Rising Talent Horsemanship Vol. 1 July, 2021
rthorsemanship.com
Featuring 4 Up-and-Coming Trainers
Learning How to Learn -By Craig Moore Behind the Scenes look at the curator of the podcast “Abi and the Mustangs” -By Abiela Conde
Making it as an Equestrian Artist -By CJ Davidson
Deciding I was Worth Pursuing My Dream Career -By Camille McCutchon
& much more
“Trust Equine is as much a philosophy, as it is a business name.’’ Katie Morris with her gelding, Caspian
in Lithia, FL
~Rising Talent Horsemanship~
Editorial Page Information Rising Talent Horsemanship seeks to highlight new and established horse trainers.
Rising Talent Horsemanship
Volume 1, Issue 1, July 2021
EDITORS
Legal Any views, opinions, or training techniques expressed in Rising Talent Horsemanship are not necessarily those of the editor, nor can they be held accountable. Rising Talent Horsemanship, VanFleet Mustangs or Samantha Van Fleet will not be held responsible for any copyright infringement or misrepresentation on the part of advertisers or highlighted trainers. Any correspondence to Rising Talent Horsemanship, its editor, or publisher are assumed for publication. All stories (verbal or printed), photos, news items, and any other submitted materials, solicited by Rising Star Horsemanship or not are assumed to be legally released by the submitter for publication.
Sarah Burgner Sam VanFleet Contributing Writers Abiela Conde CJ Davidson Amanda Henry Alexa Lopez Camille McCutchon Craig Moore Katie Morris
www.rthorsemanship.com
Magazine | Page 2
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Meet the Editors... Hey there! I’m Sarah, and I reside in Jonesborough,
Tennessee. Like most little girls, I have been in love with all things equines since I was 6 years old. From pretending I was a horse myself, to starting my own colts, loving on mustangs, to jumping in the show ring, I have never been able to get enough of God’s most gorgeous creation, the horse.
Now, twenty years later, I have started my own natural horsemanship mentoring business and am elated at the opportunity to be a collaborator and editor of this magazine!
Hey guys, I’m Sam, a 22-year-old trainer
whose passion is gentling, training, and rehoming mustangs to get them out of holding. My other passion is helping other horse owners communicate with their horses better. Over the past few years I've developed my business through YouTube, clinics, training, taking and teaching lessons, learning through internships, social media, etc. My goal is to help other young trainers grow their businesses as well and connect the equine community… which is why I began this magazine.
Sarah and I are so excited to bring you this magazine full of content. We hope you enjoy!
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Table of
Contents
Abiela Conde Learn about the impact the American Mustang had on Abi, and the impact she’s trying to make on their behalf today. pg 5
Katie Morris Find Out More About Staying “Firm, Fair, & Consistent” with Katie Morris pg 8
Alexa Lopez Take a look inside all things ponies, pirates, and patience with 16-year-old Alexa. pg 14
Moore Horsemanship Join Craig on the pursuit of learning and exactly “How To” do it well. pg 16
Camille McCutchon Come along with Camille as she shares about her compelling journey to her career with her horse, Aurora. pg 11
CJ Davidson Art Learn how a young woman has made it as a equine artist and the wild horses who inspired her. pg 18
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July Features
The Trainers
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Join us in exploring the inside world and personal stories of these amazing horsemen and women.
Camille McCutchon
~Rising Talent Horsemanship~
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Abiela Conde TRAINER - AC MUSTANGS WELLTON, AZ Age 19 Abiela Conde is a 19 year old horse trainer from
Wellton Arizona. Abi began competitively riding horses in 4-H at age 8, riding in western disciplines. Over the course of the last 10 years, she has been a part of many different equine associations, including: 4-H, FFA, Arizona High School Rodeo, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, and the Mustang Heritage Foundation. Her involvement in these clubs have greatly shaped who Abi is as a horsewoman, as well as improved her skills as a rider. Even with having a western riding background, Abi has progressed to being well educated in english riding disciplines, speed disciplines, and liberty techniques.
