Santa Ynez has another universe of celebrities from the equestrian world. The Santa Ynez Valley is often called "The Valley of the Horse."
Because of the area's long ranching tradition going back to the Spanish vaqueros, we have a large population of Quarter Horses (the breed favored by Western riders). Quarter Horses compete in a number of disciplines, but the two most prominent are cutting (shown above) and reining.
Cutting involves separating a cow from a herd or "cutting it out." No blood is shed in the process! The cow's natural instinct is to get back to the herd, and that's where the challenge lies. The 2007 World Champion cutting horse Doc's Tee Boots lives here in the Valley.
Reining is similar to dressage, another equestrian discipline, requiring close communication between rider and mount to perform specific manuvers. Reining's most showy feature is a sliding stop.
Sandy Collier, a nationially recognized reining trainer and rider, lives and works here in the Valley. She was the first and only woman horse trainer to win the prestigious NRCHA (National Reined Cow Horse Association) World Champion Snaffle Bit Futurity. She also won an NRCHA World Champion Snaffle Bit Futurity Reserve Co-Championship in addition to being a regular Finalist there annually. She has been a NRCHA Stallion Stakes Champion, an NRHA Limited Open Champion, and an AQHA World Champion. She has ranked among the year's top five reined cow horse all-ages, all-divisions riders, and is ranked in the top 10 for NRCHA earnings. She was also a regular finalist in the cutting futurities when she showed cutters
One of my friends and neighbors Pat Cuddy competes successfully in cutting. Her equestrian facility is just up the road in Woodstock Ranch. It's a pleasure seeing her beautiful horses.
No comments:
Post a Comment