by Cyndi Rowat

“This is the first time I’ve ever won a futurity,” says Doug Reinhardt of Irricana, AB, after capturing the 2007 Wrangler Cutting Horse Futurity Champion title aboard three year-old CD Hickadu owned by Edward Forner of Lyalta, AB. The Futurity final was held in the Corral at Stampede Park on Sunday October 15.

Twenty-two finalists battled for the prestigious honour after two days of Futurity competition. Reinhardt set the standard with a score of 218.0 partway through the final round. The closest challenger would end up being Reinhardt himself on another client’s horse, My God Im Smart, owned by Dean Ness of Lougheed, AB.
continue reading "Reinhardt Reigns at Wrangler Cutting Horse Futurity"

Renowned Western artist Paul Van Ginkel (www.paulvanginkel .com) has received three commissions from the Canadian Supreme to depict cutting, reining, and working cow horse.

This year, Paul’s original oil painting is a dynamic cutting horse scene (pictured right in the artist’s studio).

Each of the three paintings will be used to promote the Canadian Supreme’s annual event through posters and other advertising and editorial avenues.

The image will also be reproduced into a limited edition of 50 prints. Each print is signed by Paul, measures 30×20” (plus frame) and sells for $950.

Also, you will have the rare opportunity to purchase the original painting at the event on Friday, September 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Westerner Park in Red Deer, AB.

For more information on the event including purchasing a giclee print, click on www.canadiansupreme.com

It’s Monday morning, and 12 people gather on horseback. CEOs, doctors, ranchers, and horse trainers, they hail from all corners of the U.S., Canada, and beyond. Some are beginners, some weekend show warriors, but all eyes are on the lone man in the centre of the arena.

It is Day One of a Galles-Harrel Five-Star Cutting Clinic, and five-time World Cutting Horse Champion and NCHA Hall of Famer Leon Harrel has the floor.
continue reading "Learning from the Best: Galles-Harrel Cutting Horse Program Offers Show-calibre Horses and Support"

by Cyndi Rowat

The Stampede Stock Show featured several high-calibre western performance horse events including the 33rd edition of the cutting horse competition.

The three days of exciting cutting horse action at the Big Top wrapped up with the finals on July 12.

Trainer Guy Heintz of High River, AB, riding Miss Docaboon secured the Open Champion title with three solid scores of 146.
continue reading "High River trainer nails Stampede Open Cutting"

by Misty Reberger

The 24th Annual Super Stakes competition was held July 20 to 22 in Claresholm, Alberta. Over $64,000 was paid out in the various classes.

Judges for the 2007 Super Stakes were Joe Jones from Washington and Frank Craighead from Texas. Featured were the four-year-old Open and Non Pro Super Stakes Class, Open and Non Pro High Five, Working Cow Horse Four/Five-year-old Derby, Open and Non Pro, and Open and Non Pro Bridle.

This very busy weekend displayed some excellent cutting and cow horse performances. Smart Precious Date had very proud owners as they watched Dale Clearwater of Saskatchewan show this talented mare to the Open Four-year-old Championship.
continue reading "Super Stakes Champions 2007"

by: Connie Delorme

Suddenly the season is nearly half over! Not only has Ogden come and gone but so have NCHA Days in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, all meeting with tremendous success.

Congratulations are due to everyone who went to Ogden. Having said that, there are two individuals who truly stood out in their showing endeavors. Elaine Speight and Pistols Smart Acre won the 10,000 Novice Horse/Non-Pro go round with a 217.5, and went on to win the Championship with a great score 223.

Also, Melissa Birchard won the $2000 Limit Rider Class with a spectacular run of 222 on Monkeys First Freckle. She had a 9 point margin over her nearest competitor. Great run girls!
continue reading "Canadian Cutting Horse August 2007"

by: Dale Dodd

A key element in a good cutting run is the stop. Many people, students and trainers alike, struggle with the mechanics of the stop.

One of the first things I do when a started or even a finished cutting horse comes in for training is evaluate his stop. I do this for my own safety, and to see what part of “Whoa” he doesn’t understand!

I will check the horse down vertically with tarp straps to see if he understands the first of three key elements I need him to understand to properly execute a stop: 1) Will he soften at the poll, while still engaging his hind quarters. And, can I collect his poll and keep impulsion at the same time?
continue reading "Mechanics of the Stop"