When Abi was 15 years old she trained her first mustang. It was that experience that changed the course of her life, and changed her vision for her future with horses. Since beginning her work training wild horses, Abi is now an advocate for the trainability and adoptability of these amazing, American legends. She has even created a podcast entitled, “Abi and the Mustangs”, which is geared towards the mustang/horse community. The goal of the podcast is to connect horse lovers everywhere using wild horse education, and spread awareness of the crisis on our western rangelands. Wild horses and burros are severely overpopulated and must be gathered off the range to maintain healthy herd numbers. The horses and burros are migrated into holding facilities and are available for public adoption for $125. In an effort to do her part, Abi trains numerous mustangs and burros and helps find them suitable homes. She does this two ways, through the Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) and competitively showing at mustang training challenges...
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More on Abi’s TIP Testimony... When I was 15, my parents gave me the news that they signed me up for a 100 day mustang training challenge. Back then, I had the same mentality as the general public; I thought that I would get some super crazy wild horse, and that as soon as the challenge was over I was going to sell it as soon as I could. I definitely thought wrong. The filly that was randomly assigned to me was wild, but not crazy. She was curious, and had a sense of humor. Over the course of that 100 day training period my mindset started to change. I loved the challenge, but I also found myself loving the horse. So much that at the end of the challenge, she came home with me and has been here ever since! From then on, I had the mustang fever and I went on to compete in 5+ challenges since then, rehoming my competition horses to well suited homes afterward. When I turned 18, I applied to become a TIP trainer for Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF). The Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) is a hidden gem in the horse world in my opinion. The program employs approved trainers to select horses or burros from holding facilities or store fronts, train them to complete a set of requirements to help make them suitable candidates for adoption, then help find the animals the right adopters. Once the animal is adopted, the trainer is paid by the MHF. I hear the question often, “Is there any money in mustangs?” I believe the answer is, yes! IF you are a hard working, committed, and competent horse trainer, willing to branch out and train wild horses, you can earn a substantial income, and the satisfaction that you are placing a living legend in a forever home! Whether it be utilizing TIP, winning at training challenges, or both, there is a rewarding way to earn an income training wild mustangs. In a nutshell, here is how the incentive program currently works; untrained horses or burros placed in homes are worth $500 per animal. But, horses and burros that are trained to catch, lead, load in a trailer, and pick up all four feet (minimum TIP requirements), the incentive to the TIP trainer increases to $1,000 for a horse and $750 for a burro. Trainers are allowed a 90 day training period (in special circumstances trainers may request an extra 30 day extension), during which they are responsible for finding a suitable adopter when completed. During the training period TIP trainers are also responsible for feeding, providing farrier care as needed, or any additional necessary care at their own expense. Personally, I have found success utilizing this program at my own facility at our small family ranch. It is a very fulfilling experience to move horses out of holding facilities and into homes and I foresee myself training mustangs for the rest of my life. I also ride and train other breeds, and love them too, but there is no better feeling than breaking down barriers of fear and gaining the trust of a wild horse!
If you are interested in any of the TIP horses Abi has trained, please reach out by email: bcrhorsemanship18@gmail.com or by phone: 9287503486
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~Rising Talent Horsemanship~
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~Rising Talent Horsemanship~
Katie Morris TRAINER - TRUST EQUINE
Lithia, FL Age 20 Katie Morris is a 20-year-old trainer based out of Lithia, Florida. She began training at the age of 12 after receiving her first mustang, Diamond. Katie considers her win at the 2019 Georgia TIP challenge to be among her greatest accomplishments, stating that it was her “first time competing as an adult,” coming in first among 50 other trainers and competitors. Shortly thereafter, Katie began sharing her abilities by developing and bringing out the best in others’ horses.
Establishing her own business,
In 2020, she opened Trust Equine Training. Her services include, but are not limited to, mustang gentling, colt starting, behavioral problem-solving, desensitizing, and trick training. She typically averages a 4-5 client rotation with intensified training while developing her own horses as well. She is currently training full-time and would like to continue this career path on a long-term basis. Katie is optimistic about the future as she continues to advance her skills and expand her knowledge base in order to best serve her clients in the field of equine training.
