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I started ridding horses because I loved horses. I have ridden most breeds and many "grade" horses - "mutts" and believe that if a horse has a good mind and sound conformation that horse is well suited to somebody's needs and enjoyment. I have ridden enough horses to realize that horses are like people in that each one is different but most will respond well to any one they trust. I started out on "rough stock," the first horse I broke threw me so often that I would only ride him with a motorcycle helmet on. Over the years I have learned better ways to deal with most problems. And that is the knowledge and experiences that I try to pass to the readers of this forum. If a question is ask that I don't feel qualified to answer I research the answer and get help from others. I have degrees in Math Education and Law. I am currently a practicing attorney in Northwest Arkansas and I do still ride a limited number of outside horses. In the past few years I have trained and shown several winners of both performance and model classes at AVA. I have been a licensed MFTHBA Judge for several years and have had the honor of being asked to serve on the panel of judges for several shows including both Mid-America shows in 1997 as well as the first National Breeders Cup show. I have served on the board of Mid-America. The accomplishment that I am most proud of, in our breed, is helping with the video currently on sale by the National Association of Breeders, showing the correct gaits of the Mo Foxtrotter and comparing those correct gaits to the most common mutations being shown in our breed. I thank you for all your kind words and hope to continue to serve you, keep your trust, and share information with you for the good of our entire breed. Thank You, Rick Watson |
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The reason I started this forum was
because I believe that the biggest problem we as a breed
have is the lack of information, and misinformation. I
feel good information should be made available to anyone
wishing to have it. This is the way for our breed to have
true growth. We have the best horse in the world and one
of the most versatile. Our horse is diagonal and can
compete with other diagonal horses in reining, team
penning, and endurance events. AND at the same time we
have a gaited breed so we can compete for the trail
ridding enthusiast as well as the show horse lovers. Even
our biggest shows CAN be won on horses that have been
trained and ridden without inhumane gimmicks or
techniques. For all of these reasons and others I believe
if the owners of our horse have a reliable knowledge base
to turn to when they have questions, we as a breed will
continue to have explosive growth.
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