Road to the Horse

One of the most well-respected Quarter Horse ranches in the United States, 6666 Ranch is a recipient of the AQHA Best Remuda Award, and has been named an AQHA All-Time Leading Breeder of Performance Horses. There is no doubt to any true horseman that the 6666 Ranch is a legend in its own time. It is only fitting then that this unmatched ranch be the remuda provider for the 2011 Road to the Horse Legends which will test the horsemanship prowess of Pat Parelli, Chris Cox and Clinton Anderson in Murfreesboro, TN on February 25-27, 2011.

Working in partnership with the American Quarter Horse Association, 6666 Ranch was selected for their exemplary equine breeding program, outstanding performance record and a long history of tradition and excellence.

Each year a notable Quarter Horse ranch is invited to provide the Road to the Horse remuda of ten three-year-old geldings for the World Championship of Colt Starting. Working hand-in-hand with the American Quarter Horse Association, Road to the Horse owner and producer Tootie Bland and Boss Wrangler Adam Tarpley carefully consider each ranch’s breeding program and husbandry record before making a final selection.

“Our boss wrangler Adam asked me what ranch would be #1 on my wish list if I could have the remuda from any ranch. My immediate answer was the 6666s. He said ‘okay, then let’s call them’ and then just took it and ran with it. I couldn’t be more elated to be getting the remuda of my dreams in the same year as the three biggest clinicians of our time,” says Bland.

The 6666s initiated their Quarter Horse breeding program in the 1960s, carefully breeding for cow sense, speed, gentle disposition and confirmation. Standing the most highly regarded stallions in the equine industry, 6666s ranch claims that much of their success rests squarely with a band of over 100 top-notch broodmares.

Focusing on certain “mare families” that are proven to deliver desirable traits to their offspring has provided several predominant broodmare groups. Matching proven maternal genetics with the industry’s leading cutting, reining, ranch and all-around performance producers, 6666 Ranch has created fail-proof system for success.

6666s keep many of their foals for later use on the ranch or in the breeding program. The geldings selected for the Road to the Horse Remuda will come from a group of horses chosen to remain at the 6666s with the eligibility of being included in the cowboy string. Helping manage the Black Angus cow/calf operation that includes 7,000 mother cows, the cowboy string is an integral part of 6666 Ranch.

“On the male side of production, we will select a few stallion prospects and then pick ranch remuda horses. These geldings are not from one particular sire line, but are a good mixture of performance breeding. For Road to the Horse we will pick the best representation and cross section of 6666s raised horses,” says Glen Blodgett, DVM, of the 6666s horse division.

The sires of the Road to the Horse remuda will include:
Sixes Pick – 1998 Sorrel Stallion by Tanqueray Gin out of Natural Pick by Tenino Badger
Paddy’s Irish Whiskey – 1991 Bay Stallion by Peppy San Badger out of Doc’s Starlight by Doc Bar
Playboy’s Buck Fever – 1999 Bucksin Stallion by Freckles Playboy out of Tsarina Chexinic by Reminic
Seven From Heaven – 1999 Gray Stallion by Playgun out Peppys From Heaven by Peppy San Badger
Playin Attraction – 2002 Sorrel Stallion by Playin Stylist out of Ginnin Attraction by Tanquery Gin

These stallions, along with nearly 20 others standing at 6666 Ranch, sire around 125 foals each year at 6666s alone. While some are kept at 6666s, others are trained for compeition or consigned to sales such as The Return to the Remuda Sale.

The Return to the Remuda Sale, put on by 6666 Ranch, Beggs Cattle Co., Pitchfork Land & Cattle Co. and Tongue River Ranch, auctions 125-150 horses, including weanlings, yearlings, two-year-olds, stallion prospects and aged geldings, each year. For a sneak-peak of the bloodlines that will compose the Road to the Horse Remuda, check out the sale hosted at the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas on September 25, 2011.

