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Top"Horse Whisperers" Meet For Challenge In Fort Worth, Texas

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, November 28, 2003 - You saw the remarkable bond between human and horse in "The Horse Whisperer" and "Seabiscuit." Now you can see if for yourself as the best "horse whisperers" from around the world meet in Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. 12-13, tat Cowtown Coliseum in the Historic Stockyards, for a two-day event called El Camino del Caballo (The Road to the Horse). The unique event is designed to showcase the art of gentle horsemanship while entertaining the audience, and star famed horse trainers Curt Pate, Clinton Anderson and Josh Lyons.

Rick Lamb, of "The Horse Show," will be host and co-emcee, along with local horse expert Philip Schutts. Judges are well-known equine experts Robert Moorehouse, Christi Rains, Jack Brainard, Buster McLaurey and Dr. Bob Miller.

"El Camino del Caballo offers people the chance to witness young horses take their first step down the road of trust, communication and partnership with some of the greatest clinicians in the world," said Tootie Bailey-Bland, producer of El Camino del Caballo.

Day one will feature clinics by Pate, Anderson and Lyons; a question and answer session with the three clinicians; entertaining routines with their favorite horses; and the beginning of the challenge. Judges will choose three virtually untouched horses from a herd of 10 in the Coliseum arena for the three men. the challenge will begin with one hour of Round Pen work. Day two will continue with Round Pen Work, Freestyle and an Obstacle Course. Drawing on their horsemanship knowledge and skills, Pate, Anderson and Lyons will demonstrate how to gentle, saddle, ride and guide a horse through an obstacle course without using force, fear or trauma.

"A winner will be announced at the end of the second day, but the real winners of El Camino del Caballo are the horse," said Bailey-Bland.

El Camino del Caballo will teach that respected training methods don¹t "break" horses anymore, but communicate by touch, feel, empathy and knowledge. "If you own horses, work or compete with horses, or just happen to be one of the millions of admirers of these beautiful creatures, this event is not to be missed," Bailey-Bland said."Simply put, it will amaze you. You are going to see things happen in those arenas that will challenge your ability to believe."

General admission tickets to El Camino del Caballo are available through both Ticketmaster and Cowtown Coliseum (1-888-COWTOWN). General admission tickets are $45 for one day, $80 for both days, or $50 per day at the gate.

Box and VIP seats are available only through Cowtown Coliseum at 1-888-COWTOWN. Box seating is $55 for one day, $100 for both days, or $60 per day at the gate. VIP seating is $100 per day, or $150 per day at the event. VIP tickets include program, food, and beverages (cash bar) in the VIP area. For more information, the public can call 1-888-COWTOWN or visit www.roadtothehorsecom.


WHEN:
December 12-13, 2003

Noon-8:30 pm Friday, Dec. 12
Clinics and Q&A Sessions
Drawing of Horses
First Round of Challenge

Noon-4:15 pm Saturday, Dec. 13
Second Round of Challenge
Obstacle Course
Winner Announcement

WHERE:
Cowtown Coliseum
121 E. Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas
in the heart of the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards
(for map and parking, go to www.cowtowncoliseum.com)

WHO:

Josh Lyons, clinician: Considered the best all-around horse trainers, winner of "In A Whisper Challenge"
Curt Pate, clinician: Technical advisor for the movie "The Horse Whisperer"
Clinton Anderson, clinician: Hosts weekly training TV show "Downunder Horsemanship"
Rick Lamb, host/emcee: national talk show host of The Horse Show
Tootie Bailey Bland, producer: Film actress and stunt performer
Steve Bland and Thomas Saunders, wranglers: Expert horsemen and wranglers for "The Alamo," "Secondhand Lions" and other movies


WHY:
To better the relationship between owner and horse in an exciting, entertaining and enlightening way that showcases the increasingly popular, highly revered and somewhat mysterious technique of gentle horsemanship.

INFORMATION: www.roadtothehorse.com
TICKETS: 1-888-COWTOWN

Curt Pate

A Montana native, Curt grew up around horses in a working ranch setting. He participated in rodeo for a number of years, announced professional rodeo, and was an auctioneer.

Curt travels the country giving colt starting and horsemanship demonstrations at private facilities, colleges, fairs and horse events. He uses techniques he learned while attending a Buck Brannaman Clinic as a young man. He has been training horses for most of his life, and was a technical advisor for the movie "The Horse Whisperer," along with Brannaman.

Curt has committed himself to helping the horse by helping people. The techniques he utilizes are relatively simple for the horse owner to teach and easy for the horse to learn, yet very effective. He teaches the basics that are often overlooked or assumed that the horse already knows.

Curt¹s goal is to provide an opportunity to learn an awareness of horsemanship that promotes safe, effective, and enjoyable riding. He feels this can be achieved by using common sense, looking at things from the horse¹s point of view, and by being willing to dedicate time and effort to reach your goals.

Clinton Anderson

Australian Clinton Anderson had his own horse by age 9 and began attending horsemanship clinics at age 12. After playing Polo-Cross for a national team, Clinton started his training apprenticeship at age 15 with nationally acclaimed horse trainer Gordon McKinlay, where he started and trained over 600 horses in two years. He then worked for Ian Francis, and, at 18, began his own training facility.

