Road to the Horse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT
Road to the Horse
Owner/ Producer Tootie Bland
Ride the Remuda Productions
tootie@roadtothehorse.com
325-736-5000

Press Credentials Available for Road to the Horse

MURFREESBORO, Tenn., December 10, 2007-Road to the Horse Producer and Owner Tootie Bland invites members of the press to attend the 2008 event to be held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee March 1-2, 2008. Defending champion Chris Cox (Mineral Wells, TX) returns to the round pens. He’ll meet a packed house at Murfreesboro’s Tennessee Miller Coliseum as he challenges newcomers Tommy Garland (Powhatan, VA) and Ken McNabb (Cody, WY) for prizes totaling over $15,000.

Watch four clinicians work horses at the same time-how does each trainer approach a similar horse differently? What different-yet-kind methods do they use to get the same results? And, most of all, what do these trainers know how to do that allows them to get so far with a horse in such a short amount of time? What’s the culture like as far as atmosphere, pressure, and the need to be relaxed so the horses respond well and the trainers accomplish the most possible?

The 2008 event is loaded with surprises. The mystery competitor will be named Friday before the event during the free shopping night. Look for a release about the soon-to-be-named clinician by 7:00 EST on February 29, 2008.

Please complete the Press Credentials Request Form, which can be downloaded at http://www.roadtothehorse.com/media/rtth2008_press.pdf, and return by February 1 or as soon as possible. Return to: press@roadtothehorse.com, FAX: 208-361-2049, 5811 Osman Rd., Cridersville, OH 45806

Get unprecedented behind the scenes access and insight into the thoughts of the 2008 Road to the Horse competitors as emcee, radio and TV Show host Rick Lamb interviews each competitor of the ultimate colt starting challenge on his show airing November 20 at 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm EST. Returning Champion Chris Cox (Mineral Wells, Texas) , Tommy Garland (Powhatan, Virginia), Ken McNabb (Cody, WY) will all sound off during the show on their strategy and preparations for the March 1-2, 2008 event in Murfreesboro, TN. An unnamed mystery competitor whose identity will be revealed at the event will be joining the three accomplished trainers on the day of the competition - but mums still the word on who the mystery competitor will be, though the horse industry is abuzz with guesses. The Horse Show with Rick Lamb on RFD-TV will air on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm Eastern and will re-air on November 21 at 9:00 am EST & November 25 at 8:00 am EST. The Horse Show with Rick Lamb is an engaging magazine-style program focusing on a broad range of equine related human interest stories, to learn more visit www.thehorseshow.com.

Lamb, who the author of Horse Smarts for the Busy Rider and co-author with Dr. Robert Miller of the widely acclaimed Revolution in Horsemanship, will be returning to the 2008 Road to the Horse for his 5th straight year as emcee. With his vast knowledge of both historical and modern horse training techniques, Lamb will help bring the event alive for spectators who will watch in amazement as four top trainers compete to gentle untouched colts in just one weekend. Lamb has narrated the event since its 2003 start-educating the 5,000+ member crowd with his behind the scenes insight and acute observations. “Like any great announcer, Rick delivers the play by play and educates the crowd at the same time. He interprets the action and educates fans about the finer points. I’m honored to have him as part of our event,” says Event Producer/Owner Tootie Bland.

“Road to the Horse is the Super Bowl of horse training,” Lamb says. “There’s suspense, surprises, laughter, disappointments, cheering fans, bright lights, cameras, the whole thing. I look forward to the event every year. If I wasn’t in the middle of it, I’d be in the stands watching!”

Are you ready for Road to the Horse 2008?
There are less than 1000 tickets available for the ultimate colt starting challenge! Be sure to reserve your seat today! Tickets and Road to the Horse merchandise make great gifts for any horse enthusiast - visit www.roadtothehorse.com

MURFREESBORO, Tenn., September 27, 2007–Ride the Remuda Productions Owner/Producer Tootie Bland announces Fort Dodge Animal Health—makers of QUEST® Gel and QUEST® Plus, combating internal parasites–will sponsor the 2008 Charity Challenge. Each year, the Road to the Horse winner selects a charity to receive $15,000. Returning champion Chris Cox (Mineral Wells, TX) and newcomers Ken McNabb (Cody, WY) and Tommy Garland (Powhatan, VA) –as well as a yet-to-be-named mystery competitor—will compete for the philanthropic cash March 1-2, 2008 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

In 2005, Clinton Anderson won the first-ever Charity Challenge, posting his own money and later donating the then $10,000 pot to the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). In 2007, the Charity Challenge returned and champion Cox selected National FFA Organization as the recipient.

For 2008, Bland knew the Charity Challenge must be part of the two-day colt-starting event—adding excitement and integrity to the educational show. “We founded Road to the Horse to revolve around education and charity,” Bland says. “The Fort Dodge Animal Health Charity Challenge makes it easy for the trainers to focus on the integrity of their training methods. The challenge also adds some friendly competition.”

Each clinician chose his/her own charity—the charity that will get the $15,000 if he or she is named the winner.

