Cori Cansdale Wins First World Title in Youth Horsemanship at 2017 NSBA World

By: Brittany Bevis

16-year-old Cori Cansdale achieved a milestone at the 2017 NSBA World Show with her horse Promotional Asset when they won their first World Championship title in Youth Horsemanship!

Cori and her beloved, 14-year-old, bay gelding, “Chucky,” have been a team for two years now. During that time, they have been awarded numerous accolades in Western all-around events, including a Congress Championship in 12-14 Showmanship last year and a Reserve Championship finish in Youth Horsemanship here at the NSBA World last year. But the one title that has eluded the pair is a World Championship. Making this win even more special is the fact that she was able to share the spotlight with a fellow competitor and friend who came in Reserve, Natalia DeVencenty with Chex Is The Choice.

This particular pattern was very challenging with square corners, an extended lope, turns, a simple lead change, and a flying lead change. Cori and Chucky decided their plan of attack would be to take one maneuver at a time. “First, we started with the extended trot, and we got a good extend going around the square corner. Then, we did a 90 degree turn to the left. We loped a circle and did a super simple lead change. Sometimes, we have a bit of trouble with those, but he was so good. In our extended lope, he ran so fast, but he stayed in the bridle so well.”

One particularly challenging maneuver was the breakdown from the extended lope to the walk; thankfully, that’s a transition Cori practices every day when she’s at home. “I close my legs and say, ‘here,’ to get him to break down without a pause. The voice cue is what gets him to slow down and my legs are what gets him to walk.”

There was one portion of the pattern where Chucky had a little misstep, but Cori never missed a beat. In fact, it may have turned into a credit-earning situation. “During our one and a quarter turn to the right, he kind of tripped. We kept our momentum going, so I don’t think we were marked down for it. When something like that happens, I try to make everything after that a little sharper and harder so it makes up for it, in a way. Maybe it will make the judges forget a little trip! Also, I don’t let it show on my face.”

During the rail work portion of the class, Cori made sure to concentrate on her body position, especially her hip-to-leg-to-heel angle. “Chucky likes to trot fast on the rail, so I make sure to keep my legs close and still. Also, I concentrate on keeping my elbows tight, because that’s something I have to work on a lot.”

Adding to Cori’s stress level was the fact that she had originally drawn the second place spot in the working order. However, the exhibitor who was supposed to go first had a conflict in another arena, so Cori was bumped into the first spot. “I had to sit there and watch every single go after me, so that was very stressful! I thought I had a good go, and I just wanted to improve upon my Reserve Championship finish from last year. Then, I watched Natalia and Klay [McDowall] go, and they were amazing! Then, I thought I would be happy to end up third.”

Also here at the show, Cori and Chucky placed fourth in Showmanship and eighth in Trail. Just last week, they had a successful Youth World Show as well, placing fifth in Horsemanship and being named a finalist in Showmanship and Western Riding. To help keep Chucky in tip top shape during the two, back-to-back events, Cori makes sure he gets lots of food, isn’t overworked, and enjoys several trips to the saltwater spa. “Sometimes, he goes to the saltwater bath before and after he shows, just to keep his legs good. Also, he likes cookies, so that’s always a good motivator!”

To keep herself motivated for this month-long, horse show marathon, Cori has a smart technique. “I try to think about the events as two, separate shows. When I left the Youth World, I tried to think, ‘Ok, this is going to be a complete different show.’ I tried not to act like the Youth World was just one day ago. I tried to make sure it was a fresh start.”

Coming up next, Cori and Chucky will travel to Ohio for the All American Quarter Horse Congress where they will compete in the 15-18 division for the first time. They will show in Trail, Western Riding, Showmanship, and Horsemanship, and they’re also making a return to English events with Equitation. She’s happy to be breaking out her breeches and boots, but she’s most excited about competing in her two favorite events, Showmanship and Horsemanship. “I love Showmanship and Horsemanship, because the patterns are always so different. For example, in Western Riding, there are only a certain number of patterns the judges can pick from; but, in Showmanship and Horsemanship, the patterns are completely different every time.”

Congratulations to this talented, young lady, who always has a ready smile on her face and whose fun-loving attitude helps to remind her fellow competitors what showing horses is really all about!