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Katie Morris
Essential Trainer Qualities Patience, consistency, respect, and trust: These are just a few of the qualities necessary for success when training horses. Up-and-coming trainer Katie Morris has made these traits central to her work. With over seven years of experience, Katie has found a thriving and promising place in the equine community. Today, she’s expanding her own business, Trust Equine, and those core values of patience, consistency, respect, and yes, trust, guide her, whether she’s working with mustangs or serving clients. Of course, like those who seek out her talents, her first love is for these magnificent and enchanting animals. Katie acquired her first mustang when she was only twelve years old. “Diamond” came from Wyoming, and her wild roots showed. Though initially gentled by another trainer, Diamond taught Katie the value of consistency through her strong and determined personality, even bucking her off a time or two. Despite a difficult beginning, that required assistance from a seasoned trainer, Diamond proved to be a valuable experience for Katie—one that helped her understand what it takes to succeed with these spirited animals. Her next mustang, Toby, benefited from Katie’s experience with Diamond. But he also had a personality most trainers would envy. Toby was, in Katie’s words, “the most forgiving, kind, and patient” mustang she could have asked for. Because of his ideal nature, Katie got adventurous. She developed training techniques with him that refined her process and pushed her out of her comfort zone. Katie says her friendship with Toby made her the trainer she is today. He performed his regular maneuvers at liberty just a month after arriving to her facilities. Katie competed in a local mustang competition with Toby—a first for both trainer and horse. And as a result, took home first prize.
Evaluating a Training Horse After talking to the client and identifying their goals, Katie will evaluate the behaviors and inclinations of each horse, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. From this profile, she develops a plan for achieving each client’s goals. Miss Morris believes it is essential to involve the client at every step, so together they can acquire the skills necessary to continue their training at home. For instance, groundwork, is crucial for establishing respect. And that respect must be passed on from Katie to the horse's owner. Likewise, Katie uses the "pressure and release" approach both during and after training to create consistent and predictable communication between the horse and trainer at all times. Although she can estimate the timeline for training from day one, each horse is different. According to Katie, “some clients’ horses require a great deal of time to meet even basic goals, while some exceed expectations and timelines in their responsiveness to training.” Her motto when things get unpredictable? “Stay firm, fair, and consistent!” It’s how she reliably succeeds with both her wild mustangs and the her clients. Katie says, “horses like natural horsemanship when they see it.” This is the foundation of each relationship she has built with the animals she has trained, not to mention the success she’s enjoyed in her brief career.
Interested in more? Find Katie on Facebook: TRUST Equine Training Or Contact by email: Trustequinetraining@gmail.com
For Katie, “Trust Equine” is as much a philosophy as it is a business name. She loves horses, she has a natural connection with them, and she takes the responsibility of training other people’s animals incredibly seriously. As much as she values the reputation her hard work has earned, it’s the success stories on hoofs she finds most rewarding.
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~Rising Talent Horsemanship~
Interested in Owning Your Own American Legend, But Don’t Know Where to Start? Find a TIP Trainer near you! Check this one out...
