The 2009 Region Seven Experience started out with a combination of competition and clinics.

Dox Haida at the 2009 Region Seven Experience - he's the reason why owner Colleen Iveson is going to try cutting. (Journal photo)

“Don’t have a death grip on the horn.”
“Ride and set. Ride and set.”
“Every turn is a new turn.”
“Focus on your job – it’s not your job to turn the cow, it’s your horse’s.”

Imagine all that said with a Texas accent, and you’re hearing Team Wrangler member Teddy Johnson in a cutting clinic. And that’s exactly what the 2009 Region Seven Experience in Reno, Nevada, started out with on June 4. Everyone who brought a horse to the clinic got to cut three cows under his eye and Texas drawl.

“There’s nothing better than getting into the pen,” Teddy said with a smile, especially when the cattle are good, which they were.

And there’s nothing that makes me want to ride a cutter more than standing under the judges’ stand trying to catch them on camera in that perfect, belly-in-the-dirt stance.

In between goes, I chatted with Colleen Iveson of Unionville, Nevada. Colleen was there to watch and learn, “I don’t know anything!” she said. She had never expected to cut a cow until her trainer Dave Thacker told her that her gray stallion Dox Haida might have a talent for it. She peppered Teddy with questions – as did a ton of other folk – and he answered every one.

That’s one of the things I love about Regional Experiences – meeting people wanting to try something for the first time, a new class, AQHA showing, whatever. That enthusiasm is a good reminder of what showing is all about – having fun while improving your horsemanship.

Take Bob Fischer of Kelseyville, California, a building contractor. He got interested in horses thanks to his daughter, Kimberly; she shows her 14.3 hand Arabian in 4-H. Bob started riding the horse just for fun and got hooked. But needed something bigger and ended up buying American Quarter Horse, One Smooth Mister.

Bob participates in the Ride program and has just started showing. He came to the Region Seven Experience specifically for AQHA Judge Jennifer Thompson’s clinic on showmanship. He’s excited for his next weekend show.

“I’ve got some new tips to try,” he said with a smile. He knows now that he’s been showing with too many links in his shank, and he’s got a better idea of how to get a straight back out of One Smooth Mister. I kept running into him in the stands watching every class, taking notes on everything.

It’s fun to watch. Hey, have you got a good Regional Experience story to share? Let me know at chamilton@aqha.org.

Check out the Region Seven photos below. You can purchase images at AQHA’s photo store: aqha.com/photostore.

For the official show results go to: aqha.com/association/experience/results.html. Select the Region Seven Experience in the drop-down box.

Christine Hamilton
Editor
American Quarter Horse Journal

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