“It’s an honor. I am so proud of my horsemanship, to win an event like the NRCHA Futurity, then to win Road to the Horse and tie the two together, that’s just huge,” stated the emotional Nick Dowers right after his win. When asked what helped him take the title, the answer was easy for Dowers, “Being myself and staying true to what I do.” Equaled in class and charisma, the 6666 ranch colt Seven Attraction carried Dowers to his first World Championship of Colt Starting title.
Richard Winters won Round One displaying outstanding horsemanship and incurred no penalties. Although it was not a popular choice, Jim Anderson did incur a score and time penalty after a Violation of a Rest Period for his colt. This resulted in both a penalty to Anderson’s score in Round Two and a reduced working time in Round Three. Road to the Horse has always placed, and always will place, the horse as first priority.
Dowers’ captivating personality and inspiring training philosophies captured the hearts of every horse lover in the stadium. Seven Attraction seemed to collect as many fans along the road as Dowers. This outstanding, intelligent and athletic sorrel colt had something special, the same something special fans saw in Dowers. If fans didn’t know who Dowers was before, they certainly know now.
Not only did Dowers walk away with the World Championship, he was also awarded the Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award. Awarded and presented by Jack Brainard, this award goes to the horseman or horsewoman that excels in their power of observation to correctly analyze the best approach and then apply that method as smoothly as possible for the horse’s best interest.
Brand new in 2016, fans of Road to the Horse also enjoyed a LIVE broadcast by www.bonkotv.com as well as a LIVE play by play radio coverage by www.HorseRadioNetwork.com. Replays are available on both platforms.
In true Road to the Horse style, Road to the Horse Owner/Producer Tootie Bland surprised the crowd by announcing two competitors for Road to the Horse 2017. Both Sarah Dawson and Barbara Cox were named as competitors in a very special ladies only version of Road to the Horse which is scheduled for March 23-26, 2017.
Sarah Dawson, daughter of Road to the Horse 2009 World Champion Richard Winters, will return to Road to the Horse in 2017. Dawson is a past competitor to Road to the Horse, having competed in 2013. A seasoned clinician and competitor, fans are excited to welcome Sarah back to the round pen.
Barbara Cox, wife of four time undefeated Road to the Horse World Champion Chris Cox, will enter the Road to the Horse round pen for the very first time in 2017.
About Road to the Horse 2017 (March 23-26, 2017 – Lexington, Kentucky):
A vision of Steven and Tootie Bland, Road to the Horse was created with passion and perseverance. Steven and Tootie were believers in a message they wanted to share with the world. The message: create a relationship which is based on a foundation of trust with the horse, and everything else can be accomplished. Fans at Road to the Horse, follow the journey and witness an accumulation of a lifetime of passion and knowledge be put to the test as elite clinicians from around the world face off for the coveted World Championship of Colt Starting title. Fans witness partnerships develop before their very eyes, they witness the setbacks and witness the triumphs, as competitors build a relationship with an untouched 3-year-old American Quarter Horse which will then be put to the ultimate test, where only one can walk away with the World Championship of Colt Starting title.
