The Converse Cowboy

Jim Kiser is the mastermind behind the legendary Kiser arena drags that you'll see today at most every big performance horse event.

Tune in to this episode to hear how an idea for a piece of equipment to groom the footing for horse events in the late 80' turned into a business that has revolutionized the performance horse industry that we know today.

Enjoy the show!!

The Converse Cowboy

Melanie Smith is the owner and founder of Solo Select Horses, the full-service operation at the forefront of the performance horse industry with a focus on disciplines ranging from cutting to roping to racing.

More than 15 years ago, Melanie started on a path that would eventually lead her to incredible success in the performance horse industry. Over the years, she has sold thousands of horses all over the world, creating great connections with buyers and sellers alike. The slogan for Solo Select Horses is "The VERY Best", and Melanie stands firmly behind those words. She is well known for her honesty, integrity, passion and quality stock in the world of Western performance horses.

Tune in to this episode to find out how she has continued to innovate in a world that is rooted in tradition and at the same time maintained respect for the western way of life.

"It's either going to work or it isn't". #keepbuilding (Melanie Smith)

Enjoy the show!

The Converse Cowboy ​

Austin Shepard, NCHA Hall of Fame Rider, two time NCHA Futurity winner, and NCHA Open World Champion with over $10 Million in LTE. Austin has trained some of the most elite cutting horses in the industry today, including: Highbrow CD, Bet Hesa Cat, Bamacat, Bama Jelly, Dual Reyish, Wood She B Magic, Kittenish, Kinky Bootz, Fancy Deville, Countess Catrina and dozens more.

Topics we discuss: •Buster Welch •The evolution of the performance horse •Pregame rituals and mindfulness practice •Show shirts •The American Performance Horseman •Lessons learned the hard way •Top horses in the industry today

Enjoy the show!

The Converse Cowboy

Mark Michels, owner and founder of 'Performance Horse Central' visits me on the show at the Teton Ridge booth during the '2023 Metallic Cat NCHA Futurity'. 'Performance Horse Central' has revolutionized how spectators and competitors stay in tune with the performance horse industry today.

Mark is the mastermind behind PHC and the primary reason that it has become a staple for the performance horse industry. Enjoy the show!

The Converse Cowboy

Cade Shepard sets the tone for the 2023 NCHA Futurity, marking a 225 in the 1st go. He visits the show at the Teton Ridge booth to discuss his run. We talk about what makes this horse special and his strategy for events like the Futurity. Enjoy the show!

The Converse Cowboy

Luca Fappani, professional Reining Horse Trainer, $625K LTE, has a bright future ahead of him. With some of the best to ever play the game in his corner, we discuss the role that his father and NRHA legend, Andrea Fappani, ($8 Million LTE) has played in shaping his mindset in the show pen. We discuss what shows like 'The Run For A Million' and Teton Ridge's 'American Performance Horse' are doing for the performance horse industry. Enjoy the show!!

The Converse Cowboy

Glad to have Matt MIlls visit the show in Las Vegas at 'The Run For A Million'. Born and raised in Southern California, Matt began riding horses at an early age. He enjoyed a successful career as a youth rider, earning multiple championships throughout California in a variety of disciplines including western pleasure, horsemanship and trail. In 1996 he switched his focus to reining and a few years later established his own training operation in Scottsdale, Arizona. Recently he made the move to Weatherford, Texas.

Matt is consistently ranked on the NRHA Top Twenty Professionals Riders list and has NRHA lifetime earnings of over $1,000,000.00. He is regularly a finalist at major NRHA events and has received several titles including NRHA Intermediate Open Futurity Reserve Champion as well as multiple titles at the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC). He has also earned several large futurity and derby titles including RMRHA Summer Slide, High Roller Reining Classic, SWRHA Futurity and NRHA Cowtown Classic. In addition to his youth, skill and natural riding ability, he is well known for his professionalism, showmanship, and charismatic personality. Consequently, he is in high demand for clinics in the United States, Europe and Mexico. Enjoy the show!!

The Converse Cowboy

Truly a pleasure to visit with Chelsea Edsall (@cheersitschelsea), this episode is entertaining and informative. Tune into this episode to hear more about the performance horse world from a trainer's wife perspective. We cover a number of topics throughout this interview, ie. Texas living, IG Lives, Cowhorse mental health, The Run For A Million and much more. Enjoy the show! Subscriber Benefits, (Subscribe only on Apple Podcast). • Early Access To All Shows • Ad-Free Listening • Exclusive Content • A minimum of 10% of subscription profits will be donated to charity • (New episodes released weekly) As always thank you for your support! Stay Grateful!! The Converse Cowboy

Al Dunning has owned and operated the Almosta Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona since 1970. Over the years, Al has developed his multi-faceted equine business with a focus on the development of champion horses and riders. With over 45 World and Reserve World Titles, Al and his students have dominated in AQHA, NCHA, NRCHA, and NRHA events. His love of teaching has taken Al all over the world, conducting clinics and sharing his techniques and philosophies of horsemanship. Enjoy the show! Subscriber Benefits, (Subscribe only on Apple Podcast). • Early Access To All Shows • Ad-Free Listening • Exclusive Content • A minimum of 10% of subscription profits will be donated to charity • (New episodes released weekly) As always thank you for your support, enjoy the show! The Converse Cowboy

NRCHA Million Dollar Rider, and 2016 Worlds Greatest Horseman Champion, Clayton Edsall joins me on the show in Las Vegas during 'The Run For A Million'. Enjoy the show!!

Subscriber Benefits: (Subscribe only on Apple Podcast). •Early Access To All Shows •Ad-Free Listening •Exclusive Content •A minimum of 10% of subscription profits will be donated to charity •(New episodes released weekly)

As always thank you for your support!

Stay Grateful!! The Converse Cowboy