 2011 Event
It was, without a shadow of a doubt the most electrifying event in the eight-year history of Road to the Horse - The World Championship of Colt Starting. The nation's three largest equine clinicians shared the dirt for the first time February 25-27 in front of sold-out crowds at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN. Pat Parelli brought his horsemanship Savvy. Clinton Anderson displayed his Downunder thunder. But in the end, it was the earnest determination of Texas cowboy Chris Cox that won the judges' favor and earned him his third Road to the Horse championship title and the first Legends title granted by the event. "We thought it looked like [Cox] had the long-range plans of the horse in mind," judge Bill Enk said. "It looked like he was preparing his horse for the next step in training the whole time." In a little more than three hours spread out over the course of the weekend, Parelli, Anderson and Cox were asked to select a young horse from a remuda provided by the famed 6666 Ranch of Texas, and then gentle that horse under saddle. As the competition phase of the event started, owner/producer Tootie Bland told the crowd "I truly believe we are the luckiest people alive to be able to see these amazing men work with these fabulous horses." During the first day of competition, the clinicians each chose a horse with a different sire. Cox chose a gray gelding, Perfect Performance (sired by Sixes Pick and out of Best Performance by Special Effort), while Anderson chose a chestnut gelding Fletches Career (sired by Royal Fletch by Jae Bar Fletch and out of Career Model by Eddie Eighty), and Parelli chose a sorrel gelding Hey Whiskey (sired by Paddys Irish Whiskey and out of Hey Doll Baby by Juno Dat Cash). All of the colts were born in 2008. The different breedings seemed to come out in the horse's very different personalities. Parelli's sensitive sorrel looked like an easy pick at first, but a defiant streak lurked just below the surface and was reticent of anything above him on his right hand side, and he bucked the trainer off during an early round of competition. Anderson's chestnut, on the other hand, was fractious and reactive from the beginning. His explosive attitude was shown by way of an occasional bucking-bronc-worthy kick as he was being worked under saddle. Cox's gray stood out from the crowd as being sensitive and insecure. The horse seemed to be looking for leadership, which allowed Cox to play the role of confidence builder - a job the trainer took very seriously. "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." Indeed, each trainer seemed to take the time needed to get to know their horses in their own unique ways. Although they used different methods to get there, by the time round three rolled around, they had all had good rides on their horses, and there was no clear leader. The final round, however, required the trainers to take their colts through their gaits on the rail of the arena and then complete an obstacle course with such challenges as weaving in and out of poles, walking over a tarp, jumping low rails and dragging a log by a rope. Anderson drew the honor of being the first to go. His sorrel stayed true to form and didn't make it easy for him. The gelding bucked a bit during rail work and refused to walk over the tarp, but in signature style, the Aussie trainer ended on a good note. Once finished with the required obstacles, Anderson took off his horse's bridle off and rode him in a no-holds barred freestyle at a gallop around the arena to a standing ovation from the crowd. "He's a very reactive horse," Anderson said of his 3-year-old colt, "but overall I think he is a good horse. He's going to make a good horse for somebody. He may be challenging at times, but sometimes the best ones are." Cox was the second trainer to make his ride during the final round. A glitch in his hands-free microphone threatened to complicate his chances before he'd even set foot on the horse, but the technical crew replaced his headset quickly, and he went on to a successful ride on his grey gelding. The cowboy from Mineral Wells, TX easily took his horse from a walk to a lope in each direction and made it through every obstacle in the course. He even chose to dally his rope during the log-dragging portion of the event even though it wasn't required. "I'm going to dally because I'm a cowboy," he told the audience. "Cowboys can still be horseman." The energy in the arena built during Cox's routine, and by the time his "theme" song, "I am Just a Cowboy," was played during the freestyle portion of his turn, the audience was on its feet. Cox then stood on the back of his horse in what has become the signature maneuver of the famed event, jumped off his horse