It was a photo finish at the Kentucky Horse Park after a historic showdown which brought the crowd to their feet as a Cinderella story unfolded.  Wild Card Jim Anderson captured the Ram Trucks Wild Card Championship and ultimately the 2014 World Championship of Colt Starting title for Canada.

Fellow competitors Dan Steers (Australia), Antoine Cloux (Switzerland) and Jonathan Field (Canada) were close behind Anderson in a finish that came down to the very last round. Jonathan Field was honored with the Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award for displaying exceptional horsemanship and always acting in the best interests of the horse.

Fans at Road to the Horse witnessed the largest ever American Quarter Horse Association Remuda to run in at Road to the Horse, with twenty one iconic horses from the 6666 Ranch. The Wild Cards for the 2015 competition were announced and made their choices from the AQHA Remuda form the 6666 Ranch after the 2014 competitors made their pick.

Returning Wild Cards for 2015 include Sean Patrick, Mary Kitzmiller, Trevor Carter and James Cooler. They will be joined by newcomers Shamus Haws, Dan Keen and Bobby Knight.

The remaining horses that were not selected by the competitors or Wild Cards were offered for sale to the public.

Road to the Horse 2014 Champion Jim Anderson purchased the 6666 ranch colt called Speedy Cream that took him into the winners circle in the main event and already has plans to direct the colt towards competitive obstacle competitions.

Road to the Horse Owner and Producer Tootie Bland saved a special announcement for the final day of Road to the Horse 2014 and surprised the crowd when she announced a $100,000 purse for the winner of Road to the Horse 2015. With a history full of surprises, Bland continued the excitement with an added bonus that one lucky fan will be selected to assist each competitor in 2015 and that fan will receive a $10,000 should their competitor take home the World Championship title in 2015.

Road to the Horse 2015 will take place at the Kentucky Horse park on March 27-29, 2015. Tickets are available now for Nations Members who wish to purchase Legacy seating and tickets will go on to the general public at 10.00 EST on April 22, 2014.

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About Road to the Horse: (March 27-29, 2015 – Lexington, Kentucky) Road to the Horse is an exclusive horsemanship experience that combines valuable education and thrilling entertainment!

A competition untouched by others, tests skill, experience and colt training prowess, Road to the Horse dares elite horse trainers to create a trusting partnership with an untouched 3-year-old American Quarter Horse. The test begins with the selection, choosing only one horse from the AQHA Remuda from the 6666 Ranch; competitors have just three days to build a working relationship. With disruptive sounds, exhilarating sights and adrenaline-pumping time constraints each competitor must face the final trial, an obstacle course. Only one can walk away with the Colt Starting World Champion title.

Road to the Horse enjoys the support of corporate partners such as Western Horseman, American Quarter Horse Association, Ram, Platinum Performance, Zoetis, 6666 Ranch, Cinch, Nutrena, W-W Livestock Systems, Martin Saddlery, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Centaur Fence, Red Brush Trailers, Gist Silversmiths, Twisted X Boots, ABI Equine, Barrel Horse News, Quarter Horse News, Brooks Mayberry Equine Insurance, Horse Radio Network, Suncoast Shavings, Valley Vet, Breyer, Theraplate, Outback Survival Gear, Spalding Fly Predators, Western Shooting Horse Magazine, ThinLine, USHJA, PFHA, Horsemen’s Corral, Horseman’s Hoofbeats and CSI Saddle Pads along with many more valued industry products and services. Contact Road to the Horse for sponsorship opportunities available in 2015.

The post Ram Trucks Wild Card Jim Anderson Captures Road to the Horse 2014 Title appeared first on Road To The Horse.

If you ask any Road to the Horse fan what is the most anticipated moment of each year’s event, they will undoubtedly say the running of the AQHA Remuda. This year ticket holders will witness the most exciting running of the AQHA Remuda yet as the legendary 6666’s Ranch of Guthrie, Texas brings the largest Remuda in Road to the Horse history.

The power and excitement of these beautiful 6666 Ranch geldings thundering into the arena evokes so much emotion that eyes water and shear admiration leaves you motionless. It touches your soul.

The legendary 6666’s Ranch of Guthrie, Texas, is bringing their finest to test the horsemanship of competitors Antoine Cloux of Switzerland, Jonathan Field of Canada, Dan Steers of Australia and a yet to be determined Wild Card.

“The competitors have their work cut out for them, they better bring their A game,” says producer Tootie Bland. “These horses are the best of the best and with 21 running in the Remuda the decision of which one to choose will be overwhelming.”

