Dear Editor:
Big Hill West 4-H Club had the privilege of having Gary Cooper from Vermillion come to the Cochrane Ag Arena to do a cutting clinic April 12-14.
On Friday, he worked on ground work and riding with 4-H members. On Saturday, we worked with a mechanical cow (stuffed cow on a string) and then steers in the afternoon followed by heifers on Sunday.
In talking with Gary I learned that he has been teaching horsemanship for more than 40 years. He was born and raised in Dawson Creek and spent 15 years in rodeo before he had made enough money to be able to afford owning a cutting horse of his own.
His cutting background began in the 1960s with Royal Burrows in Black Diamond. His first horse was a brown and white paint named Trigger. Quarter horse is his favourite breed as a cutting horse because of their physical build and calm nature.
The most important thing I learned was always turn towards the cow. It was a great weekend to to learn the art of cutting for both horse and rider.
Dawson Grattidge,
club reporter, age 10
