BRAVE HORSE

            MAY 2015

              Welcome to the Extreme Cowboy Association   

We are excited about 2015 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 Frank Turben at webmaster@extremecowboyassociation.com

New Judge's Move-up Criteria

Level 1 represents an entry level opportunity to obtain a judges card that allows you to judge official EXCA contests. Approval requires successful completion of the Judges exam and ongoing EXCA membership. Level 1 judges are not restricted to the size or type of EXCA shows they are allowed to judge. NAB members will be encouraged to observe and report on the performance of these judges; negative reports could result in directives to take specific actions (education/scribing with experienced judge/other conditions) before accepting another EXCA judging assignment. EXCA strongly encourages Level 1 judges to scribe for Level 3-5 judges at every opportunity to help refine their skills.

Level 2 indicates the cardholder has successfully attained a recognized level of actual EXCA experience through a combination of actual judging assignments, official EXCA Judges seminars, and successful completion of the level 2 exam. Level 1 judges may apply for advancement to Level 2 once they complete one of two tracks: Judge 10 official EXCA shows (or judge a minimum of 5 shows and scribe 5 or more times for a level 3-5 judge) OR judge a minimum of 2 EXCA shows and attend (i.e. successfully pass practical and written testing elements) an approved EXCA Judges seminar. In either case, the candidate must also pass the Level 2 exam. A onetime "application for advancement fee" will be assessed. Additional work may be required if it is assessed that the applicant is not yet ready for advancement.  

Level 3 is reserved for judges demonstrating an advanced level of expertise and experience desired for officiating major EXCA contests - such as Regional and State Championships. Level 3 judges would also be expected to be able to help mentor upcoming judges on both correct interpretation of the rules and unique situations. Judges may apply for advancement to level three once they have successfully completed one of two tracks : Judge 15 official EXCA shows (including 3 State or Regional Championships) and passing the level 3 judges exam OR judge a minimum of 7 EXCA shows and attend (successfully pass practical and written testing) an EXCA NATIONAL Advanced Judges seminar. A onetime "application for advancement fee" will be assessed. Additional work may be required if it is assessed that the applicant is not yet ready for advancement.

Level 4: this level is reserved for those individuals who have demonstrated a high level of success and recognition through both the number of shows officiated and the breadth and depth of their EXCA judging activities over an extended period of time. To be considered for elevation to this level, candidates should have judged major shows (World, National and Regional Championships; large state fairs; other shows considered to be elite events for EXCA) in at least 4 different regions of EXCA. They should also have successfully attended an EXCA National Advanced Judges seminar. Level 4 judges are expected to be able to mentor level 3 and lower judges on all aspects of EXCA rules and interpretations. A onetime "application for advancement fee" will apply.

Level 5: this level is reserved for a very limited number of individuals whose exceptional EXCA judging achievements, expertise and contributions makes them worthy of this "EXTREME" recognition - the true pinnacle of recognition for elite EXCA judges. There is no application process or numerical criteria for this level; it is awarded strictly at the discretion of Judge's Criteria Committee.

 Horsemanship Clinic

Due to our overwhelming response we have scheduled another clinic for those participants that were unable to attend our May clinic. Equine Champions for Christ and the Crooked Creek Ranch will have Craig Cameron return to Hamilton, TX August 14-16, 2015. This clinic will be free for all kids ages twelve to eighteen. Craig Cameron will focus on taking each participant and their equine partner from beginning to winning by covering basic fundamentals as well as advanced maneuvers of horsemanship.

Meals, housing, and stalls for participants will be provided at no cost. Families of participants are welcome to attend meals with their loved one throughout the clinic. Those riding in the clinic are responsible for bringing a horse, tack and feed. This is a rare opportunity and those wanting to participate should sign up as soon as possible as our May 2015 clinic was booked within days of being open to the public! 

For more information or to sign up contact Equine Champions for Christ or Craig Cameron American Horsemanship.

Equine Champions for Christ: 254.386.0076

Craig Cameron American Horsemanship: 254.728.3082

Sign Up Form: http://www.equinechampionsforchrist.com/ECFCEvents.html

 A little US in the Heart of Europe

 Hungary continues to strive for a title they call: Yes, this is EXCA.