Twenty-one top untouched 3-year-olds handpicked by the 6666’s Ranch resident veterinarian and AQHA executive committee member, Glen Blodgett, DVM will make the journey from Guthrie, Texas to Lexington, Kentucky this March to run into the Alltech Arena March 14, 2014.

Competitors will take turns picking their equine partner from the historic Texas ranch known for producing some of the most iconic performance American Quarter Horses in the industry. Under the watchful eye of Road to the Horse Judges, a successful relationship built on trust and respect is developed over the short time in the round pens. Competitors have only three days to turn these 3-year-olds into a trusting, willing partner.

“Often I am asked what I think about the Four 6’s horses and that is an easy answer for me, simply perfection,” says Tootie Bland. “When you get a Four 6’s horse you are getting impeccable breeding, confirmation, intelligence and an athlete. When you have all those qualities wrapped up in one horse then you and that horse can be anything in the world you want to be, that’s perfection!”

The 6666’s is part of Burnett Ranches LLC, owned by Mrs. Anne W. Marion, the great-granddaughter of the ranch’s founder: Captain Samuel “Burk” Burnett.  The ranch is the recipient of the AQHA All-Time Leading Breeder of Performance Horses, AQHA All-Time Leading Breeder of Race Money-Earners and Winners, as well as the coveted AQHA Best Remuda.

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About Road to the Horse: (March 15-17, 2013- Lexington, Kentucky) Road to the Horse is an exclusive horsemanship experience that combines valuable education and thrilling entertainment!

A competition untouched by others, tests skill, experience and colt training prowess, Road to the Horse dares elite horse trainers to create a trusting partnership with an untouched 3-year-old Quarter Horse. The test begins with the selection, choosing only one remuda horse from a highly respected ranch; competitors have just three days to build a working relationship. With disruptive sounds, exhilarating sights and adrenaline-pumping time constraints each competitor must face the final trial, an obstacle course. Only one can walk away with the Colt Starting World Champion title.

True horse enthusiasts recognize Road to the Horse as the event of the year. 2013 marks an exceptional milestone, the 10^th anniversary.  This competition will be the most extravagant yet, an event so big can only happen in one place; The “Horse Capital of the World”, Lexington, Kentucky.  Meet horsemen and women from around the world at the Kentucky Horse Park for a truly unique equine experience. For more information, visit RoadToTheHorse.com.

The post Largest AQHA Remuda from the 6666’s Ranch Thunders into Lexington for Road to the Horse 2014 appeared first on Road To The Horse.

Road to the Horse Owner and Producer Tootie Bland is thrilled to announce an elite panel of judges for the World Championship of Colt Starting competition which will be held on March 13-16, 2014 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

“One of the hardest jobs at Road to the Horse is being a judge. Our event brings together the most elite horse trainers from around the world and this year we’re making it even more difficult for the judges with the first ever Road to the Horse Ram Wild Card competition” states Bland.

On March 13, 2014 beginning at 4:30pm, official Truck of Road to the Horse and exclusive Wild Card sponsor Ram invites the public to witness round 1 of the Wild Card Competition FREE. Shop the extensive Road to the Horse trade show and witness the Wild Cards face off at 5:30pm with their 6666’s Ranch colts chosen from the AQHA Remuda 1 year ago. Tickets will be required as the event continues on March 14, 2014  where  a  Wild Card Champion will be crowned and automatically make their way directly into the Road to the Horse round pen to compete for the World Championship of Colt Starting 2014 title against Dan Steers of Australia, Antoine Cloux of Switzerland and Jonathan Field of Canada.

Six official judges will take to the arena floor to judge the world’s most prestigious horsemanship competition. The 2014 judges will be Mike Kevil (Head Judge), Bryan Neubert, Cody Lambert, Joe Wolter, Jack Brainard and Jon Ensign.

Returning as Head Judge, Mike Kevil has spent over 35 years developing his own training methods focusing on patience, consistency and developing a deeper understanding of the horse. He is the noted author of “Starting Colts, a Western Horseman Book” and its DVD counterparts, “Starting Colts” volumes one and two. Kevil has been all over the US and to Europe working with all breeds of horses in all disciplines. He works with clubs, associations, schools, neighborhood groups — even prisons — helping people have successful relationships with horses.

