Horse Illustrated Magazine

At the 2019 Stock Horse of Texas World Championship Show, three top-performing collegiate ranch horse teams earned their invitation to compete in the first ever Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge. The collegiate teams who earned a place in the Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge are Texas Tech, North Central Texas College and West Texas A&M University. These collegiate teams will now prepare to compete in the 2020 Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge, to be held during the 2020 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, February 5-6, 2020.

“Stock Horse of Texas is excited to be a part of this new opportunity for collegiate teams. I think our World Show showcased the tremendous talent of these collegiate riders, and I am excited to see how they work together in the Road to the Horse competition,” states Stock Horse of Texas Executive Director Jill Dunkel.

Each collegiate team will be judged on their natural horsemanship skills and their ability to work together as a team as they gentle a 6666 Ranch filly. Spectators will be able to gain entry to the event with their general admission ticket to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo; no additional event ticket is required.

“The North Central Texas College Stock Horse Team is honored to be competing among such great collegiate equine programs at the Legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo!” said North Central Texas College Head Equestrian Coach Cathy Luse. “We feel humbled to be involved with the inaugural Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge and to get to work with fillies from the historic 6666’s Ranch. It is truly a dream come true, and we are so thankful to all those involved in making this opportunity happen!”

“I am super excited to be able to send a team to represent Texas Tech at the first collegiate Road to the Horse Colt Starting Challenge” said Texas Tech Head Ranch Horse Team Coach Justin Stanton. “This is a unique competition that will truly demonstrate the horsemanship skills that as a team we strive to put into practice every day. Working with a completely trained show horse verses a hardly handled young horse will truly bring out the ability to read and communicate with a horse, and I am excited to watch the Red Raiders show off their hard work and dedication.”

“It is such an honor to have this kind of opportunity to be around some of the greatest men and women in the industry,” said Dr. Nate Wolf from West Texas A&M University. “We are excited to compete at the Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge.”

The Road to the Horse Collegiate Colt Starting Challenge is the perfect prelude to Road to the Horse 2020, which will feature the world’s top colt starters who will compete for a $100,000 purse. The three main competitors that have been selected for Road to the Horse 2020 are Wade Black, Craig Cameron, and Ken McNabb. The event will also feature a Wild Card competition featuring three of the nation’s best up-and-coming colt starters comprised of Wylene Davis, Cole Cameron and Craig Moore.

Road to the Horse 2020 will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 19-22. Tickets are available online at www.RoadtotheHorse.com or by calling 800-514-3849. Learn more about Road to the Horse at www.RoadtotheHorse.com.

About Road to the Horse

Founded in 2003, Road to the Horse strives to entertain and educate fans in the art of natural horsemanship. Road to the Horse challenges the world’s best equestrians to build a partnership with an untrained 3-year-old American Quarter Horse across three intense days of competition. Fans witness the entire journey, from colt selection to the final obstacle challenge. Road to the Horse features a $100,000 purse and competitors battle this coveted title.

About Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

The 2020 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is scheduled for January 17-February 8. Rodeo ticket pre-orders are currently being taken both online and in person at the event office. Get your tickets and get ready for a fun-filled western heritage experience by visiting www.fwssr.com or call 817-877-2400 for more information.