Clinton Anderson with his 2003 Road to the Horse colt, Hancock Sug, from Sutton Ranch

In 2003, a legend was born when Road to the Horse, a revolutionary colt-starting competition, matched up three horse trainers and gave them the challenge of a lifetime. Winning the two day event, Clinton Anderson awed and amazed those in attendance with his flamboyant style. Anderson will once again step into the lime-light when he competes in the 2011 Road to the Horse Legends. Matched up against Pat Parelli and Chris Cox, he aims for a third victory in Murfreesboro, TN on February 25-27, 2011.

Although Road to the Horse has grown into an event of epic proportion with worldwide exposure, the first competition was a very new experience for all those involved as participants and spectators. Held at the Cowtown Coliseum in historic stockyards of Fort Worth, Texas, the competition featured Anderson, Curt Pate and Josh Lyons. Winning on a colt named Hancock Sug, he created a Road to the Horse tradition during his freestyle when he stood up on the back of the horse and cracked a whip.

“It was an amazing accomplishment, even for a older trained horse. It was just amazing what Clinton accomplished with his colt. It might never be matched,” said Tootie Bland, Road to the Horse owner and producer in a 2003 post-event interview.

Little did Bland know, Anderson would would not only match his own feat, but he would up the ante when he returned to defend his title in 2005. Further increasing his “wow” factor, the Australian clinician shot a pistol in the air while standing on his filly. Competing in front of the sold-out Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN, Anderson won against Craig Cameron and Van Hargis.

Since Anderson’s consecutive victories, a cowboy (or cowgirl in the case of Stacy Westfall) standing atop a horse has become the iconic symbol for the World Championship of Colt-Starting. Wondering what he has planned for his freestyle against Parelli and Cox, horsemen and fans across the country are waiting in fervent anticipation for the 2011 Road to the Horse Legends.

“It’s been three years since I’ve last been to the event, and I feel that the time is right for me to go back. Since I’ve competed before, I know what I’m in for and know exactly what I have to do to prepare. I’m always on an endless journey to better myself, and I know that I have certainly gotten better as a horseman since the last time I competed in the event. Come February, I’ll be prepared to step into the ring with the other clinicians,” says Anderson.
Tickets to the event are on sale now by visiting www.roadtothehorse.comWith assigned premier and general seating sold out, a limited number of general admission bleacher seating tickets are still available. The Nation, a membership club that fans can join for $39.95 a year includes a host of benefits including a members-only website, advance access and line privileges, merchandise discounts and more.

About Clinton Anderson

Clinton Anderson was raised in Australia where he cultivated a natural ability with horses. After working for several well known and nationally respected trainers, he moved to the United States full-time in 1997. Upon his arrival in the U.S., Anderson began training, touring and conducting clinics and in 2001 became the first horse trainer to launch a “made-for-TV” weekly training program broadcast on satellite television.

In 2003 and again in 2005, Clinton faced the country’s best horse trainers and clinicians in the prestigious Road to the Horse, becoming the first person to win the event twice in a row. Throughout his career as a clinician, Clinton has continued to breed, train and show his own reining horses. He currently continues to compete and win at the highest levels of competition. Today, Clinton continues to teach, train and compete. He works hard to educate horse owners on how to be safe and effective while enjoying their horses. His mission is to “Inspire the Dreams of Horsemen” which he does with his easy to understand training method that’s designed to help horse owners get the results they desire.

Looking to become a living legend, two-time Road to the Horse champion, Chris Cox seeks to become the only competitor who will hold three buckles from the world championship of colt-starting. Competing against Pat Parelli and two-time winner Clinton Anderson, Cox hopes to be the “last man standing” at the Road to the Horse Legends in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on February 25-27, 2011.

Entering the Road to the Horse arena for the first time in 2007, Cox had the formidable task of going up against two previous champions. Competing against Stacy Westfall and Clinton Anderson, Cox said he went into the competition hoping to win but also wanting to educate the crowd.

“The crowd was into it. It felt good. When I picked the horse and went in there, I was the last person to catch my horse. It’s constant work. I had to stick with it. I came here with the same plan I always use to work with a horse and I stuck with it,” said Cox in a post-event interview.