and made a victory lap on foot, high-fiving fans. His gelding waited patiently, showing the connection that Cox had desired. Cox then removed the horse's saddle and led him from the arena. Finally, it was Pat Parelli's turn. Parelli began his routine by announcing that he and his wife, Linda, had purchased the colt he was working with from the 6666 earlier in the day. "When I started this project, I thought about the cowboy who would be messing with him," he said of the horse, "not thinking it would be me." Parelli was slow, light and deliberate while building a relationship with his new colt. Before he got in the saddle, he pointed out that he would be using a hackamore for head control instead of a bit. The decision seemed to sit well with the sorrel, who carried Parelli quietly through the rail work and through each obstacle on the course. The pair culminated their weekend together with several celebratory cantering laps around the arena before stopping and asking for a prop - a large green ball. Parelli bounced the 4-foot diameter ball 10 feet above the horse's head on it's sensitive right side while the colt stood calmly. They exited the arena to a standing ovation and the strains of "Troubadour," by George Strait. As it had been in the first rounds, there was no clear-cut favorite to win after the final round was completed. When the suspense was finally broken, there was a cheer from the audience as presenting sponsor Western Horseman publisher Darrell Dodds announced that the most points had been awarded to Chris Cox. Cox received a $10,000 winner's check, a custom-made Martin Saddle, a giclee by artist Susan Edison, spurs by bit maker Daryl Davis and Road to the Horse Legends World Champion gold and sterling silver Gist Silversmiths belt buckle from Road to the Horse founder/producer Tootie Bland. "It feels pretty good," Cox said of the win. "I feel honored to be here and go up against these great horsemen. "What I really appreciated was that the horse connected with me and that means more to me than the win." AQHA, the official remuda sponsor, presented the Traveler Award to the esteemed 6666 Ranch to honor them for breeding Cox's colt, Perfect Performance. The award is named for the AQHA foundation sire who was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1994. The sheer talent of the trainers and quality of the 6666s horses made Road to the Horse 2011 a special experience for all involved. Judge Jack Brainard seemed to speak for everyone when he called the event "impressive". "One of the things about it, no one knew who was going to win it until the last hour," Brainard said. "Which made it more interesting, more thrilling for the crowd. It was just fantastic. Fantastic trainers, fantastic horses. I really enjoyed it."
Craig Cameron of Bluff Dale, TX was crowned the 2010 World Champion of Colt-Starting in Murfreesboro, TN March 7, 2010. Richard Winters, Cameron and Ken McNabb competed for the coveted title in a display of supreme horsemanship and at the end of the day, Cameron, known as the original cowboy clinician, came out the winner of the seven year old event which gives three top clinicians a little over three hours over two days to gentle three unbroken colts using their own styles of natural horsemanship. When clinicians were allowed to pick their horses on Saturday, Cameron surprised everyone by picking a small 2007 AQHA palomino gelding, WR Shining Alamo. "He was the little ragamuffin of the remuda, but he was low-headed, curious and brave and I was lucky to have him. I didn't think the first day he was such a good choice in the first half hour, but in the end, he made me use all of my skills and gave me a lot," said Cameron. In announcing the winner, Darrell Dodds publisher of Western Horseman (who is a presenting sponsor of the event), joked that as in so many things, at Road to the Horse, the third time was the charm. Cameron, who has competed at Road to the Horse twice before says his victory couldn't taste any sweeter. "Every time I've competed at Road to the Horse, I've left a piece of my heart in the arena. Now I'm getting a little bit of that back. I truly believe winning Road to the Horse is going to change my life. I am 61 years old and now I am a world champion and no-one can ever take that away from me. This may be the best day of my life," said Cameron. Road to the Horse producer Tootie Bland said that Cameron's win carried special meaning for her. "Craig and my late husband Steven were very close and it would just mean the world to him to see Craig win this," she said tearfully. The colts gave nothing for free and all three clinicians experienced road blocks along the way, but each competitor said they were pleased with the heart and effort their colts put