Road to the Horse

A non-profit horse rescue in middle Tennessee reached out to Tootie in its quest to raise money for its 30 horses. Mostly neglected, abused or abandoned, the horses at River Edge Farm Horse Rescue will benefit from a patchwork quilt featuring the equine industry’s top personalities.

Tootie provided an autographed quilt square to be sewn into the fundraising quilt, as well as a monetary donation to assist in the everyday care of these horses. While some have received a “forever home” at River Edge Farm, others are rehabilitated and ready for adoption.

Update:
River Edge Farm Horse Rescue will begin taking bids on the finished quilt during the Eastern Mustang Makeover. Bids will close at the 2010 Road to the Horse and the quilt will be given to the highest bidder.

Featured on the quilt are the signatures of: Tootie Bland, Ken McNabb, Rick Lamb, Tommy Garland, Lynn Palm, Ryan Gingerich, Craig Cameron, Chris Cox, Patti Colbert
of the Mustang Heritage Foundation, Julie Goodnight, John Lyons, Les Vogt, Charles Wilhelm, Josh Lyons, Jane Savoie, Al Dunning, Kenny Harlow, Dr. Robert Miller, Tommy Turvey, Richard Winters and Monty Roberts. In addition to signatures from stars of the equine industry,
the quilt features machine embroidered horses, individual squares of horse material and side panels and binding
made of denim.

“The best response we received was from super lady, Tootie Bland. She not only sent a square for the quilt but also sent money and it is a tremendous help. I am very grateful for all the encouraging words and to all that participated,” says Jane McAllister of River Edge Farm Horse Rescue.

For more information on how you can help, please call Jane McAllister at 931-729-9274.

John Payne, a.k.a the One Arm Bandit, will be dropping jaws once again with his wildly entertaining and daring acts at the World Championship of Colt-Starting in Murfreesboro, TN on March 6-7, 2010. Performing with a wide variety of animals from buffalo to mules to mustangs, this Oklahoma cowboy is always adding new and adventurous stunts to his already awe-inspiring performance.

“The Road to the Horse fans have asked for it and they’re getting it! The Bandit will be back to thrill and amaze us all at Road to the Horse 2010,” exclaims Tootie Bland, owner and producer of Road to the Horse.

Back by popular demand, Payne says, “If you don’t think my show alone is worth the price of your Road to the Horse ticket and can convince my momma of that, then I’ll give you your money back!”

Although his momma is his biggest fan, she is not the only one who thinks that he is a spectacular entertainer. Earning his name because of an electrical accident that claimed his right arm, the One Arm Bandit is a nine-time winner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s (PRCA) “Specialty Act of the Year” award.

Born into a ranching family, Payne has been involved in rodeo for almost 25 years. Both his son, Lynn, and his daugter, Amanda, have joined his rodeo act which usually includes walking buffalo and horses on top of a horse trailer. Traveling across the nation performing at rodeos, the One Arm Bandit & Co. is on the equine industry’s most wanted list.

“John Payne is the wildest man on the planet,” says Tootie Bland. “If you tell someone that you know a guy that has one arm, chases buffalo while riding wide open and cracking a bull whip and then runs the buffalo on top of his trailer hot on their heels while spinning and wheeling his horse 15 feet in the air, they’ll laugh and tell you that you’re crazy. But we’re not crazy, it is John Payne, one of the greatest entertainers ever…period.”

It would be difficult to imagine anyone more capable than radio and TV personality Rick Lamb at elegantly marrying a lifetime of horsemanship study and entertainment for the benefit of a live audience of horse enthusiasts. Each year Lamb provides play-by-play commentary and interpretation for the legendary Road to the Horse colt starting competition. The 2010 event in Murfreesboro, TN on March 6-7 will be no exception. As always, Lamb’s translation will allow the Road to the Horse audience to take home a veritable “doggie bag” of new training knowledge they can use to further their horsemanship goals after the event.

Involved with the top horsemen in the country through his radio and television shows, Lamb as a connoisseur of all things equine is able to provide minute-by-minute competition commentary. Skillfully describing methods, behavioral reasoning and horsemanship history, Lamb will explain why the competing clinicians (Richard Winters, Craig Cameron and Ken McNabb) are performing certain natural horsemanship techniques at any given time.

“Knowing all three clinicians as I do and being just feet away from the action on the arena floor, I can describe what is going on in each round pen and bring subtle nuances to the attention of the audience. Spectators can definitely take in all three round pens at once, but I will be able to point things out that will add to their understanding,” says Lamb. “There is a palpable excitement that you can feel in the air when the audience knows something is going to happen and they are going be able to watch it unfold. That is why I love hosting this event.”

Road to the Horse producer and owner Tootie Bland chose Lamb to host the first competition in 2003 and he has been an integral part every year since.

“When Rick became part of Road to the Horse it was like finding a master sommelier for a five-star restaurant. With the combination of natural horsemanship, entertainment, education, Road to the Horse is like a great meal paired with a perfect wine, you just can’t get enough of it,” says Bland.

About Rick Lamb

Rick Lamb had a passionate interest in horses from an early age but few opportunities to be around them. Instead, he focused on music, turning pro at the age of 14 and fostering talents that he would repeatedly call upon in the coming decades.

After graduation, Rick started a commercial audio recording business, Lambchops Studios, in Phoenix and in 1997 launched The Horse Show with Rick Lamb, a weekly syndicated radio program. The program quickly found an audience on radio and the Internet, and was joined by The Horse Show Minute, a daily radio feature, in 1999.

