Arizona in the Saddle

2015
is
in the Arizona Horseman’s Challenge. The colts this year will be supplied by T Link
going to be a great year for the Verde Valley Equine Festival. There are five amazing
up and coming trainers representing all regions of Arizona that will be competing
Ranch Quarter Horses. Come watch as the trainers choose their horses Friday, followed by only 8 hours
of training throughout the weekend. The Final competition will take place Sunday. This competition gets
better and better every year.
The Verde Valley Equine Festival will offer over 40 clinics, exhibitions, and learning opportunities. The
clinics will take place in two large arenas, a round pen, and a seated clinic area. That is four different
clinics and exhibitions going on all day throughout each of the three days of our Festival. Learn about
everything from dressage to ranch versatility, training a colt to finishing a barrel horse, and much more!
If you own a horse, or just love horses, you will be entertained, and learn something new. Come join us!
Chance and his family were always involved
with horses. His love for horses started at
a very young age while being raised in the
ranching and rodeo lifestyle. In the beginning,
most of Chance’s involvement with horses
consisted of participating in rodeo events
including team roping and saddle bronc riding.
During his high school years he rode a few colts
for a trainer or friend who had young horses that
needed ridden. While furthering his education at
Central Arizona College he shoed horses under
Charlie Hill. To this day he still shoes for Charlie
as well as himself in the East Valley area.
It was during this time, while working alongside
Charlie that Chance really became aware of how to
understand different horses and their needs. As well
as gaining a vast amount of insight in the shoeing
aspect of the horse, he was very fortunate to have
opportunities to start young colts with Charlie
Hill’s guidance. “He gave me help and insight when
I needed it but he allowed me to struggle through
certain areas to find the best way to fill in for these
young horses. Starting colts is not just learning
how to start a green horse, but teaches me as a
horseman, how to fill in for the naïve horse and how
I can use this in all of my horsemanship activities.”
Chance does not consider himself a horse trainer
and has no intentions at this time to make a
living starting colts, his career as a farrier and
continuous efforts in the rodeo arena are the
most important. “However, I consider myself a
young man who has knowledge of how to bring
these young horses along in a favorable fashion.
My hope is that there is at least one person that
can use what I have learned and apply it in their
own horsemanship practices.”
Photo by JTanner
28
March 2015
AZintheSaddle.com