• Save

Steed Training’s Cow Horse Extravaganza Showcases Herd Work and Team Sorting

The HSBA Cow Horse Extravaganza featured herd work and team sorting. Photos by Carrie Wirth.

Jupiter, FL – October 3, 2014 – On Saturday, Sept. 27, some of the best cow horses in South Florida converged at Golden L Ranch for another edition of the Cow Horse Extravaganza, produced by Steed Training and Horse Show by Appointment (HSBA). The crowd was treated to a spectacular demonstration of herd work and team sorting, a barbeque and the music of Tom Blake.

Steed Training and HSBA are grateful for the strong support their events have received from sponsors, who have enjoyed getting in on the excitement and supporting the family-friendly exhibitions.

“It’s a fun thing for families on the weekend,” said Joe O’Bannon, a sponsor of the event through his J&R Outfitters and a skilled participant with two mounts in the herd work exhibition. “The more people get into riding, the more they enjoy it. It’s just good clean fun.”

The day kicked off with a reined cow horse play day at 8 a.m., giving riders a chance to practice for competitions in a relaxed setting. Then at 3 p.m., Rev. Marcia L. McLean led the group in a blessing of the animals.

“This is an opportunity to acknowledge them and give thanks for the animals,” said Rev. McLean.  “Also, to pledge to take care of them­­ – to hold up our end of the bargain in the relationship and to do the same for their wild counterparts by protecting the environment. Also, to allow them to teach us and be wonderful models of how to be present, how to listen, how to care no matter what ­- and not hold back.”

Next, brothers Rick and Trevor Steed of Steed Training wowed the crowd with herd work. In herd work, a small herd stays in the arena. The horse and rider have three opportunities to separate a single cow and drive him across the arena, keeping him away from the herd. The round with each cow ends when the cow turns his back to the rider. A great cow horse anticipates the moves of the cow and has a desire to work with the cow. The riders remain very still and cue their horses with extreme subtlety.

“The herd work itself is actually the stem of all of the cow horses, and it was developed from the old days where someone had to sort a cow out of a herd to doctor them, to part them or sell them,” Rick Steed explained. “A horse that can hold a cow out, pull a cow out and hold it, and not let it back in the herd was very desirable. We’ve turned it into a sport now where the horses are actually really fancy.”

Trevor Steed
  • Save
Trevor Steed

He noted that the competition reined cow horse of today has an easier life. Because the competition horse doesn’t work all day on the range, they can put their energy into each category of competition. A number of horse and rider combinations of all ages had the opportunity to demonstrate their skills at herd work, with an engaged crowd to cheer them on.

Steed introduced Mike Grier from Palm City, FL, who announced the team sorting exhibition. Grier is a former world champion in team sorting. He explained that in this event, a small herd of numbered cows is led into a round pen. The announcer calls out the number of the first cow to be moved. Paired horse-and-rider teams attempt to remove that cow from the pen. Then, they try to remove as many as possible one by one in numerical order against the clock. One rider remains at the pen opening, and the other rider attempts to separate the cow and cut him out.

Spectators appreciated the opportunity to socialize and kick back while watching demonstrations of these two challenging events. Steed Training’s Cow Horse Extravaganza will return for its series finale, Ranch Horse, on Oct. 25 in Jupiter at Golden L Ranch. The Cow Horse Extravaganza is supported by many generous sponsors whose contributions are key to the events’ success – contact Susan Shelly at (561) 305-1432 to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

In January, Steed Training will open an additional facility in Loxahatchee Groves, FL, less than 10 miles from the center of Wellington. Once complete, it will be a top-notch venue for reined cow horse and other Western disciplines with ample seating for spectators and the capability to host arena polo as well.

HSBA Reined Cow Horse Experience

If the Cow Horse Extravaganza leaves you wanting to get in the saddle yourself, Steed Training has the perfect solution: the HSBA Reined Cow Horse Experience. Rick and Trevor Steed welcome groups to their Jupiter location – and, as soon as it opens, their new Loxahatchee Groves location just minutes from Wellington – for a day of immersion in the reined cow horse discipline.

Riders of all levels, from complete beginner to seasoned professional, can learn the ropes from a well-schooled cow horse and feel the rush of working a cow under the expert guidance of the Steed Training team. Kick back and relax with a limo ride to the farm from surrounding towns. Steed Training can also bring the Reined Cow Horse Experience to your farm in the South Florida area. Contact Rick Steed at (772) 263-6830 or Tom DiRocco at (561) 371-4997 for more information.

Steed Training Cow Horse Extravaganza Fast Facts

Steed Training and HSBA are bringing the family-friendly Cow Horse Extravaganza to the Golden L Ranch in Jupiter, FL. Each event showcases talented riders and horses in different Western disciplines and offers a casual, welcoming environment for spectators of all ages. Dress to fit the Western theme and bring along your dog to join in the festivities. The Cow Horse Extravaganza is FREE to spectators!

Oct. 25 – Ranch Horse

Event Contact:
Thomas DiRocco
thomasdirocco@hotmail.com
Phone: 561.371.4997

Location:
Golden L Ranch
11334 172nd Pl N
Jupiter, FL 33478

Directions:
Take exit 116 from the Florida Turnpike or 87B from I-95. Go west on Indiantown Rd (FL-706 W) for 3.3 miles from the Turnpike or 3.8 miles from I-95. Turn left onto 111th Terrace N/Rocky Pines Rd and continue for .8 miles. The road turns right and becomes 172nd Place N. Golden L Ranch is on your left shortly after the turn.

About Horse Show by Appointment

Horse Show by Appointment’s fresh approach to reined cow horse competition was an unprecedented success in its first season, and now HSBA is back for a second year. HSBA aims to make showing “Fun, Fair, and Affordable” for competitors. To accommodate those traveling long distances to show and help busy riders fit showing in at their convenience, HSBA allows riders to reserve their own ride times in advance. This cuts down on usual travel expenses such as stall rentals and hotels and encourages competitors to make the trip and join in the fun.

Each HSBA series includes four shows. Riders who compete at three out of the four shows earn a place in the annual Championship Finals, which offer over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Competitors may also qualify for the Finals in absentia by simply sending in entries and payment to each of the four shows.

Visit www.showbyappointment.com for information and updates on HSBA shows. Check out HSBA on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ShowByAppointment.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Leave a Reply