Bob and Karen Johnson
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By Kristen Spinning
Bob and Karen Johnson have enjoyed tremendous success in Ranch Riding over the past several years. For them, it’s a class that showcases everything a horse should be: pretty, balanced, broke, fluid and, most of all, happy. Between the two of them, they have shown in Roping, Cutting, Reining, Western Pleasure, and Halter, but Ranch Riding is their passion. It also suits their personalities. Despite scores of futurity titles and AQHA World Championships, they’re both humble. You won’t hear them bragging about what they’ve accomplished. They’re much more likely to celebrate the wins of others, and that attitude aligns perfectly with the environment that has evolved in Ranch Riding.
Bob and Karen exude a remarkable level of teamwork. They tirelessly support each other in all aspects of life. It comes from a deep well of trust, respect, and friendship. Bob and Karen are on the road together throughout the year because they enjoy the discipline, the challenge, the horses, and their vast network of friends. Back home at their farm in Burns, Tennessee, after another momentous AQHA World Show, they shared their passion for Ranch Riding in this Q&A.
Kris: “You two have been involved in Ranch Riding pretty much from its introduction as an AQHA class. What got you started and what keeps you coming back?”
Karen: “Originally, it wasn’t something Bob wanted to try. He wasn’t sure what they were looking for in the class. We had a client, Sara Cook, with a Reining horse. She pretty much insisted that he ride her horse in the class. He did and afterwards he said, ‘you know, that class is a little harder than it looks.’”
Bob: “I was judging a show shortly after Ranch Riding had become an AQHA class. We had four judges and four different winners. For us judges, at that time, it wasn’t clear. I did the RedBud Spectacular that same year, and I saw a brown gelding (Wizzle For My Spook) ridden by Tricia Sarchett. I called and told Karen that was what a Ranch Riding horse was supposed to look like. That horse was level on top. He never changed expression, was happy and pleasant, and had a forward look. I think this class is all about a happy horse that’s broke to do just about anything.”
Kris: “Is there a certain type of horse best suited for Ranch Riding?”
