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Written by Mark Thompson - Suzanne Forrest photo
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Kenny Paul aboard Badgers Poo
Paul and his employer and business partner since early 2000, rancher Cyle Sharp, had worked together in planning a funeral for another New Mexico-based cutter, who was 50 years older than Paul, after that cutter’s death just a few months ago.
“As crazy as it is, he [Paul] told me, ‘If it was my funeral, this is how I’d want it.’ I believe he’s going to get the send off that he’d want. And it will be a celebration,” Sharp said.
The 35-year-old Estancia, N.M., cowboy died early on the morning of Saturday, May 7, in an Ogden, Utah, hospital room, from complications of a sudden illness at the show. He died five days after tying for third place in the Open at the Four Sixes Ranch/National Cutting Horse Association Western Nationals with a 216 aboard Badger Poo. His father-in-law, Stephen Harrington, owns the 2002 gelding (Short San Badger x Ecapoo x Lenas Jewel Bars) and Harrington made the May 5 $35,000 Non-Pro finals with the same horse.
On May 6, Shauna Paul, Kenneth’s wife, finished fourth in the $5,000 Novice/Non-Pro with a 216.5 finals finish aboard 2006 mare Catsblue Boon (Dual Blue Boon x Genuine Gold Cat x High Brow Cat). Kenneth Paul had also reached the $3,000 Novice Open finals with that horse on May 1.
“Kenny was a very good horseman and was really becoming a good showman,” said the late trainer’s older brother, John Paul. “It looked like it [his brother’s Western Nationals showing] was going to be one of those pivotal weeks that he could springboard off and it could have been life-changing, career-wise,” the elder Paul said, adding, “This was his first big splash in the water at a major event.”
During the Western Nationals, John Paul had spoken with his brother several times, said the elder cutting trainer, ranch manager and cowboy minister, based in Washington state. His brother had always been healthy, hardly ever went to a doctor and never suspected the sudden illness that affected him throughout his stay in Utah was life-threatening until family members and friends finally convinced him to check into a hospital on May 6.
“He was only in the hospital for about 12 hours,” John Paul said. Autopsy tests were conducted and the family should know more about what caused the death in a few weeks.
John Paul said his brother, whom he described as “a cowboy’s cowboy,” with a great sense of humor, would appreciate the fact that his last week as a cutting trainer ended well. “It’s certainly a lot better story than if he’d went there and got his butt kicked.
“There is some comfort in knowing that he had his life going on the right track,” John Paul said. “He was successful at business, he was successful at ranching, his marriage was a success and he was a great dad. Most importantly, he knew and trusted Jesus Christ and he had a strong personal relationship with him. That’s where the [his family’s] biggest comfort comes from. There’s no doubt where he’s at.”
Kenneth Paul, who earned a career-best $22,768 as a cutting rider during 2010, figured to have a shot at competing in Fort Worth for the first time in the Open division during fall’s 2011 National Cutting Horse Futurity. He had been training the most promising horse he’d ever ridden, Paul’s longtime boss, partner and friend Sharp said.
He was just coming into his time,” Sharp said. He added Paul still left behind a significant legacy and many friends. “He never met a stranger. He was a man of integrity and probably the most all-around talented horseman I ever came across.”
“A lot of the credit [for his recent success as a cutting trainer] should go to his wife,” Sharp said. “She sat there as his turnback rider [during long days in New Mexico, after other ranch duties were completed] when that wind was blowing and it was cold. She was his biggest fan and his biggest supporter.”
Earnings at the Western Nationals pushed Kenny Paul’s final career total near $70,000, according to Equi-Stat records. His wife, Shauna, advanced to the Limited Non-Pro finals during December’s 2010 NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth with a 2007 mare the couple owned.
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