Road to the horse
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Road to the Horse, (produced by Ride the Remuda Productions and owner/producer Tootie Bland), is the first documented competition where horse trainers compete to show their training skills.
Similar to "horse whispering", trainers use natural horsemanship techniques to "gentle" horses in one weekend. Horses selected for the annual competition are gathered from one breeding farm. Before the competition, the horses do not have previous training experience, other than being halter-broke and sharing a common history of basic handling as foals so that they are unafraid of humans. On the second day, trainers step into the saddle and demonstrate what they've taught their horses in an obstacle course challenge. Horses must cross tarps, go over a jump, pull a log, accept a rope swung overhead, and weave poles, to name a few.
Clinton Anderson won the first two competitions. In 2006, the first female competitor, Stacy Westfall, won. Chris Cox beat out Clinton Anderson and Stacy Westfall in 2007. During the show weekend, clinicians work with their horses in round pens for a limited time. Clinicians compete annually for the Charity Challenge--money won is presented to a charity of the winner's choice. The event is judged by 5 notable horsemen and participants are scored on their training, handling and final ride.
Other competitors have included Craig Cameron, Martin Black, and Van Hargis. Also Josh Lyons (son of john Lyons), Curt Pate and Pat Parelli when the competition was known as "In a Whisper."
2008 Event was held March 1 & 2. Defending champion Chris Cox won the 2008 event between the other competitors: Tommy Garland, Ken McNabb, and Mike Kevil. The 2009 event dates have not been announced.