Cox said that he felt privileged to participate in such a great event. Named the 2007 Road to the Horse champion, he won his first buckle in a fierce competition where both fans and judges agreed upon the winner.

Returning to defend his title in 2008, Cox had three competitors including Mike Kevil, Tommy Garland and Ken McNabb. According to host Rick Lamb, one of the main aspects in play during Road to the Horse is learning to stay flexible and adjusting to fit the situation. Not giving his horse the required amount of rest time, Cox began day two as an underdog after receiving a score penalty. However, he was able to adapt his plan and pull neck-and-neck with all the competitors across the board. A very close competition, fans were held on the edge of their seat until the champion was announced. Emerging victorious, Cox left the event two for two, bringing home his second Road to the Horse championship title and buckle.

Looking to obtain a perfect three for three record, Cox will bring his superb horsemanship skills into the arena in hopes of winning the 2011 Road to the Horse Legends.

“I’m not going to do anything different to prepare for Road to the Horse. I’m just going to stay in shape and do what I do every day, which is travel and train horses. I won’t be competing against the other competitors. I’m competing against myself and with the horse. What the other competitors do during the competition doesn’t affect me,” says Cox.

General admission bleacher tickets are on sale now at www.roadtothehorse.com. In addition to the publicly available seats, a special prime seating block has been set aside for members of the Road to the Horse Nation. The Nation, a membership club that fans can join for $39.95 a year includes a host of benefits in addition to prime seating, including a members-only website, advance access and line privileges, merchandise discounts and more.

About Chris Cox

Chris Cox’ entire life has been influenced by his relationship with the horse. With his television show on RFD TV, the nationwide Ride the Journey Tour stops and appearances at equine expos and events, Cox has touched the lives of many a horse enthusiast and shown them there’s a straight-forward, practical way to gain a better relationship with their horses.

Cox is not only a successful clinician; he trains and competes at the highest levels of cutting horse competition. At his Diamond Double C Ranch near Mineral Wells, Texas he often has over twenty horses in training. Cox offers progressive six-day horsemanship clinics at his ranch and nationwide three-day clinics to make it even easier for those throughout the country to get first-hand instruction directly from him. Learn more about Chris Cox at www.chris-cox.com.

With less than 50 tickets remaining for the 2011 Legends featuring Pat Parelli, Chris Cox and Clinton Anderson, Road to the Horse has announced new ticket availability. New general admission bleacher tickets will go on sale Thursday, July 29 at 9 am. Bleacher seating will be $75.

An excellent value, each ticket will admit one person into the World Championship of Colt-Starting on February 25-27, 2010. Providing first come, first serve seating during the event, these tickets are limited.

“To our surprise and excitement, only 50 tickets are left for the 2011 Road to the Horse, and those tickets that are left are in the exclusive Road to the Horse Nation seating block. We just couldn’t let the doors close yet with so many fans still clamoring to get in, so we created more space by adding bleachers inside the coliseum. This will allow so many more people to attend, cheer for their favorite clinician and be immersed in natural horsemanship!” says Tootie Bland, owner and producer of Road to the Horse.

New in 2010, Road to the Horse fans have been given the opportunity to join the Road to the Horse Nation. Getting even closer to the action, Nation members have their own private website at www.roadtothehorsenation.com. Launched in mid July, the site offers articles, videos, pictures, fan forums and more! Nation members also have access to special seating sections within the coliseum.

Calling All Western Artists!

Do you use vibrant colors to depict the spirit of the horse? Have you always dreamt of getting your artwork into the hands of thousands of people? If your answer is a resounding “YES!”, then we’d like to invite you to send us a sample of your work. If you’d like to create a special piece for Road to the Horse, showcasing all that embodies the World Championship of Colt-Starting and the 2011 Legends, even better! Please send your sample artwork or Road to the Horse cover art submission along with a short bio and personal photo to shortie@roadtothehorse.com.

Featuring three days of natural horsemanship, entertainment, clinics and the World Championship of Colt-Starting, the 2011 Road to the Horse will bring Pat Parelli, Chris Cox and Clinton Anderson under one roof on February 25-27, 2011 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN. Presented by Western Horseman, this will undoubtedly be an event of “legendary” proportion.

