Judge 1 – David O’Connor, Judge 2 – Cody Lambert, Judge 3 – Eric Hoffman, Judge 4 – Jesse Westfall, Judge 5 – Jeff Williams

Judged Criteria:

Catching & Haltering | Saddling Preparation | Saddling | Introduction of Rider | Obstacle Preparation | Groundwork | General Interaction | Timing – Reward & Release | Forward Motion | Willingness to Guide/Steer | Progression of Colt’s Softness -Yields to Pressure | Clarity of the Message | Overall Horsemanship – Reading of Colt | Clinician’s Conduct / Demeanor | Clinician’s Confidence & Understanding | Clinician’s Ability to Build Confidence in Colt | Clinician’s Ability to Adjust to the Colt’s Needs | Clinician’s Ability to Build a Solid Foundation | Appropriate Use of Pen Wrangler | Colt’s Demeanor at End of Session

How it works:

Scores for each criterion are judged from 0-5 in half point increments. Scores are cumulative across all rounds, and the high and low score are discarded for each round.

Round One:

Round Two:

Round Three:

Combined Totals:

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Born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, watching John Wayne movies with his Dad fueled John’s fire to become a cowboy — a fire that would grow into a passion for understanding the horse and learning how horses think, learn and interact. This passion sent John on the search for education from the masters in the colt starting and equine psychology arena. He spent time with Martin Black and Ray Hunt learning the art of colt starting and quickly jumped on the opportunity to study at an International Horse-Man-Ship University with Pat Parelli — his current Pen Wrangler and mentor. The education Pat shared through his Horse-Man-Ship program laid a foundation for John to build his understanding of the art of colt starting. This foundation has proved a solid base to build multi-discipline horse training, creating well-rounded horses and horsemen. This program truly helped John see the world through the eye of the horse.

Through hard work and dedication, John turned this “summer school” program into a 10-year educational career, including not only horse training and development but also a deep dive into human learning and education. He taught people from all over the globe and moved into the campus faculty leader position, guiding a team of 10 instructors while monitoring the progress of 80 students on campus. During this time, John was also in charge of heading the horse expo team to present the Parelli concepts worldwide.

It was this experience that opened the door to John’s current career. He took what he learned from a decade focused on understanding horses and humans as learners, sharing the nature of the horse regardless of differences in breed, age or purpose. 

Alongside his wife, Kathy, John opened Raising The Baar Horsemanship Center in Kentucky to create an environment ideal for educating young horses and preparing them for a career in any sport, as well as offering education for students looking to grow into horsemen. John continues to be inspired by the art of colt starting, refining his skills and finessing his communication to give each horse the opportunity for a smooth transition into riding. He is always moving towards improving his efficiency and the quality of experience for the horse. Learn more at www.jkbaar.com.

“I am honored to participate as a Wild Card competitor at Road to the Horse 2024, and I’m looking forward to catching up with renowned horse professionals from all over the world. This platform is a great opportunity to balance the principles of colt starting with the timelines of the event.”

John Baar

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Though an avid lover of all animals, horses have dominated Lindsey’s heart and soul. With over a decade riding and training for her successful business, Beyond The Bit, Lindsey has seen and done it all. Her training career began when she met her mentor and friend Brandi Lyons. Having completed both of Brandi’s intensive trainer certification programs, and subsequently working for Brandi as an assistant trainer, she has traveled across the country, engaging in horsemanship clinics, expositions and demonstrations.

Unlike many other successful trainers, Lindsey did not grow up with horses; however, her natural athleticism was a match for the challenge. Lindsey spent much of her youth winning multiple state championships in gymnastics and track and field, and twice she set the New Hampshire state record in pole vaulting. In her spare time, she worked as a stable hand in exchange for riding lessons. Her love of animals drove her to pursue a degree in Animal Science at Cornell University. At Cornell, Lindsey competed in the pole vault as a varsity track and field athlete, joined the Western Equestrian and Dairy Science Clubs, and went on to become president of Sigma Alpha, a professional agricultural sorority. Cultural curiosity led Lindsey across the pond, where she studied abroad in Italy and traveled around the globe through the University and clubs to Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland and India.

