages and live feed of the event from comfy couches.

To buy your tickets today, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 877-772-5425 to order over the phone with the assistance of a customer service representative.

Attention horsemen and country music enthusiasts alike! Road to the Horse 2012 International competitor Craig Cameron will soon appear on Great American Country’s “On the Streets”, hosted by Suzanne Alexander. Every Tuesday, “On the Streets” helps get out news about who and what is hot and the Road to the Horse Team USA clinician will be GAC’s featured guest on June 28, 2011.

“We are so excited to have the vibrant and entertaining Craig Cameron share with country music fans across the nation what Road to the Horse is all about. I couldn’t think of a better spokesperson for Road to the Horse than the ‘larger than life’ 2010 Champion. The outstanding people at GAC were wonderful to work with and Suzanne Alexander’s interview with Craig is terrific and fun. Horses and country music go together like peanut butter and jelly! You won’t want to miss it,” says Tootie Bland, Road to the Horse owner and producer.

Cameron’s interview on “On the Streets” will air three times on June 28, 2011 at 11:30 am, 5 pm and 8 pm ET. GAC can be found on select cable providers, Dish channel 167 and DIRECTV channel 326. For more information on GAC, visit www.gactv.com.

Tickets to Road to the Horse 2012 will go on sale July 4, 2011. Members of the Road to the Horse Nation, the event’s exclusive fan club, have advanced ticket sales access that began on June 21, 2011.

For an annual fee of only $39.95, Nation members receive privileges such as advance ticket purchase opportunities, a special prime seating section, merchandise and apparel discounts, early admission to the event and an interactive Road to the Horse Nation website. To become a member, visit www.roadtothehorsenation.com.

For more information on Road to the Horse 2012, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.

The entire equine industry has been abuzz since the 2011 Road to the Horse Legends event which matched the United States’ three largest superstar clinicians against one another in a horsemanship duel of epic proportions. The twenty million dollar question everyone has been asking since is “How are you going to top this?” Event Owner/Producer Tootie Bland’s answer? Go global, find the world’s best clinicians, place them in an innovative international team format and let them go toe to toe for the World Championship of Colt Starting at the 2012 Road to the Horse March 9-11, 2012 in Murfreesboro, TN.

“Going global means new horsemen, new styles of horsemanship and an exciting challenge to see who’s the best in the world.  Road to the Horse will host the first ever International Match in Colt Starting. We have invited Australia and Canada to see if they can match the talent in the United States. National Pride is on the line and we will find out in Murfreesboro who rules the world.  This is going to more horsemanship in one arena than ever before. I can’t wait for this one!” says Bland.

Traditionally, three to four clinicians have been matched up for this prestigious competition which gives competitors just a few short hours over two days to train an untouched young horse to accept a rider in front of a standing-room-only live audience and the attentive eyes of the worldwide equine press corp. While training has been limited to two days in the past, the 2012 event will feature round pen sessions on all three days.

“We’re doubling down! Never before have six clinicians shared the arena floor and never before have we paired competitors up in a team format. Road to the Horse is known for its twists and turns and we’ll definitely have some challenges the competitors will have to face. The excitement of this event is destined to be Tennessee’s equivalent of the Kentucky Derby,” says Bland.

Tickets to Road to the Horse 2012 will go on sale July 4, 2011. Members of the Road to the Horse Nation, the event’s exclusive fan club, will have access to advanced ticket sales beginning June 21, 2011.

For an annual fee of only $39.95, Nation members receive privileges such as advance ticket purchase opportunities, a special prime seating section, merchandise and apparel discounts, early admission to the event and an interactive Road to the Horse Nation website. To become a member, visit www.roadtothehorsenation.com.

For more information on Road to the Horse 2012, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.

Road to the Horse

Road to the Horse, the World Championship of Colt-Starting is unlike any other event in the equine or entertainment industry. The three-day event will match six of the world’s best horse trainers and clinicians of today against one another as they train unbroken colts to ride in just a few short hours in front of a packed live audience and television cameras. By combining education, edge-of-your-seat suspense, entertainment and the love of the horse, Road to the Horse has been responsible for solidifying the position of today’s horsemanship heroes and launching the careers of tomorrow’s hottest new stars. In the process, the event itself has become a catalyst for the advancement of natural horsemanship. Hosted by Rick Lamb, of RFD-TV’s The Horse Show with Rick Lamb, spectators are guaranteed not only to have a good time, but also to walk away with training knowledge that will improve their relationship with horses. The event is supported by title sponsor Western Horseman and in association with AQHA.

