Classic Connections – All In On Reining
The Davidson family may be new to reining, but their success reads like more of a seasoned exhibitor’s resume. In part, it is due to their shared passion about the sport and enjoyment of showing as a family under trainer Troy Koehl’s experienced eye.
David Davidson, his wife, Casey, and children Deanna, 11, and Will, 8, started showing in the Stock Horse of Texas association competing in all four versatility classes – ranch reining, working cow horse, stock horse pleasure and ranch trail – but quickly, reining became everyone’s favorite event.
“We purchased reining horses that were aged out of Derby events and started putting them on cattle with Troy, and it was a magic combination,” said Casey. “We would look at reining horses with cow bloodlines, and every one we brought home has taken to working a cow fantastically. The most surprising one is ‘Dreamin,’ by Hollywood Tinseltown and out of a Magnum [Chic Dream] mare, and he has the most heart on a cow!”
Dreamin, registered as DreaminInTinseltown, is Will’s show horse that he shares with his trainer. The young man and the tall palomino have become a regular figure in the warm-up pen, partially due to the gelding’s flowing yellow mane.
“Will is about to turn 9 and Dreamin is 9, so they’ll be 9 together,” Casey said.
The family purchased Koehl a Derby-aged reiner, and with the 4-year-old in two, the family hit the road traveling from Nacogdoches, Texas, to their first major National Reining Horse Association event, the Cactus Reining Classic in Scottsdale, Arizona. There, the Davidson’s saw the kind of success many exhibitors hope to achieve after years of practice: David qualified for the Rookie The Run For A Million on Lil Sugar Man, Casey rode to a top 10 finish in the Green reiner aboard Claim Your Cash, and Deanna earned first place in the Rookie Youth riding Shine Man Shine while Will was top five both shows in the Short Stirrup.
It was a huge confidence boost for David to show in a much larger arena with more spectators. Plus, qualifying for such a big event was almost a pie-in-the-sky goal.
“Going into the next one, you’re a little more used to the atmosphere,” David said. “It was the first time I was judged by five judges, and you have to please more than one person. It gives you more confidence going into this next one.”
The family’s initial interest in SHTX was due to the family atmosphere and while it is a businesslike atmosphere at reinings, they’ve found the same welcome at NRHA events. Especially Will, who hasn’t met a stranger yet and has his own growing fan club at the NRBC.
“He is not afraid to walk up to anyone,” David laughed. “Casey Hinton is right behind us, and he’s always encouraging him. People like that who are looking out for your kids make you feel like it’s a place where you don’t worry about your kids here.”
“Casey Deary asked me if I was Will’s mom in the warm-up pen today! He said we should be proud of him,” Casey continued. “[These trainers] have complimented and boosted up Will and it has been a great experience.”
For Koehl, returning to the reining industry after a five-year hiatus has been fun. The Montgomery, Texas-based trainer began his career in reining, then moved to focus on cow horse for the past five years. It’s a juggling act to attend all the events.
“They have two cow horses, and I’ll leave one cow horse show to fly to The Run For A Million to be with David,” Koehl said. “When [they] decided to go to reinings, it was fun to jump back in and see the friends I hadn’t seen in five years.”
In Tulsa, the entire Davidson family is competing. David is in the Non Pro Classic, Casey in the Green and Rookie classes where she’s competing against Will in the Green and he is showing in the Short Stirrup, and Deanna is in the Youth. It’s truly a family affair!