By 2003, Rick had racked up six industry awards for his radio shows, had started emceeing live events, and was appearing occasionally on television and video. 2005 brought three more industry awards for The Horse Show and Rick’s second book, Horse Smarts for the Busy Rider. 2006 ushered in a new era with Rick’s move to television on RFD-TV.

For more info on Rick Lamb, visit his web site at www.ricklamb.com.

Road to the Horse Chooses Henry Patton as Official 2010 Artist

While artists across the country submitted samples of their work in hopes of becoming the Road to the Horse 2010 cover artist, it was “a horse of a different color” that caught the eye of Road to the Horse owner and producer Tootie Bland. Artist Henry Patton’s “Blue Horse” series, based on a Navajo legend, will include an original painting created for Road to the Horse and will be presented to the Road to the Horse Champion at the event in Murfreesboro, TN on March 6-7, 2010.

“A Navajo legend tells when the skies are blue and clear, Johano-ai, the sun god, is riding his favorite, strongest and most valuable horse - the blue horse. From this came the idea of a blue horse in every pasture, barn, show and anywhere horses hang out when the skies are blue and clear. For me, the blue horse signifies what is great about horses. They are hope, wisdom, gentleness and beauty all rolled into one. Blue horses have that feeling of a day with blue skies, clearness, and a bright future for all animals,” says Patton.

A former professional photographer and graphic designer, Patton uses his previous experiences to capture horses in a more modern, abstract and colorful way with a combination of watercolor, acrylics and oils.

“All of the entries this year were just outstanding and having to limit myself to one is like eating only one piece of chocolate. I do want to thank everyone and congratulate them all on the outstanding entries,” says Bland. “The Blue Horses of Henry Patton are simply fascinating, beautiful and inspiring and I am thrilled to have this talented artist and his Blue Horses represent the essences of Road to the Horse this year.”

To learn more about Henry Patton and his “Blue Horse” collection, visit www.bluehorseart.com. To buy your Road to the Horse 2010 tickets today, visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 877-772-5425.

About Henry Patton

Henry Patton is the artist and owner of Laughing Wolf Studio, named for his affection and admiration of wolves. In addition to being a equine artist, he is dedicated to the rehabilitation, release and return of wildlife to their natural habitat as well as his work with the Horse Rescue, Relief and Retirement Fund, Inc.

Patton’s paintings have been featured in art galleries across the nation, on Stirrups Clothing Co. apparel, and at several equine charity events. Living north of Atlanta, GA, Patton resides with his two dogs, Clementine and Wishbone, both mixed breed rescues. To learn more about Henry Patton, visit www.laughingwolf.com.

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 three of the country’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.

Road to the Horse is proud to partner with many outstanding companies across the equine industry including Road to the Horse presenting sponsor, Western Horseman, along with Nutrena, Quarter Horse News, Horses Magazine, Martin Saddlery, John’s Ariat Country, Rockin’ J Horse Stalls, Horsecity.com, WW Livestock, Hoofbeats Magazine, Horse South Magazine and Horsemen’s Roundup. For sponsorship opportunities and more information on the 2010 Road to the Horse visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.

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Like a classic showdown in an old western film, only time will tell which outstanding horseman will claim the Road to the Horse 2010 championship. With all three competitors strapping on their boots and stepping into the arena to give the event their best, returning competitor Richard Winters will defend his title against Craig Cameron and Ken McNabb.

Having already accomplished winning this spectacular colt-starting competition, Winters “aims high” with the promise to give it his best “shot”. Returning to the Road to the Horse arena on March 6-7, 2010 at Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this California cowboy says he knows the road may be longer and more difficult than before.

“With the right circumstances any one of us could win. I have a one in three chance! I know that I’d sure like to win another one of those buckles. I won’t be competing for 2nd place! Let’s see what happens,” exclaims Winters.

Setting two precedents at Road to the Horse, Winters rode his colt in a halter during the obstacle course and freestyle portion of the competition where he also tracked a calf in the arena. Using the horse’s natural cow instinct along with his cow horse experience, he brought the audience to their feet in sheer amazement.

“Every time I step into a competition like this the dynamics change. The colts will be different, no doubt the colt that I choose will respond differently than my colt from last year. The judges evidently appreciated my particular style of horsemanship last year. I’ll try to approach my colt with the same philosophy and style in 2010 and see how it works out,” says Winters.

Wowing the judges with his patience and skill in 2009, Winters competed against John Lyons and Tommy Garland to win the championship on the 2006 AQHA bay colt, Plenty Brown Hancock of Bath Brothers Ranch in Laramie, Wyoming. Keeping cool and collected in front of a sold-out crowd of 6,000 people, Winters used his years of experience and California vaquero brand of horsemanship.

An already accomplished clinician and cow horse trainer, Winters says that he was privileged to have been able to participate in Road to the Horse 2009 and he is doubly honored to be invited back for the 2010 competition.

“Needless to say I was extremely pleased at being named champion of Road to the Horse 2009. However, I understand that title will not buy me anything in 2010. It’s a brand new set of colts with two new, very talented competitors. We’re all starting at the same spot. I’m going to do the best I can do and let the judges sort it all out,” says Winters

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 three of the country’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.

Road to the Horse is proud to partner with many outstanding companies across the equine industry including Western Horseman, Nutrena, Quarter Horse News, Gist Silversmiths, Horses Magazine, Martin Saddlery, John’s Ariat Country, Rockin’ J Horse Stalls, Horsecity.com, Hoofbeats Magazine, Horse South Magazine and Horsemen’s Roundup. For sponsorship opportunities and more information on the 2010 Road to the Horse visit www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.