Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2017 i Horse & Rider

TRAVEL Texas WHERE Amarillo, Texas WHAT WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo WHEN November 9–12 WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo It doesn’t get any more core cowboy than this. Real, working cowboys take four days off from ranch work every November to show the world their horsemanship, cattle handling, roping skills, and grit. Each night, following a rousing and patriotic grand entry, cowboys from 23 teams representing the country’s top ranches compete in ranch bronc riding, team penning, calf branding, stray gathering, and the fan favorite: wild cow milking.…

Teach your trail horse to step out confidently on his own, trusting you to be his herd leader. ➞ Riding out alone—just you and your horse—can be a relaxing venture. But if your horse thinks he should be back at the barn with his equine friends, your ride might be anything but peaceful. Horses are hardwired to be in a herd. In the wild, the herd meant security, safety, and survival. This instinct can lead your horse to become herd-bound (refusing to leave his herdmates—those at home or on the trail) or barn-sour (turning toward home on his own). By using clear leadership and direction, you can teach him to overcome this undesirable behavior and willingly walk the path you choose. Here, I’ll teach you how to be your horse’s…

Miss Rodeo America 2017, Lisa Lageschaar, speeds around the arena at the Thomas & Mack Center at last year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas during the grand entry. Every night, every cowboy (except the bareback riders who are preparing to nod their heads in competition) rides into the arena behind their state’s flag. The NFR grand entry is a touchstone event in a cowboy or cowgirl’s career and a truly rousing experience for the audience. AT A GLANCE RODEO TIME! This year, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo celebrates its 33rd year in fabulous Las Vegas! Every night, from Dec. 7 through Dec. 16, the top 15 contestants in eight events will compete at the Thomas & Mack Center for their share of $10 million. Each rodeo performance kicks…

From noon until 3 p.m. every day of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Western-industry notables will keep you entertained at Cowboy Christmas’ Rodeo Live Stage presented by RODEOHOUSTON. Flint Rasmussen—whose highly acclaimed show “Outside the Barrel” has run on the Cowboy Christmas stage for over decade now—is appointment viewing. Next up is country music star Daryle Singletary’s “Keepin’ It Country.” Singletary is known for his commitment to core country music with hits like “I Let Her Lie,” “Amen Kind of Love,” and “Too Much Fun.” One country music star after another will grace his stage, and together they will pick old tunes, tell stories and showcase new songs. The goal, he says, is to have a front-porch kind of atmosphere as if there wasn’t even an audience present. “I don’t…

*All listings are free to the public! GARY LEFFEW’S BUCKING BALL Dec. 7–16, starting at 6 p.m.; Tropicana Las Vegas Enjoy a live viewing party followed by live music from Texas Jamm Band and Scotty Alexander. RUMPS RODEO PARTY HOSTED BY PRCA BARRELMAN, JUSTIN RUMFORD Dec. 7–16, 6 p.m.–9 p.m.; The Orleans Showroom Nightly special guests and prizes hosted by one of the funniest men in ProRodeo. SOUTH POINT PRESENTS RAM RODEO TAILGATE PARTY Dec. 7–16, 6 p.m.–10 p.m.; South Point Convention Center Don’t miss this rowdy tailgate that offers live viewing of the rodeo, refreshments and prizes! THE MIRAGE PRESENTS RODEO VEGAS 2016 Dec. 7–16; 6:30 p.m.–4 a.m.; The Mirage Race & Sports Book The Official Wrangler NFR After-Party of the PRCA features nightly concerts. MGM GRAND GOLD BUCKLE…

Should you play with your horse? Some owners think it’s fun and believe they should do it to improve the horse- human relationship. In reality, though, equine play behavior involving humans is likely to be more dangerous than fun. For every entertaining or insightful moment, there are a multitude of risks that in the long run just aren’t worth taking. Horses do benefit by being occupied when they’re on their own, and in the right circumstances, opportunities to play can provide them cognitive enrichment. Moreover, offering stimulation and activities that encourage them to interact safely with humans and their environment can help develop the learning processes that improve their psychological well-being and welfare. But teaching your horse something that can turn into a dangerous behavior doesn’t fall into this beneficial…

