Monday, November 14, 2011

Things Really Start to Heat Up: Rounds 4-6 of the Project Cowboy

In another one of our most recent articles we outlined rounds one through three of one of the most action-packed events that will be taking place in February at the Horse Expo in Pomona: Project Cowboy. This article will be giving more information on Project Cowboy, namely rounds four through six of the event where hundreds of horsemen compete to for $10,000, exposure, and the title “the Great American Horseman.”

Round Four, or “Can You Handle A Herd?,” is all about teamwork between the members of five teams of five composed of members of the remaining 25 contestants. Five contestants with the lowest scores in Round Three are selected to be Team Captains who in turn select four additional members from the remaining contestants to form their team. Each team is given five minutes to plan a strategy to complete the round’s objective: each team member herding one selected cow from a large herd of cattle. Each contestant is scored on their horsemanship and ability to maneuver their cow out of the herd. In addition to each individuals’ score every each contestant will receive a team score which is added to their individual score. After Round Four is completed, 15 of the 25 remaining contestants with the lowest cumulative scores on rounds one through four will be eliminated, leaving only ten contestants remaining. These contestants are known as the Top 10 and compete in the last two rounds: five and six.

Next is Round Five: “Are You Good With A Filly?” This round challenges the remaining ten contestants’ ability to work with a filly. Contestants are given six minutes to demonstrate their ability to communicate with the filly and spectators, while sharing training techniques and engaging the audience. This will not only test each contestant’s ability to work with the filly and audience but also test their competence in teaching others their skills. Contestants are then given a score on a scale of 1-10 and then proceed to the final round.

At last we’ve come to Round Six, the climactic grand finale and of Project Cowboy. After this round one horsemen will walk away with a $10,000 prize, widespread exposure, and the distinguished title of “the Great American Horseman.” For one horseman, hopes and dreams will be fulfilled and nine unfortunate horsemen will walk away disappointed. Everything has come down to this final challenge: “Ride ‘Em Like You Stole ‘Em.” For the first part of Round Six the final contestants must complete a series of two performances: Horsemanship Maneuvers and a Freestyle Performance. For the Horsemanship Maneuver each contestant is given 90 seconds and four minutes are given for the Freestyle Performance. The Freestyle Performance will test each contestant’s skill and creativity to execute something impressive and entertaining. Each contestant is then given a score for the round which is added to their score from Round Five. The contestant with the highest score wins!

For more information on dates, rules, and entry be sure to visit the Pomona Horse Expo’s site. Be sure to do so soon as the entry deadline is December 1st, 2011.
 
 

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