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Road to the Horse
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On the Road to the Horse: Introducing Ken McNabb
Interviews with the competitors as they prepare for the 2008 event
Part 1/3
For a high res photo of Ken McNabb:
http://roadtothehorse.com/kenmcnabb.jpg
MURFREESBORO, Tenn., August 15, 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 Ken McNabb 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 join in at Road to the Horse?
A: I believe these competitions are very important for our industry and I enjoy the opportunity to compete against trainers considered to be my peers. The benefit of these competitions is immeasurable for both the audience and the trainers. I look forward for the opportunity to compete with Chris Cox.
Q: What will you do to “study up” and prepare for this year’s show?
A: I have been practicing colt starting all of my life and I plan to continue practicing as long as I am able. I try very hard not to change my methods simply for competitive venues. However, after years of experience I have found that often times we can make ground fast by going slow. I believe in building a foundation and if your foundation is solid, then your training begins to move much quicker. One of the things that I have noticed in competitive venues is that if you study your competitors too much, it’s easy to lose track of who you are and what you do. I certainly am aware of who my competitors are and have a great deal of respect for them and their ability and obviously I have seen their shows. As far as the Road to the Horse time frame, it’s been my experience that while horses don’t wear watches, the quicker I get my job done, the easier it is for them to learn and stay willing. Yes, I love crowd involvement. I would tell you my secret strategy, but then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore, would it? (just kidding). I intend to compete using the same style of horsemanship that I have used in creating ranch horses my whole life. To me, a horse was created to enjoy performing a job and I see it as my job to help both the horse and the crowd enjoy the show.
Q: Is there something you’re looking forward to the most at the 2008 event?
A: Well, I don’t know some of the other competitors personally, but Chris Cox and I have been friends for several years, and I look forward to a high level of professional camaraderie with all of the trainers. In addition, the obstacle course will be the most enjoyable for me.
Q: What’s the most difficult part of competing in Road to the Horse?
A: Not being able to talk the entire time that I am training.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the Road to the Horse setting?
A: The opportunity to be judged by legendary horsemen and cowboys that were my heroes as a kid growing up.
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: There are very few differences other than I would not necessarily require my horses at the ranch to complete all of the obstacles on their third official ride that we will complete in the competition. I have learned to build my horse’s confidence early so that there is a higher level of trust when we reach the obstacles.
About You
Q: What was the name of the first horse you really bonded with? How old were you?
A: I was 4 years old and it was a miniature mule named Jack and I owned him until both he and I were 30 and had the privilege of watching both of my children learn to ride on him.
Q: What was the most dangerous or ornery thing you and that horse did together?
A: Riding through my mother’s kitchen minutes after she had finished cleaning the house.
Q: Did you ever want to be anything except a horse trainer?
A: For as long as I can remember, I aspired to be a cowboy and a horseman.
Q: Who are your top mentors—from when you were young, high school age, young adult, and now?
A: Throughout my life my dad has continually been a mentor and a hero. In my high school years I studied under John Lyons and since that time have studied the methods of every horseman I have met– from the backyard owners to the professionals.
Q: What did you learn from each?
A: The most important things I have learned from my dad were persistence, honesty and integrity. Without these three traits, it is impossible to succeed in life. From John Lyons, I learned to present knowledge in a language that both the horse and rider could understand.
Q: As a professional trainer, what horse gave you the biggest challenge?
A: In 1995 I purchased a 3-year-old Paint Stallion named Diamond Breeze (Beau) from a farm in Canada where he was being used as a tease stallion and had gotten completely out of control.
Q: What did you learn from that horse that’s made you a better trainer today?
A: Beau could never be pushed or bullied. At any time that you tried to push or bully him he would retaliate, but in any scenario where you allowed him the opportunity to choose the right answer he became a wonderful and willing partner. This changed my training more than any other single horse as it taught me to present the horse with the information, not force feed it to him.
Q: What’s one piece of advice about horse training you hope to share with Road to the Horse audiences?
A: Your horse did not wake up this morning with the intent to make a fool out of you or injure you. He simply doesn’t think that way. He woke up this morning with the desire to find peace and contentment in a pasture full of grass. Our goals and unreasonable expectations, if allowed, can turn horse training into a life and death struggle. Remember to ask ‘what’s in it for the horse? What does he get out of what you are doing today?’ Are you willing to work for your boss as cheaply as your horse is willing to work for you? Remember, your respect and release and reward are the only salary that your horse earns. Pay him as highly as possible.
Q: What do you hope people will see in you?
A: It is my sincere hope and prayer that, not just at Road to the Horse, but that at all times and places, whether at home in my backyard, or in front of thousands, people see the respect and love I have for the wonderful creature that God has created for us. I could be paid no higher compliment than to be called a horseman and a cowboy.
Q: Any final words for Road to the Horse fans?
A: I hope you have as much fun watching as I intend to have competing. I hope I am able to share with you a portion of what so many of you have taught me over the years, so let’s have fun at Road to the Horse 2008.
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.