For more information on the 2012 Road to the Horse visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.

Three Time Road to the Horse Champion Chris Cox to Appear on Imus In The Morning

Road to the Horse, the World Championship of Colt Starting, is hitting the mainstream airways on May 20, 2011. Three-time Road to the Horse champion Chris Cox is slated to appear on Imus in the Morning on the Fox Business Network and radio stations across the country to discuss his experiences at Road to the Horse and the format of this legendary event.  Cox, a native of Australia who now lives in Mineral Wells, TX will conduct his phone interview at 6:35 a.m. Friday morning on Dish Network channel 206 and Direct TV channel 359.

“I couldn’t be more excited than to have Chris representing Road to the Horse on a national stage. As our first Legends champion, I’m confident Chris can share with the mainstream market what makes natural horsemanship and Road to the Horse specifically such an exciting and unique experience. Our event requires the competitors to think on their feet, to make life-changing and career making or breaking decisions in a split second  – so helping catapult the horse industry to mainstream attention feels like a natural for us,” says event owner and producer Tootie Bland.

The Imus in the Morning show was an immediate ratings hit for the Fox Business Network when it launched in October of 2009, raising the profile of the network which also features such mass-market ratings draws as “Cavuto” and “Lou Dobbs Tonight”. Known for featuring oftentimes controversial commentary on political and popular media news, the show was enthusiastic to share the excitement of the “Super Bowl of Colt Starting” with their audience.

Road to the Horse is unlike any other event in the equine or entertainment industry. The two-day, perennially sold-out event pits three of the country’s best horse trainers against one another as they train unbroken colts to ride in just a few short hours in front of a packed live audience and television cameras. It is a career launcher akin to American Idol within the $112 billion horse industry.

By combining education, edge-of-your-seat suspense, entertainment and the love of the horse, Road to the Horse has been responsible for solidifying the position of today’s horsemanship heroes and launching the careers of tomorrow’s hottest new stars. In the process, the event itself has become a catalyst for the advancement of natural horsemanship.

Spectators are guaranteed not only to have a good time, but also to walk away with training knowledge that will improve their relationship with horses. The event is supported by title sponsor Western Horseman Magazine and in association with AQHA.

Plans for the 2012 event are currently in development, for more information visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.

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For the second year in a row the American Quarter Horse Association presented the Traveler Award to the breeder of colt that was paired with the winning clinician at Road to the Horse – The World Championship of Colt Starting. This year, Perfect Performance, the colt Chris Cox rode to his third event victory garnered the award for the esteemed 6666 Ranch.

The event, which took place at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN on February 25-27, 2011, featured a remuda of 11 colts provided by 6666 Ranch for the competing superstar clinicians Pat Parelli, Chris Cox and Clinton Anderson.

“We have had some of the greatest clinicians of our time at Road to the Horse but ultimately it is the horse that is the real “star” of Road to the Horse, and the AQHA Traveler Award recognizes that” said the event owner/producer Tootie Bland.

The winning colt, a gray gelding, captivated the crowd with his sensitive and insecure demeanor. Perfect Performance was sired by Sixes Pick and out of Best Performance by Special Effort, and was born in 2008.

“This is the first contact these colts have had with people,” Cox said during the competition. “It’s very important to me if someone buys him or if he goes home to the 6666 Ranch, I want him to have a future. I’m not going to use him up just to win a competition.”

Perfect Performance, found loyalty and trust in his trainer, Chris Cox. A perfect display of his newfound confidence came in the final minutes of the last round of competition, as the gelding stood waiting patiently while Cox took a victory lap on foot to celebrate with fans.

As the official sponsor of the Road to the Horse remuda, the AQHA created the Traveler Award in 2010. The award was named for the foundation sire known as Traveler. After a successful career as a race horse in Texas, Traveler began producing quality foals with good dispositions, eye-catching conformation and speed. Traveler made his greatest impact on the breed when he sired Little Joe, Texas Chief and Possum (King). Passing away in 1912, it was estimated that he was 32 years old when he died. Traveler was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1994.

“American Quarter Horses have deep roots in my life, Road to the Horse and American history. It’s an incredible opportunity to work with the AQHA to positively impact people and their horses across the country. It’s an even bigger honor to have them present a one-of-a-kind award to the winning horse from 6666s,” says Tootie Bland, owner and producer of Road to the Horse.

For more information on the 2011 event, visit www.roadtothehorse.com.