A New Team on the Horizon – Taylor Bates and Ima Lazy Cowboy

By Delores Kuhlwein

Any time people are eager to talk about a horse, you know that horse is a good one, and that’s exactly the case for Ima Lazy Cowboy, who just gained a new partner, Taylor Bates.

“Cowboy,” a 2013 sorrel AQHA gelding by No Doubt Im Lazy and out of Huntin A Cowboy (by Huntin For Chocolate) already has a big fan club, and now Taylor has joined them.

Taylor, who rides with Reid Thomas Performance Horses, will be showing “Cowboy” in all around events, and she takes the reins from his former youth owner, Kaitlyn Bloom.

For Taylor, it was love at second ride because, as she says, “Our first ride together wasn’t perfect because we were both trying too hard to get to know one another. But that second ride where I swung my leg over, we were able to communicate and after that each ride got better and better. Cowboy and I are continuing to learn about one another, but each ride with my new partner is so fun!”

She says she’s impressed by his willingness and work ethic each time she rides him. “He tries really hard for me,” she explains.

The duo will be showing in the All Around together since Cowboy already does it all.  “I’m excited to have a partner again that does the all around,” Taylor says.  “I’m most excited to ride Cowboy in Trail, Horsemanship, and Hunter Under Saddle. It’s been awhile since I’ve done the Trail and I’m super excited to get back to the Trail pen!”

Reid Thomas is equally pleased to add Cowboy to his lineup.  “Shannon McCulloch did an outstanding job with him and special thanks to her and Bloom Family for allowing us to purchase Cowboy for Taylor,” he says.  “We’ve been longtime fans and we’re super excited to get Taylor a gelding she can do all the events on!”

Sending this outstanding horse to a new home was bittersweet for Kaitlyn Bloom, but her overall wish was for Cowboy to fulfill someone else’s dreams.

“I’d like to congratulate Taylor Bates, her family, and Reid Thomas on the purchase of Ima Lazy Cowboy,” she says.  “Cowboy and I have been through the highest of highs, with a ton of Reserves at Congress and multiple circuit all around awards, and lowest of lows when my devastating back injury took me out for months before being able to finish my youth career.”

Though it was a difficult decision, Kaitlyn knew this was the perfect time for Cowboy to find her new little girl.  “I had hoped Cowboy would land in Reid’s barn because his program is filled with kids and his training is so similar to Shannon McCulloch’s. His goofy self will be missed greatly in the barn! Thank you so much Shannon McCulloch for putting this great team together!”

Shannon McCulloch echoes Kaitlyn’s sentiments about Cowboy.  “He is near and dear to our hearts, as he’s been in our program for over four years,” she adds. “We’re absolutely thrilled that he’s going to Reid’s program and to Taylor Bates, and we will be their biggest fans watching her youth career with him. We love him dearly.”

The new team will make their first appearance together at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, and Taylor says she’s looking forward to getting to know Cowboy better.  “We are excited to welcome Cowboy to our family and we are so grateful to the Bloom family and to Shannon McCulloch for the chance to own such a special horse, and to Reid Thomas and Eric Mendrysa for helping us find him!”