Founded in 2003, Road to the Horse strives to entertain and educate fans in the art of natural horsemanship. Road to the Horse challenges the World’s best equestrians to build a partnership with an untouched three-year-old American Quarter Horse, across three intense days of competition. Fans witness the entire journey, from colt selection, to the final obstacle challenge. Only one competitor will earn the $100,000 purse and the World Championship of Colt Starting title.
Past World Champions of Colt Starting (Winner in bold)
- 2003 – Curt Pate, Josh Lyons, Clinton Anderson
- 2005 – Craig Cameron, Clinton Anderson, Van Hargis
- 2006 – Van Hargis, Martin Black, Craig Cameron, Stacy Westfall
- 2007 – Chris Cox, Stacy Westfall, Clinton Anderson
- 2008 – Mike Kevil, Tommy Garland, Ken McNabb, Chris Cox
- 2009 – John Lyons, Tommy Garland, Richard Winters
- 2010 – Richard Winters, Craig Cameron, Ken McNabb
- 2011 – Pat Parelli, Chris Cox, Clinton Anderson
- 2012 International
- Team Australia – Guy McLean & Dan James
- Team Canada – Jonathan Field & Glenn Stewart
- Team USA – Craig Cameron & Pat Parelli
- 2013 – Dan James, Sarah Winters, Guy McLean, Obbie Schlom
- 2014 – Jim Anderson, Antoine Cloux, Jonathan Field, Dan Steers
- 2015 – Chris Cox, Jim Anderson, Trevor Carter
- 2016 – Clinton Anderson, Nick Dowers, Richard Winters
- 2017 – Sarah Dawson, Kate Neubert, Rachelle Valentine , Vicki Wilson
- 2018 – Vicki Wilson, Nick Dowers, Dan James
- 2019 – Vicki Wilson, Nick Dowers
- 2021 – Wade Black, Craig Cameron, Ken McNabb
- 2022 – Brandi Lyons, Mike Major, Pat Parelli, Glenn Stewart
- 2023 – Cole Cameron, Mike Major, Guy McLean, J.R. Robles
- 2024 – Donal Hancock, Tik Maynard, Ken McNabb, C.D. Wilcox
The Wild Card Competition (Winner in bold)
- 2019 – Ben Baldus, Wade Black, Booger Brown
- 2021 – Wylene Davis, Cole Cameron, Craig Moore
- 2022 – Kelsey Love Thomas, Amanda Wilson, Nate Eicher, Lee Hart, Daniel Oliveira, J.R. Robles
- 2024 – John Baar, Lindsey Patterson, C.D. Wilcox
Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award
The Road to the Horse Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award goes to the horseman or horsewoman that excels in their power of observation to correctly analyze the best approach, and then apply that method as smoothly as possible for the horse’s best interest. Dr. Glenn Blodgett was honored to select and present the Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award recipient in 2022, in honor of the legendary horseman, Jack Brainard. Dr. Nathan Candy (6666 Ranch) selected the winner in 2023 and Brooks Hodges (Pitchfork Ranch) in 2024.
- 2013 – Guy McLean
- 2014 – Jonathan Field
- 2015 – Chris Cox
- 2016 – Nick Dowers
- 2017 – Kate Neubert
- 2018 – Dan James
- 2019 – Nick Dowers
- 2021 – Wade Black
- 2022– Mike Major
- 2023 – J.R. Robles
- 2024 – Donal Hancock
Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Challenges (Winner in bold)
Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting events are designed to inspire the next generation of horsemen and horsewomen by creating an environment where students can apply their knowledge and gain valuable experience from the competition arena. Road to the Horse has hosted various challenges around the country.
- 2020 – Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (TX): North Central Texas College, West Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University.
- 2021 – Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge at the Days of ’47 Rodeo (UT): University of Western Montana, Casper College, Utah Valley University.
- 2023 – Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge at the Idaho Horse Expo (ID): University of Montana Western, Feather River Community College, Treasure Valley Community College.
- 2024 – Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge at the Idaho Horse Expo (ID): University of Montana Western, Treasure Valley Community College, Feather River Community College.
