Aaron Ralston and Cow Horse Productions In the News
Aaron Ralston's Radio Interview with Western Radio Show
Listen to Aaron's interview with Western Radio Show on May 31st.
Aaron Ralston Earns Trainer's Challenge Championship at Horse3 2011 in Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba - It was without a shadow of a doubt, one of our most amazing NAERIC Trainer's Challenge Showdowns in our past four years. You could have heard a pin drop during any second of the 4th annual showdown, as Aaron Ralston earned the championship. . . Read the entire press release here.
America's Favorite Trail Horse competition sponsored by ACHTA
All regional winners will be invited to come to the National Finals at the Franklin Family Ranch, near Austin, Texas May 8th - 12th, 2011. From here on, national celebrities will "coach" you to be the best you can be for the cameras and America's viewers! Aaron Ralston is proud to be one of the "National Celebrities" coaching the regional winners!
Honi Roberts, a special contributor to The American Quarter Horse Journal, has written an article titled "Aaron Ralston Riding Out His Dreams" for Quarter Chat. You can read the article in PDF format by clicking here.
Aaron Ralston takes the reins at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo
WEG reining gold medalist steps in for injured clinician Jonathan Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Scebbi, 303-292-4981
March 7, 2011
DENVER – Aaron Ralston is an international reining superstar and a committed ranching professional who prides himself on celebrating and promoting the traditions of the working cowboy.
So when headliner Jonathan Field had to regretfully cancel his participation at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo due to injuries he suffered in a recent car accident, Ralston offered to take the reins.
"I was so sorry to hear Jonathan wouldn't be able to make it to the Expo, but I'm really pleased I can step in and help," Ralston said. "I'm really proud to be part of community that comes together to work toward our common goal – creating more and better horsemen and horse women."
Ralston, a Colorado native, led Team USA to a gold medal in reining at the 2006 World Equestrian Games on Smart Paul Olena. He hosts "The Ride," featured on RFD-TV and produced by Cow Horse Productions, which chronicles major equine events, profiles ranches and showcases various riding disciplines.
"We deeply appreciate Aaron's willingness to step up his role on very short notice just days before the Expo kicks off," said Bill Scebbi, executive director of the Colorado Horse Council. "We wish Jonathan a speedy recovery, and we look forward to his return to future Expos."
Ralston will host a pre-Expo horsemanship clinic previously scheduled for Field on Thursday, March 10 at the National Western Complex, which will lead into three more days of education and fun for horse enthusiasts.
Daytime events include clinics and presentations on riding, driving, horsemanship, equine health and more March 11-13. More than 200 vendors will fill the tradeshow floor. Artists will display their works in Equine Art in the Park. A miniature horse show will run throughout the weekend, as will a holistic horse health fair. Friday and Saturday night Mane Event performances will begin at 7 p.m., and will feature solo acts, team demonstrations and more. Daytime entry is $7; the Mane Event is $10.
For more information, visit the event's website, YouTube Channel and Facebook page or contact Scebbi.
Aaron Ralston and the Staff of Cow Horse Productions will be at Celebrate the Horse 2011!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arlington, WA
February 15, 2011
People Helping Horses is pleased to announce that Aaron Ralston and the staff of Cow Horse Productions has committed to Celebrate the Horse 2011! Aaron and his team approached People Helping Horses in December of last year, showing an avid interest in our annual festival Celebrate the Horse. It seemed a natural fit to add Aaron and his talent to our event in 2011.
Aaron will participate in Saturday night's VIP Dinner/Auction as well as staying over into the following week for a clinic at the Northwest WA fairgrounds; details are still in the works, but as soon as plans are solidified we will let you know. The clinic will be open to both riders and auditors.
Aaron Ralston and Cow Horse Productions
Aaron Ralston and the staff of Cow Horse Productions are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the traditions and art-in-handling of the working ranch cowboy, both in and out of the arena. Cow Horse Productions' featured production, "The Ride" with Aaron Ralston, is filmed on ranch locations and in arenas throughout the country and takes a creative look at time-honored disciplines such as reining, roping, cutting and fence work. "The Ride" can be seen on RFD-TV every Monday.
