Road to the Horse Happenings - Chris Cox wins

Hey all you folks in cyber space. It's the morning after the 2007 Road to the Horse and I for one, am a tired puppy.
In case you don't know ... Chris Cox won the event.
Chris was humble during our interview session and made a point to say that "it would be the wrong thing for me to do right now", in reference to changing any techniques. Chris started his Cornelius Ranch colt, just like any other colt he'd start anywhere else.
"Out there, in the round pen with the colt, I'll be the most relaxed," said Chris and that shined through. His colt was flasy with lots of chrome but the least "friendly" of the 3. Join up never happened in a way that the crowd could really see until Chris' freestyle demo after he completed the obstacle course. After the course, the horse followed him about the arena like a loyal hunting dog (pausing only much on the hay holding up the jump obstacle.

Stacy Westfall's horse was pushier than the other two and invaded her space too readily. While Stacy did complete the course, it was obvious that her horse needed more work. True to form, Stacy continued to work "Kernel" (who she did buy) during the announcement of the winner. As the three stood there waiting ... Stacy was still moving the forequarters and teaching her colt to respect her space. You GO girl! As a girl myself, I happen to think Stacy ROCKS and can't wait to see Popcorn (from last year) continue his training and carry Stacy around bridleless next year. Additionally, it will be interesting to see Kernel's progression given that he is much more assertive horse than Popcorn.

Clinton Anderson ... Clinton's horse was very desensitized at the end of yesterday ... I don't know but I think you could have ridden him right through a 3 ring circus without spooking him. It wasn't clear if Clinton's horse totally respected him. Clinton asked a great deal of the horse in the time alloted and what a trooper ... his little colt pretty much took it in stride. He did get aggressive with Clinton a couple times but came around. Clinton completed the obstacle course but his colt didn't really want to give his face at times. Not sure if the colt lacked softness because Clinton, as always, did a lot of lateral flexion. It just seemed as if the focus for Clinton was on desensitizing the colt to lots of noise (chainsaws, leaf blowers, guns, whips etc.) and I'll call them "party favors" (pool "noodles", lots of floatation devices). Clinton had quite the aquatic theme going and even joked that he wasn't a strong swimmer so he was decking his colt out. He could have swam this colt back to Austrailia will all those floats!

All in all, it was a great event. But I have to tell you. I missed Craig Cameron. I missed his humor (although Clinton is a great showman!) ... Criag is somewhat infectious and as my fellow journalist Lisa (from HorseCity.com) said "his laugh alone, is worth the price of a ticket!" I couldn't agree more. I'd love to see Craig co-host this event with Rick Lamb. I can't imagine a more rip roaring good time.

My greatest and best news is that my dear friend Ed Dabney www.eddabney.com is being strongly considered to compete at the 2008 RTTH! Ed is a master horseman and I was so fortunate to have him along with me this year. His insight and knowledge of colt starting was astounding and it was great fun to sit beside him and hear his comments and opinions of the goings on. Later on, we may ask you readers to show your support for Ed by commenting on this blog on whether you'd travel to Murfreesboro, TN next year and buy a RTTH ticket to see him compete. I, for one, will be there with bells on!

As a little bonus, I got to meet country recording artist Chris Cagle. Turns out Chris is a reiner and a cutter. He and Clinton are buddies. I spoke to him about a feature in HorseSouth later on this year. So we will work with his folks to make that happen.
Also, many of you Clinton fans have ask me about a Clinton Anderson interview.
Before the fact that Clinton lives in Ohio kept him out of the running for our Southern based publication ... but NEWSFLASH! Clinton told me personally that he is moving to Texas in 08.
Clinton spent about 30 minutes reading HorseSouth on Sat. evening and complemented me on the magazine after the event yesterday. There in not a whole lot nicer than having one of the most admired horsemen in the world tell you that your magazine is 1st rate and a class act.
So when Clinton moves to TX we will go to down and roll out the HorseSouth carpet for him with a cover feature (and I am really thinking about a real red carpet! ... got to live up to that southern hospitality thing ... right.) Send me your mint julep recipes ... we will offer Clinton one when he exits the plane! lol

Road to the Horse producer, Tootie Bland said the tickets for 08 would go on sale in May. Buy them EARLY! Every seat in the house was FULL.