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: Levi Gibson, 26
Location: Cambridge, ID
Currently Training At: Full of Faith Ranch & Two Tru Quarter Horses
NCHA Lifetime Earnings: $1,420.71
# Years Training Horses to Work Cattle: 10
Background: Grew up cowboying and helping run his family’s farm and ranch. Came up through the high school rodeo ranks roping and showing in the cutting. Worked for Jody Cada in high school starting colts and schooling show horses for 3 years. Transitioned into training rope horses and running his own cow/calf operation and raising horses. Currently specializes in starting 2-year-olds and training performance horses with his wife.
First lesson you learned about putting a horse on a cow? “Everything goes back to the cow. When the cow goes, go. When the cow stops, stop. Let the cow tell them what to do and keep it fun for your horse. When you’re in time with the cow, it’s like the cow picked up the bridle reins and asked your horse to move.”
Influences: “Jody Cada taught me a lot about helping a horse work cattle and how to successfully train a cutter. Even though I never had the privilege of riding with them, training videos from Boyd Rice, Ray Hunt, Nick Dowers, and Austin Shepard all have helped shape my training style. Most recently, my brother-in-law, Joe Painter, has influenced my colt starting. I’ve learned how important it is to adapt to fit the horse instead of just making your horse fit the program. My time helping with my mother-in-law’s horsemanship clinics (MJB Clinics) has also contributed. I continually seek to learn from the people I meet and all of the resources available today with modern technology. It’s always a process and I think that’s what horsemanship is all about.”
Expectations for the Bonina Colt to Cow Connection event: “I’m excited to learn from the other trainers’ techniques and hopefully help my colt succeed at working a cow.”
To learn more about Levi’s horse training services give him a call: 208-880-1033
Photo: Levi cutting on a horse called “Moony”
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