I define horseback riding and horsemanship as two separate categories. If you are simply a horseback rider, you’ve acquired a few basic skills that keep your mind in the middle and a leg on either side. Horseback riding is simply the act of not falling off. Almost anyone can be a horseback rider.

This summer I’ve had three young people come and ride with me in an apprenticeship program. These are great students and I enjoy working with them. On our first day together I gave them my “aspiring trainer” speech. I thought I’d share the condensed version with you.

Richard begins “A Horseman’s Journey” by introducing us to a two-year old Quarter Horse colt named Rocky that Richard will be training. And then throughout the book, we follow along as Richard works with Rocky, taking the young horse from being a halter-broke colt to one that is skilled in reined cow horse work.

Many of you show and compete with your horse on a regular basis. Your training regimen, no doubt, consists of mastering and refining those maneuvers you’ll be asked to execute in the show pen. Pleasure horse riders spend hours jogging and loping quietly on the rail. A cutter will drill with a flag or mechanical cow. The reiner will constantly try to improve each maneuver of the reining pattern.