Welcome to the
Extreme Cowboy Association
We are excited about 2010 and the many fun filled and
exciting Extreme Cowboy Racing events that are on the
schedule. The formation of
EXCA has been an thrilling and challenging adventure!
Many people have worked tirelessly to create an association
that you will be proud to tell your friends about.
This is the latest issue of your monthly newsletter,
The Brave Horse.
You will receive it each month electronically around the
middle of the month. The Brave Horse will be full of
interesting stories,
EXCA event results, point standings, human interest
stories about
EXCA members and Tips and Tales from our founder, Craig
Cameron. We encourage you to communicate your
suggestions for stories and ideas that will make The
Brave Horse fun, better and more informative.
The Brave Horse the best
newsletter in the equine world. Please forward your
ideas and suggestions to Bill Hull at
bhextremecowboy@gmail.com.
The One Rein Method to
Straightness and Softness
By Craig
Cameron
In horsemanship you hear a lot about the one rein technique,
the one rein bend, the one rein flex and the one rein stop.
The reason to use the one rein method is that you do
not give the horse as much to brace or pull against. The
natural instinct of the horse is to go against pressure.
The bit of course creates and works off pressure as do our
hands, legs, lead rope, halter and spurs. As a rider, our
job is to teach and allow our horse to yield to pressure;
however, it is our responsibility to release the pressure as
our horse gives to the pressure. When we ask our horse to
perform any maneuver, he is responding to the release of the
pressure we apply with our ques.
In the earliest phases of horsemanship many riders use one
rein techniques. The trouble starts when riders begin
pulling on two reins for maneuvers. A rider should guide, que or hold instead of so much pulling. When a rider pulls
on two reins, it is natural for the horse to brace and pull
against the pressure. When a rider pulls hard with two
reins, the horse is going to have the natural reaction of
trying to protect himself from the pressure. This is often
exhibited by raising his head and /or gaping his mouth as he
searches for relief from the pressure.
When a rider learns the one rein technique, many of the bad
habits that are created by pulling on two reins can be
avoided. For example, instead of pulling on two reins for a
stop, the rider can simply bend the horse to a stop by using
one rein. This works because the more you bend the horse
the more you control the hindquarters which is the horse’s
engine. Practice stopping your horse by using the left rein
to bend your horse. In this case, the left rein is the
direct rein and the right rein is the indirect rein. Slowly
begin to increase your use of the right rein (for support)
with the left rein to find the stop and keep the horse
straight.
The one rein technique is an extremely effective method for
any rider to use in developing and maintaining appropriate
and effective touch, feel and timing. I recommend that you
give it a try and I think you will agree that using the one
rein method is truly a common sense approach.
Ride
Hard and always Ride Smart.
Craig Cameron
YOUNG GUNS - EXCA SOUTH PACIFIC
REGION
Extreme Team Magison
by Lori Schiavone
Hello, my name is Lori Schiavone EXCA #510, NAB South
Pacific Region, and President California Cowboy Racers.
This year we started a local club called the California
Cowboy Racers. We have had some great races and success as
an EXCA sanctioned club. Part of the success and something
I want to share with you is what I think is one of the
greatest benefits of the EXCA.
“Friendships and Camaraderie”
“Formed - All with a similar interest The Horse”
Below is the story about 2 of our California Cowboy Racers
Club and EXCA members, Addison Coutts and Maggie Cincotta
both are Young
Guns (age 7-11)
riders. |
|
EXTREME
TEAM “MAGISON”,
as we out here in California have nicknamed them. The
girls have a friendly competition going on this year and a
new friendship. |
Addison Coutts and Cowboy
Addison
has been riding since day one, currently she is 10 years old
and rides a 20 year old Dun Quarter Pony she calls Cowboy.
This team, Cowboy and Addison were the 2008 Ca Jr. Rodeo Pee
Wee Poles Champ.
The year of hard work and wins got the team a Trophy
Saddle. Addison is also an Honor Roll student at Cottonwood
Elementary and she also enjoys gymnastics, barrel racing and
swimming.
Last year as the EXCA Young Gun South Pacific Regional
Champion, Addison and Cowboy traveled to Kansas to compete
at the
EXCA
World Finals.
They did an awesome job although Cowboy thought he was there
to barrel race! Shannon is Addison’s coach along with all
the rest of us Mom’s out here in California.
Maggie Cincotta and Rayo
Maggie
is 10 years old, 11 in October and she has been riding for 4
years. Maggie rides and is interning with Robin Bond, out
of Vista California, an EXCA Pro Rider and Trainer. She
helps Robin out 4 days a week riding and ground working
horses. This is where she met Rayo. Rayo is a Handsome
Grade horse Robin owns and Maggie spends her summers with.
Maggie is absolutely crazy about Rayo.
Maggie also carries another nickname. "Mad Dog" She got it
while golfing, going up to the tee to hit, there was an
announcement over the loud speaker that Maggie "Mad Dog"
Cincotta was up to crush the ball. After that it just
stuck.
Maggie is looking forward to traveling to World Finals this
year to compete on Rayo in the Young Guns with her family
and Robin.
Both girls have ridden hard and well this year. They come
prepared and are always ready to ride. They are always
waiting for each other after their runs with a high five.
I am very proud of both of them. They display tremendous
sportsmanship… We can all learn from them as an example
and make some new friends along the way.
2010
EXCA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2010 EXCA World Championship is only eight weeks away!
Make your plans to be in Topeka, Kansas ,November 12 -14 for
the thrills and excitement of watching "the best of the
best" from the United States and Canada give it all they've
got to win the title of EXCA World Champion!
Cash payback and prizes will be awarded to the top 5 in each
Division, with 100% of the entry fees be paid back to the
winners. In addition to the cash and prizes, the World
Champion and Reserve World Champion from each Division will
receive a beautiful EXCA World Championship buckle.
Entry forms are now available on the EXCA Website
There will be two host hotels this year. The Capital Plaza
Hotel located next to the Expocentre will be available at a
cost of $69 per night plus tax. The phone number is
785-431-7200. The Ramada Hotel and Convention Center,
located at 420 SE 6th St. will be available at $69 per night
plus tax and will offer a free hot breakfast each morning
plus two free drinks each night of your stay. The phone
number is 785-234-5400. The Ramada is approximately 10
minutes from the Expocentre. When you make your
reservations at either hotel, be sure to ask for the Extreme
Cowboy Association room rate.
Tickets are available on the EXCA website. Each contestant
will receive one free companion pass that will be valid for
the entire weekend.
We look forward to seeing you in Topeka!!
EXCA Judges Clinic
December 5 - 7, 2010
Double Horn Ranch
Bluff Dale, Texas
Phone: 254-728-3082
Email:
doublehornd@lipan.net
Cost: $650.00 includes lodging plus breakfast and lunch on
Saturday & Sunday. Beds at the Ranch are available only on a
first-come, first-served basis. Once available clinic beds
at the Ranch are filled, clinic attendees will be
responsible to make their own arrangements for lodging in
Stephenville or Granbury.
For More Information
Description: This is a special clinic for Extreme Cowboy
Association™ judging applicants. Upon successful completion,
each applicant will receive “Gold Certification” as a Level
3 Judge. The clinic will be led by EXCA founder, Craig
Cameron. Craig will offer instruction with live judging
opportunities on the original Extreme Cowboy Race course as
seen on RFD-TV. This clinic will fill fast – Sign up now!
Check-in: 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 5th. Clinic concludes
at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7th. |