Our 2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection contestants have been selected! Each trainer will step onto a 60-day colt and teach him to work a cow. Five head of cattle available per colt each day. Competitors will be judged 25 minutes Day 1, 20 minutes Day 2, 15 minutes for Finalists on Day 3. Winner will receive a champion buckle and cash prizes will be awarded to the top competitors.
Click Here for Competition Schedule
2019 Bonina Colt to Cow Connection Contestant
Name: Jason Smith, 39
Location: Jordan Valley, Oregon
Currently Training At: Mackenzie Quarter Horse Ranch December-March / Takes Outside Horses April-November
# Years Training Horses to work cattle: 21
Background: Worked with Jake Telford Reining Cow Horse Trainer for 5 years. Also spent 2 years with Chad McDaniel, a rope horse trainer, then moved out on my own for the past 13 years. 12 of those years I have spent my winters starting the coming 2-year-old colts for Mackenzie Ranch Quarter Horse Program.
First lesson you learned about putting a horse on a cow? “There is no one thing that sticks out as a “first lesson.” It’s experience gained through many different trials or scenarios… plus knowledge of stockmenship; combined with changing and conforming to each individual horse. Then putting it all together to form unity between you, your horse and the cow.”
Influences: Jake Telford & Annie Reynolds as cow horse trainers; adding ranch stockmenship and low stress cattle handling with the Mackenzie Ranch.
Expectations for the 2019 Bonina Colt Cow Connection: “Looking forward to new challenge and fellowship with other trainers.”
To learn more about Jason’s training services give him a call: 208-989-3963
Photo:Riding a nice Mackenzie Ranch 2 year old.
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