The Collector: Trent Johnson Greeley, Colorado The Collection: For a truly custom-fitting cowboy hat, Trent Johnson, owner of Greeley Hat Works, uses an antique measuring tool called the conformateur. The one shown here has been with Greeley Hat Works since the shop first opened its doors in 1909. While this model stays with Johnson at the shop, he has two more he takes with him on the road—even internationally—and six others that he lends to his retailers so they can take custom measurements for their clients’ orders. “The conformateur gives a pattern of the exact shape of your head,” he explains. “Instead of using a tape measure to find out your size, I use the conformateur to model the exact size and shape of the circumference of your head for…

In its 22nd year, the Working Ranch Cowboys Association World Championship Ranch Rodeo raises funds for cowboys in times of need and preserves the Western way of life. The Amarillo Civic Center gives spectators a close-up view as their favorite cowboy sorts, ropes, rides a bronc, and mugs a cow—often all in one night. The Ranch Horse Association of America (think working cow horse plus roping) presents classes of all skill and age levels on Friday and Saturday. Don’t miss the best pure-cowboy trade and trappings show, but get there early. On Friday afternoon and Saturday, it’s shoulder-to-shoulder shopping. 18.70 The Facts The world wild cow milking record—in seconds—set by the Lonesome Pine Ranch at last year’s WCRR. Don't Miss This explore. Visit the 1. American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame…

➞ Aside from adjustment, proper cueing with a hackamore makes or breaks your success in using this piece of equipment. My methods fall in line with traditional training theories I learned from iconic horse trainers such as Benny Guitron—a notable hackamore master and reined cow horse legend. My way of using a hackamore is different than how a Western pleasure trainer might use one to show a 2-year-old on the rail, for example. Keep that in mind as you learn from my tips. Corey Cushing, Scottsdale, Arizona, has earned nearly $2 million across NRCHA, NRHA, and NCHA competition. He prides himself in preserving his horses’ longevity and versatility. Learn more about his successes and his training program by following Corey Cushing Performance Horses on Facebook. One When riding with a…

This exercise challenges and promotes your in-saddle balance so you can begin to develop a truly independent seat. ➞ How important is feeling secure in the saddle? Extremely—in fact, you can’t be on the fast track to fun with horses if you’re feeling scared and unconfident. My solution for riders who feel uncomfortable is what I call my independent-seat exercise. It’s an activity you can do while riding your horse to develop a more balanced seat, which in turn boosts your in-saddle security and confidence. I love this exercise so much, I do it myself! Having an independent seat means being able to ride your horse without needing to hold on with your hands or cling with your legs. So no matter what your horse does or where he goes,…

Open 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily (Dec. 7-16) Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls, Paradise Road and Desert Inn, Cowboy Christmas is the only official gift show and interactive experience of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Shop over 400 vendors and check out the ever-growing list of attractions: Rodeo Live presented by RODEOHOUSTON, Coors Rodeo Saloon, Rodeo Way exhibits, Wrangler Rodeo Arena, NFR Social Lounge, Great Wall of Rodeo presented by Calgary Stampede and additional features. The Rodeo Live Stage presented by RODEOHOUSTON will host four shows daily: Outside the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen, Keepin’ it Country with Daryle Singletary, RFD-TV’s Western Sports Roundup and the newest addition in 2017: Rodeo Recess with Andy Seiler. To add to the overall experience, RMEF’s Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo will be…

Every moment of every day during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Las Vegas offers something to do. And after the rodeo, the city’s best casinos and entertainment venues offer top-shelf music and comedy after every rodeo performance. DECEMBER 2017 6, 12 A hometown girl with a “Nash Vegas” style, SIERRA BLACK has sung alongside country music’s best. She’s attended the NFR since she was 3 years old and performed the national anthem at the Thomas and Mack, too. South Point Showroom; following the Buckle Ceremony 7 Couldya, wouldya, aintya, gonna check out the rich baritone of JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY? For 25 years the Kentucky native has wowed audiences with hits like “I Swear,” “Life’s a Dance,” and “Be my Baby Tonight.” Golden Nugget—The Grand; 10 p.m. 7-11 An independent-minded singer…

