Russell interviews NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Chris Dawson on his journey in the reined cow horse industry. Chris gives advice to those wanting to become a reined cow horse trainer. In 2013, Chris won four major NRCHA shows on the dynamic stallion Travelin Jonez.

Chris Dawson Interview

Cowhorse Full Contact is a podcast hosted by Chris Dawson and Russell Dilday and produced by Ben Self &amp; Performance Horse Central. In each episode, Chris and Russell interview people involved in the Performance Horse Industry and discuss cow horse stories and topics with guests that can help people in the Performance Horse Industry. Cowhorse Full Contact is a production of Cowhorse Full Contact, LLC.

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EJ Laubscher talks about his childhood growing up in South Africa and being chased by hippos, baboons and all sorts of other dangerous animals as a kid. After making the move to America with his family EJ worked on hog farms and started all kinds of horses as well as a couple zebras chasing his dream of becoming a trainer. Since discovering the world of cowhorse he has already won over a quarter million dollars and recently made the move with his wife and kids to Winnewood, OK to further grow his business. 
This episode is brought to you in part by War Horses For Veterans

Episode #87 - EJ Laubscher Presented by War Horses For Veterans

COWHORSE FULL CONTACT EPISODE #86 Todd Bergen Part 3


Todd Bergen talks about:
- Filming the cow horse scenes for Yellowstone and getting the an epic fence turn that almost wrecked Jimmy and Rip.
- The American Performance Horseman experience 
- The story behind Teton Ridge and the TR9 Training Facility

Thank you to our sponsors: UltraCruz & Globe Life Insurance for all their support allowing us to bring you this great interview.

EPISODE #86 PART 3 - TODD BERGEN Presented by UltraCruz & Globe Life Insurance

COWHORSE FULL CONTACT Episode #86 Todd Bergen Part 2

In this episode Todd reflects back and talks about:

- Working with Annie Reynolds learning to transition his training towards the cow horse events and developing that connection with a cow.
- Building relationships and working horses with Ascension Banuelos, Tom Lyons, Matt Gaines & Clint Allen
- How Todd and his wife Missy met and the not so flattering introduction to her family.
- Learning to deal with customers and day to day operations of a training business.
- Raising kids and parenting 
- Lip Syncing as the Village People at the Sun Circuit
- Jack knifing the rig in a snow storm outside of Flagstaff heading home after the Reserve Championship at NRHA Futurity
- Dealing with back issues
- The call from Thomas Tull and moving to TR9 Ranch in Weatherford, TX.
- Pre Show rituals and uncertainty due to lack of preparation
- The story behind Smart Luck & Todaysmyluckyday who helped launch Todd's career.
- Balancing the kids with work

This episode was sponsored by UltraCruz & Globe Life Insurance.

Be sure to tune into the 3rd and final part in this series - COWHORSE FULL CONTACT Episode #86 Todd Bergen Part 3

EPISODE #86 PART 2 - TODD BERGEN Presented by UltraCruz & Globe Life Insurance

Todd Bergen sits down on the back porch at Dawson Performance Horses with Chris Dawson & Russell Dilday and takes a deep dive into his past going right back to the beginning:
Highlights from this episode include:
- Growing up in Salem, Oregon
- From baseball to motorbikes, 4H, College years and contemplating becoming a professional Ski Bum ,Todd talks about how he gravitated back to the horses
- The life lessons learned while working for Bob Avila learning all the aspects of how to train, how to win as well as the business side of running a Professional Training Operation
- Reflecting on the "Dream Team Years" with John Slack while at Bob's
- The progression of the Reining Horse breeding and competition
- Breaking down the mental side of horse training.
- Learning from watching other people
- How Horse Training Intrigues him and drives him to be the best no matter what the discipline.

Thanks to UltraCruz & Globe Life Insurance for sponsoring all three parts of this great Interview. 
Be sure to check out Part 2 coming up next ....

EPISODE #86 PART 1 - TODD BERGEN Presented by UltraCruz & Globe Life Insurance

THIS EPISODE PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: ULTRACRUZ
Chris & Russell are all moved into the Tulsa Expo Center and preview the inaugural Mars Equestrian Hackamore Classic as a stand alone event this year. Chris also talks about his recent NCHA Limited Open Championship and what it meant to him. 
The guys also talk about their recent adventures and clinic with the War Horses For Veterans and talk about the obstacle course Challenge, drinking some good Bourbon and smoking cigars with some of the special forces guys who will be showing off their fence work skills in Vegas next month.
Be sure to stay tuned Cowhorse Full Contact social media to learn more about news & upcoming episodes from the Performance Horse World.

Chris Dawson Interview

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