In the clutch, the mark of a good horseman often boils down to his or her ability to see the world from the horse’s perspective, and ride accordingly. Nowhere is this skill so relevant than during the timed, judged event known as the “Extreme Cowboy Race®,” hosted by Craig Cameron. When the contestant and horse arrive at the starting line, the rider might see piles of logs, mounds of dirt, improbable contraptions of found objects.  The horse sees nonsense, and sometimes pretty spooky nonsense at that.

At the Vail/Eagle Valley Rocky Mountain Horse Expo May 30-June 1, the Extreme Race is run in a pleasant pasture along side the rushing Eagle River. But make no mistake: the benign, grassy field is home to a collection of obstacles tough enough to test the wits and “horse sense” of the most seasoned horseman. On top of the obvious challenges, at any random moment, a boat filled with screaming rafters can tumble right past a rider urging his or her horse through the thick brush along the bank. It’s all in a day’s ride for the contestants, though, part of the test—and the fun—of the Extreme Cowboy Race®. And if there’s a little showmanship thrown in, so much the better.

The concept of the Extreme Cowboy Race® is designed to push horse and rider out of their traditional comfort zone, and also to test the communication and horsemanship of each team. Judges award points based on five criteria: horsemanship, cadence, control, horse's attitude, and overall execution. Speed is the sixth element—each obstacle carries its own time limit. The pressure for perfection is on.

Craig Cameron critiques each contestant’s ride, offering running commentary that improves the rider and educates the audience at the same time. “Watching the race,” one visitor at the 2007 event said, “is like getting a private tutorial from Craig.” (To enter the Extreme Cowboy Race, call Dalene Cameron at (800) 274-0077 or (602) 684-9252.)

At the Vail/Eagle Valley Rocky Mountain Horse Expo, Craig will also present two arena sessions daily, sharing insights developed over almost 25 years as a trainer and clinician. A native Texan, Craig Cameron is on the road more than 44 weeks a year, dedicating himself to “those who educate their horses by first educating themselves.”

Craig Cameron’s brand of horsemanship is good for riders of any breed. And speaking of that, a variety of breeds, stallions and mares will be on view in two presentations each day at the Horse Expo. RMHE Director Brian Kitchen points out the advantages of showing horses this way: “Where can breeders and horse groups get such effective public exposure as they get in front of the crowds at our events? Whether horse enthusiasts are buying, selling, looking to get involved in a new pursuit, or just admiring, they will find what they’re looking for at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo.”

For information and schedules, breed/stallion/mare packages and stalling contracts, visit RockyMountainHorseExpo.com or call (303) 292-4981.