Aaron Ralston, host of "The Ride", is a native Colorado horseman who spent much of his younger years in the rodeo arena. After working for NRHA Hall of Famer, Doug Milholland, Aaron returned to Colorado where he began a horse training business, specializing in reining and roping, and later expanding to included reined cowhorse (cutting, reining, fencework), ranch horse versatility, and ranch sorting.
In 2006, Aaron competed as a member of the gold-medal-winning U.S. reining team at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, where he also took home the individual bronze medal. In 2010, Aaron returned to the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, as NBC Sports 'on-air' commentator for the nationally televised reining events.
In addition to being a reining and working cowhorse competitor and clinician, Aaron Ralston is eager to educate others about what he continually learns along "The Ride" through his TV program, clinics, seminars, publications, and performances. He not only has a natural feel for the horse, Aaron has a gift for teaching riders. He is an extremely diverse horseman with many experiences from out-on-the-ranch, to competing in the show arena, coaching riders, and performing in front of thousands. Aaron won the "People's Choice" award for his performance at the 2011 National Western Stockshow Freestyle Reining Competition in Denver, Colorado.
The Northwest's Premiere Equine Event
Celebrate the Horse will take place at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden, WA on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 9:30am to 6:00pm and Sunday, October 2nd from 9:30am to 4:00pm.
Enjoy watching sporting and breed demonstrations, learning from regional clinicians, honing your equine care skills, and shopping 'til you drop at the vendor booths.
Children will be entertained as they build their own stick horse then participate in stick horse races, face-painting, and a coloring contest.
Admission and parking for the event are free to the general public; donations are appreciated and all proceeds will directly benefit People Helping Horses and the programs they support.
Applications for demonstrators and vendors are available on our website. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available. Discount rates are available at many Celebrate the Horse host hotels near the facility, and camping will be available at the Fairgrounds. For continuously-updated information, visit www.celebratethehorse.org or call (360) 435-9393.
CONTACT:
Gretchen Salstrom, People Helping Horses
Phone: (360) 435-9393
info@peoplehelpinghorses.org
www.celebratethehorse.org
Photographs are available upon request.
About People Helping Horses
People Helping Horses is more than an effective horse rescue - we are the central voice that represents both the horse and the equine community. We accomplish this by focusing our resources on healing the whole horse - emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually. PHH strives for a full understanding of the unique needs of every horse - through patience, understanding, and experience.
The power of one is considerable, while the power of many, united in passion and belief is unstoppable. Join People Helping Horses in their efforts, and partner with them to Celebrate the Horse! By uniting with People Helping Horses, you too can . . .
Change the Life of a Horse . . . FOREVER!
Additional information regarding donations and People Helping Horses' service programs can be found at www.peoplehelpinghorses.org.
Aaron's Freestyle Reining Fantasia Presentation at Equine Affaire 2010
Aaron Ralston NBC Sport's On-Air Commentator during Coverage of World Equestrian Games
Cow Horse Productions is pleased to announce that Aaron Ralston will be NBC Sport's on-air commentator for the Reining Competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY later this month!
NBC Coverage of Reining is as follows:
- Sunday, September 26, live coverage from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern will feature team reining competition
- Sunday, October 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. Eastern, individual reining will be covered, although the footage will be pre-recorded
- Sunday, October 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. Eastern, reining will be featured as part of the overall WEG recap
In addition, Aaron will be presenting clinics at the World Equestrian Games Equine Village throughout the first week of the Games (when the reining competition is ongoing) and will participate in the freestyle reining exhibition in the competition arena at 6 p.m. on September 30th.
The following article about Aaron's appearance on NBC appeared on America's Horse Daily.
Meet the commentator who’ll give expert play-by-play as reining gets its best network airtime ever.
In 2006, the world met Colorado reiner Aaron Ralston in a big way when he competed aboard Smart Paul Olena on the gold-medal-winning U.S. team at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, where he also took home the individual bronze medal.
This time around – as an international audience prepares to come to Lexington, Kentucky, for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games – Aaron is in the spotlight again, but in a different capacity.
He’ll be the on-air commentator for NBC Sports during its coverage of WEG. The network is offering an unprecedented six and a half hours of coverage over three Sundays. On the first Sunday, September 26, the team reining competition will be featured live, brought to you by AQHA and the Reining Horse Sports Foundation.