A legend of its own, Western Horseman has been a leader among equine publications for over 70 years. Providing a source of information on western culture, lifestyle and horsemanship, Western Horseman is the epitome of “cowboy cool”. Many horsemen dream about the day they might see their own image on the slick, glossy pages of Western Horseman and Road to the Horse producer Tootie Bland was no different.

“I remember my grandfather reading Western Horseman when I was small. It was always on a side coffee table next to his chair or on the dash of his pick-up. I can still see a big pile of them in the ranch office … they were never thrown away and I have some of them to this day … they were given to me when he passed away. They are treasures to me.”

“I always remember thinking how cool it would be to be in the magazine, so the chance to have Western Horseman as a presenting sponsor is a dream come true for a little cowgirl who never quite grew up,” says Bland.

While Bland has always had a “shoot for the moon” mentality, she has arguably brought her dreams to life most vividly through the success of Road to the Horse. Sharing a common mission with Western Horseman, Road to the Horse and Western Horseman have teamed up to increase their reach and help people advance their horsemanship skills through entertaining and effective horsemanship education that is steeped in western tradition.

“Next year will be Western Horseman’s 75th Anniversary and we couldn’t be more pleased with the line-up of legendary clinicians for the 2011 Road to the Horse competition. Tootie has really outdone herself this time. It should be a real crowd pleaser and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds,” says Ernie King, general manager of Western Horseman.

Tickets to the event are on sale now by visiting www.roadtothehorse.com. Three-day event tickets range in price from $80 to $150. In addition to the publicly available seats, a special prime seating block has been set aside for members of the Road to the Horse Nation. The Nation, a membership club that fans can join for $39.95 a year includes a host of benefits in addition to prime seating, including a members-only website, advance access and line privileges, merchandise discounts and more.

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. Cameron rode to his colt’s namesake song, and at one point purposefully dropped the reins at a canter and did his own king of the world move horseback with arms outstretched. McNabb emphasized their colt’s ability to move out in the large arena – hitting a dead run with his colt and bringing him back calmly at the end. 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 that we’ll always carry with us,” said Cameron.

Day one is complete, but as Road to the Horse host Rick Lamb said in 2009, “Day two can change everything”.

The day began with demos in the morning, followed by the opening ceremonies. During the open ceremonies, the future generation of Road to the Horse (Tootie Bland’s family along with Ken McNabb’s sons Kurt and Trent and Boss Wrangler Adam Tarpley’s wife, Shortie)  presenting the flags while Mary Ann Kennedy sang the national anthem.

Tootie Bland walked into the arena with canine movie-star Benji presenting Lamb with a box of Wheaties Fuel, the 2010 Road to the Horse Jumbo-Tron Sponsor.

Then came a paramount surprise for an eight-year-old Western Wishes child named Darcee Murphy. Darcee suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis and her wish was to attend Road to the Horse. Not only did Road to the Horse fulfill her wish, but Tootie Bland presented her with a bright pink halter. The ultimate surprise for Murphy was the gift of “Sonny”, a quarter horse gelding that was donated by a couple in Tyler, Texas.

The 2010 competitors were then formally introduced with brief freestyle performances.

Richard’s performance displayed an awe-inspiring reining demonstration with his daughter (and pen wrangler) Sarah.

Craig’s performance featured high speed maneuvers including a “look mom, no hands” spin and lateral movement across the entire width of the arena.

Last, Ken’s heart-felt performance began with his sons, Kurt and Trent, playing in the arena dirt while Ken rode to the song “Seeing My Father In Me” and closed with his own father joining them while the three generations walked out of the arena hand-in-hand.

The boss wrangler then introduced the 2010 remuda, provided by Wood Ranch. Poker chips were then thrown into a hat and the clincians drew numbers for what order to choose their colts for the competition.

Craig Cameron drew the lowest number chip, determining him the first clinician to choose his colt. Cameron chose colt #10, WR Shining Alamo, a 2007 palomino by Shining King Cody out of Alamosa Annie.