forth. Cameron and his colt, who he had nicknamed Troubadour after his favorite George Strait song entered the obstacle course with the goal to "make a little music together". The pair accomplished that goal in spades. As the equine champion of the 2010 event, this AQHA registered colt received The Traveler award from the American Quarter Horse Association, honoring his willing nature. The second to choose his colt after Cameron, McNabb chose a gray colt WR Turning Diamonds, which he would later nickname Jerry on the suggestion of a fan. "A lady walked up to me and said you need to name that colt Jericho, because he's going to see the light in the end," said McNabb, chuckling. Though the colt was nervous and had head-shyness issues, McNabb was pleased with his progress enough to purchase the colt and said he will use him for ranch work and travel with him over the next year and then sell him at the annual Diamond-McNabb 2011 ranch gelding sale in Douglas, WY. Winters chose a sorrel colt, WR Shiners Flashback. In a surprise move, Winters' wife bought the gelding for him during the second round pen session - ironically right before the colt started a two-lap-around-the-round-pen bucking spree, which Winters quickly brought under control. Though all the horses made slow progress on day one, the clinicians made progress with their colts in leaps and bounds in round two on Sunday and it was clear going into the freestyle competition the race would be close. Each competitor showcased their colt adeptly through the required rail work and obstacle course. Adding to the "you-never-know-what-they'll-come-up-with-next" nature of the event, the clinicians had to navigate a surprise obstacle which turned out to be a person sitting in a chair wearing a gorilla costume. Surprisingly, all three colts felt pretty comfortable with the fake ape and breezed through the unusual obstacle without drama. After completing the required rail work and obstacles, each clinician had time to present a freestyle that they felt best encompassed their colt's unique talents and accomplishments over the two short days. Cameron rode to his colt's namesake song, and at one point purposefully dropped the reins at a canter and did his own king of the world move horseback with arms outstretched. McNabb emphasized their colt's ability to move out in the large arena - hitting a dead run with his colt and bringing him back calmly at the end. Winters once again tracked a calf during his freestyle to, as he said "to give his horse a job". Jody Wood, owner of Wood Ranch in Heber Springs, Arkansas said he was honored to have provided the remuda for the second time and that he was pleased with how all three clinicians worked with the horses. Likewise, the clinicians were ebullient in their praise for the job Wood and the AQHA had done in providing the remuda. "Mr. Wood really has something to be proud of. These are feely horses that can move out and do a job," said McNabb. Judging the event for themselves the first time at the 2010 event, Road to the Horse fans had the opportunity to cast their vote for who they thought should win the event. Combined with the expert opinion of judges Jack Brainard, Toni Warvell, Marian Buehler, James Gholson and Eitan Beth-Halachmy, the text message votes compiled from attendees determined Cameron as the 2010 champion. Besides the coveted title of Road to the Horse 2010 Champion, Cameron received a check for $10,000 from Road to the Horse producer Tootie Bland, a memorial Steven "Dookie" Bland trophy saddle provided by Martin Saddlery featuring conchos by Gist Silversmiths, a handcrafted Road to the Horse buckle by Gist Silversmiths, a CSI saddle pad, and an original "Blue Horse" painting by artist Henry Patton which was featured as the cover image of the event's souvenir program. In the end however, aside from the title, prizes and attention, Cameron was quick to say that all of the men were leaving the event with strong bonds, not only with the horses, but also with the fans and one another. "You won't find a bigger gentleman that Richard Winters and you won't find someone with a bigger heart than Ken McNabb. They impressed me with not only their horsemanship but also their demeanor. I would do anything for these guys and will always be close to them, it's a cowboy brotherhood that we'll always carry with us," said Cameron. Listen to Craig Cameron's post event interview. Click Here>> Listen to Richard Winter's post event interview. Click Here>> Listen to Ken McNabb's post event interview. Click Here>>  2009 EventRichard Winters of Ojai, California was crowned Road to the Horse Champion in Franklin , TN March 15, 2009. Winters, John Lyons and Tommy Garland competed for the coveted title in front of a sold-out