Horseback Riding Program 5,000 Hour Awards

COLLEEN INDRELAND & MY IRISH PLAYBOY

BILLINGS, MONTANA

“I finally reached my goal of 5000 hours Spring of 2024!  'Wrangler' and I have been a team since he was 2 months old in 2012. I didn't start earning hours in the program until he was 4 years old as I was unaware of the HBR program with AQHA.  It has taken Us 8 fun years to get here!  We have a family ranch close by and have ridden many trails there along with other places close by. We have participated in many horse shows locally over the years, with Big Sky State Games being our favorite!  We do different disciplines but prefer ranch style and trail courses. At the barn where I board, friends and I ride frequently - we can put together an obstacle course in short order and its so fun! I have signed up for the HBR program again and are continuing Wrangler and my adventures together in Montana.  I'm so proud of my Commitment to the program and my horse! PS The buckle is beautiful!!!”

SHARON PETRONE & PRETTY NIFTY WHIZ aka RUSSELL-BUSTLE

“This photo is of one of our excursions! Trail Horse, Reiner, Working Equitation- he’ll try anything!!”

JODY RELLER & COOL CASH KITTY

RAY, MINNESOTA

“I have ridden many great Quarter Horses over the years to receive this award. Pictured is my 2003 mare, Cool Cash Kitty by Blantons O Too Cool.   Through the years, there has been so many great moments with family and friends horseback or beautiful sights astride my Quarter Horses.  The Quarter Horse is a great all around horse for all of our ranching needs. Thank You Jesus for making me a cowgirl!”

BRANDI ROBISON & A CHOCOLATE LAZY

BELLEVUE, OHIO

RICKY LEARN & SANCHA CAT

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

**My horse is unique because he can go from the cutting pen to a trail horse or whatever you ask of him. All memories of riding him are special, but winning a cutting buckle on him❤️❤️ Just keep riding as long as my body holds up!!

JESSE BOWMAN & LEFTY BIRD

HEATHSVILLE, VIRGINIA

I got in late.  After 30 years in law enforcement, I needed a course correction, and through God’s providence I was introduced to Quarter horses.  I found my first, we have 6 now, from Wild Bird Quarter Horses.  He’s Lefty Bird, because he had two white left socks.  A 4-year-old out of the Chips Hot Chocolate line.  We started elementary school together and he quickly excelled faster than I did.  He’s 18 now and what an adventure we have shared.  He has carried the bulk of my saddle time on quarter horses, logging nearly 3000 hours of our prize total.   Even though he figured things out way before me, he was patient and brought me along. 

When my wife and I adopted a 6-year girl form a very bad place, Lefty Bird carried her and I around trying to convince her that we were for real, forever and wouldn’t give up on her.  On a horseback picnic under a tree, she said she loved our quarter horses long before she ever said she loved us.  That was ok with me, as she needed to trust something again.  When she bested me in a judged pleasure ride on her mom’s quarter horse you would have thought she won Olympic gold.   

When my wife and I lost our dream retirement log home in a devastating total loss fire, God reminded me why He let me have these fine horses.  Those long tear-filled trail rides somehow helped me get through. 

It’s real hard to pick a favorite memory from our HBR journey.  That picnic under the trees with my new daughter is sure one.  As was the time Lefty and I rode out in the fog and rain across Gettysburg National Battlefield. That early fall morning, statues of brave men on horseback would suddenly loom out of the fog, and disappear again.  I was sure I heard hoof beats in the distance, and by his ears I think Lefty did too, yet we never encountered another horse.  Breaking out into a new meadow, climbing a mountain trail, and crossing deep water together still fill my day dreams.  Winning the Crystal Crown year end JPR standings by 1 point in 2023 on Lefty Bird was a highlight for certain.

I pray that God will allow me to keep throwing my leg across my quarter horses for a few more years.  Discovering a few more quiet trails, a hidden valley, another babbling stream, and another picnic or two under a shade tree on the trail would sure be fine with me.