$99 MILLION The total economic impact to the city of Las Vegas by the Wrangler NFR. 350+ THE NUMBER OF VENDORS YOU CAN SHOP AT THIS YEAR’S COWBOY CHRISTMAS. 6:45 P.M. Time (Pacific standard) that each rodeo performance begins. 1959 The year Harry Vold began bringing stock to the NFR—and the first year the event existed. 520 Competitors at the Junior National Finals Rodeo presented by YETI. The number of Brazilian ProRodeo World champions. Junior Nogueira, the reigning all-around champion, works team and tie-down roping and is from Presidente Prudente.…

Spayed-Filly Futurity In September at the first-ever Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity, 10 selected wild, spayed fillies were offered for sale with the prospect of being invited back to the 2018 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity to compete in their own division for a $25,000 purse. The 10 fillies offered in this special event were selected from the Three Fingers, South Steen’s, and Beaty’s Butte herds. At sale time, all of the fillies had been spayed, vaccinated, and handled for 30 days. The event’s mission with this initiative, according to sponsor Protect the Harvest’s Web site (protecttheharvest.com): To showcase the significance and abilities of these resilient, tough, and beautiful horses; demonstrate their trainability; and, hopefully, encourage more people to consider a horse from our American rangelands. ‘We can ride for years doing…

Calm Your Horse Wish your hot horse were more level-headed? Here are drug-free strategies to help him be as happy and mellow as possible. You can’t change your horse’s DNA, but you can help him to be as calm and quiet as his nature allows—and you don’t have to resort to tranquilizers to do it. Here’s how. Extra Turnout Plenty of turnout is a health-boosting basic, and it’s especially important to help horses avoid building up excess energy. Like a high-strung child on a rainy day, your horse can get extra crazy if he’s kept cooped up too much. In the wild, of course, horses are moving almost constantly. So, the more turnout, the better. ‘Smart’ Feed Many seemingly hot horses are simply overfed and underworked. To keep your horse…

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo is the ultimate experience for outdoorsmen and -women. Just upstairs from Cowboy Christmas, the Hunter & Outdoor Christmas is located in the South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Expo takes place during the 10 days of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m, daily. The Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo is the place to see the latest and greatest firearms, optics, hunting gear and more from the leading companies in the outdoor industry. You can also book your next hunting or fishing trip from top-notch outfitters. Don’t miss other great interactive exhibits at Hunter & Outdoor Christmas including the RMEF Great Elk Tour with some of the largest bull elk mounts in the world.…

Regardless of your chosen discipline, you’ve probably aimed to achieve a certain riding goal. It could be beating your last time when you run barrels or qualifying for your first championship horse show. Or maybe you’re looking to improve your riding skill so you can hit expert-level trails with your friends. The easiest way to become a better horseman and accomplish something is by setting a realistic goal for you and your horse to work toward. Here I talk about several things you can do at home—and at the barn—to improve your riding and help you accomplish the goals you set out to achieve. And it doesn’t have to stop in the saddle; use this information to work toward goals outside riding, as well. Choose to follow this advice by…

Nearly a decade ago, Megan Carter and her then-12-year-old Arabian gelding, Amigo, prepared for a long trek from Juneau, Alaska, to the Eastern Seaboard. The climate and culture of upstate New York was a stark contrast of her native Alaska, but provided a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity. But after 10 years, it was time for Carter and Amigo to return home. “I answered the call of the eagles and decided it was time to follow my heart and return home to be with my family and friends,” she says. In less than six weeks, Carter orchestrated a 4,000-mile relocation for herself and the now 22-year-old Amigo. Her eight-day trip crossed 12 states, the Continental Divide, and the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and traveled through international waters. Travel by land culminated in…