Clinton came to the U.S. in 1996 for an apprenticeship with Al Dunning. He now lives in the U.S, conducting training, touring and conducting clinics across the country.

In April 2001, Clinton launched a made-for-TV weekly training program, "Downunder Horsemanship," broadcast on satellite television. The use of untrained horses and a variety of topics covering common problems faced by horse owners has made his show the network's most popular equine program.

Clinton educates horse owners on how to be safe and effective while enjoying their horses. His training methods are easy to understand and designed to help horse owners get the results they desire. In his clinics, he demonstrates how to build on a solid foundation to achieve a new level of respect and communication.

Josh Lyons

Josh Lyons, son of "Americas Most Trusted Horseman" John Lyons, spent his childhood accompany his father to training clinics, horse symposiums and private lessons. At age 16, Josh gave his first public clinic, which began such a successful career that John says: "Josh is one of the best all-around horse trainers that I have ever worked with. Josh has surpassed me in his ability to work with both people and horses."

Josh¹s skill and knowledge have been sought after in the U.S. and internationally. He has held clinics and symposiums in Canada, Alaska, Cayman Islands and Australia.

In 2002, Josh won the "In A Whisper Challenge" held in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. The documentary pitted the skills of three of the top horse trainers in the world in a two-hour format with an unbroken colt.

Josh offers a well-founded and proven method of communicating with the horse using cues that the horse responds to, ultimately giving the horse and rider an understanding of one another and becoming one in the training process. He lives by the philosophy he teaches: "Knowledge and patience are the only tools that you need to bring with you into your barn."

Tootie Bailey Bland

Tootie Bailey Bland has enjoyed a 20-year film career on both sides of the camera. She has worked with directors Tommy Lee Jones, Michael Douglas, John Milius, Richard Donner, Chris Columbus, Simon Wincer, Paul Verthoeven, Billy Bob Thornton, Terry Leonard and Billy Burton. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, Tootie¹s film resume contains blockbuster hits such as "Secondhand Lions," "Lethal Weapon" (both I and II), "Fatal Attraction," "Home Alone," "Total Recall," "The Fisher King," "RoboCop," "Dancer Tx. Pop 81," "La Bamba" and more. Her television work includes "Lonesome Dove," "Good Old Boys," "Buffalo Girls," "Texas," "Rough Riders," "In The Heat of the Night," "Paradise," "Guns of Paradise" and "Return to Paradise."

In 2000, Tootie partnered with Amanda Micallef to create Rope The Moon Productions, where she produced "Grand Champion," currently in negotiations for distribution. She followed that with the documentary "In A Whisper." Tootie¹s horse background proved invaluable in recruiting three of the top horse whisperers in the world to participate in competition. "In A Whisper" is currently in worldwide release on VHS and DVD.

Tootie now has her own production company, Ride the Remuda Productions. Her passion for horses led her to produce El Camino del Caballo, featuring Clinton Sanderson, Josh Lyons and Curt Pate hosting clinics, Q&As, entertainment and participating in a two-day horse challenge with three unbroke young horses.


Steve Bland

Steve Bland grew up in Ozona, Texas, then the family moved to Trent Texas, where they built a 30,000-head feedlot which is still family run and in operation today.

Steve Bland has the honor of being the only cowboy to win four consecutive NIRA Team Championships competing for Southeastern Oklahoma State University from 1976-79. The then won Rookie of the Year in Professional Rodeo in 1977 in two events, the calf roping and steer wrestling.

For ten years, Steve won numerous championships, including Cheyenne Frontier Days, Las Vegas Helldorado Days, New Mexico State Fair, Hawaiian Fall Championship and back to back Calf Roping and All-Around Championships at the famous Pendleton Round Up. Steve won the Bill Linderman Award in 1980, for the cowboy who wins the most money in three events in one year. Steve did it in five events in one year.

Since retiring from professional competition, Steve has been in the cattle business. His knowledge with horses has led him to work on movie sets as a boss horse wrangler, stuntman and actor. His acting roles include "Dancer Texas Pop. 81," "American Outlaws," "Grand Champion" and "The Postman." His skill with horses most recently found him working as the gang boss on "Secondhand Lions" and Disney¹s epic "The Alamo," where he was in charge of 130 head of horses and over 50 wranglers.


Thomas Saunders

On his ranch near Weatherford, Thomas breaks about 100 head of colts a year. He is as much at home on four hooves as he is on two feet, which explains why he is such demand as a horse trainer and wrangler, and why major motion picture companies hire him. Thomas has worked on "The Alamo" and "Secondhand Lions." It is a tribute to this horses¹ great trust in him that they get through it all with calm professionalism.

Thomas is a sixth generation cowman with a long family history involved in the Texas Cattle Industry. His family first came to Texas in 1850 and a great-great uncle helped establish the San Antonio Stockyards and lay out the plan for the Fort worth Stockyards. Thomas¹ great-grandfather was the first cattle dealer in he Fort Worth Stockyards.


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