Bryan Neubert began his career with great horsemen who were eager to share what they had learned with him and he considers himself to be a continual student of the horse. Based in Alturus, California, Neubert spends his time conducting clinics at home and traveling the US and Canada helping horse owners achieve a greater relationship with their horse through basic horsemanship, colt starting and cow working clinics.

Cody Lambert is best known for his bull riding skills but this 10 time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee has a lifetime dedicated to understanding the horse. His father, Cliff, was the first winner of the All American Futurity, riding Galobar to the win in 1959 and continues as a trainer at Ruidoso Downs today, sharing his advice and wisdom with Cody and is other son, also a jockey, Casey. Cody serves as the Livestock Director of the Professional Bull Riders and makes his home in Bowie, Texas with his wife Leanne and son Riley.

From Grass Valley, California, Joe Wolter is well known for his patient approach to helping both horses and people. Wolter is an accomplished trainer and competitor in cutting, versatility ranch horse and ranch roping disciplines. Together with his wife Jimmie, they operate horse training and cattle conditioning ranches in Texas and Montana.

Mr. Jack Brainard of Tioga, Texas is well known for his contribution to the equine industry with a lifelong commitment to horses and the people who enjoy them. Mr. Brainard will be presenting the Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award, for the second consecutive year, to the competitor that excels in developing a solid relationship with their 6666 Ranch colt.

Montana horseman Jon Ensign is the newest judge and will make his first appearance at Road to the Horse in 2014. With over 30 years of horsemanship experience Ensign is well respected as a patient and skilled horseman who excels in colt starting.

In addition Dr. Glenn Blodget from the 6666 Ranch, Mike Orman from Ram will join the six official judges to appraise health and body condition of the Wild Card horses.

For more information about Road to the Horse judges, Road to the Horse International and the Road to the Horse Wild Card Competition visit www.roadtothehorse.com.

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About Ram: With legendary power, performance and dependability, Ram Trucks is determined to work hard and play even harder, boldly forging ahead to get the job done. Ram is the Official Truck of Road to the Horse and Exclusive Sponsor of the Wild Card competition at Road to the Horse 2014. Visit www.ramtrucks.com to learn more.

About Road to the Horse: (March 13-16, 2014 – Lexington, Kentucky) Road to the Horse is an exclusive horsemanship experience that combines education and thrilling entertainment! A competition untouched by others, Road to the Horse dares elite horse trainers to create a trusting partnership with an untouched 3-year-old American Quarter Horse. The test begins with the selection, choosing only one horse from the AQHA Remuda from the 6666 Ranch, then competitors have just three days to build a working relationship with that colt. With disruptive sounds, exhilarating sights and adrenaline-pumping time constraints each competitor must face the final trial, an obstacle course. Only one can walk away with the Colt Starting World Champion title.

Road to the Horse enjoys the support of corporate partners such as Western Horseman, American Quarter Horse Association, Ram, Platinum Performance, Zoetis, 6666 Ranch, Cinch, Nutrena, W-W Livestock Systems, Martin Saddlery, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Centaur Fence, Red Brush Trailers, ABI Equine, Gist Silversmiths, Twisted X Boots, Barrel Horse News, Quarter Horse News, Brooks Mayberry Equine Insurance, JW Brooks Custom Hats, Horse Radio Network, Suncoast Shavings, Valley Vet, ThinLine LLC, US Rider, Spalding Fly Predators, Western Shooting Horse Magazine, Horsemen’s Corral, Horseman’s Hoofbeats, Drury Health Horse Feeders, EquineSavings.com, Saratoga Saddlery , Paso Fino Horse Association and CSI Saddle Pads along with many more valued industry products and services. Contact Road to the Horse for sponsorship opportunities available in 2014.

The post Road to the Horse 2014 International Judges Announced appeared first on Road To The Horse.

Round one of the Wild Card competition will commence on March 13^th, 2014 at 5:30pm. Alltech Arena doors will open at 4:30pm to allow fans to enjoy shopping at the most extensive Road to the Horse trade show yet. Tickets will be required for Round two of the Wild Card competition which concludes March 14^th, 2014 where  a  Wild Card Champion will be crowned and will automatically make their way directly into the Road to the Horse round pen to compete for the World Championship of Colt Starting 2014 title.

”We are thrilled to announce Round one of the Wild Card competition will be free to the public thanks to the generosity of Ram” stated Road to the Horse Owner/Producer Tootie Bland. “The Wild Card competition is going to be one of the greatest showdowns in Road to the Horse history; the talent is simply amazing.”