Choosing his colt second, Ken McNabb chose #9, WR Turning Diamonds, a 2007 gray gelding by Blue Diamond Hancock out of Turning Commander.

Lastly, Richard Winters chose #1, WR Shiner Flashback, a 2007 sorrel gelding by Shining King Cody by Flashy Flashback.

After a super speedy round pen setup in which Tootie lost a bet that the three pens could not be constructed within ten minutes, the first training session began.

Each clincian worked diligently as they gained their horse’s trust and accomplished as much as possible within the allotted time.

The day ended with the crowd full of energy and each fan debating on who they thought would win the 2010 World Championship of Colt-Starting.

February 9, 2010 – (Amarillo, TX) The American Quarter Horse Association, the official sponsor of the Road to the Horse Remuda, announced today its development of a special perpetual award which will be presented at the World Championship of Colt-Starting. “The AQHA Traveler Award” will be presented to the winning clinician’s horse at the event in Murfreesboro, TN on March 6-7, 2010 and recognizes the aptitude and flexibility of the American Quarter Horse as exemplified at the one-of-a-kind event.

“AQHA is excited to award the top horse at Road to the Horse with ‘The Traveler’ award,” says Don Treadway, AQHA executive vice president. “Named after one of the Quarter Horse breed’s foundation sires, The Traveler [award] recognizes the confirmation, athleticism, gentleness and willing attitude of the American Quarter Horse to excel in any arena. Road to the Horse is a fitting place for The Traveler to be awarded in recognition of the horse that is a ready partner for the winning clinician.

The award is named for the foundation sire known as Traveler. After a successful career as a race horse in Texas, Traveler began producing quality foals with good dispositions, conformation and speed. Traveler made his greatest impact on the breed when he sired Little Joe, Texas Chief and Possum (King). Passing away in 1912, it was estimated that he was 32 years old when he died. Traveler was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1994.

Since it’s inception, Road to the Horse has used American Quarter Horses to educate and entertain horse owners nationwide. Because Road to the Horse advocates the incredible abilities of Quarter Horses, joining forces with the American Quarter Horse Association was a natural fit.

In addition to presenting the Traveler Award each year, the AQHA will assist with the evaluation and selection of the Road to the Horse remuda prior to each event. With the combined efforts of Road to the Horse and the AQHA, one ranch will be chosen to provide ten colts for the remuda each year. These colts will all be born within a few months of each other and will be of similar, well-respected bloodlines. As the world’s largest equine breed registry and member organization, the AQHA has the resources to select the highest quality remuda possible for Road to the Horse.

“I can remember as a little kid sitting on my grandfathers couch thumbing through the well read Quarter Horse Journal. I would have never expected that I would have this incredible opportunity to have the privilege of working with the AQHA and the presentation of the “Traveler Award”. The partnership of the AQHA and Road to the Horse is a perfect fit in both our endeavors to recognize the positive impact of the American Quarter Horse, not only in my life but in all our lives.

The Warvell Family – based in Weatherford, Texas has performed in almost every major American city, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Japan, Brazil, England, Singapore and even Kuwait. Their spectacular acts have been the highlight of PRCA Rodeos, Fairs and Wild West Shows.

Jim and Jan Warvell along with daughters Toni and Sonna, kept audiences thrilled with acts featuring Roman Riding, Trick Riding, Trick Roping, Comedy Routines and Dancing Horses. One of the most spectacular acts featured Jan riding a beautiful white horse at liberty without a bridle or saddle. Trained by Jim Warvell, ‘White Feather’ and Jan would jump a white Convertible car in the arena in front of a spellbound audience.

Today, 2009, finds the Warvells still active in the horse business. Jim and Jan are owners and trainers of race horses, Toni is active in cutting, training and judging Equine events and since the 1992 Euro Disney opening, Sonna has had the starring role as ‘Annie Oakley’ in ‘Le Legende de Buffalo Bill’, Disney’s largest dinner show located in Paris, France.