The NAERIC Trainer’s Challenge is a highlight of the Horse3 event whereby we showcase the power and wonder of the horse-human relationship – such is the focus of this great event.

Three trainers are given three, 1 hour sessions with a chosen colt to build a relationship and trust. At the end of the three sessions the trainer and colt will show off their hard work for spectators to marvel at the progress they’ve made in such a short period of time. Truly magical to watch.
Each trainer is judged and one winner of the Challenge is chosen.

Participating Trainers – 2013

Jon Ensign – 2013 Trainers  Challenge Victor

Jon Ensign, Horse3 2013 Trainer’s Challenge

Montana horseman Jon Ensign offers clinics all over the world to riders who want establish a connection and partnership with their horses without using force. With gentle patience, skill and more than 30 years experience, Jon trains riders to build a working relationship with their horses which comes from a deep understanding of equine thinking, instincts and behavior.

Cain Quam – 2nd Place Finish at the H3 2013 Trainers Challenge

Cain Quam, Horse3 2013 Trainer’s Challenge

3rd

3rd Place at this years 2013 Trainers Challenge - Aaron Ralston

Aaron Ralston, Horse3 2013 Trainer’s Challenge

Aaron Ralston was born and raised on his family’s ranch in Western Colorado.  Horses have influenced his life from his early rodeo career to his accomplishments in reining and working cow horse competitions all over the world.  Aaron was the 2004 AQHA Sr. Reining Reserve World Champion. In 2006, he was part of Team USA at the World Equestrian Games, held in Aachen, Germany. Riding Smart Paul Olena, Aaron led the United States to a Team Gold Medal. He took the Bronze medal in the Individual Reining Competition.

Judges

Bob Kaufman, 2013 Trainer Challenge Judge

Bob Kaufman

Bob has spent over 35 years ranching in B.C. and Alberta, and has correlated his time spent riding, working cattle, raising a family, and being involved in many activities. Bob currently manages Cypress Springs Ranch located along the Cypress Hills Park boundary as well as keeping up with his other interests such as saddle making and leatherwork. Bob has conducted colt starting and horsemanship clinics in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana, and has started over 1000 colts in his 37 years of ranching.    He continues to bring along a few young horses each year, and offers a couple for sale as they become dependable and more finished mounts. He has also placed at a number of working ranch horse competitions, and has judged the Trainer’s Challenge for the Mane Event in Red Deer, Alberta.

Taylor Douglas, 2013 Trainer Challenge Judge

Taylor Douglas

Raised in a horse training family Taylor’s exposure and passion for horses began at a young age. At only 26 Taylor has had success across Canada and the USA in numerous disciplines including western pleasure, calf roping, team roping, cutting, reining and cow horse. Taylor, along with his wife Tegan, own and operate Douglas Performance Horses, a successful training and coaching facility in south east Saskatchewan. Together they have one goal and that is to provide exceptional horses that the owners can enjoy. Throughout the year Taylor not only trains full time but enjoys teaching numerous horsemanship and working cow horse clinics.

Heather Davey

Heather Davey, 2013 Trainer Challenge Judge

Heather has over 30 years experience with horses from starting her own colts to competing and helping others achieve their goals with their horses. She ran and won several awards in barrel racing, goat tying and steer undercoating in the rodeo circuit. She has achieved her level 3 in Parelli Nattural Horsemanship. She has attended clinins with Ray Hunt, Lee Smith, Pat Parelli, several other Parelli professionals, Connie Combs, Marlene Eddleman, Molly Powel, Centered Riding Clinics, and Eddo Hoekstra. She believes the more you can do with your horse the better it is… good horsemanship isn’t “something” it’s everything!

Announcer

Stuart Lambert

Stuart and his wife Marianne live in MacGregor. They run Stuart Lambert Farrier Service. They have a daughter Zaelyn and son Bodie. Stuart graduated from Olds Advance Farrier Science course in 2003. In 2004 he started his farrier service shoeing a wide variety of horses . Reiners, rodeo performance, working ranch horses, Western Pleasure horses, Cow horses, dressage, Hunter & Jumpers, and general recreational horses. He takes pride in Trying to help the horses to compete and perform to their best ability and having longevity of being sound. Stuart continues to look study the techniques of farrier work by going to seminars and clinics. He wants to keep an open mind to new work and ideas to better the horse but always trying to stick to the key basics in the balance of the anatomy to each horse. He also does M.C. Work for events through out the year and happy to be back with Horse3 again this year.

See Schedule For Participants Slots