After the four competitors at Road to the Horse 2013 had selected their colts from the American Quarter Horse Association Remuda from the 6666 Ranch, each Wild Card competitor carefully selected a colt from those remaining. From Kentucky, the Wild Cards took their chosen mounts home, where they have been busy building partnerships and advancing their training. These partnerships will be showcased in an intense head to head competition, leaving only one Wild Card victorious. Fans will witness a historical showdown between these eight Wild Card competitors on March 13^th and 14^th, 2014:

James Anderson of Strathmore, Alberta Canada

Trevor Carter of Farwell, Texas

James Cooler of Summerfield, North Carolina

Jon Ensign of Belgrade, Montana

Mary Kitzmiller of Kemp, Texas

Kerry Kuhn – Kansas

Sean Patrick of New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Adam Tarpley of Merkel, Texas

Tickets for Road to the Horse 2014 are on sale now.  To purchase tickets for Road to the Horse 2014, go to www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325.736.5000. Road to the Horse fans can learn more about the Wild Card competitors and have the opportunity to follow their progress via the Road to the Horse website and Facebook page.

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About Ram: With legendary power, performance and dependability, Ram Trucks is determined to work hard and play even harder, boldly forging ahead to get the job done. Ram is the Official Truck of Road to the Horse and Exclusive sponsor of the Wild Card competition at Road to the Horse 2014. Visit www.ramtrucks.com to learn more.

About Road to the Horse: (March 14-16, 2014 – Lexington, Kentucky) Road to the Horse is an exclusive horsemanship experience that combines valuable education and thrilling entertainment!

A competition untouched by others, tests skill, experience and colt training prowess, Road to the Horse dares elite horse trainers to create a trusting partnership with an untouched 3-year-old American Quarter Horse. The test begins with the selection, choosing only one horse from the AQHA Remuda from the 6666 Ranch; competitors have just three days to build a working relationship. With disruptive sounds, exhilarating sights and adrenaline-pumping time constraints each competitor must face the final trial, an obstacle course. Only one can walk away with the Colt Starting World Champion title.

Road to the Horse enjoys the support of corporate partners such as Western Horseman, American Quarter Horse Association, Ram, Platinum Performance, W-W Livestock Systems, Martin Saddlery, Centaur Fence, Red Brush Trailers, Gist Silversmiths, Twisted X Boots, Barrel Horse News, Quarter Horse News, Brooks Mayberry Equine Insurance, Horse Radio Network, Suncoast Shavings, Western Shooting Horse Magazine, Horsemen’s Corral, and the Four Sixes Ranch along with many more valued industry products and services. Contact Road to the Horse for sponsorship opportunities available in 2014.

The post Road to the Horse 2014 Ram Wild Card Showdown Free to the Public appeared first on Road To The Horse.

Cloux has had a lifelong love affair with the horse, and his journey to seek a higher level of horsemanship has given him the opportunity to gain influence under trusted clinicians such as Martin Black, Tom Dorrance and Richard Winters. His passion for education has taken him to Australia, Argentina, Brazil and the United States.

Born in Geneva, Switzerland, Cloux started a career as a semi-professional hockey player at the age of 16. Riding horses through his youth, he was not satisfied with the horsemanship that he had been exposed to.  After a trip to Wyoming in 1996 to participate in a Buck Brannaman clinic, Cloux abandoned his hockey career to focus on his true passion, the horse.

From a country with strong roots in the disciplines of dressage and jumping, Cloux was eager to educate his fellow Swiss riders in the study of natural horsemanship. In 2003 he translated Tom Dorrance’s book into French and since 2004 has been organizing clinics in Switzerland. Cloux also assists the travel of Swiss riders to the United States to gain authentic ranch experience.

“Road to the Horse is dedicated to searching the globe to bring together the most talented clinicians from around the world to showcase their skills and inspire others to reach a higher level of horsemanship,” said Road to the Horse owner and producer, Tootie Bland. “Cloux has dedicated his life to the horse and it will be an honor to have him represent Switzerland at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2014.”

