Cow Horse Productions

Evolution: The Foundation Horse Training DVD series now available

2011-12-02T08:19:00.008-07:00

Aaron Ralston's 4 DVD Set with 5 Hours of Easy-to-Follow Training Methods is now available!

Evolution. Learn from the past, adapt, and progress into the future.

Aaron describes his inspiration for creating the Evolution DVD series this way:

"The Evolution Training Series is a linear approach to teaching the horse and rider when and how to develop and control the horse's performance potential using the very unique Self Monitoring System. While preparing and introducing horse and rider to performance maneuvers (lead changes, turns, foot control, etc), mastering accountability and fairness separates the good from the better. Using the Self Monitoring System gives us and our horse the sense of right and wrong, enabling our positive and negative reinforcements to be more efficient."

"This DVD will increase horse and rider confidence and improve all aspects of performance maneuvers, therefore, increasing our safety. I have developed this program for my every day use while training horses and have found that it is the easiest method to teach the rider an abstract feel through a linear foundation. This program evolves through different stages, and will eventually be followed by later installments, that gradually become more abstract while always presenting a road map back to the linear foundation for when we encounter problems. I hope it brings you as much confidence and clarity as it has brought me."

Learn more about this amazing horse training DVD series here.

Aaron Ralston's Interview on Western Radio Show

2011-06-01T10:16:00.005-06:00

Aaron Ralston was interviewed on Western Radio Show on May 31st. You can listen to the interview here: http://westernradioshow.horseradionetwork.com/2011/06/01/western-radio-show-episode-56-by-succeed-gold-medalist-aaron-ralston/

Aaron Ralston Earns Trainer's Challenge Championship at Horse3 2011 in Brandon, Manitoba

2011-05-20T10:30:00.003-06:00

Brandon, Manitoba - It was without a shadow of a doubt, one of our most amazing NAERIC Trainer's Challenge Showdowns in our past four years. You could have heard a pin drop during any second of the 4th annual showdown, as Aaron Ralston earned the championship. . . Read the entire press release here.

Aaron Ralston featured in The American Quarter Horse Journal

2011-03-23T14:13:00.002-06:00

Honi Roberts, a special contributor to The American Quarter Horse Journal, has written an article titled "Aaron Ralston – Riding Out His Dreams" for Quarter Chat. You can read the article in PDF format by clicking here.

Aaron Ralston Takes the Reins at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo

2011-03-22T08:35:00.005-06:00

WEG reining gold medalist steps in for injured clinician Jonathan Field

DENVER - Aaron Ralston an international reining superstar and a committed ranching professional who prides himself on celebrating and promoting the traditions of the working cowboy.

So when headliner Jonathan Field had to regretfully cancel his participation at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo due to injuries he suffered in a recent car accident, Ralston offered to take the reins.

"I was so sorry to hear Jonathan wouldn't be able to make it to the Expo, but I'm really pleased I can step in and help," Ralston said. "I'm really proud to be part of a community that comes together to work toward our common goal - creating more and better horsemen and horse women."

Ralston, a Colorado native, led Team USA to a gold medal in reining at the
2006 World Equestrian Games on Smart Paul Olena. He hosts "The Ride," featured on RFD-TV and produced by Cow Horse Productions, which chronicles major equine events, profiles ranches and showcases various riding disciplines.

"We deeply appreciate Aaron's willingness to step up his role on very short notice just days before the Expo kicks off," said Bill Scebbi, executive director of the Colorado Horse Council. "We wish Jonathan a speedy recovery, and we look forward to his return to future Expos."

Ralston will host a pre-Expo horsemanship clinic previously scheduled for Field on Thursday, March 10 at the National Western Complex, which will lead into three more days of education and fun for horse enthusiasts.

Daytime events include clinics and presentations on riding, driving, horsemanship, equine health and more March 11-13. More than 200 vendors will fill the tradeshow floor. Artists will display their works in Equine Art in the Park. A miniature horse show will run throughout the weekend, as will a holistic horse health fair. Friday and Saturday night Mane Event performances will begin at 7 p.m., and will feature solo acts, team demonstrations and more. Daytime entry is $7; the Mane Event is $10.

written by bill@ColoradoHorseCouncil.com

Josh Peek Interviewed in The Denver Post

2011-01-13T09:05:00.002-07:00

Here at Cow Horse Productions, we love Josh Peek. He's a great, all-around nice guy and a real competitor. Viewers of "The Ride with Aaron Ralston" loved the Season 1 episodes where Josh taught Aaron how to steer wrestle. Josh is featured in an interview with the Denver Post today: http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_17079724

Finding the Right Balance

2011-01-06T08:35:00.003-07:00

We love this story about a man who has found the right balance in his life - he is a Colorado school principal during the week and an accomplished horseman in his spare time:

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20110105/NEWS/701059940/1002&parentprofile=1

Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T10:45:00.003-07:00

As 2010 comes to a close, Cow Horse Productions would like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year! We are thankful for all of our friends and fans and hope to see more of everyone in 2011.