Horseback Riding Club
. . LEARN MORE 10
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~Rising Talent Horsemanship~
Camille McCutchon Owner & Operator of Camille’s Mustangs LLC Bryan, TX Age 22 Howdy y'all, my name is Camille! Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a passion for horses and dreamed of being a horse trainer. I grew up in Corpus Christi, which is not exactly a thriving equine community, but my parents provided every opportunity possible for me to learn about horses, take lessons, and eventually helped me buy my first horse. I had a nice safe horse to continue my riding education and grow in new skills. Unfortunately, he passed away six months later, leaving me unsure of where to go next. I thought about buying another well trained horse, but the idea bored me somehow. I decided to go in the complete opposite direction and adopt a wild mustang, who I named Aurora. I was in way over my head, having no real training experience. However, we struggled our way through and I learned so many important lessons along the way. It was at this point, when I graduated high school I realized I was at a complete crossroads. I had always wanted to be a horse trainer, but I knew I was not nearly experienced enough to make it happen. So the decision was between devoting myself entirely to a career in the equine industry or pursuing a career that would allow me to afford owning horses on the side. I was accepted into Texas A&M University as a biology major with the hopes of continuing onto medical school. Always keeping my options open. In my four years at Texas A&M I pursued many opportunities for advancing my knowledge in the equine industry and developing my skills as a trainer. I trained ten mustangs over the course of my four years as a student and am currently on my third Extreme Mustang Makeover. I placed sixth in the 2019 Extreme Mustang Race. I took classes on equine nutrition, management, reproduction, and several more to obtain my equine certificate from Texas A&M. I began taking client horses and teaching lessons in my third year of college. Which was a huge turning point for me! I started my LLC and began to devote myself to the idea that I was worthy of my dream job. I have always loved school, but homework and exams became increasingly burdensome as I daydreamed about what more I could accomplish if I could devote myself entirely to training horses. I was three quarters of the way through my degree so I decided to keep my head down and keep working at it. In the meantime, I became involved in the Texas A&M Summer Horsemanship Program which hugely benefited my training abilities. This program trains students to travel as horsemanship instructors and teach clinics to groups all over Texas. I made it through two rounds of tryouts and twice a week training sessions in the spring of 2020. Unfortunately, the mass pandemic put a halt to the program. Nevertheless, I was invited back the following year! After a semester of rigorous training, I am currently on the road teaching clinics to kids and adults all over Texas. The positive feedback so far has been overwhelming and a huge affirmation that I am doing what I am meant to do. The best part is I am teaching on the back of Aurora, the mustang who started it all....
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Camille’s story continued... NOW, I’m celebrating my recent graduation from Texas A&M University with honors, my BS in Biology, and my equine certificate. I am grateful for my time as a student and all the opportunities my season at college allowed me to pursue. I am so relieved to begin training horses full-time once I return from my travels with the Summer Horsemanship Program. If I could offer any advice to the younger me with dreams of becoming a horse trainer with no clear path of getting there, it would be this: keep dreaming, keep working towards your goals, keep learning, and keep your options open. Rome wasn’t built in a day and change happens over time. Slow and steady is the key to starting and growing a business. Take the time to get qualified, build connections, and grow your client base.
If you’d like to continue following my journey, you can find me on instagram, facebook, and youtube or contact me via email camillemcc3@hotmail.com
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Slow and steady is the key to starting and growing a business. Take the time to get qualified, build connections, and grow your client base.
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~Rising Talent Horsemanship~
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Have you ever dreamed of Training a Wild Mustang?
There’s nothing like the first touch of a wild mustang… If you are an experienced trainer/colt starter, give us a call about our mustang training opening! Generous salary and housing for the right individual. Contact Sweetbeau for more info. email: info@sweetbeauhorses.org phone: 805-591-0533
Sweetbeau YouTube Channel “Sweetbeau Horses”
@sweetbeauhorses Located in Creston, California
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~Rising Talent Horsemanship~
Alexa Lopez TRAINER
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WAYWARD MUSTANG HORSEMANSHIP TAMPA, FL Age 16 I'm Alexa Lopez and I live in Tampa, FL! I'm a 16 year old equestrian hoping to make my mark as a horse trainer in the future.
I started riding when I was 10 years old at a local show barn and was introduced to western shortly after. I found my passion in horses, loving everything about these amazing animals. My family purchased our first horse in 2015 and from then on, I’ve focused on learning everything I possibly could about training! My sister got her first mustang in 2016 and ever since then, we have both grown as horsewomen.
My family has 15 horses that I've helped rehabilitate and retrain for our riding lesson program, Wayward Mustang Horsemanship. I have tested my horsemanship skills by competing in Mustang Makeover Events. And actually won my age division with my first Mustang, Mocha Frappe, who went on to become one of our best lesson ponies! I hope to one day be a full-time horse trainer and have my own facility to take on client horses in the future.
For More Information Contact Alexa’s Equine Adventures Facebook Page!
