Freestyle reining is always fun for spectators, but throw a rider like Dan James into the mix, and it can only get better. At last week’s Kentucky Reining Cup Freestyle World Championship, the popular clinician and one half of the famous Double Dan Horsemanship duo, raised the bar for reiners.
Dressed as Johnny Depp’s Tonto character from the recent Lone Ranger movie, James entered the pen with Smart Little Elan and, well, why tell you about it when you can just watch it for yourself? It must be seen to be believed. And make sure you watch through to the end of the ride.
See past Featured Videos >>
Like this video? Here are others you’ll love.
We hear a lot about “burnout” these days when it comes to work, but it can also happen when it…
Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 30, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated…
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…
As you brush your horse’s lower legs, you spy something curious. There’s a little patch of hair that’s ruffled, like…
Road to the Horse is an exciting, unique colt-starting event, dedicated to changing people’s ideas and creating a better world…
Lexington, Ky. — Six of the world’s top 12 eventing riders, including World #1 Tom McEwen (GBR) and World #2…
View Comments
I'm sorry, does no one else just see a horse's mouth being abused here for the sake of cheap tricks? A gaping mouth on a horse with a professional rider is unacceptable. Real horsemanship would take the horse into account.
Mam just because the horses mouth is "gaping open" doesn't mean the rider is abusing the horse for cheap tricks, where was the horses head during all of this, it was not flying high in resistance. Just saying.
I agree with Debbie. The horse did not look like he was enjoying this act of entertainment even if he had kept his mouth closed. But a gaping mouth implies discomfort.
Do we know much about horse? Enough said
I don't think his mouth is gaping because of anything that the rider is doing. I think it's something the horse is doing himself. He seems to be chewing on the bit during the entire ride.
That was pretty cool!
I THOUGHT IT WAS EXCEPTIONAL, THE MAN CAN TRAIN & RIDE REALLY WELL, WHAT BALANCE, THE HORSE IS SO INTUNED TO HIM, REALLY GOOD MINDED HORSE, LOVE IT, MY HAT IS OFF TO HIM!!!!
That was so inspiring!!
Nice job. Especially the liberty spin.
Just, simply, amazing.