We found this list of Equestrian New Year's Resolutions that we thought we'd share from a fellow blogger: http://www.examiner.com/equestrian-in-national/saddle-up-with-new-year-s-resolutions-for-equestrians

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

If you are interested in horsemanship clinics, Cow Horse Productions has started booking clinics for 2011 with more to come. To view details of 2011 clinics already booked, visit our website at http://cowhorseproductions.com/chp_clinics.html

Slide Show of Ride Up

2010-12-14T06:34:00.005-07:00

Here's a fun video slideshow with photos from our new book, Ride Up.

Watch Video

Introducing Ride Up

2010-12-10T08:26:00.006-07:00

Introducing Ride Up, a new book by Aaron Ralston and Edgell F. Pyles, Ph.D.

Inspirational and practical, this book could change your approach not only to your riding, but to your entire life!

Ride Up, a new book co-authored by Aaron with psychologist Edgell Franklin Pyles, Ph.D., is unlike any book about riding or training you’ve ever seen. It’s both inspirational and practical! So much more than a guide to choosing a path to pursue with a horse, Ride Up is also a guide to making choices in the path of one’s life.

This book is a powerful tool that can help riders become more psychologically centered and better able to live the adventures they dream of on horseback. Dr. Pyles provides ways to look at life patterns and choices and how they affect relationships with horses and people. Aaron offers personal insights on horse training, riding and his own life experiences.

Thirty-five worksheets encourage the reader to delve into personal and practical issues that affect their current position in life as well as their riding. In the book, Aaron fills in the worksheets himself, frequently revealing the inner struggles and conflicts he has faced in his professional life as a horse trainer as well as in his personal life. He also offers several essays on “Following Dreams,” “Goals of Competition,” and “Giving Horses Time.”

Dr. Pyles is an accomplished horseman, having won numerous awards in ranch horse versatility on his horse, A Time to Spark. They two won the World Championship in both Working Cow Horse and Cutting at the International Buckskin Horse Association World Show in 2006.

Book Reviews:

"Horses are great teachers but sometimes we need an interpreter. Ride Up will help bridge the gap between horse and rider." -Lyn Anderson, NRCHA World Champion and Past President

"Aaron has stayed true to the Code of the West and brings a refreshing new outlook to the horse world." -Clint Haverty, NRHA Hall of Famer

"Aaron...has wonderful communication skills to share his passion. When I started reading Ride Up, I was spurred on to read more and more. -Al Dunning, Multiple World Champion

Aaron and Edgell have put together a wonderful, provocative book that can bring clarity to your life while inspiring a deeper love of horses. It can be used as a guide for your life journey or just a way to help you over a bump in the road." -Sandy Collier, AQHA and NRCHA World Champion

"Our passion for horses gives all of us experiences that add quality to our journey in life. The book really 'absorbed' me from the start...get to know Dr. Edgell Pyles as he is very inspirational!" -Carla Wennberg, AQHA, Professional Horsewoman of the Year

Extraordinary vs. extra-ordinary

2010-02-23T14:47:00.002-07:00

Sometimes I can't believe how many opportunities I have to live an extraordinary life. I say this upon our return from the PBR Iron Man competition held in Dallas TX. 65,000 bull riding fans came together to support the largest event held on American soil. I can't begin to describe the music, or the bulls, or the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, or the 72ft JUMBO-TRONs, or the Wool Warriors, or the fireworks, or the smoke, or the etc... I can't do it justice.

The PBR put on a great show and I am very motivated to recreate some of that enthusiasm at our upcoming events. However, the best bull riding of the weekend came when I got home to see my boys and we played "PBR" on the living room of our extra-ordinary home.

I am fortunate to get a balance of extraordinary and extra-ordinary but I sometimes feel silly for chasing after extraordinary when extra-ordinary is so close. I guess I'm trying to say look more at the level of potential you have reached in your extra-ordinary self and you may find extraordinary possibilities. We always find excuses for not doing, such as, I'm not smart, my horse isn't good enough, I don't have the money, etc... Maybe some of this is true, but if everyone else is using 10% of their potential, what could you accomplish with 11%? Make your ride as extraordinary as you want it to be, just don't overlook the extra-ordinary on your way by.