If returning champion Cox is named 2008 Road to the Horse winner, he’ll again name the National FFA Organization as money recipient. The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. http://www.ffa.org/

“I support the National FFA Organization because they are dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people through agricultural education and developing their potential for growth, leadership and success,” Cox explains.

Ken McNabb designates the Wyoming State 4-H Foundation. 4-H offers youth equine projects focused on education and bettering an industry. Youths pledge their heads, hearts, hands and health to improving their community and becoming productive citizens. http://4-h.uwyo.edu/

“I firmly believe that 4-H members are the hope and the future of the equestrian industry. I greatly benefited from my involvement in 4-H and it’s my desire to return some of those benefits.”

Tommy Garland chose the Victory Junction Gang Camp—a camp designed to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. The camp provides life-changing experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering, in a safe and medically sound environment. The year-round camp serves children, ages 7 to 15, with a variety of health issues. During the summer, up to 125 kids attend per session. Everything at the camp has a racing theme. At Jessie’s Horse Power Garage campers ride horses and work with many animals. Whether taking a gentle pony-ride on one of the specialized horses or spending time petting a newborn donkey, campers can experience the unconditional affection of four legged friends. http://www.victoryjunction.org

The Mystery Competitor (who will be named on the Friday, February 29, 2008 during the free shopping night) chose Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship. Since its inception in 1980, Camelot has offered one-on-one education, with instruction tailored to the individual needs of the student. The student learns riding, grooming, training, showing, breeding, vet care and stable management. Camelot Ranch is located on 14.5 acres of the Sonoran Desert in the Pinnacle Peak area of Arizona. The barrier-free facility makes it possible for students to saddle, ride and groom the horses with minimum help. http://www.camelot-th.org

About Fort Dodge Animal Health:

Fort Dodge Animal Health, a leading manufacturer of animal health products for the equine industry, is proud to sponsor the Road to the Horse Charity Challenge. Fort Dodge is committed to meeting the needs of veterinarians and horse owners worldwide by providing innovative products, such as QUEST^® Plus gel with moxidectin, an equine dewormer that helps control today’s parasites. Only QUEST^® and QUEST Plus gel with moxidectin can provide one-dose control of encysted small strongyles. Other key equine products include West Nile-Innovator^®, the first vaccine developed to protect against equine West Nile virus, Innovator^® combination vaccines and the Fluvac^® Innovator vaccine line. For more information, call 1-800-477-1365 or visit www.fortdodgelivestock.com.

For more information about Road to the Horse, visit http://www.roadtothehorse.com, or call 325-736-5000. Road to the Horse is owned and produced by Tootie Bland/ Ride the Remuda Productions. 2008 sponsors include: Charity Challenge Sponsor Fort Dodge Animal Health; Presenting Sponsor Horse & Rider; and sponsors Absolute Innovations, Wahl Clipper, Cinch / Cruel Girl, Gist Silversmiths, Martin Saddlery, Horse Media Group, Rockin J Horse Stalls, W-W Livestock Sales, John Deere, American Cowboy Magazine, LubriSyn, Valley Vet, Samson, Prime Performance Nutrition, Horse South, Horse Exchange, and Hoofbeats.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn., September 26, 2007: The Road to the Horse Mystery Contestant will be revealed Friday, February 29 before the March 1-2 Road to the Horse event in Murfreesboro, TN–during the show’s Shopping Extravaganza. Before then, Road to the Horse Producer/Owner Tootie Bland will announce a clue to help you guess who the crew member-turned clinician will be. Here are the first FIVE clues.

Log on to http://roadtothehorse.blogspot.com/and join the Road to the Horse mailing list at http://roadtothehorse.com to be the first to find out the newest clues. The first identifiable respondents to post correct guesses on the blog will be entered in a prize drawing held Friday night at the show. You need not be present to win. One correct respondent will win a commemorative, limited edition set of Road to the Horse DVDs—including the 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 documentaries.

First Clue
The competitor’s name is listed within the 2007 RTTH souvenir program. For your clue research. . . . The 2007 RTTH program can be downloaded as a PDF if you’d like to see who’s listed.
http://www.roadtothehorse.com/images/2007program.pdf

Second Clue
The mystery competitor lives West of the Mississippi River.

Third Clue
The RTTH mystery clinician was seen on RFD-TV in June. Check your RFD-TV listings. Remember, all the past clues apply.

Fourth Clue
The mystery clinician was quoted in print as saying, “If someone were to ask you to write down how you train a horse…you could answer it correctly with two simple words: stimulus and response. There’s a little more to it than that, but that’s training in a nutshell. You apply a stimulus until you get the desired response, then you stop the stimulus.”

**NEW** Fifth Clue
The mystery clinician’s age (the age he/she will be at show time) is hidden in Road to the Horse’s “Don’t be left behind” ad. See the September or October issues of Horse & Rider, America’s Horse, or Hoofbeats to find your clue. Hint: Watch out if you have a lead foot.

