NRCHA President’s Letter

FROM THE PRESIDENT

It’s a new year and that always brings Station, opportunities for horses in their new beginnings! In the horse industry, Derby years continue to grow. we often see the new year coming around Open trainers aren’t the only ones asking as a challenge—we need to tackle it and themselves, “How can I do something work toward achieving a goal. Whether it different to make the goal a reality?” That is a new horse, a new show to enter like doesn’t mean working harder but possibly the MARS Equestrian™ World’s Greatest working smarter. Our industry requires Youth Horseman or roping at the Art of the tough and hard work, but that doesn’t mean Cowgirl’s World’s Greatest Horsewoman or there isn’t a lot of thought that goes into how a new event, like the American Performance we work our horses. Horseman presented by Teton Ridge. It’s a Doing something different can mean new chapter; goals are going to be set. looking outside the box. I look outside the

As you start 2023, many of us challenge Corey Cushing, NRCHA president box by watching another horse go around ourselves to push and strive harder, but with a different rider than the trainer, and remember that this is an industry with a you can tell that it is a certain trainer’s lot of “peaks and valleys” on the road to achievement. trained horse in cow horse—they have a specific “look.” I’ll While accomplishing new goals and new dreams, there are look at how I signal my horses or how they travel compared going to be highs—like finally getting that 3-year-old to to other horses. As trainers, we are both aiming at similar understand what you’re asking—and lows, like questioning goals, but how we get there is going to be different. whether you’re ready for the challenge. Those dips on the There isn’t only one way to go about training, showing way toward your end goal help shape you as a trainer or or competing in the reined cow horse. If you find your own competitor and make the victory event sweeter. path through the “peaks and valleys,” you’ll find success.

As Open trainers, many of us are already eyeing October Have a happy New Year and good luck at the NRCHA and the Snaffle Bit Futurity®. Our “peaks and valleys” are events at the affiliate and premier level this year. We are along the path as we work to do the best for our horses and happy to have you in the cow horse family! set ourselves up to have that horse peak at the right time. The pressure can be on with a 5-year-old horse’s last Derby year. If the horse has been a player but not a champion, I’m always looking at what could I do as a trainer different to mentally prepare the horse in the pen or physically do things better. With all the added money to premier events like the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, the Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby Corey Cushing or the Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion