Kateri Cowley is following up her win in Extreme Cowboy Alberta’s (ECA) 2014 Winter Series with a lofty goal: to qualify for the 2014 World Championship.
Cowley, who grew up in Exshaw, took home the buckle in the pro division following the ECA’s final event, held at the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society, April 19. The competition saw the pair completing a series of tasks as efficiently as possible.
“Extreme Cowboy racing combines all the disciplines associated with western horsemanship,” said Cowley. “It all comes down to speed.”
The race features a minimum of 13 obstacles, allotting competitors a maximum of eight minutes to make it to the finish line.
A few hours before competition time, contenders are given their course map that outlines tasks that range from trail obstacles, to obstacles that are a little more creative: the pro contenders at the finale had to dismount their horse and drag at full bear hide out of a teepee.
“It’s challenging because you never know what you’ll be faced with when you go into that ring,” said Cowley. “You want a horse that’s smart, fast and careful.”
Of course, Cowley doesn’t tackle the obstacle race alone. She’s aboard her long-time partner Kokanee, a 14-year-old mustang cross. Since the pair started working together — about 11 years ago — the duo have tried their hand at breakaway roping and trail riding before racing against the clock in Extreme Cowboy challenges.
The tandem’s partnership has served them well in the competition arena. They competed in the world final during their first year racing in the extreme events. She’s gunning to qualify for the world championship, to be held in Hamilton, Texas, this fall.
Cowley said much of the sport is based on trust between horse and rider
“Every time you come into the arena, you leave with a better partnership with your horse,” she remarked.
Sherril Siebert, a representative from ECA, said the sport is suited to all-levels of riding, as well as all different types of horses.
The ECA Summer Series is slated to start May 17 at the Ag Society. Learn more at extremecowboyalberta.ca.
