'Ranch Horse 101' promotes assets of competition

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas

March 7, 2002 -- As a part of the "Ranch Horse 101" schedule at the recent International Livestock Congress in Houston, participants were introduced to and updated on the latest Ranch Horse competitions being held around the nation.

Norman Luba, executive director of the North American Equine Ranching Information Council, addressed the audience as the first of several speakers.

"The concept, once again, is we want to bring in a large crowd and not only give them exposure as to what these ranch horse competitions are all about, but, again, to highlight our breeders and members of our association and create something that is certainly not unique," said Luba.

Luba has been a part of the shows' creation in Canada, but the ideas and management of the competition works all over the nation, with planning and working with local associations.

Participation in the ranch horse competitions sees "everyone from working cowboys to attorneys, (but not) a lot of what I consider 'recreational' riders," Luba said. "These are all pretty good hands, whether they're professional people or working cowboys."

While the different horse organizations have various agendas, the major events include ranch horse conformation, ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch cutting, along with some ranch horse pleasure and roping events.

Part of the concept is that the ranch horses which compete in the events are also for sale at the end of the competition.

"We have both competition horses and what we call prospect horses. (The competition horses) are not young horses, and the prospect horses must be at least 2-year-olds," he added.

Luna's group offers a four-day guarantee on each horse sold, so in case a purchaser decides the horse does not fit into his situation, the horse can be returned for reimbursement to the purchaser.

Richard "Dick" Morgan, of the University of Louisville (Ky.) Department of Equine Business, added to the information concerning ranch horse competition in North America.

"I felt that there was a great need for people of this contemporary age to be more familiar with the type of horse that was so popular in the '60s and '70s, because of their versatility.

"It came down to the era of great sophistication ... a great, great deal having nothing to do with the performance (of horse and rider), but of the design of riding apparel, silver saddles and tail extensions that you pay a lot for .... " said Morgan.

Morgan believes that a "cow" horse is very important to beef production in country that has a lot of flooding and rolling pastures. He said it becomes very important to have a ranch horse, or "cow" horse, producers can depend on to get them where they need to go on the land, and to be able to accomplish the tasks needed to take care of livestock.

"It is my opinion, the more you ask that horse to do, the better horseman you're going to become, the better all around horse you're going to produce, and together, you're going to have a lot more fun," said Morgan.

According to Charles Hemphill, director of shows for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), Amarillo, as of Jan. 1, 2001, the AQHA members have had the ranch horse competition available to them. Their competition includes the Open Ranch division for horses shown by the recorded owner or by immediate family members as outlined in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations, or for horses shown by employees with at least six months on the job and/or children of the ranch which owns the horse.

The AQHA's Youth Division competition will be open to exhibitors 18 years of age or younger and be the recorded owner of the horse shown or have it owned by immediate family members, or children of full-time employees of the ranch which owns the horse.

For more information concerning these Ranch Horse Competitions, including a listing of various events, call 806-376-48ll or go online to www.aqha.com.