Cowboy Office Show – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

The Score: The Go Round at the 2023 NRHA Derby Analysis

Season 1 · Episode 20

mercredi 19 juillet 2023 • Duration 52:18

With over 300 horses in the running for over $100,00 guaranteed to the winner at the NRHA Open Derby proved that another year of great reining is upon us. This show analyzes the go round at the NRHA Derby, including the breakdown at all 4 levels, the effect of the draw, and the judges scores and performance.

The Show Rundown

Did the draw affect scoring / finals qualifications?
What did it take to make the cut & go to the finals
Purses are growing, creating greater depth of competition in this sport. What does this mean for how judges analyze the runs?
A horseman’s analysis of the quality of these 4-7 year old horses.
Mare against studs against geldings, does it matter?
We’ll spill the tea on the 3 things that caused the biggest variance in scores (and that may have kept riders out of the finals)
Graphs and data charts explaining what kind of competition was at the Reining Derby.
What were the odds that you would make the finals and a payout at each level?
Were the judges crossing zero at the maneuver for the NRHA Derby? What maneuvers were the hardest to judge and caused the most crossing of zero?

Heads Up

This episode is best consumed by video due to the graphic and visual nature of it. Watch directly via the website, or on Youtube or Spotify for the best Cowboy Office experience.

Keep Your Questions Coming

ONE MORE THING

Take the American Horse Council Economic Impact Survey. Your voice matters so use it!

RESOURCES:

The NRHA Derby website

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The Score: Breaking Down the Buckeye

Season 1 · Episode 19

vendredi 16 juin 2023 • Duration 01:17:15

Hello horse world from the AI sphere, well not yet. Jody and Brian are still in human form and bringing a jam-packed analysis to The Buckeye Reining in Ohio.

Join the guys as they key in on some of the hidden aspects of the battle that judges face during a competition and the evolution of the sport and competition depth as a whole. How hard is it to separate horses? What’s it like dealing with so many different classes at once?

As our co-host Jody says, “"You know, Brian, it's not like the old days anymore. Back then, separating horses based on their skills and performance was a breeze. But now ... now it's an entirely different ballgame."

Heads Up

This episode is best consumed by video due to the graphic and visual nature of it. Watch directly via the website or on Youtube for the best experience.

The Show Rundown

Is there a difference between East and West Coast styles of reining?
We’ll take you through our Score Statistical Analytics that showcase the date behind the competition. What were the odds that you would make a payout at each level? Were there more or less officials crossing zero at the maneuver for The Buckeye? Take a look at this episode to find out!
How does the judge's perspective affect judging difficulty? Is it more accurate?
ADDED BONUS: We’ll take a look at a few of the riders and breakdown their runs, including slow motion of the fine details that are so hard to catch the first time around. Things that make you say … Whoa! Yes! Or maybe even Oops!

Keep Your Questions Coming

Soon the guys will be shooting a special episode to address all of the amazing questions we’ve received since the show started … don’t worry, we keep a list. In honor of you and your viewership, stay tuned for a full rundown through your submitted questions. And don’t forget, keep ‘em coming. We’ll be doing several of these throughout our series.

RESOURCES:

The Buckeye: http://buckeyereiningseries.com/

Production and marketing by ConsultMent.Agency

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Ride on the Wild Side: A LEG up on the Evolving Business of Horse Shows

Season 1 · Episode 18

mardi 23 mai 2023 • Duration 01:24:22

You don’t often get to interview someone who has touched so many facets of the horse industry in her career and knows the evolving ins and outs of the horse show business. Marnye Langer is the general manager of Hansen Dam Horse Park, CEO of the Langer Group, USEF “R” judge, author and award winning writer. She’s also an accomplished hunter/jumper rider who is taking a walk on the wild side as she explores reining and ranch classes.

Will this fifth generation Californian who’s known for her hunter/jumper skills clash with a couple of cowboys? Find out in this episode of Cowboy Office.

In This Episode

Marnye oversees operations of Hansen Dam Horse Park, a facility that not only provides a venue for horse shows but is able to house over 200 horses and currently provides for 18 trainers who work out of the facility. The concept of one venue providing training facilities for multiple trainers is not common across the country, but it enables trainers to focus on their core competencies while the facility handles maintenance and other support services.

One of those services is keeping trainers updated and aware of industry changes that could impact their future. Social license to operate is a good example. With increased urbanization much of the country has lost touch with their agricultural roots and trainers must be aware of how their daily interactions with horses can impact how the public views the horse industry as a whole. This often overlooked subject has the potential to affect the future, not only of their individual business, but of the facility and even the industry in general.