Aaron’s role as commentator will come quite naturally to him. In addition to being a top reining and working cow horse competitor and clinician, Aaron also hosts a weekly TV show on RFD-TV, “The Ride, with Aaron Ralston.” On it, he spotlights skilled horsemen in a variety of disciplines – from ranchers to steer wrestlers – and he rides with them, sharing the experience with the audience at home.
When Aaron and his friend, Brad Zanin, first discussed the idea for “The Ride,” their intent was to help preserve the traditions of the cowboy lifestyle – something near and dear to Aaron’s heart, as he grew up on a ranch in western Colorado.
With almost two years of the show under his belt, “I’ve got to say that we’re taking fewer and fewer retakes now,” Aaron says. “It’s starting to be a lot of fun.”
During the NBC broadcasts, Aaron will be tasked with interpreting reining to TV viewers who may not be familiar with what they’re watching. He’ll explain the scoring, the manuevers and will give tips on what viewers should be looking for.
“I hope to represent the sport of reining, and I hope to give a good understanding of what goes into the sport of reining,” he says.
Aaron, who breeds a small number of horses each year with his wife, Meg, and also produces some western-discipline competitions, says that being an ambassador is important to him.
He’ll get plenty of time to fill that role during WEG. In addition to his NBC commentating, Aaron will also be doing demonstrations in the Equine Village, a mega expo that will be held on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park as part of the World Equestrian Games. His schedule calls for one demo a day throughout the first week of the Games (when the reining competition is ongoing).
Aaron is also being called on to participate in the freestyle reining exhibition, which will be held in the competition arena at 6 p.m. September 30. Tickets are $70 and are still available.
“We’re going to be very busy out there,” he says.
His equine partner at WEG will be Spendin Peptos Money, owned by Rheta Strong of Snowmass, Colorado.
“He has done amazing things,” Aaron says. “He’s only 5 years old. He has won numerous competitions for me in multiple events and has done really well in reined cow horse event. … I plan on doing a bareback and bridleless exhibition all week on him and will hopefully be doing the freestyle bareback and bridleless.”
Aaron has had the Meradas Money Talks stallion in training since he was a 3-year-old, and he has been riding bareback and bridleless just since this summer.
“As he’s growing and maturing into a confident older horse, we’ve done some pretty neat things,” Aaron says.
Look for Aaron – and our homegrown American sport of reining – to be featured front and center on NBC. On Sunday, September 26, live coverage from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern will feature team reining competition.
On Sunday, October 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. Eastern, individual reining will be covered, although the footage will be pre-recorded.
And on Sunday, October 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. Eastern, reining will be featured as part of the overall WEG recap.
This coverage marks the largest commitment a network has ever made to equestrian sports in U.S. television history.
If you’re considering going to the Games but haven’t made arrangements yet, you can do so in red-carpet style — and also help support the Reining Horse Sports Foundation. Through the RHSF, VIP packages are available that include tickets to all reining performances (in a VIP suite), a seven-night hotel stay and admission to the Cowboy Gala on September 26 that is the official reining celebration at the Games.
And whether you’ll be cheering in person — or from your couch — if you’d like a special piece of memorabilia from the Games, AQHA can help you out with logoed medallions. AQHA is an official sponsor of the World Equestrian Games and is the official breed sponsor of reining at WEG, and we hope our members join us in our pride and excitement!
Holly Clanahan
Editor, America's Horse magazine
Cow Horse Productions Participant at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Equine Village
Cow Horse Productions is proud to have been selected to participate in the Equine Village of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The games will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky September 25-October 10, 2010 (www.alltechfeigames.com).
The World Equestrian Games website says "The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will represent an unprecedented opportunity for our nation's multi-faceted equine industry to showcase itself, in a variety of ways, to spectators from around the globe. . . The Equine Village venue is unique to the 2010 World Equestrian Games. It will be a central site that house both exhibits from various equine organizations and a number of world class equine demonstrations and special events. The combination of equine exhibits and demonstrations will showcase the depth and scope of the equine industry to spectators. The Equine Village gives the entire equestrian world, outside of the eight disciplines, a chance to be involved in the World Equestrian Games."
As a participant of the 2010 World Equestrian Games Equine Village, Cow Horse Productions will be an exhibitor from September 26th - 29th. Aaron will make four presentations that concentrate on building the western horse through the understanding of what is expected of them and why.