A summer spent working at Absaroka Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming, proved to be a life-changing experience for Lindsey. At that moment in time, she understood and appreciated the incredible intelligence of and connection with horses and decided to follow her passion to combine both.

Lindsey started Beyond The Bit Horse Training in Wyoming in 2015, as the terrain and culture catered to her love of the outdoors, mountains and Western lifestyle. She specializes in colt starting and problem horses but caters to all riders and disciplines. Her focus and passion are developing a solid foundation on horses. She personally enjoys a variety of riding and training disciplines, including reining, trail, endurance, tricks and liberty work.  She believes that a solid foundation on a horse is all one needs to be successful in whichever discipline a rider chooses.  

In 2020, Lindsey took Beyond The Bit to California, so she could condition and train for the Western States Trail Ride, popularly called the Tevis Cup, a 100-mile endurance ride. In addition to starting colts and training, Lindsey competed in multiple 50-mile endurance rides. In 2021 she competed in and finished the Tevis Cup on a stallion that she started, trained and conditioned.  It was both hers and the horse’s first 100-mile ride.In 2022, Lindsey moved back to her home state of New Hampshire to be closer to her family.  She rides and trains at a beautiful facility in Freedom, New Hampshire. Lindsey and Beyond The Bit continue to offer specialized training through both in-person and online lessons, training and clinics. Learn more at www.beyondthebithorsetraining.com.

“I’m incredibly excited to be a competitor at the Road to the Horse 2024 Wild Card Challenge.  I’m even more excited that my mentor and good friend Brandi Lyons is my Pen Wrangler and that we will be back in action together. I’m honored, humbled and so inspired by this opportunity to be a part of Road to the Horse!”

Lindsey Patterson

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From there, C.D. began taking outside horses to improve their overall responsiveness and began training rope horses for himself and others. With the purchase of Shineon Resortfigure (aka “Friend”) in partnership with his parents as a weanling, C.D. set his sights on the American Quarter Horse Association World Show. C.D. entered his first AQHA show in the tie-down roping in 2016 and has qualified multiple horses to the World Show every year since. In 2018, he and Shineon Resortfigure accomplished his goal and won their first World Championship with several following in subsequent years. C.D. now has the joy of training and showing Friend’s many offspring and is proud to see the stud’s success continue through his bloodlines. The lessons learned on Friend will influence his horsemanship for years to come.

After many years in southeastern New Mexico, C.D. married Alexa Major, and the couple moved to north Texas. While there, C.D. had the opportunity to learn from his new father-in-law, Mike Major, and entered the world of cowhorse training. Dabbling in the cowhorse arena, C.D. felt his horsemanship and his horses continue to improve. To further expand their herds, he, his wife, and his parents continued to invest in breeding elite bloodlines. In January 2021, New Mexico Junior College called and asked C.D. to return to New Mexico to lead the Equine program and teach all classes for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Equine Industry and Training. Upon accepting the position, C.D. and Alexa moved back to Lea County, New Mexico, where they now reside.

C.D.’s training philosophy includes a foundation of trust and respect with clear communication. When it comes to starting colts, he feels that the preparation and groundwork are of most importance, which can be seen in how his horses act while on foot. C.D. strives for a horse to respond to cues in a relaxed and calm manner, which he aids by utilizing a help horse in the beginning of the round pen stages.

“I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Road to the Horse 2024 Wild Card Challenge. Being able to help my father-in-law, Mike Major, as his Pen Wrangler at Road to the Horse for the last two years has been a great privilege and experience. I am looking forward to trading places with him and stepping into the round pen with a chance to win a World title. Thank you, Road to the Horse, for this exceptional invitation”

C.D. Wilcox

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