The cowboys and Marnye tackle tough questions like how does the industry find balance between regulations and oversight while maintaining flexibility and innovation? What works in the boardroom does not always translate in the trenches of training, showing, and caring for our horses on a daily basis.

Add to that the concerns over the environment and it’s easy to see how facilities and trainers get caught in the middle as they attempt to be successful in the business of the horse business. The current trajectory of the industry has the potential to create an elitist only environment where only the affluent are willing and able to pay the price of showing.

What happens to the middle guy and newcomers when the cost of competing pushes them out of the game? They find another game to play. And what happens to the top when the bottom crumbles? Well, it’s a pretty obvious answer.

What isn’t obvious is how to fix the problems we see. Business is business and without a profit shows can’t continue. Exhibitors without show production experience may walk away thinking show management is raking in all that dough, but often, especially at the middle and smaller shows, management is barely in the black after paying expenses. The profit margin is slim after paying staff and facility fees, not to mention prizes or added money to entice exhibitors to attend. The industry desperately needs to discover how to create wealth within its ranks rather than causing all levels to expend wealth until they leave.

While we can’t fix all our problems, there is one thing we can each do to improve our industry. Stop labeling yourself and others and get unified behind the love of the horse. No matter your discipline, age, or level of experience, get out of your “tribe” and remove the divisiveness that keeps us struggling to find a unified voice that speaks for all areas of the horse industry.

ONE MORE THING

Take the American Horse Council Economic Impact Survey. Your voice matters so use it!

RESOURCES:

Langer Group: https://langer.group/

Hansen Dam Horse Park: https://hansendamhorsepark.com/

American Horse Council Economic Impact Survey: https://horsecouncil.org/economic-impact-study/

Production and marketing by ConsultMent.Agency

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THE SCORE: NRBC Go Rounds, and Score Spreads and the Level 4 Open

samedi 29 avril 2023 • Duration 01:21:40

A much awaited return of the NRBC, as it settled into its new roots in the great city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Join the hosts Brian and Jody as they analyze the L4 Open Reining and dive deep into the analytics. {Best viewed with a video experience as CowboyOffice.com, Youtube or Spotify}.

This episode is one for our data enthusiasts as we break down the spreads, whether the judges got it right or not, and answer the question of whether it seems better to show in the first or second go to make the finals. In this episode, Brian Dygert and Jody Brainard, bring their many years of expertise to explore:

All levels 1-4 in the Open Reining, and the scores to get back to the finals
The 244 go round entries, the median, max and average score spread
The 31 Level 4 Open finalists scores & their score spreads
How draw placement correlated to qualifying for the finals
The maneuver spread scores in both the go rounds and in the finals & what they mean
How often “bingo” appears - when all judges have the same scores & why it matters

What separates the good from the great at the horse show? Find out in Episode 17 of the Cowboy Office.

RESOURCES:

NRBC Website: https://nrbc.com/

NRBC Official Results: https://www.showmanager.info/Eventliste.aspx?turnierID=1316

Production and marketing by ConsultMent.Agency

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NRHA Finds Balance Amid Leadership Change

Season 16

mercredi 5 avril 2023 • Duration 01:28:12

Reining fans won’t want to miss this episode as we are joined by NRHA President, Mark Blake, and President-Elect, Mike Hancock. We’ll peek behind the gate to see what's happening in the sport of reining today and hear how they are planning for the future.

Cowboy is cool again thanks to the popularity of Yellowstone and innovative producers of The American Performance Horseman and The Run for a Million. Reining is poised to tap into the potential for continued growth and advancement if the leadership can maintain its balance through ever-changing terrain. The Cowboys and NRHA leadership ride through trails including NRHA Futurity & Derby, medications rules, officiating and much more.

The American Performance Horseman

Redefining the horse show event by interspersing reining, cutting, and cow horse with concerts from contemporary singers and bands.
18,000 tickets sold
Exposition vs competition
Producers entered their own horses, does it matter?
How a one horse, one rider event differs from competitions that allow one rider on multiple horses

Medications

How does the NRHA adopt a modified sedative rule for competition?

