NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/654753
APRIL 2016 • NEBRASKAland 37 rider, a novice learns it all within only two hours. Lanky, mild-mannered trainer, Clayton Schlenger, said rest is a horse's best reward. "I like to let them almost fall asleep in there so they think it's easy," he said. Though a horse occasionally goes ballistic, said Schlenger, "Once I get on top they realize it isn't that big of a deal." Arena riding quickly follows, and soon Schlenger and beginner are out riding the hills. "I like to make their first day a big one," he said. Trainees are set loose with the herd after their epic day to be left alone for another year when ranch training will begin. During ranch training, individual quirks are exposed and trainers alter horses' behaviors accordingly. "Every horse is different," Schlenger said. "Some are afraid of the rope. Heck, some are afraid of cattle!" What is the best part of a horse's day? "Sleepin'!" he said. "The point when you're done riding them." All colts and fillies get the basics in ranch work, but those displaying superior abilities or eagerness to work will move on to specialty rodeo training. Pitzer offspring owners have the chance to show what their horses are made of every year at the Pitzer Horse Ranch Invitational. Every September, seventy-some horses and their owners come from around the U.S. to compete in a series of diverse events. Most are standard rodeo speed events, but the biggest spectacle is the Ranch Trail Course. Like a back-country steeplechase mixed with ranch tasks, the course is designed to test the physical and mental limits of horse and rider. As horses arrive by trailer in the early morning mist, they call out to each other. Whinnying at full throat is not just heard, it's felt. Deep chests Clayton Schlenger leads new horses through a calm and loving training sequence with much petting in between. Two-year-old novices progress from never being saddled to riding in the pastures all within one day.