'Cooper'

15hh, 2001, light buckskin, ranch-bred QH gelding

‘Cooper’ is as cute as they come. Cooper and Devanee are assessing Level 4 of the Parelli Program. This is the level for versatility! Jumping a course, barrel racing in the rodeo, cutting cows, or mountain riding, he does it all! (He can even do most of these things bridleless.) Flying lead changes, sliding stops and spins are fun stuff bareback with just a string. What a treat to have a horse at this stage of his development.

Cooper has unique qualities that make him very special to us at Cardinal Ranch. He is a quiet guy with a little twinkle in his eye. In cowboy terms you would say that this loyal little horse has ‘try’. He is sweet, gentle and totally genuine. What you see is what you get, and it’s all pretty great stuff.

Cooper is progressing through Level 3 of the Parelli Program. Cooper is going well in the new ‘cradle bridle’ and starting to do some of the finesse tasks in Level 3. He has also learned the fundamentals of reining with worldclass reiner, Craig Johnson. At the moment Cooper is Devanee’s main horse with the goal of finishing Level 3 in the near future.

Note from Devanee: To say Cooper is cool would be a huge understatement. I call him ‘Super Cooper’ (minus the cape and tights)! Cooper’s progress is a testament to the Parelli approach. Cooper was initially shy and timid (possibly a right brained introvert?), but he was soon offering all kinds of neat stuff. Now he is a trusting partner that thinks the world is his playground.

Update Spring 08: New experiences include roping calves and working buffalo! Devanee and Cooper are currently recieving some coaching from reiner Clay Webster. The lead changes and spins are really coming along!