It has been 3 years ago when the craziness of the Extreme Cowboy Race hit the ground in Hungary with the presence of Bill Cameron and it still maintains its position today. 

Year by year the EXCA lovers are are not staying away and there are always newcomers. In 2015 EXCA - Hungary will organize 4 official EXCA raceways, and has done one unofficial, as the season starting which was very successful with over 58 rides in one day on the 4th of april. The next race up is on the 23rd of may and the 13th of June followed by that. We expect riders arriving from Belgium and Slovakia.

We urge and would support anybody in the region who wants to start an EXCA Club, it is fun, challenging and it draws all the good people around you. EXCA is solid, if it hits the fan, the fan surrenders.

We in Hungary consider EXCA as a large family and nothing more can justify our feelings to this fast developing sport that 2 of our active members whom met on their first EXCA race are now expecting a baby. we would like to congratulate Roxi and Jani and wish them happiness and health in their life. We are proudly announcing the first official EXCA - baby in Hungary, and as far as we know, they already have a horse getting ready for her to ride soon. We just hope to keep EXCA running in Hungary until that time comes. Roland Halapi and his team Fruzsi, Saca, Nutti are doing a great job and I personally as the EXCA license holder in Hungary can not wish for more when having a greatly devoted company around you. They make my life easier and besides all the riders who show up, they make the EXCA happen in Hungary. I salute you, my friends.

Gregory Torok  - EXCA - Hungary 

 EXCA In Quebec

 How do you say cowboy up in French? With a whole lot of attitude and fun!

To launch extreme cowboy racing in Quebec, Canada, Les Courses Cowboys Extremes au Quebec, the EXCA affiliate in the province, held its inaugural sanctioned race on May 2 and 3 in St. Hyancithe, Québec. A profile event, riders from Ontario and Québec applied to ride in front of an estimated 2000 people at the Salon du Cheval, the largest equine trade and cultural show in the province. Said Club President Shannon Townsend, "We wanted the first race in the province to be special and electric. We wanted to profile great horsemanship and fast riding. So we asked riders to apply to the event with sound information on their riding skills and background, and explain to us how they could be ambassadors for the sport." From the applications submitted ten plus one bonus rider were selected to compete to win an E XCA buckle sponsored by the Salon's President, Mr. Francois Pepin.  

The race brought together people with roping, team penning, reining, jumping and general horsemanship skills. In addition, a number of horse breeds were represented, including Quebec's rare Canadian breed. Shannon worked closely with EXCA judge Brigitte Patry to design the course, which included two new and innovative obstacles. "We're really proud to have come up with some new and challenging obstacles which helped make the race unique", says Shannon. "The first was a cattle chute complete with mock Angus cows, and the second a high rotating turnstyle, great for sponsorship and which profiled the EXCA Quebec logo." The CCxQ was also the recipient of a gift from Craig and Dalene Cameron in the form of a banner inviting Quebec riders to qualify for the world championships. "We know that we're not there yet, but we thought it would be great to get riders excited about the possibilities ahead. We want to thank Craig and Dalene for supporting us."  

True to the spirit of the sport of extreme cowboy racing, young and old competed to for a chance to be crowned Salon du Cheval Extreme Cowboy Champion. With the top seven riders coming back on the Sunday for a final race, the clear stand out was 75-year old Jean-Louis Roux, riding his five year old Canadian Quarter Horse cross, Jesse. Winning the race with a brave and forward ride, Mr. Roux went on to be interviewed by the French TV program Loin d'être bête, which profiles human-animal relationships. The show, set to be aired in the spring of 2016 on TV-5 in Quebec will profile Mr. Roux and his process for training his horse, and how he prepared to win the event.  

Looking ahead, the CCxQ has four more sanctioned races planned in 2015 at western festivals and fairs across the province, and more proposals in the works. "People in Quebec love anything western," says Shannon. "And the impact of this sport on overall horsemanship is great, whether a beginner or advanced rider."
 

Article submitted by the CCxQ (Quebec EXCA Affiliate), Shannon Townsend, CCxQ (CHWQ Club president).

              This Newsletter Provided  by the Extreme Cowboy Association for it's members.

EXCA
PO Box 50
Bluff Dale TX
76433