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Horseman Domenico Sumonte

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Horseman Domenico Sumonte

Domenico SumonteDomenico Sumonte considers himself more of a horse-Man than a horse trainer. I’m lucky enough to have an arena at the End of The Road Ranch where I can work my horses. One trainer that works out of this barn is Domenico Sumonte. In between working our horses, Dom and I struck up a friendship. In our casual conversations, I quickly learned Dom has experienced an exciting life with horses. I wanted to learn more about his life and philosophy.

Dom is a self-taught horseman. He builds a relationship with a horse first. One technique Dom uses is to get the horses out on the trail first. The ag fields around the ranch provide a great working area. There is farm equipment, trash, and other things that help him “sack out” his horse.

Riding is an adventure for Dom. Dom has ridden horses on the ancient roads of Rome. He has ridden in the mountains of Chile. One of Dom’s favorite rides was the Pacific Crest Trail between Los Angeles and the Mojave Desert.

I really love these conversations with interesting horsemen. Thanks Dom.

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk on Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are an enormous part of why we do a podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

Episode #198

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Along for the Ride Symposium Recap

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Along for the Ride Symposium Recap

Along For the RideOn the last week of February 2022, we traveled to the South Point Casino for the Along for the Ride Symposium Andrea Fappani, Shawn Flarida, and Nick Dowers. The brainchild of Andrea Fappani, this first-time event, brought together the leading money winners in reining with the express purpose of sharing ideas about horse training. The symposium featured the colt starting technique of 2-time Road to the Horse Champion, Nick Dowers. Nick started two colts up to their first ride. Watching and asking questions were Andrea Fappani and Shawn Flarida. Spectators not only asked questions, they got to see and hear how these very experienced horsemen reacted to each other.

The three-day event comprised day-long sessions from 8am until 4 PM. There were a few special guests, such as Arron Moses, champion Western Pleasure trainer. We got to see horses of varying ages and what they expected at different stages of their training. Nick Dowers, who competes n the Cow Horse world, demonstrated how he started his horse on cattle. Friday and Saturday evenings there were live Along for the Ride podcasts. These roundtable discussions were open to a variety of topics.

This was a unique event that provide quality information. I hope Andrea Fappani and the sponsors (the title sponsor was Teton Ridge) will host the event again. The crowd really seemed to enjoy the personal connection they made with all the people involved.

Be sure to check out Andrea Fappani’s podcast here!

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk on Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are an enormous part of why we do a podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

Episode #197

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Sandy Collier Hall of Fame Horsewoman

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Sandy Collier, Hall of Fame Horsewoman

sandy CollierSandy Collier has an amazing life with horses. She was the first woman to win the Snaffle Bit Futurity. Her peers have inducted her into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the NRCHA Hall of Fame. Horse and Rider named her one of the Top 50 Riders of All-time in All Disciplines. In the last few years, she has judged at Road to the Horse and the Snaffle Bit Futurity. Along with cutting horse champion, Barbra Schulte, they team up offering clinics to improve horse show performance.

It’s fascinates me that someone as knowledgeable as Sandy is looking to learn more. When I mentioned the Along for the Ride Symposium in Las Vegas with Andrea Fappani, Nick Dowers, and Shawn Flarida, Sandy said she was attending. It is inspirational knowing that after decades of riding and teaching, Sandy Collier has a thirst for more knowledge.

 

Links Heard on The Show

Sandy Collier’s Website

Be Unstoppable with Sandy Collier and Barbra Schulte

Sandy Collier Facebook Page

Along for the Ride Las Vegas Symposium Information

 

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk on Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are an enormous part of why we do a podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

Episode #196

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

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Sami Hernandez Diamond Crest Stables

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Sami Hernandez Diamond Crest Stables

Sami Hernandez horse showSami Hernandez is a longtime horsewoman, trainer, and horse show judge headquartered at her Diamond Crest Stables in Bakersfield. Along with her husband, George, they have a ton of horsemanship experience teaching people and training horses. I really enjoy talking to both of them. Perhaps I can get George on the show in the future. You’d like him. While they deal with horses working at a higher level, they also work with novice and intermediate horses and riders too. They are very easy to talk to.

Sami invited me to her barn. I feel so at home with the dogs barking, chickens clucking, and horses nickering. At times you might even hear the rain pounding on the metal roof. We set a table up right there in the alleyway, put the mics and recorder up, and sat around talkin’ horses. I hope you enjoy it too.

I wanted to learn more about horse shows and showmanship. My horse and I plan on participating in horse shows this year and Sami not only shows, she helps people show, AND she judges. She is a wealth of information.

Thanks to Sami Hernandez and the folks at Diamond Crest Stables for having me out. I enjoyed this conversation and hope you did too.

Links heard on this Episode

 

Facebook Page Diamond Crest Stables in Bakersfield

Facebook Page Sami Hernandez

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk on Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are an enormous part of why we do a podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

Episode #195

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Checkout My John Harrer & Horses YouTube Channel

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NRCHA Judge Bill Enk

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NRCHA Judge Bill Enk

Bill EnkOn a previous show, I talked to Patti Carter, Director of Judges for the AQHA. Today, I share an interview with Bill Enk, Director of Judges for the NRCHA. A lifelong horseman at 77, Bill has a wealth of experience in the horse show world. He’s judged horses almost all his life. He’s been a judge at the AQHA World Show many times and he judged the Road to the Horse. Even if you don’t show, what Bill has to say about horsemanship is important to anyone who rides. 

It takes a lot of work and dedication to become and maintain a judges’ certificate. It’s somewhat of a thankless job. I think of all the times I came out of a competition. Sometimes I did well, sometimes not so good. At these times, the horse show judge wasn’t always my favorite person. Bill Enk has been judging horses and riders for over 5 decades. You must be pretty good at judging to stay around that long. And, think of all the things he’s seen in the show ring. Bill is a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has a lot to share and gives generously of his time and expertise.

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk on Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are an enormous part of why we do a podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

Episode #192

Support the Whoa Podcast with this Amazon Link.

Checkout My John Harrer & Horses YouTube Channel

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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