June 15, 2013 — A truly international event, the World Championship of Colt Starting is bringing together the most talented horse clinicians from every part of the globe. Australian clinician Dan Steers from Double Dan Horsemanship was previously announced as the first competitor of Road to the Horse 2014. Steers will be joined by Swiss horseman Antoine Cloux.
Cloux will be the first competitor at Road to the Horse to make the voyage across the Atlantic to represent Switzerland, where he will enter the legendary Road to the Horse round pen to compete for the title of World Champion.
Cloux has had a lifelong love affair with the horse, and his journey to seek a higher level of horsemanship has given him the opportunity to gain influence under trusted clinicians such as Martin Black, Tom Dorrance and Richard Winters. His passion for education has taken him to Australia, Argentina, Brazil and the United States.
Born in Geneva, Switzerland, Cloux started a career as a semi-professional hockey player at the age of 16. Riding horses through his youth, he was not satisfied with the horsemanship that he had been exposed to. After a trip to Wyoming in 1996 to participate in a Buck Brannaman clinic, Cloux abandoned his hockey career to focus on his true passion, the horse.
From a country with strong roots in the disciplines of dressage and jumping, Cloux was eager to educate his fellow Swiss riders in the study of natural horsemanship. In 2003 he translated Tom Dorrance’s book into French, and since 2004 he has been organizing clinics in Switzerland. Cloux also assists the travel of Swiss riders to the United States to gain authentic ranch experience.
“Road to the Horse is dedicated to searching the globe to bring together the most talented clinicians from around the world to showcase their skills and inspire others to reach a higher level of horsemanship,” said Road to the Horse owner and producer Tootie Bland. “Cloux has dedicated his life to the horse and it will be an honor to have him represent Switzerland at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2014.”
Cloux will be joined by Steers and a Wild Card contestant at Road to the Horse 2014. After careful selection, eight talented clinicians across the nation were invited to take part in the first ever Road to the Horse Wild Card competition. These eight clinicians traveled to Road to the Horse 2013 where they selected a gelding from the AQHA Remuda from the 6666 Ranch.
From Kentucky, the Wild Cards returned home to spend the following year building a partnership with their gelding and continuing their training until Road to the Horse 2014. In 2014, these 6666 Ranch colts will then return to Road to the Horse with their trainers, where they will compete against other Wild Card contestants for the title of Wild Card Champion. The Wild Card Champion will then immediately step into the Road to the Horse 2014 round pen, where they will have a once in a life opportunity to compete for the World Championship of Colt Starting title. Follow the progress of the Wild Card contestants on Road to the Horse Facebook.
Tickets for Road to the Horse International 2014 are on sale now. Don’t miss the greatest celebration of natural horsemanship on March 14-16, 2014, at the Kentucky Horse Park. Purchase your tickets now to avoid disappointment. For more information visit www.RoadtotheHorse.com.
Road to the Horse is an exclusive horsemanship experience that combines valuable education and thrilling entertainment! A competition untouched by others, testing skill, experience and colt training talent, Road to the Horse dares elite horse trainers to create a trusting partnership with an untouched 3-year-old Quarter Horse. The test begins with the selection, choosing only one remuda horse from the legendary Four Sixes 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.
True horse enthusiasts recognize Road to the Horse as the event of the year. Meet horsemen and women from around the world at the Kentucky Horse Park for a truly unique equine experience.
Road to the Horse enjoys the support of corporate partners such as Western Horseman, American Quarter Horse Association, Platinum Performance, Martin Saddlery, the 6666 Ranch, Centaur Fence and Red Brush Trailers along with many more valued industry products and services. To learn more go to www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325-736-5000.
