Monte Luke Wedel - Al Dunning 2012

AL DUNNING
Since 1970, Al Dunning has owned and operated Almosta Ranch, a Quarter Horse training facility in Scottsdale, Arizona.

In 2005, Al recieved the "Spirit of Community Award" from the Scottsdale Charros for his contribution to an innovative horse program for children called "Horsesense". Through out the years, Al has recieved many awards, including the following:

• 2004 - Monty Roberts Equitarian Award.
• 2003 - Zane Schulte NCHA Trainer of the Year Award
• 1996 - American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horseman of the Year.

Al Dunning and his students have garnered 21 World titles, including 9 AQHA World champions, 9 AQHA Reserve World Champions, 7 AQHA Amateur World Titles, 500 Arizona Year End champions, 3 AJQHA World Champions, and 11 All-American Congress Winners. Al also placed in the 2001 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman contest.

In addition, Al has won the 1980 NRHA Open World Championship and non pro Matt Kimes won the 1996NRHA Derby Non Pro Championship. In 1984 he won the Tropicana Cutting Futurity Championship, 1986 PCCHA Derby Championship, 1988 Las Vegas Classic/Challenge Championship, 1991 NCHA World Champion Open Gelding, 2002 NRCHA Open Bridle Horse Champion at the S.B.F., and many other major show championships.

Al Dunning has served as a leader for the local and national horse industry for over 30 years. He is one of the founding members of the Arizona Quarter Horse Youth Association and Charter President, and was a youth advisor for 10 years.

Al has been on the Board of Directors since 1975, he was Chairman of the Drug committee, and has served as President of the AZQHA. Al also served on the USET formation committee for Reining as an Olympic sport.

With the AQHA, Al is a Director at Large, served on the Show Committee for 17 years. He has served as Chairman of the Show Committee from 1997-99, Western Sub-Committee Chairman, served on the Hall of Fame Committee, and Nomination Credentials Committee. Al was President of the Arizona Cutting Horse Association. He has also served on Nominations, Limited Age Events and Rules Committees of the National Cutting Horse Association, and was National Director for the NCHA. Al served on the American Horse Show Association Stock Seat Committee for 5 years.

Currently he serves on the National Reined Cow Horse Association and AQHA judges committee. 

 

KEN MCNABB A true blue American cowboy with a boyish enthusiasm for life and strong family values, Ken McNabb grew up in a traditional ranching family in the mountains of Wyoming . This modern day Roy Rogers knew from a young age that he wanted to help others. As a boy he was unsure of how he would achieve this, but it became crystal clear when he was 16 years old. Sitting in the audience at a horsemanship clinic, he knew within the first fifteen minutes that horsemanship and teaching was his calling. Since then he has been changing people's lives through his weekly television show, instruction of clinics nationwide and special appearances at large expos. He still carries with him the passion and conviction he had as a young boy. Living his life on horseback has proven to be the ultimate way for McNabb to reach out to people and their horses. Ken creates a unique environment where each horse is trained using gentle methods and the rider is coached to become their personal best. Ken's faith in Christ, along with his commitment to strong family values and patriotism, help make him the kind of speaker/trainer people enjoy. In 2007, Ken competed in and won the Colt Starting Challenge

NEIL BADCOCK

Standalone Farms is a top level equestrian facility in King City, Ontario.

About Neil Badcock

As a young competitor, Neil started in Pony club, diligently working his way up through “A” level, receiving the Governor General’s Award. As his career progressed, Neil trained with Olympic gold medallist Jim Elder, Ian Miller, Ann Kursinski and Mark Todd allowing him to climb the ranks to become a serious contender in both provincial and National competition. Like other talented professionals, Neil enjoys competing at the Grand Prix level. He has a reputation for improving experienced horses as well as successfully developing young, talented jumpers into Grand Prix show jumpers. His continued success is a direct result of combining his love for the sport and the horse with natural talent, focus and determination.

Neil operates out of Standalone Farms which prides itself on the progress and success of its riders, in addition the physical and mental wellbeing of the horses themselves. Standalone’s loyal team of talented practitioners have played a vital role enabling Neil to gain a profound knowledge base to support his teaching strategies including; acupuncture practices, chiropractic techniques, dental management and shoeing strategies. This knowledge allows Neil to be an effective rider, trainer and detail oriented horseman. Qualities like this make him an excellent candidate for working with young prospects, difficult or unruly horses, as well as experienced show horses, helping every horse rider combination reach their true potential. In Neil’s program horses learn to trust and respect the rider, a philosophy that helps build positive horse rider relationships that develop into successful competition teams.

Neil’s broad client base sees success ranging from emerging riders competing in provincially ranked competitions across Ontario, to students competing in FEI sanctioned Grand Prix classes at the National and International level. His teaching style is customized for each horse rider combination and helps them to develop at their own pace and to their full potential. This ensures that each horse has a program specifically tailored to achieve the goals of the rider. By constantly engaging his clients to review their progress toward these goals, he ensures that they stay on track for success. 

Top Quality Horse Boarding. Safe, Sound, Secure.


Becky Biswell on Kitty - 2012

Dean Smith Cutting Horse

Clint Mortenson

Silversmith, artist, and horseman,  Clint Mortenson grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota where his father, a horse trainer, and his mother, an artist, encouraged the development of his talents at a young age.  His travels have taken him to Hollywood, where he managed a custom leather goods store while training horses and giving riding lessons at Will Rogers Ranch in Pacific Palisades.  From there, he went to Disneyland Paris to perform in "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show" and began making saddles and other tack for the show.  After returning to the states, he settled in South Dakota for a while before moving his business to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Mortenson's Silver and Saddles creates custom, handmade leather goods and silver.  Clint combines his artistic talents with his horseman's experience to create equipment and tack that is a functioning work of art.  The gear produced at Mortenson's Silver and Saddles is for everyone from the weekend rider, ranch cowboy, mounted-shooting enthusiast, trainer, showman, and collector.