crowd of 6,000 spectators including guests from as far away as Finland , France and Paraguay . The one-of-a-kind event, which matches three top clinicians with three unbroken colts, gives each competitor three hours over two days to start their colt using their own unique natural horsemanship training techniques. Winter's explained to the live crowd at the event that his training approach was to train his chosen 2006 AQHA bay colt, Plenty Brown Hancock, just like he would in any other setting on any other day. For Winters this included riding his colt in the obstacle course and freestyle performance in a halter rather than a bridle and bit, making him the first champion to ride his colt to victory bitless. "I start all my colts in just a halter and not a snaffle. I decided right away to ride him in a halter during the obstacle course because you don't need to be pulling on their mouth at this stage," says Winters. In another Road to the Horse first, Winters asked for a calf to be let into the arena during his freestyle. He explained it is important to him to cultivate curiosity and confidence in his young horses by introducing them to new experiences such as tracking cattle. "When they kicked that calf out into the arena for the freestyle it worked out really slick. My colt saw the calf and he really freed up and started tracking it. Hat's off to the Bath Brothers for raising really great cow horses," he says. Randy and Laurie Dunn, owners of Bath Brothers Ranch in Laramie , Wyoming said they were proud to show off their horses' natural ability by providing the 10 colt remuda for the event. "I think Richard really sold the crowd with the tracking of the calf and showcased the horses and their capacity and keenness of mind and ability to adapt to situations. I'm really glad that I was able to bring my horses into this venue and with this high caliber of trainers," said Randy Dunn in an interview after the event. Winters who is the horsemanship artist-in-residence at the Thacher School in California is also a champion reined cowhorse competitor and an "A" rated NRCHA judge. He was accompanied at the event by his wife Cheryl, daughter Sarah, and son Joseph. Winters chose his daughter, a champion reined cowhorse trainer in her own right, as his Road to the Horse pen wrangler. Road to the Horse not only featured high caliber horses and trainers, but the crème de la crème of the equine industry who were chosen to judge the event and lend their superior expertise in determining the 2009 Road to the Horse champion. Senior judge Bob Moorhouse was joined by returning judges Jack Brainard, Dr. Robert Miller and Toni Warvell. Dr. Jim Heird from Colorado State University and Marian Buehler of Dallas , Texas joined the judging ranks for the first time at this year's event. Shelley Mix announced the winner on behalf of Horse & Rider Magazine, the official publication of Road to the Horse. Fort Dodge Animal Health, a world-wide leader in equine health solutions, had Director of Equine Sales Laura Primm on hand in the winner's circle to present a check for $15,000 to Winter's charity of choice - Focus on the Family. The organization is dedicated to serving and strengthening family bonds worldwide. Winters says that he chose the charity due to the immense help that they have provided his own family and families across the world. "Focus on the Family has helped me in raising my own children and strengthening my own marriage. When families are strong and healthy, opportunities are more available for young people to participate in horse shows and junior rodeos and be involved in great organizations such as 4-H and FFA. When families suffer, the result is often horses being sold, cutting back on equine activities and moving away from a rural lifestyle ," he said in explaining why he chose the charity. Winters also received a check for $10,000 from Road to the Horse producer Tootie Bland, a memorial Steven "Dookie" Bland trophy saddle provided by Martin Saddlery featuring conchos by Gist Silversmiths, a handcrafted Road to the Horse buckle by Gist Silversmith, a CSI saddle pad and an original painting by artist Peter Grant entitled "On the Road" which was featured as the cover image of the event's souvenir program. As Road to the Horse host Rick Lamb said Saturday evening at the event, "Day two can change everything", and this year's Road to the Horse was no exception. After a challenging first day of competition, all three trainers and their colts stepped into the round pens and onto the obstacle course on Sunday with new attitudes and a renewed sense of purpose. Garland's colt (a grullo named Blue Leo Bonnet), though it did not want to move out in the round pen and offered to buck, was able to successfully navigate