The winner of the 2022 SEFHA Colt Starting Challenge is Jamie Gilt! Congratulations! I think we all sat at the edge of our seats waiting for the winner announcement. It was so close. Many thanks to Bryce Burnett and alternate, Matthew Flood for competing.
2022 SEFHA COLT STARTING CHALLENGE COMPETITORS
My name is Bryce Burnett and I am originally from Utah but currently live in Florida.
I was not raised around horses but got a job cleaning stalls when I was 13. I wanted to ride horses so bad that I would get on any horse they had around, which were mainly the green horses who had a tendency to buck.
A trainer noticed me and took me under his wing. He eventually hired me to start putting the first ride on his colts.
Starting colts ended up into rodeoing. Getting hungry from having no money led me to learn how to shoe horses for a living. I also started guiding elk hunts out West and cowboying all over.
I eventually settled in Central Florida cow country, where I am currently located.
I was not raised around horses but got a job cleaning stalls when I was 13. I wanted to ride horses so bad that I would get on any horse they had around, which were mainly the green horses who had a tendency to buck.
A trainer noticed me and took me under his wing. He eventually hired me to start putting the first ride on his colts.
Starting colts ended up into rodeoing. Getting hungry from having no money led me to learn how to shoe horses for a living. I also started guiding elk hunts out West and cowboying all over.
I eventually settled in Central Florida cow country, where I am currently located.
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Raised by trainers, Jamie Gilt has been starting colts and helping problem horses since a very young age. While being taught a rather harsh way of doing things as a child, she has always strived to take a much quieter approach in her ways and has developed a softness and feel over time that truly shows in her horsemanship.
In this male dominated profession, Jamie has been successful and gained respect among her peers. She has spent time working with several great horsemen and continues to do so as much as possible to farther advance her ability. Jamie now owns and operates Elevate Horsemanship, while training horses, teaching private lessons, and conducting clinics all over. In her horsemanship clinics, Jamie helps her students to become confident leaders, and in return, create better partnerships with their horses. “It is truly an honor to be invited to compete in the 2022 SEFHA Colt Starting Challenge. I am extremely proud to be a part of an event that seeks out and awards good horsemanship, as that is what I am so passionate about. I look forward to sharing what I know and helping to get one of these colts started in the right direction.” Jamie Gilt |
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2022 SEFHA COLT STARTING JUDGES
SHANNON STONE is an associate instructor at Averett University’s Equestrian Facility, instructing a variety of foundational riding, theory, and management courses. She is also the co-coach for Averett’s Intercollegiate Dressage Association team. Her philosophy for both riding and teaching centers around strong foundations and correct basics. Shannon is a USDF Bronze Medalist and was a member of Averett’s IDA team from 2010-14 and represented the school in National competition in three of her four seasons. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Equestrian Studies with a concentration in Management from Averett University in 2014, and her master’s degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sport Psychology from Ithaca College in 2018.
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LIZBETH NAUTA:
My mother has told me that I ran away from home at 4 years of age, to escape to the nearest farm in the neighborhood and visit their horse. I don’t really remember that incident, but I do remember jumping on local farm horses without any bridle or saddle just to sit on them. I guess you could call it unusual since nobody in my family ever had horses or even really took any interest in horses, and so you could call me “horse-crazy.” I didn’t have my own horse until after college, but my first paycheck helped purchase my first horse, a rogue Morgan that was taking advantage of everyone around him. He was my first project and first teacher. I had no money but tons of time. Within the first year I was competing him and trained him to drive. At the time (early 1980s) I used mostly what is now termed “natural horsemanship” methods, patience, and exposure, often hours per day at his side. Since then there have been many horses and ponies that I have started, restarted or trained for specific events. During the last 40 years I’ve studied with some of the best; Jimmy Wofford, Lucinda Green, Phillip Dutton, Buck Brannaman and Richard Shrake. I’ve competed sidesaddle, western pleasure, carriage driving (CDE), jumping, eventing, dressage and competitive trail. All these rely on the relationship you develop with your horse. I hold a USDF Bronze Medal and a USDF Master’s Challenge award and evented through Preliminary level. I have taught children and adults, both driving and riding, and currently have just started a 3 yr. old KWPN filly. It will be up to her to tell me how she would like to compete, but at this time she seems very much to enjoy trail riding through the woods. I hope the Colt Starting Challenge is successful in helping people understand their horse, what your horse is capable of, and what you can learn when you listen to your horse. |
