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Horse-training competition comes to Durango

A two-day horse-training competition comes to the La Plata County Fairgrounds this weekend, pitting trainers against each other in a pressure-packed event.

Colt Starting Challenge USA gives trainers only a few hours over two days to train young horses for a showmanship competition.

Each trainer is matched with a horse via random draw. The colts have never been saddled nor bridled.

On Friday, trainers have two hours with the horses, followed by two 45-minute sessions Saturday.

“The funnest time of training horses is the first few days,” Victor Sundquist, a trainer from Olathe, said in a news release.

The event will be held 6-9 p.m. Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday.

Colt Starting Challenge USA was founded by Russell and Cristy Beatty.

“After the second session, we tear down the round pens, set up our obstacle course and the contestants ride their horse through the obstacle course,” Russell Beatty said. “The winner gets a buckle.”

The Durango event is one of a series of competitions that will culminate in the finale, set for Dec. 6-8 in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

cslothower@durangoherald.com



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