Welcome to the Extreme Cowboy Association 

We are excited about 2009 and the many fun filled and exciting Extreme Cowboy Racing events that are on the schedule.  The formation of EXCA has been an thrilling and challenging adventure! Many people have worked tirelessly to create an association that you will be proud to tell your friends about.  This is the latest issue of your monthly newsletter, The Brave Horse.  

You will receive it each month electronically around the middle of the month.  The Brave Horse will be full of interesting stories, EXCA event results, point standings, human interest stories about EXCA members and Tips and Tales from our founder, Craig Cameron.  We encourage you to communicate your suggestions for stories and ideas that will make  The Brave Horse fun, better and more informative.  

The Brave Horse the best newsletter in the equine world.  Please forward your ideas and suggestions to Bill Hull at bhextremecowboy@gmail.com.

PRESERVING THE COWBOY WAY

Note: The next four editions of The Brave Horse will have EXCA Founder, Craig Cameron sharing his thoughts on “Preserving the Cowboy Way”.  Craig’s insight is thought provoking and right on track.  We hope you will enjoy it!

Fifty Million Years of Instinct

I am not sure you can say the relationship between a man and a horse is a natural one.  They say the horse is fifty million years old, and man’s first dealing with them was to kill them for food.  We, as humans, have a predator mentality, while the horse has a prey mentality.  We should not take it for granted, then, when this amazing prey animal allows the predator to get right up on its back.  This is so unnatural for them that it’s amazing the horse will accept it.  He accepts it when he comes to believe that you are not going to hurt him.  For this reason, you should not work with a horse through pain and fear.  If you use that approach, the only response you will get from the horse is instinct.

Of course, some people do a better job than others at gaining a horse’s trust, and some horse’s have a stronger impulse toward self-preservation.  You can’t take the instinct away, so you must work with him in a way that allows him to figure out that he doesn’t have to use his instinct.  Training is development with gradually increasing demands.  If you push too hard, the horse will respond with instinct that is fifty million years old.  Sometimes the best strategy is to back off and go slow.  That is the place where the horse gentles and begins to accept your leadership.  Give a horse time to think.

Horsemanship is a thinking man’s game. You have to outthink the horse.  When the horse is doing something we think is wrong, he is only doing what he thinks he is supposed to do.  It is our job to give him a reason to change.  When he does the right thing we have to give him the relief, the reward, the pet on the neck – something to let the horse know he is doing something right.  Half of the secret to horsemanship is working with the horse instead of against the horse.  We can’t get excited.  We can’t get mad. Mad only gets in your way, and when you’re mad, you’re not thinking.

The herd instinct is very strong.  The horse quickly figures out whether you are leading or  following. He figures out whether you’re an alpha or a beta.  If you won’t take that leadership role, then he will. He may be walking around when you are trying to get on.  He may buck you off a time or two, and these behaviors, if they go unchecked, become habits.  When you allow that to happen, you must be careful what kind of monster you are creating!

You asked – We listened!

Novice Division

Beginning immediately, EXCA has approved the Novice Division as a recognized level of competition.  The Novice Division is for riders of all ages that are new to the sport of Extreme Cowboy Racing. A Novice rider will be allowed to accumulate 3,000 points before being required to move to a higher level of competition.  A Novice rider may compete in other EXCA Divisions.  Any points earned in the other EXCA Divisions will count toward the 3,000 point eligibility.  The 3,000 points are tracked on the rider only , not the horse/rider team. The courses for the Novice Division will have 10 obstacles with difficulty ratings of 1-3 as defined in the EXCA Rulebook.  In addition to the obstacle scores, there will also be a score for “Overall Horsemanship” and a time score as defined in the EXCA Rulebook.  Entry fees shall not exceed $35.00 exclusive of the $10.00 insurance/point tracking fee that is paid to EXCA. Current EXCA members are eligible to compete in the Novice Division if they have not won any form of cash or prize in an EXCA sanctioned event. Any points they have earned will count toward the 3,000 point eligibility rule.  Novice horse/rider teams are eligible to qualify to compete for the Novice Division World Championship. 

EXCA Divisions – Definitions

·         Young Guns:  Ages 7-11.  Any rider between the ages of 7-11 is eligible to compete in the Young Gun Division until the horse/rider team accumulates 3,000 points in the Young Gun Division.  When 3,000 points have been accumulated, the horse/rider team must move to the Youth Division the following year regardless of the rider’s age. Should the Young Gun choose to compete on a different horse, he/she may continue in the Young Gun Division and start over toward accumulating 3,000 points.  Young Guns are allowed to ride “up” in additional Divisions.

