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.
