The Road to the Horse Competition is
a unique demonstration of the bond between horses and people. Top trainers from
all over the world choose untouched, young range raised, three year old Quarter
Horses from the large Remuda provided by the Texas 666 Ranch.
In just two days and approximately
four hours, each participant must teach their equine partner to lead, saddle
and be ridden. On the third and final day, the horse and rider team are tested
with an obstacle course.
Tootie Bland created and produces
the Road to the Horse competion as a strategy to promote a kinder gentler way
of handling young horses. It combines education with the message that is
derived from the demonstrations of natural horsemanship that each trainer
stamps with his or her own unique method of training. Thousands of spectators
flock to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington to attend.
Competitors this year will be Dan Steers from
Australia, Antoine Cloux from Switzerland, Jonathan Field from Canada and a
wild card, one of seven people competing to make it into the main competition. Round
one of the Wild Card competition will commence on March 13th, 2014
at 5:30pm. Alltech Arena doors will open at 4:30pm to allow fans to enjoy
shopping at the most extensive Road to the Horse trade show yet. Tickets will
be required for Round two of the Wild Card competition which concludes March 14th,
2014 where a Wild Card Champion will be crowned and will
automatically make their way directly into the Road to the Horse round pen to
compete for the World Championship of Colt Starting 2014 title.