Takes effect June 1 (Derby will have in effect)
Stiffer penalties for violations
Romifidine - Board reviewing that decision

Member survey
Veterinarian input

Balancing rules that allow you to do what is best for horse with performance enhancement that creates an unfair advantage

Association Leadership

NRHA Commissioner, Gary Carpenter, retiring

The search begins for the next NRHA leader

Economy Concerns

Will the war in Ukraine impact the future of reining?
Changing economics in the US

Governance

Social License to Operate
Making the most of current excitement in the sport and prepare for potential dips in the future
Strategic planning meeting this summer

What we learned from COVID

Positive impact regarding slowing training down and longevity of show horses
Resilience of outdoor activities and cowboy mindset

Reining & International Competition

Partnering with international producers
Providing foundation by maintaining rules, oversight, technology record keeping

NRHA Futurity & Derby

Event management
NAAC and the NRHA Futurity

Growth

Membership remains steady
Entries up 22% from 2017 to 2022
Nominations hovered around 2500, this year over 3000

RESOURCES:

National Reining Horse Association: www.nrha.com

Production and marketing by ConsultMent.Agency

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Understand The Score: The Run For A Million Qualifier at the Cactus Reining Classic

Season 1 · Episode 15

vendredi 31 mars 2023 • Duration 01:32:45

(BEST VIEWED ON WEBSITE, YOUTUBE OR SPOTIFY) Scores, spreads and the judges perspective explained. A new 10 riders will slide in for their opportunity at one of the biggest paychecks in Reining history as the Cactus Reining Classic hosted the run for a million qualifier.

In this episode, Brian Dygert and Jody Brainard, bring their many years of reining judging and monitoring expertise to the arena. With an overview of statistics, score spreads, and the best runs from the competition, you will learn how to see these runs from the judges chair, better understand how Reining scoring works, and truly gain wisdom around what it means when you see scores spread across a single maneuver in this 5-judge system.

Brian and Jody analyze runs from prominent competitors, including the 2023 TRFAM qualifier winner. Gina Maria Schumacher on Gunnastepya, and other top 10 runs including Dany Tremblay on Tinker With Dreams, Trevor Dare on Spat Toy Boy Gun, Dan Huss on Whoz Joe Daddy, Jason Vanlandingham on Best Shine, & Mandy McCutcheon on Starlights Voodoo.

Don't worry, Brain and Jody add a few extra maneuvers to this episode's pattern as they share their take on things like a new leveling system based on horsepower and not rider earnings, and how to advance the NRHA's judges system.

RESOURCES:

Cactus Reining Classic: http://www.cactusreiningclassic.com

The Run for a Million: https://www.trfam.com

Production and marketing by ConsultMent.Agency

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It Takes a Team: Advancing the Horse Industry with Collegiate Programs

Season 1 · Episode 14

mardi 14 mars 2023 • Duration 01:20:56

Parents and high school students will want to check out this episode of Cowboy Office as Brian & Jody talk to Oklahoma State University Equestrian Team coaches Larry Sanchez & Laura Brainard. You might be surprised to learn that your riding skills aren’t the main focus of collegiate recruitment. Riding skill may catch their attention, but another characteristic may cost you a place on their team.

At the Cowboy Office Today:

Larry Sanchez

OSU Equestrian Team Head Coach since 1999
- 5 National Championships
- 8 Big 12 Conference Championships
Former coach at New Mexico State University
- 2 National Championships
AQHA Judge
ABRHA Judge

Laura Brainard

OSU Reining & Horsemanship Coach
Former coach at Baylor and Georgia
NRHA Judge

With OSU’s extensive win record, you might be tempted to think it’s all about winning. But the coaches know that winning at all costs today will take a toll on their team’s future. They focus on the “person over the player approach, because we believe, and we’re finding more and more that character drives the process, which ultimately drives the result.”

This is why they look at more than a rider’s skill on horseback when recruiting. They focus on character by watching how the prospective student interacts with coaches, parents, and fellow competitors. They also take a look at how they handle winning and losing; a bad attitude or disrespectful behavior raises a red flag for this experienced team of coaches.

Tips for parents of potential collegiate equestrians:

Keep records of income and expenses related to showing for NCAA compliance
Understand that college sports is different, you’ll need to trust the coach even if you don’t understand the “whys”
College recruitment can begin June 15 leading into their junior year
It’s not just riding, attitude and behavior impact recruitment

Interested in becoming a coach?

Student or volunteer coach for a year to see the whole picture
If possible, participate in the field as an athlete to better understand and see the process through their eyes
If coming from outside the collegiate industry, be prepared for a steep learning curve as you dive into NCAA regulations and learn how to coach a large team of equestrian athletes

RESOURCES:

Oklahoma State University: okstate.edu

Production and marketing by ConsultMent.Agency

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