I am interested in getting into cutting and/or reined cowhorse. There’s a lot of options in AZ for it (I’m here for the winter), and I do know that there’s a plethora of trainers. HOWEVER, I am a self-employed, single parent. Although I just want to play around in the low level, local type stuff - is this even realistic? I’m unsure if my income will make it impossible to afford lessons, plus I would be a haul-in client and I’ve been told that many trainers won’t allow that, that they want the horse on-site for long term training.
Some background on me/my horse… My horse is cowbred, in his mid-late teens (100% sound w/ no maintenance). He ran barrels professionally (wpra) for about a decade. He also roped a small amount, and did a teenie bit of sorting for fun. Obviously he is more forward/on the bit than a lot of cutting/RC types, but he does stop, back, pivot, etc and is well broke. I’ve been trying to do sorting on him more recently, which is he at a natural at, except there are so few competitions here that I lost hope. However, cutting and RC seem to have quite a bit more low level shows available. I myself am an experienced rider (3 decades worth), and trained professionally in the same disciplines as my horse. I am forced to compete in the Open because of that, but I am a total brand new person as far as cutting/RC go. I read the entire NCHA rule book, I’ve read a ton about both disciplines, and youtubed videos all over the place. I have a good idea of what to do, but I need a trainer to help me and my horse thoroughly before I ever consider a competition.
Ideally, I would like to haul-in for a lesson once a week. I could realistically send my horse out for 30-60 days of training, but this horse does ranch work at home and being a weekend/playday type competitor, would not be kept in training long term with someone. I’d go bankrupt! For those that compete in these disciplines, can I realistically find a trainer willing to take me on? I feel sheepish about even reaching out to ask any of them. If anyone can recommend someone - I would greatly appreciate it. I do know Al Dunning is an option, but to the tune of around $120 an hour (so I was told). That would break the bank a bit for me. If I’m doing lessons that are more than $100 an hour, I’m going to have to take less frequent lessons.
Anyway… I hope that gives enough of an idea… Can this realistically be done as a “not wealthy” person? Who wants to be a haul-in client? And compete locally, for fun? Or should I just keep my head where it is, and just play at home :-\