New Year's Resolution

2010-01-08T09:05:00.003-07:00

2009 was a life changing year for me. I had the opportunity to live adventures I have never thought possible. The knowledge I gained and experiences I had gave me energy and enthusiasm I did not know I possessed. In fact I have become an information junkie! There is a high attained every time something new is presented or something old gets the answers to become useful again. However, too much information without the proper "action plan" can lead to information overload or "paralysis by analysis." "Knowing is half the battle" was a common phrase of a television segment for children as I was growing up. Knowledge is paramount, but application produces results, therefore, "How do I reach my potential" has become my focus.

Following the advise of Dr. Edgel Pyles and the programs of some recommended authors, I listed short, medium, and long term goals for myself. Then I wrote down how I wanted to get there and what may prevent me from getting there. Although simple, this process made big changes in me in a relatively short time. How could I get somewhere if I didn't know where I was going? These goals and simple action plans helped get me moving and building momentum, however, it was difficult to maintain the focus and consistency during one of life's many distractions, REALITY.

It seemed like the more I knew, the more frustrated I would become. You know the cliche "ignorance is bliss." To help me close the "knowing and doing gap" I asked Dr. Edgel Pyles to help me DO the things I knew. Dr. Pyles is a friend/client who has just retired from a lifetime of helping others as a psychologist and Minister. The timing could not be better and we have signed a "contract for success" that will provide the support, guidance, focus, and tools I need to reach my potential. I intend to use my experiences to develop a support system that will help others retain and apply the knowledge they receive.

My New Year's Resolution:

To do what I know to reach my personal potential and help others help themselves to reach theirs.

Authenticity

2009-12-09T08:31:00.003-07:00

Authentic people making authentic products.

I want to support those who create for the right reason. I have had great opportunities to correspond with many of our finest painters, saddle makers, bit makers, cowboy poets, and horsemen, all of whom treat their horse as a fine piece of art. There is much to learn from our "cowboy artist." Their number one priority is QUALITY, produced from a pride and respect for doing it right. Many of our best artists will not sacrifice their product for fame and fortune.

I believe our horse industry is in danger of loosing touch with the art of detail. As the horse industry continues to be strong despite our current economy, I realize that if we are not active in its development and growth, we could easily loose the finer details. It seems many of today's horsemen are more concerned about making money and skipping steps to get quick results. As our horse industry continues to grow, mass advertising is forming the minds and methods of our future participants. I believe this mass media could be detrimental to the quality of our arts and horsemanship.

I would love to hear from anyone whom may have an opinion on this matter.

Congratulations to Josh Peek

2009-12-07T18:16:00.003-07:00

Cow Horse Productions would like to congratulate Josh Peek for his 1st place finish in the tie-down roping in round 1 and 2nd place finish in round 3 at the NFR. Josh also took 4th place in the steer wrestling in round 1. Be sure to catch Josh teaching me how to steer wrestle on the next two episodes of "The Ride."

The Ride Gets European

2009-10-28T08:01:00.002-06:00

Upon my return from a 19 day clinic tour of Austria and Germany, I ask myself what was my most memorable experience. Was it the drive through the mountains in and out of the clouds? Was it visiting the German Reining Futurity? Could it have been the performance at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna with a special stable tour from one of the riders? Maybe it was the museums and castles maintained in pristine condition after thousands of years and two World Wars? Perhaps it was climbing 500 steps to the top of a cathedral in Cologne that took over 350 years to build? Or could it have been the fantastic restaurants owned and run by the same family for 400 years or maybe the classic coffee houses of Vienna or the brew houses of Cologne?

Thinking back I would have to say that nothing could come close to the friends I made. There are just too many to name them all, but I really must thank the family Dries for taking such great care of me the entire time. Leona, you make a great tour guide (baby sitter)!

Horses bring people together all over the world and no matter where I go there are great people who live for the journey.

Thank you to everyone I met, I learned a great deal about respect and friendship.

P.S. Look out America, the Europeans are riding good horses and working hard at perfecting their reining skills!

Notes on Reno

2009-09-25T09:27:00.003-06:00

A lot of hopes and dreams are made and lost in Reno. A few hundred competitors arrive with optimistic nerves hoping that this will be the year they win it all and finally prove that they are among the best.

