Being called an entertainer had little effect on Benji. She’s been there, done that. Me? I think I’ll have my badge framed as it’s the first (and probably the only) time it’ll ever happen to me. But what a fun, fun weekend it was. Kathleen and I feel very honored to be invited into inner circle with such amazing clinicians as Ken McNabb, Craig Cameron, and Richard Winters. And television/radio personality Rick Lamb who emceed the event and his lovely wife Diana. And singer/songwriter Mary Ann Kennedy, and Cowgirl Hall of Famer Tootie Bland who founded Road the the Horse, the World Championship of Colt Starting.
On the evening before the event 6000 ticket holders are offered the opportunity to get autographs from the clinicians, Rick Lamb, and the entertainers. Did I ever feel privileged to sit in with that group. The line stretched virtually out of the arena and didn’t get any shorter for almost two hours.
Benji dropped off into dreamland almost immediately
after a rigorous afternoon of rehearsals. Totally zonked.
Chatting with clinician competitors (r to l) Richard Winters,
Ken McNabb, and Craig Cameron, and singer/songwriter Mary Ann Kennedy
Rick Lamb dropped by the booth before the doors
opened Friday Afternoon
Whenever things weren’t happening in the arena we were swarmed
Thank the good Lord for dear friends Gene Bergeron and George McPeek who flew in from New Hampshire to help us erect the booth and help man it. We couldn’t have done it without them. I don’t think I’ve ever signed my name so many times at an event before. Without George and Gene, Kathleen would’ve been on her own handling the crowds.
Opening Ceremonies: RTTH Founder Tootie Bland walks Benji to the center of the
arena to present emcee Rick Lamb with a box of Wheaties, Breakfast of Champions, because Benji
says Rick doesn’t need to compete. He’s already a champion… and because General Mills
sponsored the big Jumbotron :)
Mission accomplished.
This year’s Road to the Horse was one of the hardest fought by the clinicians in the history of the event and the first one ever in which no horse was yet saddled by the end of the first day of competition. The photo below reveals one of the reasons why.
Kathleen, George, Gene and I each selected the horse from the remuda of ten that we would choose if we had to pick one and head to the round pen to compete. Mine was Horse #1 – the one in the middle!
Right.
I wasn’t around when Kathleen took this picture. Apparently neither was clinician Richard Winters because he selected #1 as his colt for the competition. Gene picked #9, which was chosen by clinician Ken McNabb. The horse we all agreed we would never pick was #10.
When the clinicians drew lots to see who would select first from the remuda, Craig Cameron drew the low number. “I might surprise some folks with my selection,” he said, “but I’m gonna choose #10. I think he might need a friend.”
Shows how much we know. Craig won Road to the Horse with #10 becoming the World Champion of Colt Starting. At the end of the first of two days in the round pens everyone felt it was pretty much a dead heat between the three clinicians, but when colt #10 came into Craig’s pen the next day there was an amazing transformation. Apparently he spent the night digesting Craig’s efforts to effect a relationship, and the next day he was a different horse, now trusting and willing, and very curious. Everybody was blown away.
The Road to the Horse prides itself on being very much a family-oriented event. Kathleen happened to spot Ken McNabb’s two sons and two of their friends watching the goings on together. Friends. And family. So cute.
Once again, thanks so much to Tootie and all involved in making it a a very special weekend for us. And congratulations to Craig for showing us that there is always another way to look at your horse.
To read more about Road to the Horse: http://www.roadtothehorse.com/
Joe
Went to the website for Road to the Horse –
Appears everyone had a great time – Wish I could have been there. The horses certainly did look pretty much “untouched”.
The 3 trainers did a great job – watch Ken McNabb every Sunday morning on RFD tv. Really enjoy his show & how well he works
with the horses. The picture of his kids with their friends was really priceless.
Glad you had the opportunity to be there.
Maggie
OOOHHH, I would love to hear Craig’s answers to your questions!! What an interesting story (about #10 – does he have a name??)…it’s the kind of stuff I could read about or listen to for hours. The stories behind the horses…especially when it is one where the human gave the horse a chance. Too bad we’re not neighbors, I would bother you with my company and a cup of tea and listen to all the stories you have(are)collecting.
It is rainy and very windy here – horses are jumpy. Mud everywhere…but next week is supposed to be sunny and beautiful! The geese are coming back, heard a red-tailed hawk the other day (they nest in our back field every year – watched two siblings learn to fly from telephone pole to tree top one summer as they cried out to Momma). Wonderful sounds of Spring.
Blessings,
Jane
I think his name is in the article on Road to the Horse website.
So where’ a picture of #10!! Doesn’t if figure that the one nobody thought would be the best..turns out to be. Kinda reminds me of the way God works…always taking what, at first glance, doesn’t look like the best, and making it beautiful. Looks like Craig was able to see something in #10 others missed. Congratulations to them both.
Sounds like it was a lot of fun, have to try and make it one day. The picture of Benji asleep is precious!! wow – he really is used to that kind of stuff.
#10 is the white/palomino to the right of the rearing #1. Kathleen says that #1 and #2 were actually just sparring/playing in that photo. But on Wednesday when they brought the remuda into the arena for the first time (we were there setting up) #10 took on everybody, biting, kicking, chasing… then the rest of the week he stayed outside the herd because he was a last minute replacement when there was an accident with the original #10. 1-9 had spent 9 months together in a pasture of their own. The new #10 was introduced at the last minute, thus the exclusion. #10 also had diarrhea Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (probably from nerves). Did not see any on Saturday or Sunday when the event was actually going on. As I said in the post: Good for Craig for teaching us all that there’s always another way to look at our horses. I hope to see Craig again sometime soon and ask him what he saw that I didn’t. That’s how we learn :)
What a great experience to behold three of the best horsemen start “raw” colts! My head would have been spinning- trying to watch all of the round pens at once! I hope Western Horseman or Equus covered the competition so I can read more about it. Horse #1 is absolutely gorgeous-you have great taste in animals (not to take anything from Kathleen of course!) Any chance you will ever make your way up to Calgary? Even though I am in my (late) 30’s I still dream about meeting Benji!
Glad to see that you three had a great time,
Xtine :)
Calgary? Sure. Just find us a venue that’ll cover costs :)
Hi Joe and Kathleen,
My husband and I saw you at road to the horse and of course got a couple of signed books. I let our Midwest Mustang and Burro Saddle Club know I got the extra book for the Club, and if they want to start reading and signing to let me know.
Kathleen, you told me a neat story of people reading and signing the book, then passing it on…that is my plan for one of the books I got.
Joe, I am the one from Mid Missouri and you mentioned you were from St. Louis…I think that is when we got in trouble from Kathleen because we were talking too much, and there were people in line. :-) Ha ha!
When I finish the book, I will send you an e-mail!
Hugs to all of you, and that includes the critters!
Karen and Brian
Looks like alot of fun, & the horses are gorgeous :). Glad you & Kathleen had a nice time.
Sounds fantastic — coming from a BIG BENJI fan :)
Looks like it was alot of fun! Wish I could have been there.
So that’s where you and Kathleen have been. Glad you had a great time.