2020 Challenge of the Champions

Rick Badousek, 2020 Arizona Horseman’s Challenge Competitor Rick grew up on his family’s farm in Nebraska and was given his first horse when he was 6 years old. The day that Rick’s father handed the horse over to him set Rick on a lifelong quest to be the best horseman he could be. His passion for studying horsemanship led him to a three-day clinic Clinton Anderson, Downunder Horsemanship was teaching in Buckeye, Arizona in 2001. “I loved his technique and ended up buying all of his tools and videos and started practicing the Method right away on my horses. The results were immediate,” Rick says. Rick’s dedication to the Method caught Clinton’s attention, and it wasn’t long before he asked Rick to join his road team, helping him put on clinics and tours around the country. Although Rick worked for the military fulltime, along with joining Downunder Horsemanship on the road, he also began training horses for the public and teaching lessons. “The Method works. That's why I use it and I train others to use it,” When Rick retired from the military after 32 years of service, he decided to turn his passion for horses into a second career. “Clinton Anderson is the best in the world at what he does, and I believe in the Method, so there was only one place to go to get the education and certification I wanted,” he says. As a Method Ambassador, Rick trains horses for the public and teaches lessons and clinics. “I enjoy helping people. If I can help others overcome problems they’re having with their horses, it makes me feel good at the end of the day,” Rick says. “The Method is easy to follow. By the time you finish the Fundamentals level, you have a safe, respectful horse. There’s nothing better than having confidence with your horse and enjoying the time you spend with him. Sharing that sense of accomplishment with others is rewarding.” Contact Information: Rick Badousek 480-628-6710 Karen Badousek 480- 980-6538

Jessica Forliano, 2020 Az. Horseman’s Challenge Competitor Jessica has been privileged to be a part of the equine industry from a young age. She began taking lessons from a Western Pleasure trainer in Bucks County, PA at the age of nine. After just a year, the English saddle was her ride of choice as she began riding English Pleasure and sooner yet hunters and jumpers. In her teens, Jessica's talents were noticed, and her trainers began giving her the tougher problem-horses to work with and show in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Show circuits. It was soon realized that Jessica had a good understanding of training horses and she knew this was the career she wanted to pursue. After graduating from Lycoming College in 1999 with a B.A. in Marketing and Communications, Jessica continued working at equine facilities and showed on the East coast; Devon, Fairfield, etc. She then bought her most important teacher, Jedi, a 2002 TB/Hanoverian gelding by Viscount out of Leah and trained him from the ground up with the help of mentor J.R. Rosenburger, a John Lyons Certified Trainer. During the training process, Jessica learned how vital the relationship between horse and person is and she carries that with her to this day. She was also privileged to learn from hunter/jumper trainers in PA, NJ, MT and CO. In the fall of 2005, Jessica's hard work paid off; she and Jedi earned USEF Zone 2 Horse of the Year 5th, a USEF National Ranking and PHSA Horse of the year in Divisional competition. That same year, Jessica and her mentor, J.R. Rosenburger, agreed that applying to the John Lyons Certification Program was the best way to learn about training horses "the right way". In 2006, Jessica successfully completed the John Lyons Certification Program in Parachute, Colorado. In February 2007, she moved to Cody, Wyoming In Cody, Jessica settled at her 12-acre ranch and began training horses and mules for clients throughout the west. She drew clients from Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Washington, California, Montana, and Pennsylvania. While in Cody, Jessica trained, started and problem solved for Reining horses, Cutting horses, Barrel Horses, Hunters, Eventers, Dressage Horses and performance and trail mules. Likewise, she also helped run an established breeding program, Diamond Creek Mules, which had previously earned the North American Saddle Mule Association Leading Breeder Award as well as stand Diamond Creek Major, 3-tme National Western Stock Show Best of Show Champion. The west won Jessica's heart, however, her family still resides in Bucks County, PA. Jessica returned home in June of 2013 and began offering her services to clients here on the East Coast. Since returning to PA, Jessica continues to work with a variety of horses and clients from all walks of life. Her barn is in New Hope, PA, Forliano Farm at Quarry Valley. Jessica currently services amateur and professional riders, trainers and breeders; from starting horses and problem solving to horse behavior. Through the many changes in Jessica's life and career, she continues to use what her late gelding Jedi, her mentor JR, and her teachers John & Josh Lyons have taught her. Patience is the key to success. Contact Information: 307-899-5572 www.forlianofarm.com

Jamie Gilt, 2020 Arizona Horseman’s Challenge Competitor I was born and raised in Florida and come from the horse business on both sides of my family. My mother was a professional barrel racer, my father a Pro-Rodeo stock contractor, and my stepfather was both a rodeo cowboy and ran a successful colt starting business in North Florida. I began learning to work with young horses at a very young age and started my first colt alone when I was 12. I would have to say that starting colts truly is my passion. Every day I strive to become a better person and horsewoman for these horses. It is my goal to set them up for success in any direction that they may be going. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some great horsemen in the past and continue to do so as much as I can today. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been all over the east coast competing in colt starting challenges in Florida, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Alabama and am very excited to be adding Arizona to that list! Contact Information: FB Jamie Gilt Jamie.gilt@gmail.com

Jesse Miller, 2020 Az. Horseman’s Challenge Competitor Jesse Miller was born and raised in Winkelman, AZ. At a young age he could be found at the local ropings working the stripping chute and developing an interest in horses. This led to his start in learning how to rope as the years went on. Most recently Jesse started training mustangs and has been for the past 2 years. He is currently training horses out of Florence, AZ. Jesse plans on continuing his education in horses through making all around ranch horses and diving into the world of reining horses. This is Jesse’s first year competing at the Arizona Horseman’s Challenge and he is elated to be a part of such a great event. Contact Information: 480-249-5299 email: millerjesse888@gmail.com

Fausto Navarro, 2020 Az. Horseman’s Challenge Competitor Hello, my name is Fausto Navarro, I was born in Costa Rica. I grew up with my dad who trained horses and worked cows. Since I was a child, I preferred to spend my free time with horses rather than playing soccer like others my age. I consider my father my mentor because he was the one who taught me about being a horseman and gave me the time to develop my own methods of “natural horsemanship”. I started training horses when I was fifteen years old for different people of the community. After some time, I realized that the major problem was not the diverse kinds of horses but their owners, that is the reason why I started working with horses and their owners. I love to help horses whose owners have problems. I believe that the best method is not only working with the horse with patience, but also to try to understand their mentality. To become successful, we must become their friend, be their partner and allow them to trust us. For me horses are a gift from God, and we should love them like they were our own sons and daughters, exactly how you love your child. At the age of 28, I decided to leave my homeland and come to the United States, this was an opportunity that God provided, and I am beyond grateful. Life circumstances separated me from horses for about 14 years, but I met a person who invited me to their farm, and to my surprise they had horses. That started me back on the path of horse training. I have attended different events and have been asked to participate in events such as: Extreme Mustang Makeover, Colt Starting Challenge USA, Virginia Horse Expo, Kentucky Mustang Trainers Challenge. I have received numerous championships from these events. I have been priviledged to train horses in many states, from New York to Hawaii. Every event has expanded my knowledge more and I cannot wait to see where my next challenge will be. Contact Information: 201-954-4522 faustonavarro46@gmail.com