One might think that a rider/trainer would carry the largest burden of responsibility for success, however, approximately 4 1/2 years have gone into a young futurity horses' planning. The breeders first have to cross the "right" stud on the "right" mare. Second, the foal has to be born healthy and with straight legs, good feet, short back, pretty head, big soft eyes, clean throat latch, level neck, etc...

The next two years are relatively easy as long as the colt doesn't run through the fence, get kicked, get sick, etc... As a two year old, a prospect has a few thousand trainers to evaluate their potential. Some of these trainers have had a lot of experience training and winning with prior horses, some really want to have a chance to win, and some have bills to pay.

4 1/2 years and approx 25 thousand dollars in training, entries, shoeing, etc...(not including purchase price or breeding fee), and what happens??? A sliding plate shoe falls off as I approach my last stop!

Thanks Twister, I could not have asked you to do more. There will be more shows and a horse should be given as many opportunities as I have received. I'm 33 and I know that I have grown exponentially since I was 18 (my equivalent to three year old horses).

I will end this with a quote from a Wylie Gustufson song "Some winning's bad and some loosing's good." It's all about the ride.

The Horsemen's Horseman: Joe Wolter

2009-05-04T19:11:00.003-06:00

I grew up working on my parent's ranch and competing at rodeos throughout our mountain region. I would not trade those experiences for anything, in fact, they are why I am living my dream right now. However, I am amazed at how much I am still learning about ranching, roping, and rodeos. Our episode this week features Joe Wolter of Aspermont, TX. Joe is one of, if not the most, respected horsemen in our industry. I say this not because the general public tells me, but because Joe's name comes up during my many conversations with "Experts". The people I look up to look up to Joe. It looks like I may get an opportunity to spend more time learning from Joe this summer and I highly recommend attending one of his clinics. If you are unable to attend a clinic visit his website at www.joewolter.com to view his many published articles.

I would like to thank Joe and Jimie Wolter for making our visit to their ranch so pleasant.

As I am writing this blog, I am recovering from filming episodes for the second half of season one with three time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Josh Peek. Josh took on the job of teaching me to steer wrestle in only one day of filming. Josh is a great instructor and did a great job of keeping me alive! Riding a horse 30 to 40 miles per hour and jumping off a good horse on to the back of 700 lbs of cow is an experience I can not describe properly! I have two words for our next reality experience, STUNT DOUBLE!!!!

New Friends at C Lazy U Guest Ranch

2009-04-28T08:40:00.005-06:00

Showing horses and conducting retreats (clinics) I have had the opportunity to experience some amazing individuals. The list of new friends I met during our clinic at the C lazy U Ranch is just too long to mention. However, I would like to say thank you to Bill Fisher and the entire staff for their incredible hospitality throughout the weekend. At the C lazy U Guest Ranch, there is not one detail ignored, the food was amazing, the environment beautiful, but the one thing that made the biggest impression on me was the knowledge and quality of the Horse Wranglers.

The participants of the "Retreat" made the weekend very special for me. I have to say, I have never met anyone quite like Mimi. Mimi drove up from Denver to ride in the clinic and keep us entertained. Also Frank, an accomplished logger, and his horse Bucky made one of the biggest two day improvements I have ever seen. Ashleigh did a great job of converting from English to western and dealing with a "double swirl" attitude in the round pen. Then their was Hilary, who pulled double duty as a participant and the official "Retreat Photographer." I really enjoyed our time riding together, but, I mostly enjoyed getting to know your "Rides" while we had cocktail hour around the campfire. Thank You.

Before I was able to leave for the "Retreat" in Granby, Colorado, I had to compete at a reining show in Rifle, Colorado. I would like to say thank you to Christine Bukowski for allowing me to show her horse Cutter Cutter for the last year. We won a check for the third time out of three tries in reining competition. He is an incredibly good minded horse that allows me to look like I know what I'm doing. Finally I need to say congratulations to my wife Meg for her third place finish in the Non-Pro reining derby riding her horse Tazzy Jo Lena. Meg has been busy with our two sons, Parker (3) and Colter (18 month), for the last three years and is just now getting to ride again. She is an incredibly natural rider and show person.

Sit back, Stay tuned, and Hold on for the ride.

Tip of the Ice Berg

2009-04-20T20:07:00.004-06:00

Clint Haverty is truly one of my idols and judging by the response we have received, he is very popular with our viewers. Clint has an honesty and humor that is immediately recognized by anyone who is lucky enough to be exposed to him. I am constantly telling everyone that what they saw on the show was just the tip of the iceberg. We needed to keep a candid camera on him the entire time just to show how much fun we had shooting and riding together. This was pretty much the case with all of our guests.