the obstacle course which was constructed with poles, jumps, bags of shavings from Guardian Bedding and sacks of Nutrena SafeChoice T feed. The obstacle course required everything from rail work to dragging a log to a mystery obstacle which entailed the clinicians getting their colts as close as possible to a cage which held two live chickens. In addition, Garland showcased the confidence he had built in his colt by standing on his horse's back while swinging a rope, crawling underneath his colt and navigating a pool noodle obstacle he said approximated trees brushing against his colt out on the trail. John Lyons, who was supported at the event by a large extended family including wife Jody, son Josh (who acted as his pen wrangler) and daughter Brandy (who participated in her father's clinic presentation on day 1), chose a sorrel colt named A Dunn Wiggy. Lyons explained that it was important to him for any horse to be inquisitive and want to please the trainer, but not to require babysitting. To illustrate his progress in this area, after successfully completing the obstacle course portion Lyons asked his horse to ground tie. Lyons, who recently underwent knee replacement surgery, gave the crowd a start when he seemed to be positioning himself to perform the ever-iconic Road to the Horse move of standing on his horse's back. Instead, in signature fashion he good naturedly teased the crowd for falling for his 'gotcha' moment. "It was a privilege to ride with John and Tommy and I appreciate what they're doing for horses and horse people. I felt like I had already won before the event even started just because I had the opportunity to participate in such an amazing event. It's really given me a leg up and I truly believe this event is a great thing. Not only has it given me national exposure to people who have never heard of me before, but it has allowed me to share the California and vaquero brand of horsemanship and reined cowhorses to people across the world," said Winters.  2008 EventDefending champion Chris Cox (Mineral Wells, Texas) emerged victorious at his second Road to the Horse competition with his win Sunday, March 2, 2008, at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, making him the only competitor other than Clinton Anderson to win back-to-back championships. Along with taking the title, Cox also received a $15,000 donation toward his charity, The Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer from Quest and Fort Dodge Animal Health. The winning horse was WR Shinosmoke by Shining King Cody out of Alamosa. The competition was neck-and-neck until the moment the winning envelope was opened. Top judges Robert M. Miller D.V.M., Jack Brainard, James Gholson, Terry Crofoot and Toni Warvell took in the action both days, and even into the last minutes of competition felt it was any man's game. "None of us knew where it was going to go," said Warvell. "It was so close. The clinicians were spectacular in the short-go. I was just very impressed." The Arkansas-bred Wood Ranch horses proved to be the challenge Boss Wrangler Thomas B. Saunders V was looking for. Competitors Tommy Garland, Ken McNabb, Mike Kevil and Cox tested their knowledge and horsemanship skills on four three-year-old American Quarter Horse geldings. The exhibitors and competitors enjoyed this year's selection of horses.Garland even bought his colt. McNabb and Kevil, a former judge, had two of the most impressive turn-arounds going into day two, and both clinicians left the arena to standing ovations after the obstacle course round. "It is absolutely amazing the feel that these gentlemen have developed over the years," said celebrity host Larry Mahan. "They are a great group of clinicians. It was a beautiful thing." According to host Rick Lamb one of the main aspects of Road to the Horse is learning to stay flexible and adjusting to fit the situation. This year learning to adjust played a big part in the clinician's tactics. When day two began Cox was the underdog and adjusted his program after the judges instilled a 10 minute time penalty at the beginning of the second round because he did not rest his horse for the required time during round one. "The thing about horsemanship is that you have to learn how to adjust," Cox said during his obstacle course round. "This colt has come a long way." Entertaining, exciting and educational are all words to describe the 2008 Road to the Horse competition. The American Cowgirl Chicks, the clinicians, the Extreme Mustang Makeover and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department added a thrilling touch to opening ceremonies. One of the weekend's biggest surprises was the announcement of John Lyons, "America's Most Trusted Horseman," as a competitor in 2009.
