Road to the Horse

Extremely accomplished horse trainer and clinician John Lyons is getting ready for the 2009 Road to the Horse, not by practicing and improving his training techniques but by preparing for the competition physically. Lyons will be competing March 14-15 in Franklin, Tennessee against Tommy Garland and Richard Winters for the title of Road to the Horse Champion.

“I plan on getting in as good shape physically as I can. Most of the guys out there are half my age. I’m not going to do anything different training wise though. I’ve trained 4,000 to 5,000 horses in my career, and this is a challenge because of the time restraint, but I have over 25 years of knowledge,” said Lyons.

Using the deep well of knowledge that he has acquired over the years, in combination with his new workout plan, Lyons will surely give his younger competitors a run for their money. Although his son, Josh Lyons, has competed at Road to the Horse, John has never before tested his hand in the competition.

“I went to Road to the Horse last year to cheer for Ken McNabb who is a longtime friend of mine. He went through the very first trainer certification program that I taught. Road to the Horse was such a fun thing and I thought if Tootie wanted me to, I would throw my hat in the ring,” said Lyons.

About Road to the Horse

Road to the Horse is unlike any other event in the equine or entertainment industry. It is “the original colt starting challenge”. The two-day sold out event matches the absolute 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 heros and launching the careers of tomorrow’s hottest new stars. In the process, the event itself has become a shining star of horse industry. 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.

Road to the Horse is proud to partner with many outstanding companies including Horse & Rider, Mustang Makeover, Cinch, Cruel Girl, Gist Silversmiths, ABI Equine and John Deere . For more information on Road to the Horse and Tootie Bland Productions, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.

Battles have been fought in the name of religion, politics, honor, love and economics through the ages, but for the first time ever, rhinestones will be at the center of the fray when Road to the Horse crew and clinicians square off against Extreme Mustang Makeover trainers in the The Outrageous Rickrageous “Battle For The Bling” at Road to the Horse in Franklin, TN March 13-15, 2009.

Road to the Horse owner and producer Tootie Bland and Extreme Mustang Makeover founder Patti Colbert will be pitting two of their best horsemen and horsewomen against one another for bling and bragging rights. The spoils that will go to the victor? A rhinestone laden jacket by western couturier Rickrageous.

Bland threw down the gauntlet against Colbert during the 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover Finals when the two entered the arena to announce the Road to the Horse Extreme Road Trip winner. Both cowgirls were glitzed-out in their Rickrageous jackets when they got into a standoff about who had the most bling. Of course, both being fashionable, strong-willed cowgirls neither would concede defeat to the other.

To settle the matter of who laid claim to the most rhinestones, Bland challenged Colbert to a competition for a new Rickrageous jacket, a challenge that Colbert quickly accepted.

Plans are for 2008 & 2009 Road to the Horse competitor Tommy Garland and his 2008 Road to the Horse colt, Spirit, to face off with the Extreme Mustang Makeover Legends division champion Mark Lyon of Arlington, Nebraska and his his three-year-old bay mustang, Christian. In addition, Bland challenged Patti to put up her toughest, wildest, most outrageously bold mustang trainer to compete against the infamous Thomas B. Saunders V, Road to the Horse boss wrangler.

Colbert came back with the statement that “a girl could beat Thomas Saunders” and put her bling where her mouth was by choosing Extreme Mustang Makeover trainer Wylene Wilson of Queen Park, AZ to go head-to-head with Saunders. Wilson competed during the Extreme Mustang legends finals (bareback and bridleless with a broken hand) on her mustang Filthy Rich.

Details of the match-up will be announced at Road to the Horse in March, but rest assured with these two dynamic cowgirls at the helm both teams will surely “bring it” in the Battle for the Bling.

Road to the Horse is unlike any other event in the equine or entertainment industry. It is “the original colt starting challenge”. The two-day sold out event matches the absolute 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 heros and launching the careers of tomorrow’s hottest new stars. In the process, the event itself has become a shining star of horse industry. 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.

Road to the Horse is proud to partner with many outstanding companies including Horse & Rider, Mustang Makeover, Cinch, Cruel Girl, Gist Silversmiths, ABI Equine and John Deere . For more information on Road to the Horse and Tootie Bland Productions, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.

A crowd favorite at the 2008 Road to the Horse, Tommy Garland, will return in 2009 applying his CPR method in his quest to win this prestigious competition. Garland’s method is all about confidence, patience and respect when working with and training horses.

Garland is considered one of the best trainers and showmen in the world of Arabians and half Arabians and was named the Western Pleasure Trainer of the Year in 2002 by the Arabian Professionals and Amateur Horseman’s Association. When he entered the competition in 2008 he was unknown by many outside the Arabian show ring, but he certainly left with many followers and believers of his natural horsemanship methods.

Using confidence, patience and respect to tame and start young colts, Garland adapts his training techniques for each individual horse he works with. Understanding that no horse is alike, he believes that a cookie-cutter training program does not work for each horse.

“A horse isn’t a car; you don’t just turn the key and go. It takes a little while for a horse to figure things out. CPR Horsemanship is not pre-packaged fast food so to speak, it is home cooking like your grandma used to make,” said Garland.

