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Four Town Fair Features Connecticut Renegades Cowboy Mounted Shooting Club BY ALLISON FORSYTH
THE CONNECTICUT RENEGADES Cowboy Mounted Shooting club members were once again invited to be guests at the Four Town Fair in Somers, CT, on Saturday, September 15. The Renegades provided two one-hour long shows that included an opening flag drill, demonstrations of rider levels from beginners to advanced, and the favorite, match races. The Renegades were pleased to highlight one rider and horse during this event by having them carry the American flag and lead the riders during a drill and National Anthem. Natural horsemanship trainer and farrier, Geoff Goodson of East Hampton, CT, was selected to participate in the Extreme Mustang Makeover. He has two newly acquired mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and entered one of them, Little Joe the Wrangler, in the contest. “Lil’ Joe” was a wild mustang taken from the Utah/ Nevada border. For many riders, it was a long day, which is how the following day’s match earned its name, “The Four Town Fair Hangover Match.” More than 20 riders were in attendance at Round Tuit Ranch
LEFT PHOTOS: JEANNE LEWIS IMAGES; RIGHT PHOTO: PRIMO MORALES
Riding Cherokee, Joan Davis was named Overall Cowgirl and won the L3 belt buckle.
Open Futurity Champions Corey Cushing and CD Diamond.
Corey Cushing and CD Diamond Win Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship Overall Winner Bruce Tolhurst took the SM4 belt buckle riding Miss Kitty.
in Enfield, CT, on Sunday, September 16, to compete for a buckle in their respective classes. The Overall Winner was Bruce Tolhurst of Marlborough, CT, on Miss Kitty, and the Overall Cowgirl was Joan Davis of West Granby, CT, on Cherokee. Other class winners included “Kowboy” Ken Forcier of Oxford, CT, on Red; Wendy Gibbons of Mendon, MA, on Woody; and Kelly Sommers of Middletown, CT, on Blues Chyna Girl. Sunday’s match also included two “wranglers” (riders under the age of 12). These young equestrians are required to ride the same course as all the other riders, but they carry two cap guns. Although they are not able to shoot and hit the targets, they must ride within the expected distance of each target and aim at each one. If the range master believes they would not have hit the target had they been live firing, it can be counted as a miss. Kayla Davis of West Granby, CT, shot clean on Cherokee, and Abby Jenner of Enfield, CT, also shot clean on Somebody’s Angel. For more information on the Connecticut Renegades, visit CTRenegades.com.
WITH FOUR HORSES IN THE National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finals in Reno, NV, on September 30, 2012, the odds were most definitely in Corey Cushing’s favor. He still had to work for every bit of the $100,000 championship paycheck as he staged a thrilling come-from-behind victory on CD Diamond, owned by San Juan Ranch. It was an emotional night for the 32-year-old Scottsdale, AZ, trainer as he talked about his first Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship and the high-scoring 222 cow work that sealed the win. “It always comes down to the fence work, and that’s what it came down to today,” Cushing said. Todd Bergen, who won the 2011 Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship aboard Shiners Dun Juan (Smart Shiner x Cremes Chic Olena x Smart Chic Olena), claimed the $80,000 reserve championship check with This One Time for owner Pam Bailey. He admitted it was disappointing to see the championship slip away, but he couldn’t help being happy that his long-time friend and fellow trainer reached the winner’s circle. “I’ve known Corey and watched him
continued on page 170 November 2012
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