MURFREESBORO , Tenn., March, 2007: Chris Cox (Mineral Wells, Texas) was named champion of the 2007 Road to the Horse Sunday March 4 at Murfreesboro's Tennessee Miller Coliseum. With Cox’s win, $15,000 will be donated to the national chapter of the Future Farmers of America (The Wahl Charity Challenge money) and Cox will head home with a memorial saddle, buckle, and model of his winning horse, Commander Otoe King, a 2004 AQHA sorrel by Paseo Pronto and out of Otoe Windy Commander. As Rick Lamb said at the end of the event—“It’s now one for the history books. The judges' vote and the crowd vote went to Chris Cox.” Chris Cox started the 2007 Road to the Horse with a goal to win, but also to educate the crowds. “It’s a great event and I’m privileged to be here,” Cox says. “The crowd was into it. It feels good. When I picked the horse and went in there, I was the last person to catch my horse. It’s constant work. I had to stick with it. I came here with the same plan I always use to work with a horse and I stuck with it." At the end of the event that horse, number one in the remuda, locked onto Chris and followed him around in circles then out of the wide-open arena. “I’m patient and I’m going wait on it,” Cox says. “He came around. There has to be a trust built there for that to happen.” Fans and judges seemed to agree on the winner—but the competition was fierce. At the end of day one, any of the clinicians had progressed with their horses and had the opportunity to win. “I was absolutely thrilled with the entire competition,” says judge Mike Kevil. “Chris did a great job. I’ve never seen Chris work before and I enjoyed watching him. Chris made a lot of good decisions. He was smooth in applying his methods. He didn’t get hurried. He let his horse relax before he went to work again. It’s the demeanor of his horse we were watching most. He had a great, willing attitude. When Chris asked that horse to lope off, he loped off and loped until Chris asked him to slow down. When he did walk, he walked with his head down and was relaxed—he wasn’t still excited from running.” Alternate judge Lindy Burch attended Road to the Horse for the first time this year. In the arena, she was in charge of tracking the clinicians’ break time (all were required to exit the pens for a break and could decide when to take those pauses). The award-winning cutting trainer was pleased with the event and the results. “I came here to see what all the hoopla was about,” she says. “I had heard a lot about it, but wanted to see. This event is a great education. It really fills a niche that people need—teaching them about what can be done with horses. I think it fills a real need for the public—people that are interested in their horses’ welfare. As a professional horse trainer and competitor—my horses aren’t pasture pets—they can do a job. I appreciate a horse that can do a job, a horse that you can saddle up and go out for the day. I saw that take shape in the round pen.”  2006 Event Stacy Westfall First Woman Winner at Road to the Horse The sell-out crowd erupted when they heard the results—Stacy Westfall is the 2006 winner of Road to the Horse, the colt-starting challenge held February 25-26, 2006 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Westfall was the first female competitor, challenging well-known cowboy clinicians Martin Black, Craig Cameron and Van Hargis. “This year was extraordinary,” says event producer Tootie Bland. “The horses were extremely challenging and each clinician was outstanding. I also think Stacy’s win is a great step forward—confirming that women can compete differently, but on the same level as men.” Westfall was excited and amazed at the announcement. She was happy with her three hours in the round pen and she was pleased with her judged ride. Still, she says she didn't know where she would place. Competitors worked with previously untouched horses-training them for three hours, then showing off their progress by riding through an obstacle course with logs to cross and poles to drag. "It was amazing," she says. "I couldn't see what everyone else was doing. I heard Martin Black had his horse crossing bridges and laying down. I didn't know what would happen. I was happy with my obstacle course. I wanted to do everything safely." Westfall bonded with her horse, Doctor T Tari-whom she calls "Popcorn." She offered to buy him after her first competition round on Saturday. After the competition, she purchased the three-year-old colt sired by Docs T Peppy and out of Ms Tari Babe. The horse was raised on the Cornelius Ranch, in Blountsville, Ala. Women in the audience were thrilled with the news. "It was a dream come true for women all over-and especially from Ohio," says Terry Shellenbarger, a Road to the Horse ticket holder from Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Terry traveled to Tennessee with a friend for a "girl's only" getaway weekend to support Westfall. "The guys were fantastic, too, but Stacy's horse was so happy with her. She talked to her horse and guided it through as she performed. She had confidence in her horse and her horse knew it. She was nice and calm during the entire show." Westfall is expected to compete in the 2007 Road to the Horse Champion of Champions event. There she'll meet two-time competitor Clinton Anderson and a yet-to-be confirmed Chris Cox.  2005 EventClinton Anderson Wins Second Consecutive Road To The Horse Championship Murfreesboro, TN - The competition was fierce, the horses were challenging and the 5,000 spectators who filled the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN March 5 and 6, 2005 loved every minute of it. Heralded as "The Greatest Horsemanship Event of the Year" those lucky enough to get a ticket to the sold out event had a ticket to horsemanship history. With a tough draw of horses, Clinton Anderson, Craig Cameron and Van Hargis worked for every training success and showed the appreciative crowd the depth of their skills. Ultimately, Australian clinician Clinton Anderson was crowned the winner of the event, but the true winners were the horses and the audience who were treated to the skills of all three clinicians. Photo by Heidi Nyland |
 Past Competitors (winner in blue):
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