Back before I knew what trail riding or rodeoing, or reining was, I was riding. As a kid, I rode everyday because it’s all I could think of. I may have been riding for the thrill and excitement, the independence or the bonding with my horse. I may have, but I couldn’t tell you that because I just did it.
Horses have always been part of my life. I consider myself fortunate. As a girl my father would do his best to get me a nice safe horse. He said it was the best way to keep me out of trouble. And it did most of the time. I grew up in Omaha, Sarpy County, and Competed in 4-H. I graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska, where I barrel raced on the Rodeo Team. After graduation I worked for Iowa Beef Processors inc. in box beef sales, then in the retail sales division as a field consultant. This position required lots of travel and saw the country always dragging my horse with me. I met my husband Rick in the meat industry and relocated back to the Omaha area in 2007. We own and operate Workhorse Stallion Station, located in Silver City, IA just east of Omaha/ Council Bluffs.
I was introduced to Reining through a Purina sponsored Brent Wright Clinic. Reining rocked my world from that day forward. I have been competing in reining around 12 or maybe 15 years (who’s counting at this point). When I first got started in reining, I was spending so much time and money at my Purina dealer and tack store that I got to know the owner. He was offered me a management job there and I jumped at the chance because it came with an employee discount! I was living in the Kansas City area the owner Chuck was a wealth of knowledge. He had a PhD in Animal Nutrition and helped fuel my quest to learn everything I could about how to improve the performance of horses. I was then offered a job with Purina Feed in Equine Sales, this was back in the late 90’s. Since moving back to Nebraska I have been given the opportunity to work for Purina again as an Equine Specialist covering Iowa and Eastern NE. Time flies when you are consumed with your passion.
On our farm we stand our performance stallion Two Gun Dillon by Midwest Smoke by Mr Gunsmoke. We collect and AI mares and raise foals to eventually show in reining. I feel reining is a partnership with your horse. One of my favorite mares Hot Doc Janette or Netta we raised from a foal. We qualified for the AQHA World Show in Amateur Reining and won numerous NRHA and CPRRHA Championships. What an honor and I am grateful to have had such a powerful mare to show. It truly is a partnership at its most intimate form. Thanks Netta.
I have been feeding Strategy for the past 15 years. One great feed for all ages. Since it was developed 15 years ago Strategy is the number one horse feed in the world! I like to share my experiences with you about this product. Strategy keeps the type of condition I like to see on our breeding stock. Our mares milk well and the foals love it eating it right with their moms. During weaning the foals will forget all their troubles and go right to eating their Strategy. I am confident the young training horses are reaching their genetic potential because they are competitive at the shows and look great. The combination of good management, training and nutrition I believe is at the core of a good program. It is my experience feeding Purina products that inspired me to want to work for Purina. If you ever have questions or want nutritional information drop me a line.
Chris Ludlow
CLudlow@landolakes.com
A Horseman should know neither fear, nor anger. –James Rarey
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