It was a photo finish at the Kentucky Horse Park after a historic showdown which brought the crowd to their feet as a Cinderella story unfolded. Canadian Wild Card Jim Anderson captured the Ram Trucks Wild Card Championship and ultimately the 2014 World Championship of Colt Starting title.
Fellow competitors Dan Steers (Australia), Antoine Cloux (Switzerland) and Jonathan Field (Canada) were close behind Anderson in a finish that came down to the very last round. Jonathan Field was honored with the Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award for displaying exceptional horsemanship and always acting in the best interests of the horse.
Fans at Road to the Horse witnessed the largest ever American Quarter Horse Association Remuda to run at Road to the Horse, with twenty one iconic horses from the 6666 Ranch. After the 2014 competitors made their selections, the Wild Cards for the 2015 competition were announced and made their picks from the AQHA Remuda from the 6666 Ranch.
Returning Wild Cards for 2015 include Sean Patrick, Mary Kitzmiller, Trevor Carter and James Cooler. They will be joined by newcomers Shamus Haws, Dan Keen and Bobby Knight. The remaining horses that were not selected by the competitors or Wild Cards were offered for sale to the public.
The Wild Card selections are:
Trevor Carter – Royal Wall (Sired by Royal Fletch)
James Cooler – Stoli N Water (Sired by Stoli)
Shamus Haws – Courageous Turn (Sired by Captain Courage)
Dan Keen – Mr Stylish Gin (Sired by Mr Playinstylish)
Mary Kitzmiller – Bridles Fever (Sired by Playboys Buck Fever)
Bobby Knight – Tenino Cat (Sired by Waresthecat)
Sean Patrick – Captains Pick (Sired by Captain Courage)
Road to the Horse 2014 Champion Jim Anderson purchased the 6666 ranch colt called Speedy Cream that took him into the winners circle in the main event and already has plans to direct the colt towards competitive obstacle competitions.
Road to the Horse Owner and Producer Tootie Bland saved a special announcement for the final day of Road to the Horse 2014 and surprised the crowd when she announced a $100,000 purse for the winner of Road to the Horse 2015. With a history full of surprises, Bland continued the excitement with an added bonus that one lucky fan will be selected to assist each competitor in 2015. That fan will receive $10,000 should their competitor take home the World Championship title in 2015.
Road to the Horse 2015 will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 27-29, 2015. Tickets are available now for Nations Members who wish to purchase Legacy seating and tickets will go on to the general public at 10 EST on April 22, 2014.
Road to the Horse, which will be held March 27-29, 2015, in Lexington, Kentucky, is an exclusive horsemanship experience that combines valuable education and thrilling entertainment! A competition untouched by others, tests skill, experience and colt training prowess, Road to the Horse dares elite horse trainers to create a trusting partnership with an untouched 3-year-old American Quarter Horse. The test begins with the selection, choosing only one horse from the AQHA Remuda from the 6666 Ranch; competitors have just three days to build a working relationship. With disruptive sounds, exhilarating sights and adrenaline-pumping time constraints each competitor must face the final trial, an obstacle course. Only one can walk away with the Colt Starting World Champion title.
Road to the Horse enjoys the support of corporate partners such as Western Horseman, American Quarter Horse Association, Ram, Platinum Performance, Zoetis, 6666 Ranch, Cinch, Nutrena, W-W Livestock Systems, Martin Saddlery, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Centaur Fence, Red Brush Trailers, Gist Silversmiths, Twisted X Boots, ABI Equine, Barrel Horse News, Quarter Horse News, Brooks Mayberry Equine Insurance, Horse Radio Network, Suncoast Shavings, Valley Vet, Breyer, Theraplate, Outback Survival Gear, Spalding Fly Predators, Western Shooting Horse Magazine, ThinLine, USHJA, PFHA, Horsemen’s Corral, Horseman’s Hoofbeats and CSI Saddle Pads along with many more valued industry products and services. Contact Road to the Horse for sponsorship opportunities available in 2015.