With the use of his horsemanship techniques he will go up against John Lyons and Richard Winters for the title of Road to the Horse 2009 Champion. There is no doubt that this competition will be action-packed and full of education with lots of entertainment.

The Road to the Horse competition is like no other. It is “the original colt starting challenge,” combining the love for the horse, the love of competition and the love of education and entertainment. Hosted by Rick Lamb, of RFD-TV’s The Horse Show with Rick Lamb, this event has something for everyone. It is a weekend filled with endless horse-knowledge, excitement and friendly competition among some of the world’s top horseman.

Road to the Horse is proud to partner with many outstanding companies including Horse & Rider, Mustang Makeover, Cinch, Cruel Girl, and Gist Silversmiths. For more information on Road to the Horse and Tootie Bland Productions, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.

Richard Winters is excited to combine over thirty years of experience as a horseman and cowboy in the esteemed colt starting competition Road to the Horse. After training nearly every breed and studying many disciplines, ranging from dressage to cow horses, he is clearly an excellent candidate for Road to the Horse. Based out of Ojai, California, Winters would like to bring a little California style and flair to the competition.

“I like to change things up and make them different. I want to educate people about the California brand of cow horses, and I have some new ideas that I haven’t tried before that could come to a fun conclusion,” said Winters.

Along the way, Winters has had the opportunity to work with great horsemen who have helped influence and build his style of colt starting and training. Starting a colt during the Road to the Horse will be no new feat for this west coast cowboy. In addition to his list of championships and accomplishments, Winters conducts clinics across the nation for horse lovers and enthusiasts.

The California natives have already produced an amazing response to his participation in the event. Winters says they have really created a buzz on the west coast, and people from all over are buying tickets to see the competition.

Winters has been following Road to the Horse since its inception and is thankful to be chosen as a competitor. The competition symbolizes a lot to him because he says the audience is extremely appreciative and it’s great entertainment and education for horsemen and women across the nation.

“When looking back at past competitors, it’s an honor that I’ve been selected. It’s an honor and a privilege that I am allowed to be part of such a great competition. I’m just going to go out there and do what I do,” said Winters.

The Road to the Horse competition is like no other. It is “the original colt starting challenge,” combining the love for the horse, the love of competition and the love of education and entertainment. Hosted by Rick Lamb, of RFD-TV’s The Horse Show with Rick Lamb, this event has something for everyone. It is a weekend filled with endless horse-knowledge, excitement and friendly competition among some of the world’s top horseman. Road to the Horse is proud to partner with many outstanding companies including Horse & Rider, Mustang Makeover, Cinch, Cruel Girl, and Gist Silversmiths. For more information on Road to the Horse and Tootie Bland Productions, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 352-736-5000.

Get ready to win a horseman’s trip of a lifetime! Road to the Horse and The Extreme Mustang Makeover are giving horse lovers the chance to win all-access trips to these 2009 events by simply completing a survey. Enter to win now!

Road to the Horse has become one of the fastest-growing equine events, drawing audiences from all over the world and bringing top natural horsemanship clinicians to compete. Each year owner/producer Tootie Bland ups the ante for competitors and on-lookers. The 2009 event promises to be better than the last. John Lyons “America’s Most Trusted Horseman,” Tommy Garland and newcomer Richard Winters will take the floor at the Williamson County Ag EXPO Park in Franklin, Tenn., sharing their talents in hopes of becoming the next Road to the Horse Champion. Hosted by Rick Lamb, of RFD-TV’s The Horse Show with Rick Lamb, this event has something for everyone.

This is your chance to join in the fun! Road to the Horse is giving away a VIP package for two to the March 13-15, 2009 event. This includes two premiere tickets, two VIP passes (where you can rub elbows with the clinicians and celebrities, enjoy meals and complimentary drinks) and two nights stay at the Road to the Horse host hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites.

But that’s not all! The Extreme Mustang Makeover and the Mustang Heritage Foundation are adding to the prize list. They are also offering a prize package for two for the September 17-20, 2009 event that includes two reserved seat tickets for The Extreme Mustang Makeover Finals night, hotel at the Springhill Suites, VIP introductions to judges and/or top 10 finalists as well as VIP admission to the event after party.

The Mustang Heritage Foundation along with the Bureau of Land Management created The Extreme Mustang Makeover event to showcase the value of American Mustangs through a national training competition. Trainers from across America are given 100 days to gentle and train 200 yearlings and 200 three-and-four year old Wild Nevada Mustangs and compete for cash and prizes in Fort Worth, Texas. Through this program, American Mustangs are placed in responsible homes while relieving federal grazing lands to help sustain the remaining population of more than 25,000 wild horses. You have the chance to witness it all!

Road to the Horse and The Extreme Mustang Makeover are giving you the opportunity to be entertained, educated and amazed! All you have to do to enter is fill out the survey at www.roadtothehorse.com or www.extrememustangmakeover.com, where you can also find more information on these events and the contest. You must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Good luck!