2009 ULTIMATE EQUESTRIAN CHALLENGE

 Cecil Huff, Winner of the Trainers Challenge.  Sponsored by MFA and held at the Boone County Fair Grounds Columbia, Missouri.  

Cecil’s thoughts right after the competition “This was the most challenging thing I have ever done in my life.”

Friday night, three trainers drew for their colts from performance bred two year old horses provided by Dr. Kent Haden of Columbia,   and were assigned round pen placement.  They would have a total of two hours and fifteen minutes of training with their horse over a 2 day period.  Three trainers, three horses and three round pens going at the same time in front of an audience.

To see read more about Cecil's thoughts on the Ultimate Equestrian Challenge see "Articles for Absence"

Ava Trainer Wins Ultimate Equestrian Challenge˙

Cecil Huff of Ava, Missouri was chosen as winner of the Ultimate Equestrian Challenge˙ at the 2009 Horse Celebration produced by Missouri Equine Council, Inc and sponsored by MFA, Inc. Huff competed against Missouri horse trainers Dennis Cappel of Silex and Steve Atkisson of Grovespring during the two day event held at the Boone County Fairgrounds.  Friday night horse trainers drew for their colts from performance bred two year old horses provided by Dr. Kent Haden of Columbia. The horses were led into their own round pen in the main arena where the crowd watched as the horses were caught, bridled, saddled and ridden for the very first time.  Attendees were glued to their seats watching intently as each trainer used different approaches to starting their untrained horse.
On Saturday night the trainers were given another 45 minutes to work with their colts before demonstrating their progress.  The Grand Finale included riding the horses at a walk, trot, lope and back, walking across a bridge, dragging a log, going over poles and a freestyle movement designed by the trainer.
MFA, Inc was the title sponsor of the 2009 Ultimate Equestrian Challenge˙ and provided use of three round pens for the competition and presented Huff with a trophy belt buckle, $100 and 1000 pounds of MFA horse feed.  The runners up each received $50 and 500 pounds of MFA horse feed.
The panel of judges was Renae Dudley of Oak Grove, John Coats of Columbia, and Ed Slemp of Sturgeon.  The next Ultimate Equestrian Challenge˙ will be January 22 & 23, 2010 at the Boone County Fairgrounds outside Columbia, MO.  For details on how you can attend or to nominate your favorite horse trainer call 1-800-313-3327 or go to www.mo-equine.org <http://www.mo-equine.org/>