The show is what all the work leads towards.  Every session in the round pen, learning the turn-around and perfecting the stop is part of the development process that produces a top level competitive reined cow horse.  

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Showing is a performance event, requiring a different set of skills and approach than the day to day training that gets you there.  It must be polished and professional.  Your tack must fit and work for the horse you are showing.  The horse must be used to the equipment.  And they must be prepared for the new environment at the show.  With indoor portable stalls, lots of other horses everywhere and people making noise, it's a lot to take in.  Horses can take a few shows to become comfortable with the experience.

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The trainer must know the rules and understand what the judge sees.  He needs to study previous runs and scores and understand where things can so easily go wrong.  But most importantly, the rider must have that 'show presence' and calmness to impress the judge without spooking the horse. 

Many of us do fairly well when practicing at home, but as we enter the ring, it seems we lose the ability to use any brain power at all.  It is seriously a skill you have to learn, to make your mind and body be calm and still, focused on the desired result, so that your horse is calm and ready to work.  Even the best trainers occasionally miss a beat and are penalized for over spinning, but for the professionals, it happens rarely.  And they quickly learn to never allow that again.

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Massimo is a performer.  He works the details but is always thinking about the judge's view.  He doesn't freeze up or forget to breathe.  He must have ironed out all those common issues years ago.  He is calm, focussed and 'in the zone' in the moments before the run.  And he is 'ON' the second the gate opens.  Watch him show.  Ask him about his process.  I know you'll be impressed by what this young man can offer you and your horse in the show pen where it really matters.

Your horse is special to you.  Maybe he's one of the really talented ones.  Have you considered what a professional could do with her?  The trainer would need time to get to know the horse, to tune them up and then prepare for the stress and unfamiliarity of a show. Once they've been to a couple shows, you'll have a good idea of their potential and whether they are good enough to go to bigger shows to win.

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Turning your horse over to a trainer is stressful.  We get it.  You will be welcome to visit and check in on them anytime.  Stay up to date on their progress and be a fundamental part of planning their show schedule.  You can choose your level of involvement - from a single local show to a series of big shows in Alberta and the USA - if they have the talent.  There's no way to tell unless you give them a shot.

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Not all trainers have what it takes to do it all in the cow horse discipline.  It takes a lot of talent, dedication and natural feel to start horses from the beginning and follow them as they develop into top level competitive cow horses.  The trainer must know when to push for more and when to let them rest and think.  It's a delicate balance and every horse is different.

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Massimo has done it!  You can watch the videos and meet the horses.  Our own Purdy Bossy had been started before we purchased him.  Massimo took him from the basics and taught him the finer points to prepare him to show. It's been a lot of hours in the arena, the cow pen and just hanging out together.

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Boss has been showing since the beginning of his futurity year and is a very reliable, consistent mount.  From Ponoka and Claresholm to Fort Worth and Las Vegas, he competes strongly with the best in his age group and always shows well.  He is a talented horse, no doubt, but Massimo has a great working relationship with him.  They enjoy each other and are always happy to train together.  I can't imagine anyone else taking him to the show ring.

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Massimo's own Stone Cold Kitty was unhandled when she arrived.  I thought she was going to be wild!  But it didn't take Massimo long to get her in the program and adjust things to work for her.  She's a very different personality than Boss and insists on a lighter touch and fewer repetitions.  She has done well showing from her futurity year on and is a lovely horse to take around the arena for a little ride.  Massimo has shown her at home and at the big American shows.  His easy approach puts her at ease and allows her to perform no matter where they are.

Trucking Luna Picasso was born right on the ranch, from our own stock and has learned everything she knows from Massimo.  We didn't always know she would be great.  In fact, I'm sure there were a number of times that we were both convinced she was just too busy minded to make it.  From silly antics in the stall to raucous play while waiting tied at the arena, she's provided plenty of challenge.  I think we were both a little surprised at her success in her first big show, the futurity in Saskatoon.  She acted as if she'd been showing in big events her whole life.  Her success has been a very pleasant surprise, but it reinforces for me that Massimo can find a way to get the horse aligned with our showing goals and performing even better than we knew possible.

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