Craig Cameron's Extreme Cowboy Race Returned
to the 2008 Equine Affaire!

WHAT IS THE EXTREME COWBOY RACE™?
Craig Cameron not only presente clinics at the 2008 Equine Affaire in Columbus, OH, but he also conducted his Extreme Cowboy Race on Saturday and Sunday at the event. The Extreme Cowboy Race—as seen on RFD-TV— is a timed and judged race through an obstacle course that is designed not only to push horse and rider teams out of their traditional “comfort zones,” but also to test communication between horse and rider and the horsemanship skills and athletic abilities of each competitor. Spectators found the competition exciting and entertaining to watch while contenders addressed its challenges in a race for thousands in cash, other great prizes, and the title of “Extreme Cowboy Race Champion.”

The Extreme Cowboy Race took place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

THE RACE COURSE:
The race course was constructed within the parameters of the new Rod's Western Palace Arena (Buckeye Pavilion) and featured obstacles similar to those featured in previous races as well as several new obstacles designed specifically for the race at Equine Affaire. The course included obstacles and activities such as: saddling the horse, dragging logs, jumping obstacles, loading into a trailer, backing up through a pattern, pole bending or roll backs, navigating a log jumble, penning cattle and working gates, conquering dirt terrain, crossing water obstacles, etc.

OBJECTIVES AND JUDGING:
The Extreme Cowboy Race is a timed event during which the performance of each horse and rider team will be judged on each obstacle for quality of horsemanship. Judges will award points on a scale of 1-10 for the horse and rider’s performance through each obstacle based on the following criteria: horsemanship, cadence, control, horse’s attitude, and overall execution. Horses and riders will be required to complete each obstacle within a given time in order to receive points. If an obstacle is not completed within the given timeframe, the contestant will be flagged and must move on to the next obstacle. Times are translated into points, with the highest overall score winning the race.

PRIZES:
$4,250 in cash prizes, as well as other valuable prizes. Prizes were awarded at the conclusion of the final phase of the race on Sunday afternoon.

FIRST PLACE:
$2,000.00 cash prize A western saddle package from JT International Dist., Inc. Champion jacket from Permanent Impressions 1 year’s supply of Barn Buddy Wintreats from BlueRidge Dist. Inc. Title of “Equine Affaire Extreme Cowboy Race Champion”
SECOND PLACE:
$1,500.00 cash prize Reserve champion jacket from Permanent Impressions
THIRD PLACE:
$750.00 cash prize

HOW TO APPLY:
The Extreme Cowboy Race will be open to all riders age 18 years and older and horses of all breeds. All horse and rider teams compete against each other; there are no “divisions” based on gender or age.

The entry fee for each horse/rider team is $350. Individual riders may compete with more than one horse in the race, but they must submit a separate application and fee for each horse they wish to enter in the race. Applications and videos will be received by Equine Affaire and then forwarded to Craig Cameron who will select up to 35 competitors for the race. Applications should be submitted by February 25, 2008, in order to be forwarded to Mr. Cameron for his review. Applications will be considered until 35 contestants are confirmed.

Once selections have been made, contestants will be notified by phone. Any applicants who are not selected will receive notification by mail along with their entry fee checks. Entry fees of accepted contestants will not be refundable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT COMPETING IN THE EXTREME COWBOY RACE™ AT EQUINE AFFAIRE:

• Contestants must check in for the race at the Barn Office in the Gilligan Complex at the Ohio Expo Center between noon and 6:30pm on Friday, April 11th. Upon checking in, contestants will receive a copy of the obstacle pattern and participant order of go.
• One horse stall in the Gilligan Complex will be provided for each contestant in the race. The stall will be available for use beginning at noon on Friday and must be vacated by midnight on Sunday, April 13th. Additional stalls may be purchased for use as tack stalls for $40/night. Participants are responsible for bringing or purchasing their own feed and bedding. Straw and shavings will be available for purchase on site.
• The Extreme Cowboy Race at Equine Affaire will offer a unique and exciting opportunity to test your horsemanship and compete for valuable prizes. However, applicants should be aware that the race will be conducted in a large arena where there are likely to be large crowds in attendance. While there will be an arena available for schooling and exercising horses, opportunities to warm up or practice in the race arena will not be available. If you and/or your horse cannot function well in such an environment, we cannot encourage you to apply.
• All horses brought to the Ohio Expo Center must be free of illness and infectious disease.

• Any horse transported to the show from outside the state of Ohio must be accompanied by a negative test result for equine infectious anemia (Coggins Test) dated within one year of the event 
  -and-

• A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health papers) dated within 30 days of the event.

• All horses horses participating in clinics at the event must be sound. Horses which are or appear to be unsound may be dismissed from clinics at the discretion of the management of Equine Affaire and/or the clinician. There will be no refund of clinic fees. 

A veterinarian will be at the event, and horse owners will be required to present their horses’ health papers upon check-in at the Barn Office.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RACE? If you have any questions, please contact Equine Affaire’s Program Assistant, Nicole Taylor, at (740) 845-0085 ext. 123, or via Email.