Post by Calaminty Jane on Mar 11, 2010 9:44:55 GMT -5
Craig Cameron Captures 2010 World Championship of Colt-Starting
by Road to the Horse web site
www.roadtothehorse.com
Posted: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Craig Cameron of Bluff Dale, TX was crowned the 2010 World Champion of Colt-Starting in Murfreesboro, TN March 7, 2010. Richard Winters, Cameron and Ken McNabb competed for the coveted title in a display of supreme horsemanship and at the end of the day, Cameron, known as the original cowboy clinician, came out the winner of the seven year old event which gives three top clinicians a little over three hours over two days to gentle three unbroken colts using their own styles of natural horsemanship.
When clinicians were allowed to pick their horses on Saturday, Cameron surprised everyone by picking a small 2007 AQHA palomino gelding, WR Shining Alamo.
"He was the little ragamuffin of the remuda, but he was low-headed, curious and brave and I was lucky to have him. I didn't think the first day he was such a good choice in the first half hour, but in the end, he made me use all of my skills and gave me a lot," said Cameron.
In announcing the winner, Darrell Dodds publisher of Western Horseman (who is a presenting sponsor of the event), joked that as in so many things, at Road to the Horse, the third time was the charm. Cameron, who has competed at Road to the Horse twice before says his victory couldn't taste any sweeter.
"Every time I've competed at Road to the Horse, I've left a piece of my heart in the arena. Now I'm getting a little bit of that back. I truly believe winning Road to the Horse is going to change my life. I am 61 years old and now I am a world champion and no-one can ever take that away from me. This may be the best day of my life," said Cameron.
Road to the Horse producer Tootie Bland said that Cameron's win carried special meaning for her. "Craig and my late husband Steven were very close and it would just mean the world to him to see Craig win this," she said tearfully.
The colts gave nothing for free and all three clinicians experienced road blocks along the way, but each competitor said they were pleased with the heart and effort their colts put forth.
Cameron and his colt, who he had nicknamed Troubadour after his favorite George Strait song entered the obstacle course with the goal to "make a little music together". The pair accomplished that goal in spades. As the equine champion of the 2010 event, this AQHA registered colt received The Traveler award from the American Quarter Horse Association, honoring his willing nature.
The second to choose his colt after Cameron, McNabb chose a gray colt WR Turning Diamonds, which he would later nickname Jerry on the suggestion of a fan. "A lady walked up to me and said you need to name that colt Jericho , because he's going to see the light in the end," said McNabb, chuckling. Though the colt was nervous and had head-shyness issues, McNabb was pleased with his progress enough to purchase the colt and said he will use him for ranch work and travel with him over the next year and then sell him at the annual Diamond-McNabb 2011 ranch gelding sale in Douglas , WY .
Winters chose a sorrel colt, WR Shiners Flashback. In a surprise move, Winters' wife bought the gelding for him during the second round pen session ironically right before the colt started a two-lap-around-the-round-pen bucking spree, which Winters quickly brought under control.
Though all the horses made slow progress on day one, the clinicians made progress with their colts in leaps and bounds in round two on Sunday and it was clear going into the freestyle competition the race would be close.
Each competitor showcased their colt adeptly through the required rail work and obstacle course. Adding to the "you-never-know-what-they'll-come-up-with-next" nature of the event, the clinicians had to navigate a surprise obstacle which turned out to be a person sitting in a chair wearing a gorilla costume. Surprisingly, all three colts felt pretty comfortable with the fake ape and breezed through the unusual obstacle without drama.
After completing the required rail work and obstacles, each clinician had time to present a freestyle that they felt best encompassed their colt's unique talents and accomplishments over the two short days. Both Cameron and McNabb emphasized their colt's ability to move out in the large arena, while Winters once again tracked a calf during his freestyle to, as he said "to give his horse a job".
Jody Wood, owner of Wood Ranch in Heber Springs , Arkansas said he was honored to have provided the remuda for the second time and that he was pleased with how all three clinicians worked with the horses. Likewise, the clinicians were ebullient in their praise for the job Wood and the AQHA had done in providing the remuda.
"Mr. Wood really has something to be proud of. These are feely horses that can move out and do a job," said McNabb.
Judging the event for themselves the first time at the 2010 event, Road to the Horse fans had the opportunity to cast their vote for who they thought should win the event. Combined with the expert opinion of judges Jack Brainard, Toni Warvell, Marian Buehler, James Gholson and Eitan Beth-Halachmy, the text message votes compiled from attendees determined Cameron as the 2010 champion.
Besides the coveted title of Road to the Horse 2010 Champion, Cameron received a check for $10,000 from Road to the Horse producer Tootie Bland, a memorial Steven "Dookie" Bland trophy saddle provided by Martin Saddlery featuring conchos by Gist Silversmiths, a handcrafted Road to the Horse buckle by Gist Silversmiths, a CSI saddle pad, and an original "Blue Horse" painting by artist Henry Patton which was featured as the cover image of the event's souvenir program.
In the end however, aside from the title, prizes and attention, Cameron was quick to say that all of the men were leaving the event with strong bonds, not only with the horses, but also with the fans and one another.
"You won't find a bigger gentleman that Richard Winters and you won't find someone with a bigger heart than Ken McNabb. They impressed me with not only their horsemanship but also their demeanor. I would do anything for these guys and will always be close to them, it's a cowboy brotherhood," said Cameron.