WORKING COW HORSE CHAMPION

MIKE MAJOR AND SMART WHISKEY DOC MAKE A SOLID GOLD RECOVERY.

BY CANDACE DOBSON, FIELD EDITOR

Mike Major and Smart Whiskey Doc made a world class comeback after a the horse had a two-year hiatus from the show pen due to a neck injury. Mike was told the best thing he could do was have Smart Whiskey Doc put down.

Three years ago after a horse show Mike went to saddle “Whiskey” and he was unable to move.

“I had no idea what was wrong. We hadn’t been in any sort of wreck so I started thinking it was West Nile or something like that,” Mike said. “We loaded him up and hauled him to Colorado State University for a closer look.”

What they found had nothing to do with a virus but an old injury Whiskey suffered as a colt. He had developed arthritis between two vertebrae, and it was starting to rub against his spinal cord.

“Every time they would get ready to operate, the doctors told me it was too risky and suggested I put him down,” Mike said. “We just decided to take him home and see if God could fix it.”

After two years of rest, Mike decided Whiskey was well enough to ride. Thirty days later they won the versatility ranch horse competition at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver.

Whiskey continued to stay sound, and the pair qualified for the AQHA World Championship Show and the Bayer Select World Championship show.

“I had a hard time deciding which show to go to, but the time of year for this show worked better for us to get away from our ranch, and I figured this might be more of my element,” he said, laughing.

Mike’s decision paid off, and they scored their first world title after a sharp run in the working cow horse finals.

“I felt like it was a pretty good run. He was really collected and felt good in my hands,” Mike said. “I was a little scared to turn too hard against the concrete because I didn’t want to hurt my horse but we got through it OK.”

Besides a new gold trophy to add to their shelf, Whiskey and Mike are also leading the 2006 versatility ranch horse high-point, and Mike has no plans to slow down as long as Whiskey stays solid.

The Fowler, Colorado, native said he’s also excited to start some of Whiskey’s foals in the show arena.

Mike plans to return to the Bayer Select World next year in the working cow horse and possibly even add a qualification in a roping class.