Super Horse Challenge Wows Crowds at Western States Horse Expo

Spectators at the Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento were treated to a unique demonstration of horsemanship over the three days of the event, June 13-15, 2014. The Expo has partnered with Charles Wilhelm to put on his signature Ultimate Super Horse Challenge. In its second year, the event challenged competitors across disciplines to navigate complex horsemanship questions all while inspiring the audience to take a new view on horsemanship.

The Evolution of a Super Horse

“The challenge is really about communication and relationship. With those things you can develop a well-rounded horse. People tend to limit their goals,” Charles Wilhelm says explaining that they get focused on a single discipline and cross-train very close to that, not always challenging their horsemanship in other ways. For winner Robin Bond, after a childhood spent doing jumping and gymkhana she worked for Sandy Arledge Quarter Horses for ten years learning about cow horses. It was natural that she’d want to participate. “Today, I am a huge fan of the well-rounded horse that can do many things. I work all of my horses to be as versatile as they can, and to think things through for the benefit of themselves and their riders,” says Bond.

A Dance with Cows and a Little Hula Too

Now in its second season, the Super Horse Challenge has made its appearance at the Pomona and Sacramento Expos. Each event has similar phases with unique twists on, pattern work, groundwork and dancing with cows all done under a theme. With a top prize trip to Hawaii for the winner in Sacramento, this challenge had a decidedly island flavor in obstacle décor. Another unique feature of the challenge is that it isn’t timed. “It’s not a jerk and spur type of thing. That’s what we want to move away from,” Wilhelm says. Therefore, the cow working portion emphasizes being a dance of harmony. Wilhelm adds, “Speed can come later, after there is mastery of the principles and balance.” For that stellar display of horsemanship, the winner came away with cash and prizes valued at over $5000, including a trip to Hawaii. Second place finisher Jody Childs won $500 and more prizes were awarded to third through fifth places finishers Sherry Oncale, Danika Fleming, and Sandy Smyth.

Setting a Higher Standard

For Wilhelm there seems to be little room for being content. Even in his choice of tack and equipment the concept of quality comes first. Of the tack he’s designed and sells, he says, “The tack won’t train the horse, but high quality tack is important and should be affordable. We’ve done our best to provide that for people.” He also points out that Super Horse competitors come from English and Western disciplines, include gaited breeds and mules. “A nice horse is a nice horse,” he says.

“It was a great group in Sacramento. They are all winners just for showing up. This is not an easy challenge, and they were there as students as much as competitors,” admires Wilhelm. Smyth plans to return next year and says, “I look forward not to beating other competitors, but raising the bar on what I’ve done this year.” Bond who rode her 4-year AQHA mare, SE Montana Hanna adds, “This was a fun group of people who all had the horses’ best interest in mind. They were helpful and supportive of each other the whole way through.” Bond also admits that to create a super horse, every detail counts. “It’s the small things that will make or break you. I neglected to school my mare on the groundwork while wearing a wild rag and it prevented her from trotting up with me in that phase.”

Super Horses of the Future

Wilhelm is excited about the partnership with the Horse Expo and the fantastic panel of judges it allows for. Next year, he plans to include a clinic session for participants with the panel of judges before the event. Ultimately, he hopes everyone sets the goal to make their horse a Super Horse and to imagine the results of that journey, “…having a really, really nice horse.”

For more information on Charles Wilhelm, Super Horse, clinics, DVDs, equipment, tack, saddles and books, visit www.CharlesWilhelm.com