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JACOB CORWIN:
I feel truly blessed to have spent the last 14 years making a living on horseback. God has allowed me to work with and study under incredible hands who learned from top horseman such as Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman. I’ve started quite a few colts of many different breeds, worked with my share of troubled horses, and made one or two really nice ones along the way. In the spring of 2021, I transitioned from commercial ranching to working with the National Center for Healthy Veterans in Altavista, VA – assisting them in developing their equine and cattle programs to help return healthy veterans to America. I train out of the beautiful facilities there at Valor Farm (formerly River Bend Farms), and provide custom cattle services and pasture finished beef through my LLC – 3C Horse and Cattle Company. I’m beyond blessed to be married to my beautiful wife Rachel who is going on 9 years teaching English at Chatham High School. We have one fantastic son named Levi and we are excited to be raising him on the Watson property here in Chatham where we are doing our best to carry on the legacy of equine excellence and community involvement left by Ms. Betty. |
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EMMA LANE, the Head Judge, is a USEF professional and USHJA certified trainer. She has a Bachelors in Biology from Hollins University, a Masters in Equine Management from Midway University, and is currently working towards her USEF judges card in Hunters, Jumpers, and Equitation. She currently is the Barn Manager and Riding Instructor at Chatham Hall, where she also takes an active role in daily student life as an academic advisor. Emma is extremely passionate about equine welfare, biomechanics, nutrition, and equitation. She recently completed her Masters thesis, The Ethical Influence of the Rider, and hopes to continue her research concerning rider impacts on horse welfare into doctorate level research. Emma is an avid rider, having competed at the national level in hunters, jumpers, and equitation at various levels. Lately she has taken on younger and more challenging project horses of her own; always looking to expand her knowledge and experience when it comes to working with horses. She believes that in every situation there is an opportunity to learn and hopes that she never stops learning in the horse industry.
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ATTENTION VENDORS!
Interested in being a vendor for our SEFHA Colt Starting Competition? The application is on our website. Go to "2022 Colt Starting Challenge" page and go to the Vendor category. The application link is available.
Interested in being a vendor for our SEFHA Colt Starting Competition? The application is on our website. Go to "2022 Colt Starting Challenge" page and go to the Vendor category. The application link is available.
CALLING ALL SPONSORS!
One of the best things that makes our SEFHA Colt Starting Challenge a success is our sponsors. We really couldn't do much without them. If you would like to be a sponsor for our 2022 Colt Starting Challenge, please download this form. You can email it to sefha1@gmail.com
One of the best things that makes our SEFHA Colt Starting Challenge a success is our sponsors. We really couldn't do much without them. If you would like to be a sponsor for our 2022 Colt Starting Challenge, please download this form. You can email it to sefha1@gmail.com
2021 SEFHA Colt Starting Challenge Winner
The 2021 winner is Cliff Schadt! Congratulations Cliff! And congratulations to Elizabeth Roten for winning the Fan Favorite of the Challenge. Many thanks to Tristan Baroni. He put on quite a show! Thank you to all the trainers for their participation and sportsmanship.
We also want to thank our sponsors, Milda Minter of Heritage Farm who brought her horses for us to use. A big thank you to Chatham Hall for allowing us to host our event at their facility. And also thank you to our SEFHA volunteers to worked hard to make this event happen.
The 2021 winner is Cliff Schadt! Congratulations Cliff! And congratulations to Elizabeth Roten for winning the Fan Favorite of the Challenge. Many thanks to Tristan Baroni. He put on quite a show! Thank you to all the trainers for their participation and sportsmanship.
We also want to thank our sponsors, Milda Minter of Heritage Farm who brought her horses for us to use. A big thank you to Chatham Hall for allowing us to host our event at their facility. And also thank you to our SEFHA volunteers to worked hard to make this event happen.
2021 St Jude Saddle Up Fund Raiser:
Wow! Ridge Wren stepped it up again this year and raised $2111.00 for St. Jude Children's Hospital! How amazing!
Wow! Ridge Wren stepped it up again this year and raised $2111.00 for St. Jude Children's Hospital! How amazing!