Cloux will be joined by Steers and a Wild Card contestant at Road to the Horse 2014. After careful selection, eight talented clinicians across the nation, were invited to take part in the first ever Road to the Horse Wild Card competition.  These eight clinicians travelled to Road to the Horse 2013 where they selected a gelding from the AQHA Remuda from the 6666 Ranch. From Kentucky, the Wild Cards returned home to spend the following year building a partnership with their gelding and continuing their training until Road to the Horse 2014.  In 2014, these 6666 Ranch raised colts will then return to Road to the Horse with their trainers, where they will compete against other Wild Card contestants for the title of Wild Card Champion. The Wild Card Champion will then immediately step into the Road to the Horse 2014 round pen, where they will have a once in a life opportunity to compete for the World Championship of Colt Starting title. Follow the progress of the Wild Card contestants on Road to the Horse Facebook.

Tickets are for Road to the Horse International 2014 are on sale now. Don’t miss the greatest celebration of natural horsemanship March 14-16, 2014 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Purchase your tickets now to avoid disappointment. For more information, visit www.RoadtotheHorse.com.

The post Second Competitor of Road to the Horse International 2014 to represent Switzerland appeared first on Road To The Horse.

Steers captivated audiences at Road to the Horse 2013 with his light hearted humor and was affectionately known as ‘#1 Pen Wrangler’, a title that was monogrammed on the back of his deck chair that sat outside the round pen while he assisted Dan James. Steers not only brings his comical Australian personality to Road to the Horse 2014, he brings a lifelong passion for horses.

“When I got the call from Road to the Horse Owner and Producer Tootie Bland I was in the warm up pen, aboard my Stock Horse, Double Image at the Australian Stock Horse National Show in Tamworth, New South Wales. At the time, that was always the biggest event in my show season,” said Steers. “I quickly realized I had bigger dreams that lay ahead in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. I couldn’t be happier.”

Growing up in Western Australia, Steers discovered his love for horses in his teenage years when he began working for master farrier and horseman Pete Weber and later Australian cutting horse trainer Corry Holden. Steers’ talents were soon rewarded with success in the show ring and he began conducting regular horsemanship clinics. In 2009 Steers and James relocated to New South Wales and Double Dan Horsemanship was formed.

Since expanding to the United States in 2011, Double Dan Horsemanship has experienced enormous success. Dan James won the World Championship Colt Starting title in 2012 at Road to the Horse, where he represented Team Australia with fellow countryman Guy McLean. Both Steers and James continue to conduct horsemanship clinics in Australia and around the United States.

Steers will be joined by other chosen competitors and a Wild Card contestant at Road to the Horse 2014. After careful selection, eight talented clinicians across the nation, were invited to take part in the first ever Road to the Horse Wild Card competition.  These eight clinicians travelled to Road to the Horse 2013 where they selected a gelding from the AQHA Remuda from the 6666 Ranch. From Kentucky, the Wild Cards returned home to spend the following year building a partnership with their gelding and continuing their training until Road to the Horse 2014.  In 2014, these 6666 Ranch raised colts will then return to Road to the Horse with their trainers, where they will compete against other Wild Card contestants for the title of Wild Card Champion. The Wild Card Champion will then immediately step into the Road to the Horse 2014 round pen, where they will have a once in a life opportunity to compete for the World Championship of Colt Starting title. Follow the progress of the Wild Card contestants on Road to the Horse Facebook.

2014 tickets are available now for Nation Members and on sale to the general public May 14, 2013. Don’t miss the greatest celebration of natural horsemanship March 14-16, 2014 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Purchase your tickets now to avoid disappointment. For more information visit www.RoadtotheHorse.com.

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About Road to the Horse: (March 14-16, 2014- Lexington, Kentucky) Road to the Horse is an exclusive horsemanship experience that combines valuable education and thrilling entertainment!

A competition untouched by others, tests skill, experience and colt training talent, Road to the Horse dares elite horse trainers to create a trusting partnership with an untouched 3-year-old Quarter Horse. The test begins with the selection, choosing only one remuda horse from the legendary Four Sixes Ranch; competitors have just three days to build a working relationship. With disruptive sounds, exhilarating sights and adrenaline-pumping time constraints each competitor must face the final trial, an obstacle course. Only one can walk away with the Colt Starting World Champion title.

True horse enthusiasts recognize Road to the Horse as the event of the year. Meet horsemen and women from around the world at the Kentucky Horse Park for a truly unique equine experience.

Road to the Horse enjoys the support of corporate partners such as Western Horseman, American Quarter Horse Association, Platinum Performance, Martin Saddlery, the Four Sixes Ranch, Centaur Fence and Red Brush Trailers along with many more valued industry products and services. To learn more, go to www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325.736.5000.

The post Dan Steers announced as the First Competitor of Road to the Horse International 2014 appeared first on Road To The Horse.