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* Photo by Marshal Gillit, Stock Horse of Texas

Stock Horse of Texas Adds New Member Programs

The Stock Horse of Texas (SHTX) has created three new member programs designed to further SHTX’s educational mission and encourage riders new to the stock horse industry. The provisional Level 1 Novice sub-division, as well as a change in the clinic structure and the addition of paid cow practices, will offer more opportunities for members to be involved and learn.

Provisional Level 1 Novice Sub-Division

With the tremendous growth and interest in the Novice division, the Board is introducing a provisional sub-division within the Novice. The Level 1 Novice will allow riders to be placed with riders at a similar skill level. Riders will continue to compete and be scored and placed within the Novice division. However, the scores of riders eligible for the Level 1 Novice will be pulled into their own sub-division and be placed as Level 1 Novice. SHTX will offer prizes and ribbons for those in the new sub-division at each show.

“This will allow riders who are learning and improving to compete within their peer group,” said SHTX President William Lewis. “We recognize the size and competitiveness of the Novice division, and we want to give riders who have yet to break into the Top 10 in that division a way to measure their success against riders of similar skill level.”

Riders who meet the following criteria are eligible for the provisional Level 1 Novice sub-division:

  • Not placed in the Top 10 in the All Around in the Novice or any other SHTX division
  • No earnings in a judged Western performance class from any competition
  • No breed association points in a judged Western performance class

Riders who meet the Level 1 Novice criteria should enter the Novice division classes on their entry form, and also select “Level 1 Novice eligible” on the entry. Those who are Level 1 Novice eligible can remain in that sub-division for the rest of the year. By starting the sub-division mid-year, the board hopes to measure interest and will evaluate the success of the program at the end of 2022. 

SHTX Clinic Structure Amended, Paid Practice Offered

With the popularity of SHTX clinics held at shows, the board is testing a new clinic structure that will group Novice riders and more advanced riders to enable specialized instruction at each skill level.  

Additionally, SHTX will offer paid cow practices for those who “just want to work a cow.” Some of the paid practices will have coaching available. The paid practice time will depend on the venue and schedule, but is tentatively planned for Thursday afternoons/evenings. Specific time slots will be available for purchase in the SHTX Store. This will offer more seasoned riders the opportunity to practice just the cow, freeing up clinic spots for those riders wanting instruction on all four SHTX classes.

“We’ve had feedback that some riders get in the clinic just to work a cow or get on the trail course,” said Lewis. “We hope that offering paid cow practice and publicizing the trail course is available on Thursday afternoons and after 3pm on Friday will provide the opportunity for those who want the practice. SHTX has committed all year to have practice trail obstacles available throughout the weekend.”

Lewis said that SHTX is listening to its membership, and hopes these additional programs will offer more opportunities for less experienced members to measure their success against their peers, as well as have the chance to learn from SHTX clinicians. Those members with more experience can also gain additional practice time at shows.

For more information on these or other SHTX programs, visit www.stockhorsetexas.org.