Presentations will feature the different stages of the learning process from the most basic to the most complicated. This approach includes the use of objectives to help the horse understand why they need to perform maneuvers. If a horse has this understanding, they can perform with more confidence and effort without unnecessary discipline, providing longevity both mentally and physically.
Hundreds of thousands of horse enthusiasts from around the world are expected at the World Equestrian Games. Tickets are on sale now! General admission and competition ticket holders will have access to the Equine Village, as well as other attractions throughout the games. See you there!
January 30–February 7, 2010 NRCHA Celebration of Champions and the World's Greatest Horseman Competition
Aaron will compete in the 2010 NRCHA Celebration of Champions February 1st through 6th. Aaron will compete in the Open Hackamore and the Open Two Rein events.
January 23–24, 2010 CRCA World Show Warmup
Aaron Ralston will be participating in the CRCA World Show Warmup in Castle Rock, Colorado.
National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado Jan. 9th - 24th
Aaron has been competing at the National Western Stock Show and won the Jr. Reining Championship riding Cutter Cutter owned by Christine Bukowski.
Aaron will also be competing at the CRCA World Show Warmup in Castle Rock, Colorado January 23rd and 24th. From there, Aaron will travel to San Angelo, Texas to compete in the 2010 NRCHA Celebration of Champions February 1st through 6th. Aaron will compete in the Open Hackamore and the Open Two Rein events.
Team USA Wins First Test Event For 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: JULY 21, 2009
Team USA Wins First Test Event For 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Kentucky Cup Reining Initiates Kentucky Horse Park's New Indoor Arena
LEXINGTON, KY-With a great sense of anticipation, Team USA's Aaron Ralston made history as he entered the ring as the first athlete ever to compete in the Kentucky Horse Park's new indoor arena in Kentucky Cup Reining, the first test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
"I really didn't realize it was happening until afterwards, and then it opened my eyes and it really started to sink in. To be involved in something so big and special as these test events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and to be on the team with these athletes is so special. It's all bigger than just me. It's a great honor and it's very humbling," said Ralston, 32, of Silt, CO, winner of team Gold and individual Bronze Medals at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
Kentucky Cup Reining, a CRI4* competition officially sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), featured teams from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The U.S. finished first with a team score of 659.50, followed by Canada with 641.00 and Mexico with 631.50. The Individual Final will be held on Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
For the test event, Team USA fielded a seasoned team featuring four WEG Gold Medalists. They were led to the win by Shawn Flarida, 40, of Springfield, OH, double Gold Medalist in reining's WEG debut in 2002. Flarida received a score of 370.00 from the five-judge panel for his ride on Smart Spook, an 8-year-old, AQHA Sorrel stallion owned by Rosanne Sternberg of Aubrey, TX.
Also turning in stellar performances for the winning U.S. team were Ralston, who scored 354.00 on Double My Whiskey, a 6-year-old, Quarter Horse stallion owned by Waggoner Estate of Vernon, TX; his 2006 WEG Gold Medal teammate Dell Hendricks of Tioga, TX, who scored 367.00 on Starbucks Sidekick, a 9-year-old, Quarter Horse, stallion owned by Adair Reiners, LLC; and Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, TX, winner of team Gold and individual Silver Medals at the 2002 WEG, who scored 362.50 on Darlins Not Painted, a 7-year-old, American Paint Horse mare owned by Randy Paul of Scottsdale, AZ.
While pleased with his team's performance, Team USA chef d'equipe Jeff Petska pointed out that the team selected for next year's Games will face a formidable challenge. "Getting ready for a World Equestrian Games is a very involved process and the teams get better every year. It is a sport that began and grew here, but now that advantage is dwindling as the sport is becoming more international. We're talking to riders and looking for horses because everyone wants to field the best athletes they can. As the sport grows the level of athleticism required for both horses and riders continues to get higher and higher."
About Reining
Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. Huge crowds for the Reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds.
As the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games come to Kentucky, the sport of Reining is sure to enjoy a sort of "homecoming" in the US, as the only western discipline recognized by the FEI. Plans are well under way to feature Reining in new and exciting ways in 2010, including a newly approved schedule format - allowing for more public sessions of the discipline.
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.
Further information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, including full results of Kentucky Cup Reining, is available on line at www.alltechfeigames.com.
Photos are Available on Request
Media Contact:
Amy Walker
859-255-2010 ext. 235
awalker@feigames2010.org