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Alexa Lopez
Being Open to New Approaches My current competition horse, Beastie, that I got for the Kentucky 2021 makeover, taught me to be flexible with my techniques and to allow the horse to show me how they want to be trained. Our first month we saw great progress, but midway through the competition, we suddenly became stagnant. I realized my training methods, which I have used successfully for my other horses, were not working for Beastie. We found ourselves at a complete standstill halfway through the competition window and I began to doubt if we would make it to the competition. I took a breath and did some reflection: what if it's me? We are all taught at some point in our equestrian journey that a lot of the time when issues arise, it's usually the rider at fault. It clicked in me that I needed to change my own patterns if I wanted Beastie to change hers. I took a step back and spent quiet time with her. I also changed the way I applied pressure and cued her. I researched many techniques from established trainers to see what results they had and finally, we had a breakthrough.
Leaving the Comfort Zone Was it a spectacular breakthrough where everything fell perfectly into place and Beastie did everything flawlessly? Not at all. But for the first time in a long time, Beastie and I grew together as partners and worked together to improve. In the end, we were able to submit all three of our classes. Beastie is a mustang from Sulphur, Utah. Which is a herd that is said to be reactive and for a more experienced mustang trainer. I have to admit I was worried when I learned what herd she was from. I was sure this would all end badly but I was pleasantly surprised. Sulphurs, like Beastie, definitely need a different approach and after training this horse, I feel humbled for having been able to train one of them. They are truly special and bond deeply with their handlers.
My story and hopeful inspiration is this, be willing to go outside your comfort zone and let yourself learn from the horse. Sometimes you need to change how you do things to see the horse from a different angle. Beastie was one of the hardest horses I have ever trained but if I had the option to go back and choose a horse again, I would still pick that scruffy little filly who was hiding behind all the other horses. Alexa Lopez - Wayward Mustang Horsemanship
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Learning How to Learn by Craig Moore
It’s an interesting concept isn’t it? It’s something we’ve been doing since the day we were born. As humans we are constantly learning new things in an effort to improve our lives. But this is a topic I bring up because of what I’ve experienced as a young trainer and I see it in other young trainers. When we go to a clinic, a demo, an internship even a hired hand position for a well known trainer, do you know what our most important responsibility is? TO LEARN! It’s OUR responsibility to acquire as much knowledge from that teacher as we possibly can. Sometimes people act as if it’s the teachers job to teach us. That would be incorrect. It’s the teachers job to create situations for the students to learn. But it is the students job to do the learning. This requires a person to be mentally engaged.
Preparing to be a Good Student There are several aspects to being a good student and absorbing as much as a person can. Probably one of the biggest is awareness. A person must be aware of what’s going on around them, aware of what they’re doing, aware of what the teacher is doing, aware of the differences between the two, and of course aware of the horse. Being aware can take years of practice. It requires us to pay attention and be mentally present. That’s right...you might have to set your phone to the side if you want to be a good student. Another very important part of getting the most you can out of a knowledge based horse experience, is being good at asking intelligent questions. Intelligent questions require us to already be mentally engaged in what’s going on. One thing I’ve tried to master is that while I’m watching someone demonstrate something I put myself in their shoes and mentally run through what they’re doing. This tends to help me develop questions because maybe I didn’t see what their right hand did or maybe I didn’t see how their feet were moving. I can ask them to show me that part again because in my mental walkthrough I got a little lost. Take the time to learn how to develop good questions. This will also help your teacher to want to help you even more. They can see how hard you’re trying and that you’re putting effort into understanding what they’re teaching you. To be completely honest I’ve asked teachers questions in the past just to help empower them and let them know I care about what they’re teaching me. There is nothing worse than being a teacher and every time you try to help a person you hear, “I know”, or “yeah, that’s how I do it.” If you want your teacher to like you, ask intelligent questions....
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“Learning How to Learn” continued... At the end of the day, I believe being a good student is an art form. It’s knowing when to ask questions and when to be a silent observer. It’s being able to imagine you are in the shoes of the teacher so you can better remember what they are doing. As you go through life and you continue to connect with new people just try to remember it’s your responsibility to learn from those you encounter. It’s your future you are trying to improve. If you leave a lesson feeling like, “I just didn’t really learn anything”, that is your burden to bear. Continue to explore the ways you learn best and create the situations for the best outcome.
Nobody cares about you as much as you do, so it’s time to take responsibility for what you do and don’t learn. Your life depends on it.
