New Smyrna Beach Horse Trainer to participate in International Horse Competition
October 16, 2013-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FLORIDA- For eight of the world’s leading horse trainers, the road to success leads to Lexington, Kentucky. During March 13-16 of next year, locals and visitors alike will gather in Alltech Arena, at the Kentucky Horse Park to cheer on their favorite horseman.
The Road to the Horse is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines education and entertainment for an all-out horsemanship experience. For many horse enthusiasts it is the event of the year. In 2014, the first round on Thursday, March 13, will be free to the public thanks to the generosity of the event’s sponsor, Ram trucks.
The competition takes internationally known, elite horse trainers and clinicians and matches them against each other for the esteemed title of “Road to the Horse World Champion.” These competitors choose an untrained horse, and begin building a relationship between trainer and horse.
The goal of Road to the Horse is to teach horsemen and women that natural horsemanship is a kinder, gentler, plus more proficient, way of working with horses. Fans will witness a historical showdown between these eight Wild Card competitors: James Anderson from Alberta, Canada; Trevor Carter from Farwell, Texas; James Cooler from Summerfield, North Carolina; Jon Ensign from Belgrade, Montana; Mary Kitzmiller from Kemp, Texas; Kerry Kuhn from Pratt, Kansas; Adam Tarpley from Merkel, Texas and Sean Patrick from New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
In March of 2013, local favorite Sean Patrick, author of The Modern Horseman’s Countdown to Broke, was chosen as a Wild Card Contestant in the Road to the Horse colt-starting competition. He is the only trainer chosen from the State of Florida.
Sean chose a completely untrained healthy three year old American Quarter Horse Association gelding named Remember Pick, now nicknamed Joker. This beautiful horse is from the famed 6666 Ranch in West Texas.
“Since I drew the Joker card during the event, I was able to pick from the remuda,” says Sean. “My wife Alisha’s words rang in my ears…Number 6 is the one I’d go with. Joker and I have been best buds since…We are having a blast!”
The winner of the Wild Card competition will step into the main event at Road to the Horse that same day where he or she will have only a few hours to start another untouched colt and compete in a final round against three renowned international trainers. A sight to be seen!
Owner and organizer of the competition, Tootie Bland, agrees that this year will be an exciting and must-attend event.
“We have been doing this event for over ten years now, so it has become something that both horse lovers and those relatively new to the industry look forward to. 2014 will be especially great because we have incredible corporate partners like RAM who are making the competition available to everyone,” said Bland.
Sean Patrick Training is located at Pioneer Trail Reserve, a private equestrian community. The state-of-the-art facility provides the perfect backdrop for Patrick’s clinics and training. For more information about the community, visit www.pioneertrailreserve.com.
Road to the Horse Fans can learn more about Sean Patrick and Joker and have the opportunity to follow their progress via www.facebook.com/seanpatricktraining. Fans can also go to the competition site at www.roadtothehorse.com.