All of our guests are willing to do clinics and/or talk to anyone interested in knowing more about their programs. Just send us an email at theride@cowhorseproductions.com to find out if there are any clinics being planned in your area or if you would like to host a clinic sponsored by Cow Horse Productions.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Boyd Rice on his victory last weekend at the NCHA Super Stakes held in Fort Worth, Texas. He won over $120,000 riding Third Cutting owned by Carl and Shawnea Smith. Boyd has been frequently seen on our show and will have an interview in one of our upcoming shows from the Circle Y Derby.

The more I learn....

2009-04-13T19:24:00.004-06:00

The more I learn, the more I realize I didn't know as much as I thought. About ten years ago I began doing clinics for Penny Walsh of Montrose Colorado. Penny runs a very popular breeding and boarding business, and made sure all of my clinics were full. Those clinics allowed me to "practice" and build my confidence as an instructor, however, I started to think that I was an "Expert". The clinics were full and the participants would tell me how great the experience was. Shortly after this time I took a job in Oklahoma working for NRHA Hall of Fame member Doug Milholland. I thought I was going to set the reining world on fire and teach everyone how to do it. I had become a popular instructor with a large group of people who were very interested in doing "more" with their horses. Little did I know, I was passing myself off as an "Expert" of something I was just beginning to understand.

To make a long story short, I have often been successful and begun to feel like the "Expert", only to get knocked back into reality. I have a long list of heroes and mentors that I look to for examples of excellence. One of the common traits I have found in these successful people is the desire to never stop learning and the humbleness (despite great success) to admit they do not know it all. I have learned a lot from horses, people, and life in general. I get impatient when things don't happen the way I think they should, but I'm learning that everything happens for a reason and I should pay more attention to the big picture.

I have learned to appreciate "The Ride" and to not get too wrapped up in the destination, therefore, I do not want to think of myself as the "Expert". I can't believe how fortunate I am to be on such a "Ride" as I am at this time. I'm living a dream as I learn how much I didn't know.

To wrap things up, I would like to thank Penny and Jim Walsh for having me to their place ten years later to start a new series of clinics. Without the opportunities you gave me I may not be on "The Ride" I'm on.

Rookie Day Reining clinic

2009-04-06T17:23:00.004-06:00

On April 4th I was very fortunate to be a part of the first annual "Rookie Day" reining clinic held near Steamboat Springs Colorado. Rookie Day clinics have been developed by the National Reining Horse Association to educate potential reining enthusiasts about the sport. The clinic was well attended by riders and auditors. The four clinicians, Randy Dooley, Jessica Dooley, Steve Schwartzenberger, and myself, were able to provide a great student to teacher ratio to ensure everyone got their money's worth. Steve and myself worked with half of the group while Randy and Jessica worked with the other to prepare each individual for a reining pattern to be performed at the end of the day. Steve and I had a great group of riders who came with just about every level of experience, however, every one shared the same level of courage to learn something new. Both groups made great improvements and found out just how hard it can be to count to 4 while performing the required number of turn arounds during a reining pattern!

I really enjoyed working with the other trainers and probably learned as much as the students did. I highly encourage anyone interested in reining to get to one of the NRHA Rookie day clinics. www.wsrha.com www.nrha.com www.rmrha.com

Thank you to Wendy Lind and the Western Slope Reining Horse Association for organizing the first annual Rookie day held at the Route County Fairgrounds.

And finally, I would like to congratulate my Cowhorse Productions partner, Brad Zanin, on his Rookie Day Championship even though he didn't ride in my group! Also, congrats to client and friend, Gina Luedke, for her reserve championship and another client and friend, Hilary Porterfield for her 3rd place finish!

Just The Beginning

2009-03-28T08:42:00.008-06:00

Feedback is very important to us at Cow Horse Productions. Please let us know both your positive and negative feelings about our show. We are always interested in new ideas for future segments, so let us know what you would like to see featured.

We are dedicated to the preservation and the promotion of the working ranch cowboy both in and out of the arena. Disciplines such as Reining, Roping, Cutting, and Fence Work all have some historical ties to the working ranch cowboy. We will also be traveling outside of the arena as much as our camera crew will allow us. Currently we are working on some exciting ranch work episodes that I believe will be unique to RFD-TV.

Thank you for tuning in and checking out our website; without your contribution this endeavor is not possible.

Aaron Ralston