By 1973, Bob and I were clients of Paul Horn. We were part of the original “groupies.” We just loved those cowboys and what they could do with their horses. At the Orange County Fair in Middletown, N.Y., Paul asked me if I would like to meet Dale Wilkinson. I was jumping up and down: “Yes, yes, I want to meet Dale Wilkinson.” Paul took me to a line of old horse trailers and walked up to one with a gooseneck. With great flourish, Paul opened the door and pointed to the gooseneck. He said, “And this is the great Dale Wilkinson.” Dale was asleep in the gooseneck – in his boxer shorts – a vision I still haven’t managed to get out of my head. It took me a long time to tell Dale about it, but when I did he just made a snarky remark about how good-looking he was.

Dale would often say something just to see your reaction. I was doing a video interview with him in Tulsa, Okla., for the Reining Horse Sports Foundation several years ago. Jenifer Reynolds and Chris Cook were recording it. It was serious business. When I asked Dale to name some of the people he mentored, he gave me some lame excuse about not wanting to leave anyone out, then looked me right in the eye and said, “But I did teach Bill Horn his work ethic.”  I was very proud of myself that I didn’t fall off my chair laughing. Don’t get me wrong, Bill worked hard. His show record speaks to that. But it was well known that in those early days of reining, Bill liked to party hard too.

You know that trivia game about Kevin Bacon’s 6 degrees of separation based on the concept of the small-world phenomenon? Well, the reining community is a small world to start with, but there wouldn’t be six degrees of separation between Dale Wilkinson and anyone who rides or loves reining horses. The reining horse is our one-shot connection to the “Father of Modern Reining.” And that goes for everyone – from Short Stirrup kids to grass-roots riders who stay close to home to international celebrities to World and Futurity Champions – from breeders, owners and just plain fans. He’s the reason we enjoy our passion, our lifestyle. His vision and dedication to the sport – that’s what created NRHA and made it grow.

Gotta run. Bob and I are heading over to the Ocala Equestrian Complex for an FRHA show to see some nice horses and visit with friends. That’s what we do. It’s our lifestyle. Thanks, Dale.