For more information about Road to the Horse, visit http://www.roadtothehorse.com, or call 325-736-5000. Road to the Horse is owned and produced by Tootie Bland/ Ride the Remuda Productions. 2008 sponsors include: Charity Challenge Sponsor Fort Dodge Animal Health; Presenting Sponsor Horse & Rider; and sponsors Absolute Innovations, Wahl Clipper, Cinch / Cruel Girl, Gist Silversmiths, Martin Saddlery, Horse Media Group, Rockin J Horse Stalls, W-W Livestock Sales, John Deere, American Cowboy Magazine, LubriSyn, Valley Vet, Samson, Prime Performance Nutrition, Horse South, Horse Exchange, and Hoofbeats.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Road to the Horse
press@roadtothehorse.com
325-736-5000

On the Road to the Horse: Introducing Tommy Garland
Interviews with the competitors as they prepare for the 2008 event
Part 2/3

High res photo available at:
http://roadtothehorse.com/tommygarland.jpg

MURFREESBORO, Tenn., September 17, 2007: Defending champion Chris Cox (Mineral Wells, TX) returns to the round pens for Road to the Horse 2008 March 1-2, 2008. He’ll meet a packed house at Murfreesboro’s Tennessee Miller Coliseum as he challenges newcomers Tommy Garland (Powhatan, VA), Ken McNabb (Cody, WY) and a mystery competitor for prizes totaling over $15,000.

But before the contestants travel to Tennessee, let’s find out what they’re doing to prepare for the 2008 event. Here, we’ll talk with Tommy Garland to find out how he’ll prepare then discover a few unknown facts about early horse training experience and life-long philosophies.

About the Competition
Q: What made you want to be part of Road to the Horse?

A: Not only the excitement of the competition but the personal challenge of seeing what I can accomplish in that time frame with an unbroken horse.

Q: What will you do to “study up” and prepare for this year’s show? Will you pay attention to your competitors’ shows or DVDs? Will you practice within the Road to the Horse time frame? Will you plan some jokes or crowd-pleasing moments? What little sneak peek can you offer?

A: Everyone has their own style and abilities and you can’t copy that. I may work horses within the time frame because I will have to fine tune my methods. With all of the young colts that I get every fall to break for the next year’s show season, I will take every opportunity to practice.

Q: Is there something you’re looking forward to the most at the 2008 event?

A: Definitely the challenge to myself. When you are in that kind of an atmosphere, with the crowd watching, it is fun and I am looking forward to that.

Q: What’s the most difficult part of competing in Road to the Horse?

A: The time frame. You have to alter your training techniques to accommodate the time schedule but you want to stay true to your methods. I have had horses that I can ride the 1st day out and others that take much longer. Luck of the draw is a huge factor. Some horses you can shine with easily and others are more of a challenge.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the Road to the Horse setting?

A: I enjoy the willingness of the people to learn new things and the excitement that the crowd brings. There is a “buzz” in the air.

Q: What’s the biggest difference in training a horse back at your ranch and training a horse at Road to the Horse? What will you do differently in the time and space allotted?

A: I will have to be focused on every moment that I have with the horse. Where at home you have plenty of time to work on problems, at Road To The Horse you only have a few minutes.

About Tommy Garland
Q: What was the name of the first horse you really bonded with? How old were you?

A: It was a pony named Jumper that hated to jump. I was 7 years old and my parents bought her for me to overcome my fear of horses from an earlier accident.
Q: What was the most dangerous or ornery thing you and that horse did together?

A: I guess the most dangerous thing I did was to stand on Jumper to pick apples for my mom to make a pie.

Q: Who are your top mentors—from when you were young, high school age, young adult, and now?

A: My dad, and Stanley White, Sr. (an Arabian trainer and friend)

Q: What did you learn from each?

A: Respect the animal that you are dealing with and to build confidence in the relationship. My dad taught me to be patient and not get frustrated when things don’t go the way you think they should. They both taught me that there is more than one way to train a horse. You have to adjust your methods to the horse. Do not expect every horse to learn the same way. Read the animal and adjust accordingly. Lastly, to not be afraid to try different things, be open-minded.

Q: What have you learned from horses?

A: I’ve learned not make any assumptions as to what they are going to do or how they’ll respond.

Q: What’s one piece of advice about horse training you hope to share with Road to the Horse audiences?

A: That it is not magic and tricks, but it is also not a method that you can study from a book. There is no better teaching method than hands on. Doing it over and over again. Everyone has their own method and that is how you learn what works for you. You have to adjust to the horse and be consistent.

Q: What do you hope people will see in you?

A: That I am a family man just trying to make a living and provide a future for my children. My methods may be a little different than what they are used to seeing but to keep an open mind.

Q: Any final words for Road to the Horse fans?

A: Cheer loudly!

For more information about Road to the Horse, visit http://www.roadtothehorse.com, or call 325-736-5000. Road to the Horse is owned and produced by Tootie Bland/ Ride the Remuda Productions. 2008 sponsors include: Charity Challenge Sponsor Fort Dodge Animal Health; Presenting Sponsor Horse & Rider; and sponsors Absolute Innovations, Wahl Clipper, Cinch / Cruel Girl, Gist Silversmiths, Martin Saddlery, Horse Media Group, Rockin J Horse Stalls, W-W Livestock Sales, John Deere, American Cowboy Magazine, and Hoofbeats.
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