Carman Pozzobon
When most people hear the name Pozzobon, they think bull riding. When I hear the name Pozzobon, I’m running to the fence to watch Carman smoke a run.
Thus far in the Canadian Futurity & Derby season, Carman has made over $13,000 on her two horses, RIMES GIRL a 2011, Sorrel Mare by Frenchs Hula Guy out of Maggie Majorette x Major Rime and RIPN LADY, a 2010 Buckskin Mare by Frenchs Hula Guy out of Bijou Betali x Eli Betastreak.
Before the Yellow Rose Futurity in Claresholm, Alberta Carman broke her collar bone while riding an outside horse on the pattern. She asked Veronica Swales to get on both horses to ride in her place. It was cool to see a successful trainer like Swales get on a horse with a different style than her own, and make a clean, fast run.
The next weekend was the South Country Futurity and Derby in Cardston, Alberta where Carman’s collarbone was taped up and she decided to get on and make a run. She ended up first in the 1st Go of the Derby & Futurity, first in the 2nd go of the Derby & sixth in the Futurity, 4th in the Short Go in the Derby, and winning the Derby Average!
Q.You are consistently in the winners circle at the futurities and derbies year after year. What does your successful training program look like?
1. For the first while I just ride the horse to really learn how they use themselves an how they want to learn. And learn their personality so I can listen to them while I’m training them on the pattern so we can work together.
2. Make sure they learn my ques before I put them on the pattern so they know my language.
3. Once I introduce the pattern to them I really focus on over exaggerating the main spots in my run that I want the horse to focus on. I make sure they are using themselves correct and on the correct leads.
4. Then build their confidence as much as I can so I can get them to the point I can just point and shoot in my run so I can hustle them while they work their spots.
Q. How would you describe your horses style?
A. I introduce every horse to the pattern the same an work them the same an once speed gets introduces they form their own style so I try to work with what they have to offer. Each horse has its own qualities so I try to figure out their pros and cons so we can use them to our benefit.
Q. What do you focus on in your time only’s at a futurity/derby?
A. I don’t do many time only’s. Try to do them as little as possible so once they go to rodeos all they do is hunt that first barrel an don’t stress out to much. The most I will do is take them around the pattern to make sure they are responding quickly and correct, and show them the arena so it’s all familiar when they go do their run.
Q. What bloodlines do you look for when shopping for a prospect?
A. Well everyone knows I’ve been successful with the Frenchs Hula Guys so they are one of my firsts I look at but I’ve had success with quite a few bloodlines so it all depends on their personality and ability. I love the smart ones that want to work before run. You can usually get one to try their heart out if they are confident and love what they are doing.
Q.What confirmation traits do you shy away from, and which draw you in?
A. I don’t like much White around their eyes, fine bone, narrow chest or a short mouth. I do look for a nice big shoulder an thick hind quarters, short cannon bones, long under line, a nice eye set with a kind soft eye. Coon tail is a plus they are usually a ‘lil more grittier.
Q. Are there any up and coming studs you think people should pay more attention to, in Canada or the States?
A. Well the Frenchs Hula Guy has been proven enough now that I would say the next would be FrenchSteaktoRodeo. They hes been really impressive the past couple years. Also Really liking the Boonlit offspring so far too.
Q. When do you like to start your colts? Do you break your own, or do you send them away?
A. I like to put a couple weeks on them as 2 yr olds then kick them out on pasture till they are 3. 3 yr olds I ride for a few months then kick them out and bring them back as 4 yr olds, then ride them on an off as 4 yr olds depending what my goals are with them. If I’m just futuritying them in Canada I usually won’t put them on the pattern till the end of their middle to end of 4 yr old year. I have a lot of colts so the closest ones to their futurity year get most of my time in between rodeos and futurities. I used to break them myself when I didn’t have so many that I could put the time in on them that colts need when being started. Now I’m on the road too much I send them away and just focus on fine tuning and patterning the ones that are going.
Q. How broke do you like them to be before starting on the pattern?
A. I like my colts to be pretty broke to the point they’ve seen pretty much everything so they can focus once I start taking them down the road. Love them to be around cattle first even if they have to go ranching for a month or two before they go on the pattern. I work a lot on fine tuning them before I put them on the pattern too so they are very responsive to my hands, weight and voice when I use my ques.
Q. During their futurity year, how often are the on the pattern during the week?
A.Usually once a week just to make sure they are still In check. Other than that I work mostly on keeping their lungs in shape and muscle toned. I like to just go for rides so the keep a clear mind and keep them happy. If they aren’t locked on as much as I want I will do it up to 3 times a week but that is very rare if they are already patterned.
Ripn Lady AKA Ripp in her 2015 CBHI Hi Point Blanket
Best of luck to Carman for the rest of the 2016 Season!
-Cassie
