PHJ release by: Laura Jesberg
Barbara Cox and Stormy Mullins—competitors, trainers, clinicians—bring their special connection with horses to the 2016 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show in a pair of free horsemanship clinics on July 8 –9 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center’s John Justin Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Clinicians
Barbara Cox, wife of four-time, undefeated Road to the Horse winner Chris Cox, is a veteran horsewoman and clinician. The former high school rodeo roper travels and assists with Chris Cox Horsemanship clinics. She puts her skills to use on her personal competition horses.
Barbara still enjoys breakaway calf roping and team roping, but has found a new passion: reined cow horse. She recently finished seventh in the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s World Championship in the Non- Pro Limited division. Barbara will compete in the first ladies-only Road to the Horse World Championship of Colt Starting in March 2017.
Stormy Mullins, event director of Extreme Mustang Makeover, is also a Chris Cox clinician; he conducts three-day Begin the Journey clinics. Stormy accompanied Chris Cox to his championships wins at Road to the Horse in 2007, 2010 and 2011 as pen wrangler, and also served as pen wrangler for 2013 Road to the Horse competitor Obbie Schlom. He now serves as the Road to the Horse remuda manager. Stormy began working full time for the Mustang Heritage Foundation in 2010 and aids in every aspect of event and program management as well as future program development.
2016 Youth World Show Clinics
The first clinic, entitled “Having Problems? Use horsemanship to improve your riding and your horse,” will take place Friday, July 8 from noon to 4 p.m. in the John Justin Arena.
We’re looking for five horsemen or -women to advantage of Stormy and Barbara’s patience and experience and bring their Paint Horses as participants for this free clinic. After a one-hour general session, spectators will watch first-hand as the pair put their gentle, effective and practical horsemanship techniques to work. Participants will be accepted in the order in which APHA receives and approves their requests. Contact Laura Jesberg at (817) 222-6412 to apply.
Barbara will bring her special knack with young horses to a Colt Starting demonstration on Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the John Justin Arena. Barbara’s colt starting method is based on safety for the horse and the rider, focusing on properly preparing the colt with groundwork exercises to guarantee a safe first ride. Stormy will assist to make the experience less stressful for the colt and to demonstrate to spectators the benefits of using a helper. Spectators will get a free look at the techniques Barbara will employ in the 2017 Road to the Horse competition.
Both Stormy and Barbara will be available for a half-hour “Meet and Greet” session at the end of each clinic. Stick around to watch the American Cutting Horse Association all-breed cutting event also taking place at the Will Rogers Memorial Center on Friday and Saturday, and check out the Colors of the Season gift show, too.
For more information, visit apha.com/ywcs or contact Laura Jesberg.