·         Youth Division:  Ages 12-17.  Any rider between the ages of 12-17 is eligible to compete in the Youth Division until the horse/rider team accumulates 3,000 points in the Youth Division.  When 3,000 points have been accumulated, the horse/rider team must move to the Non-Pro Division the following year, regardless of the rider’s age.  Should the Youth choose to compete on a different horse, he/she may continue in the Youth Division and start over toward accumulating 3,000 points.  Youth riders are allowed to ride “up” in the Non-Pro and Pro Divisions.

·         Novice Division:  All ages are included.  The Novice Division is designed for riders that are new to the sport of Extreme Cowboy Racing.  The purpose of the Novice Division is to provide competition that is fair to all new riders.  A Novice rider will be moved to a higher level (Division) of competition when the rider accumulates 3,000 points as a Novice Rider. Novice riders are allowed to ride “up” in other Divisions.  Any points that are earned in the other Divisions will count toward the 3,000 point eligibility rule.  Points are on the rider only; points are not on the horse/rider team. Current EXCA members are eligible to compete in the Novice Division if they have won no cash, trophies or prizes in an EXCA event.  Any points that have accumulated will count toward the 3,000 point eligibility rule. The Novice course shall have 10 obstacles that are rated 1-3 as defined in the EXCA Rulebook.  In addition to the obstacles scores, there will also be a score for “Overall Horsemanship” and a time score as defined in the EXCA Rulebook.  The entry fees in the Novice Division shall not exceed $35.00 exclusive of the $10.00 insurance fee and point tracking fee. 

·         Non-Pro Division:  A Non-Pro rider is an individual that has experience as a rider but does not receive any form of compensation for riding or training horses, ponies or mules. This definition applies to riders of all ages.  A Non-Pro rider may remain Non-Pro unless he/she starts to receive compensation for riding or training horses, ponies or mules. Non-Pro riders are allowed to ride “up” in the Pro Division.

·         Ride Smart Division:   The Ride Smart Division is designed for non-professional riders, age 55 and over.  Once a horse/rider team accumulates 3,000 points, the horse/rider team must move to the Non-Pro Division.  Should the rider choose to compete on a different horse, he/she may continue in the Ride Smart Division on the new horse.  Ride Smart riders may ride “up” in the Non-Pro or Pro Divisions.

·         Professional (Pro) Division:  An individual is considered a professional if he/she receives any form of compensation for riding/training horses, ponies or mules. This definition applies to riders of all ages. In order for a Pro to return to Non-Pro status or Ride Smart status, he/she must not receive any form of compensation for a period of 5 years prior to applying to return to Non-Pro or Ride Smart status.  

ATTENTION ALL EXCA JUDGES & COMPETITORS

The purpose of Extreme Cowboy Racing in the EXCA is to demonstrate superior horsemanship using speed with control, and to have fun in a sport that welcomes and encourages participants of all ages and riding levels.  In an effort to remain consistent with our purpose and to preserve the integrity of our sport, the following policy is effective immediately:

All riders are expected to maneuver each obstacle in the manner described during the walk through prior to the beginning of each EXCA event.  Any rider that chooses to add additional components to an obstacle (showboating) will receive point deductions from the judges on that obstacle. All judges decisions are final and may not be challenged in any fashion.

EXCA Members Are Riding Smart and Riding Hard !

 Your 2009 Extreme Cowboy Association season is racing ahead at full speed with events being held nearly every weekend across the country!  We are receiving reports every week about the excitement and enthusiasm.  We want to extend our gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of you for the tireless effort , commitment and enthusiasm that is making your inaugural season so successful. 

Congratulations go out to all of the following Horse/Rider teams that have finished in the top of their Divisions at EXCA events to date this year: 

All of the top finishers in each EXCA event are listed here by Event name and location and by Division. They are listed in detail on the EXCA website.

   YOUNG GUNS & YOUTH 

The second half of the EXCA season is underway!  In an effort to encourage additional  Young Guns and Youth to participate, we are reducing the Young Gun & Youth membership fee to $35 for the remainder of the 2009 season or $10 per day/event fee.  Don't miss out - let's saddle up and ride! 

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The Brave Horse the best newsletter in the equine world.  Please forward your ideas and suggestions to Bill Hull at bhextremecowboy@gmail.com.