Moore Horsemanship Craig and Katie are a horse training duo who train out of May, Texas. They are well known for competing in Extreme Mustang Makeovers as well as the 2021 Road To The Horse Wild Card Division. They spend their days fixing problem horses, starting colts, training roping horses, teaching tricks and giving lessons. They also offer clinics, compete with their personal horses as well as client horses in shows, and even sell a few of the horses they work with each year. On their 70 acre ranch they produce their own hay and is a home to a few dogs, cats, chickens, donkeys, roping cattle, beef cattle, goats, an alpaca, and of course many horses. Like many trainers they strive each and every day to get better. Their program revolves around helping horses become as safe and well trained as possible. Every horse is different and on any given day you will see them use several different techniques and training philosophies. They use primarily negative reinforcement with some positive reinforcement sprinkled in.
For more information or to follow along with what these two are up to next you can find them at Moore Horsemanship on Facebook. They do accept interns and are working on their internship program becoming comparable to a college course. It will have tests, projects, homework, etc. At this time it is offered for a very low fee to interns and includes room and board. If you are interested in sending them a horse for training, keep in mind their waitlist is several months long. You will want to reach out as early as possible if you want your horse on said waitlist for training in May, Texas.
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CJ DAVISON ART Website: www.cdavisonart.com Instagram: @cdavison.art Facebook: CJ Davison Equine Art Email: cdavisonart@gmail.com
Read CJ’s story about how she became the inspiring artist she is today on page 16.
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I have grown to love these horses with such a deep passion that now I want to help make a difference through my work by keeping these American legends living on and share their beauty and power with the world.
For the Love of Wild Horses,
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Ever since I could remember, I have been in love with painting and horses. However, my love for horses began sooner than my passion for art. Whether it was looking at horses over the fence in my parents arms or watching horse movies before I could walk, they were always in my life. When I was about 2 years old, my mom set me down with some paint, a brush and a canvas. As usual, the only thing on my mind was horses, so I started my first painting and as you could probably imagine, I painted a horse. Since that painting, which in fact my parents still have, I have expressed my passion for horses through my work. They are my main inspiration for creating pieces of art that embody the power and beauty I have always found in horses. Now, at 22 years old, I still find myself to be continuously inspired and amazed by these animals. I moved to Northern Nevada several years ago to a ranch surrounded by public land which is full of beautiful wildlife including wild horses. Up until I moved here, I had never seen horses in the wild. This lifelong dream was finally being fulfilled when I went out one day and came across a beautiful band of wild horses deep in the mountains. After that day, I saw horses even more beautiful and magical than ever before. It was so rejuvenating to see these amazing creatures roaming free with one another just doing what horses do naturally. That experience really inspired me to focus my artwork more on wild horses. There was just something so raw and wholesome about seeing them out there which made me want to capture that in my work. Since then I have completed several large paintings of wild horses in the area and have also photographed a few herds. I have also since then adopted several mustangs which has been a great way to get to know these American icons personally and get to know those in the Wild Horse communities and Advocacy groups. After creating a few good pieces, I received some recognition for my work and was awarded first place in a local art show. That’s when I started my professional artistic career. Starting with a few portraits of dogs and horses for clients, this eventually turned into a frequent gig where I had more interest and orders rolling in and was able to share my work with others. Most of my commissions in the beginning were dog portraits which were quite popular for some time. Currently, I am a commissioned artist and do custom paintings for clients. I mainly cater to a local community, but would like to expand and be able to share my work worldwide. As much as I love creating custom work, I always try to stay inspired from the subject that helped me get to this point, wild horses. I continue to be fascinated by their pure wild spirits and powerful yet calm energy.
After educating myself on wild horses in America today and how they are being rounded up for numerous reasons, I have decided that with every original painting I sell, I will donate a percentage of my profit to efforts to keep the wild horses safe. Whether it be rescuing, training and rehoming, to donating to trusted sanctuaries that take the horses who don’t get the chance to go to a forever home. I have grown to love these horses with such a deep passion that now I want to help make a difference through my work by keeping these American legends living on and share their beauty and power with the world.
CJ Davison
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You can learn new things at any time in your life if you are willing to become a beginner.
-Warwick Schiller
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Rising Talent Horsemanship
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