Nancy Chapman
Flint Lee hosted the second annual Cowboy Clinic at Rafter 3C, teaching the fundamentals of showing a horse in the Cowboy Class at the NRCHA, a four-event class: reining, herd work, down-the-fence, and roping. The facilities were sponsored by Priefert Ranching Equipment.
Forty-five talented riders had the opportunity to learn from seven of the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s top-winning riders, who donated their time to help participants improve their performance and gain better show experience.
The seven clinicians included:
- Flint Lee, owner of Lee Stockhorses, has won multiple championships in NRCHA events, including the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity, Snaffle Bit Futurity events in Texas and Las Vegas, and championships with the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association. He is based in Fallon.
- Darrel Norcutt, owner of Darrel Norcutt Performance Horses in Fallon, has multiple titles from the Snaffle Bit Futurities in Texas and Las Vegas, as well as the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association and Reno Snaffle Bit events.
- Jimmy VanBelle, of BMW Performance Horses, runs a family-owned ranch in Paisley, Oregon. He has earned championships through the Idaho Futurity Reined Cow Horse and the High Desert Reined Cow Horse Association.
- Nicholas Barthelemy, originally from New Caledonia, now trains reined cow horses at Creek Hollow Ranch in Southern California. He has won the Novice Open class at the NRCHA Stakes and earned multiple titles since 2014.
- Shane Steffen, owner of Steffen Performance Horses in Powell Butte, Oregon, holds lifetime earnings nearing $500,000 and is ranked 14th among Open Professional Horsemen in 2025. He was named the 2021 World's Greatest Horseman Champion.
- Russell Funk, of Running R Rope Horses, trains calf roping and team roping horses. He also conducts roping clinics and coaches high school rodeo athletes.
- Ron Emmons, of Ione, California, is a two-time World's Greatest Horseman Champion with numerous AQHA world titles and NRCHA premier event wins.
- Jake Telford, of Caldwell, Idaho, is a $2 Million Dollar Rider and one of only four NRCHA trainers to reach that milestone.
The two-day clinic, held August 2–3, was divided into four event stations. Each clinician assisted participants with techniques, communication, and strategy for each of the four competitive areas.
In Herd Work, clinicians Darrel Norcutt and Jimmy VanBelle demonstrated how to use the mechanical flag to develop cow sense and positioning. Riders practiced both flag work and live cattle scenarios in the arena.
In Cow Work, Flint Lee broke down boxing, fence work, and circling. Riders first practiced with a mounted partner acting as the cow, before moving to live cattle. Clinicians Jake Telford and Shane Steffen coached each participant through boxing, controlling the cow down the fence, and circling.
The Rein Work station focused on precision maneuvers. Ron Emmons worked with riders on circles and lead changes, while Nicholas Barthelemy focused on stops and spins. Each clinician identified specific rider issues and helped improve accuracy and communication with the horse.
The final stop, Roping, was led by Russell Funk. He evaluated each rider's swing, rope position, dally technique, and strategy for turning and stopping the steer.
On Sunday, a mock show allowed 44 participants to run a full pattern and receive live critiques from clinicians. Riders were given feedback on where they gained or lost points and how to improve their scores in a real show environment.
Award sponsors included Marissa Rae Julian, Branded N Silver, and Integrity Feeds. Branded N Silver donated a silver concho snaffle bit, awarded to show winner Lynette Frye.
NRCHA staff helped ensure the event ran smoothly, while generous food and supply sponsors included Fallon Livestock Processing, Horny Toad Jerky, Snyder’s Pinenut Livestock, Berney Realty, Patty Julian, Fallon 4-H and FFA, Fallon Livestock LLC, and American Ag Credit.
Flint Lee expressed sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the clinic’s success.
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