2019 Challenge of the Champions

Jeff Cook, 2019 Arizona Horseman’s Challenge Competitor Jeff Cook grew up in Colorado working on ranches and training horses from a young age. Jeff rodeoed through college and showed Paint and Quarter horses at the highest levels. Since then, Jeff has found his niche training wild mustangs and teaching riders at his place in Tucson Arizona. Jeff has competed in five Extreme Mustang Makeovers including being invited to compete at Mustang Magic in Ft. Worth twice. Jeff has been top ten twice, reserve champion, fan favorite, senior division champion and reserve champion senior. His horses have sold for record breaking prices at these events. Jeff and his wife Kelsey own Dream Horse Az in Tucson and can be reached through their website dreamhorseaz.com or Dream Horse Az on Facebook Contact Information: www.Dreamhorseaz.com Facebook: Dream Horse Az

Regina “Regi” Richter, 2019 Arizona Horseman’s Challenge Competitor I, Regina (Regi) Richter was born and raised in Germany. My father was an avid horseman and my first instructor who taught me about natural horsemanship long before it was popularized. I spent my entire childhood and most of my teenage life in the barn with our horses practicing and perfecting my natural horsemanship talents. I started my first mare under saddle when I was 12 years old and at the age of 16, I began to accept outside training horses and giving riding lessons. I studied law in Germany and practiced in Germany & Switzerland for 10 years as a criminal defense & a business lawyer and also taught law at several Colleges abroad. In 2012 I decided to change my life and follow my heart- so I left Germany and my lucrative career heading for Tombstone Arizona to train horses again. My greatest asset for my students is my undying passion for horses and natural horsemanship. I moved to Arizona and started helping horse owners to better understand their horses to build trust and confidence so that both parties are able to enjoy each other’s presence and work together as a team. My three greatest equine passions are colt starting, problem solving, and Eventing. I was a 2016, 2017 Mustang Makeover Competitor and compete at Eventing and Jumping Shows with my 2017 Mustang Makeover Mustang Madame Millie. I love to work with mustangs and so called “problem” horses because they give you so much in return when you get through to them. To see the relief and joy in their eyes when somebody finally understands them is priceless. To help the horse owners establish a bond of trust with their horses and to witness them both grow together as a team is amazing. My background as a lawyer/ teacher helps me during the training and under pressure. My Dad taught me how to read horses, being a lawyer told me how to read people and being a teacher told me how to explain things in a way that they can be understood, practiced, and applied. During my years as a rider, trainer and instructor I began to realize that mental and physical balance play an important role in a successful partnership between humans and their equine partner. In order to truly understand physical balance, I started to take equine Anatomy classes and did a lot of home study. Since January 2018 I am a certified equine Massage Therapist. The knowledge of the muscles, their particular “job” and their influence on the equine performance, helps me to target problem areas which results in better performance. Contact Information: 520-559-0464

Cliff Schadt Jr., Professional Horseman, Clinician Born and raised in the farmland of eastern Long Island, Cliff’s earliest memories are of horses, “they’ve always been a part of my life and at some point, the lines between life and horses just seemed to merge”. As a second-generation horseman in his family, Cliff has made a lifelong career with horses. He knew as young as 4 years of age that he wanted to be a cowboy, this passion drove Cliff to make the decision to home school his last two years of high school in order to head west and further his education both with horses and ranching. Over the next fifteen years Cliff made his way throughout the west cowboying in Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Texas, Missouri and Florida. It was on this journey that Cliff met and worked with many great cowboys and horseman from which he took the many lessons they shared and used them to hone his craft and style of horsemanship. Cliff’s approach to horsemanship is based on leadership, empathy and common sense; his goal with each horse regardless of breed or discipline is for the horse to possess self-carriage, balance, collection and confidence. Cliff believes that by developing the mind as well as the body, one can create a willing partnership, this all begins with trust through leadership. Currently, Cliff Schadt is co-owner of Alamar Equine along with legendary Grand Prix jumper rider Candice King. This unique mix of western principles and tradition coupled with modern showjumping makes for a program capable of taking a young house from its first ride to attaining success at the top of the showjumping sport. Besides developing young jumpers, Cliff has a busy clinic schedule as well as developing and showing Cowhorses. In Cliff’s own words he sums up his life long career and passion for horses “I’m truly blessed to be able to wake up every day and make a living doing what I love, for all I do for horses they give back to me tenfold”.

Eric Parmer, 2019 Az. Horseman’s Challenge Competitor I was born and raised on a family farm in Southern Iowa. Some of my first memories from a child are being around mules and horses. As a teenager I started taking horses and mules in to ride and I broke a horse in exchange for my first truck. For the next 15 years I raised mules, sold colts, trained several mules and horses, then decided to move to Arizona four years ago in search of better weather. Upon arriving to Arizona, I realized this is great country for mules, and the mules that were here generally were lesser quality that what I was used to in Iowa. It became a personal mission for me to improve the mules, and the perception of mules here. Since being here I have established a quality breeding and training program located in Aguila, Az and have focused on having high-quality all-around mules that can go on the toughest hunting trips or take your kid the parade on the weekend. My focus is strongly on foundation work and establishing basic communication and respect, so they can go in any direction and be trainable to any discipline. I work to achieve a soft, correct, willing animal. Contact Information: eric50275@hotmail.com or FB https://www.facebook.com/eric.parmer.16

Brandy Stevenson, 2019 Arizona Horseman’s Challenge Competitor Brandy was born and raised in the last frontier: Alaska. Hard work and self-sufficiency were not just values, but a way of life. Her parents, Bill and Kelly, operate a tourist business at the Matanuska Glacier. Her younger years were spent helping with the family business and playing hockey. Brandy graduated valedictorian of her senior class. She played hockey internationally culminating in her team wining the Arctic Winter Games. Surrounded by horses her whole life it wasn't until a horse named Briscoe that her journey with horsemanship began. Bucked off, bit, and dragged Brandy started attending clinics with the big, thoroughbred gelding. As her knowledge grew so did her passion for horses. This lead her to pursue a job with 4-time Road to the Horse world champion Chris Cox. Brandy was selected from hundreds of applicants to travel to Texas with 10 other candidates to battle for an apprenticeship with the renowned horseman. After 4 years of dedication and hard work Brandy is the only person to have ever graduated from Chris's apprenticeship program. She is a Chris Cox certified instructor. She now travels the country sharing her knowledge of horsemanship.