APHA World Show – Fort Worth, TX

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What a week! Our first trip to the APHA World Show was a success! KR Gunpowder (Gunner x A Bueno Poco Dunit) earned the title of APHA World Champion Senior Reining Read more

Low Roller Reining Classic

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Its 1 am. I’m tired, dirty and hungry from a long day of horseshowing and I’m already thinking about the busy day that we have in store tomorrow. That’s horseshowing; Nothing unusual or unexpected there, but as I lay here and reflect over the day’s events, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of happiness and gratitude. Matt had a great day with his horses. Nitro, owned by Dennis and Vicki Turin, had a solid 145 run, securing them a spot in the North American affiliate finals in the Novice Horse Level 2. Read more

Big Sky Reining Classic

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The Big Sky Reining Classic in Kalispell, MT is always one of our favorite shows and the 2016 edition didn’t disappoint! We had a good time visiting friends, watching some great reining horses and were fortunate enough to have success in the show pen! Matt and KR Gunpowder marked a 220 to win the Level 2 Derby and 3rd in the Level 4!!! Read more

Slide To Summer – Livingston, Montana

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June 2016

“Nitro” put together two nice runs at the Slide To Summer show in Livingston, MT this past weekend. Scoring a 147 1/2 both days to win the Open class on Friday night and the Level 4 Open Derby on Saturday. It has been a pleasure training this little horse and I know he has many more wins in his future! We would also like to send out a big thank you to our sponsors, Equus Nutrtion Systems an Lucky Acres Fencing Co.

 

Matt-and-Lorenzo-NRHA-Derby-2015

2015 NRHA Derby

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By Steve Tool
Wallowa County Chieftain

It may seem like a long way from being one of the nation’s top wrestlers to top reining horse trainer, but local reining horse trainer Matt McDowell says it all comes down to dedication either way. The two-time former NAIA 150-pound wrestling champion recently placed among the top competitors at the super bowl of the reining horse world at the 2015 National Reining Horse Association Derby held in Oklahoma City, Okla., from June 20-27.

McDowell, of Enterprise, earned his awards riding FM Shine N Tag Chex (barn name Lorenzo) owned by Suzy Simar, who owns Tamarack Ranch in Joseph. McDowell competed against 208 other riders from Read more

Best Little Derby In the West

2015 Best Little Derby In the West

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Article in the Wallowa County Chieftain By Steve Tool

Local Matt McDowell wins first major reining event held in the Northwest.
The derby took place at the Ford Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho, from April 22-26. Exhibitors from as far away as Colorado, Alberta and Utah competed in the derby. It is the first major reining event to take place in the Pacific Northwest.

McDowell is a reining horse trainer. Reining is the western style equivalent of dressage — the European style riding events seen in the Olympics. Reining is based on the athletics of a working cow horse. The horse runs a particular pattern that includes spins, sliding stops, Read more

2013 West Coast Reining Maturity

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National Reining Horse Association Champion Matt McDowell of Enterprise recently won top honors at the NRHA Northwest Regional Affiliate Finals. McDowell rode Miss Silver Gun owned by Tamarack Ranch LLC to claim the open, intermediate open and open maturity reining championship.

Miss Silver Gun is a gray 7-year-old AQHA mare with lifetime earnings over $80,000. With that win, McDowell becomes one of only eight reiners in the open and intermediate open competition to qualify to advance to the Adequan North American Affiliate Championships held in Oklahoma City, Okla., from Nov. 28-Dec. 7.