Staff Writer
Dave White and Cecil really are going to be in Kansas — Topeka, that is, competing in the Extreme Cowboy Challenge World Championship Nov. 13 — 15.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb ScottDave White and Cecil
White, 54, and a confirmed horseman since the age of 4 or 5, was first introduced to horses by his grandfather who used workhorses on his horse-drawn equipment farm in Dexter. Over the years, White has endured several riding accidents, one of the first when he was in the eighth grade and was trampled by a horse; another more recent incident resulted in being wheelchair-bound for six weeks.
“In the horse world,” said White, “it’s not a matter of when you get hurt, it’s how bad.” On the first day out of his wheelchair White said he had to go riding so using his tractor, he was able to position himself on his mount and rode through his property. “I was sore, but it was just something I had to do.”
White earned the automatic invitation to the world finals competition by winning events at the local level spear-headed by Jay and Gloria Duncan of the Cowboy Heritage Trail-riding Club on July 11 and Sept 6. This event was the first time this type of competition was held in any New England state.
The intensity of the Extreme Cowboy Challenge is all based on three core values; the promotion of good horsemanship; being an event which entire families can compete; and to have fun and enjoy one’s horse. The youngest category of entrants include those 7 to 12 years of age and other levels continue to age 55 and over. There are competitions for pros and non-pros although one who has earned the mandated number of points may move up from the non-pro, competing in the pro division within the same weekend event. White stated he and Cecil would be competing with an estimated 250 entrants.
The competition itself lasts only five minutes and 30 seconds, and includes 13 obstacles that a rider would normally come across on a regular trail ride, with the exception of the ‘trailering event,’ during which, still part of the time and scored event, horse and rider must once again work as a team. White said he and Cecil have this under control as they ride at a rapid pace, approaching the horse trailer and as Cecil hits the ramp, White grabs the top of the trailer, suspending himself as Cecil continues to his traveling stall. Currently White and Cecil are ranked 64th in non-pro and 95th in the national standings.
Cecil, a 12-year-old Paint breed stands 16.2 hands high and is described by his teammate as, “A good old boy — the best in the business. After years of training, the horse and horseman have developed a special bond. “Cecil is an awfully good horse and we have a huge mutual trust,” stated White. “Cecil isn’t great when it comes to water, (which could pose a problem since there will be water-related obstacles) but as long as he can make me think its his idea to go through the sprinklers, then there’s no problem.”
“Cecil is a one in a lifetime horse,” continued White, “if anything ever happened to him it would be nothing less than devastating.”
Regarding the world championship event, White stressed that without the understanding and support of his wife, Mary, he and Cecil wouldn’t be making the trip to Topeka. “Because of the short window of time between the local events and the mid-November competition,” said White, “we had to come up with the entrant fees and travel costs, I wouldn’t be going, if not for Mary’s support.”
White has four daughters, Breanne, Megan, Hanah and Hailey, who is 11 year old and will be making the two and one-half day trip covering 1,900 miles to Kansas with her father and Cecil. Hailey, her Dad and Cecil will meet up with three other competition riders in Massachusetts and from there the group will trailer their horses together to Kansas.
White stated that without the aide and support from others in the local communities, he and Cecil might not be leaving Caribou; these individuals include Carl Crawford of Crawford Homes in Houlton and members of the Fort Fairfield Rotary Club.
Dave White and Cecil aren’t the only team heading to Kansas, as another Caribou horseman, Lance LaMothe, the son of Chip and Amy LaMothe will also be a participant in the event. “Lance, is the best young rider around,” said White, “I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win in the Young Guns’ division.”
The Extreme Cowboy Association World Championship will take place at the Kansas Expo Centre and will feature contestants in six different divisions; Young Guns, ages 7-11; Youth, ages 12-17; Novice; Non-Pro, Pro and Ride Smart, ages 55 and over. The top horse/rider from each division will be crowned the 2009 Extreme Cowboy World Champion. Contestants will endure the challenging course consisting of obstacles that test riding skills and horse and rider partnership.
The competition is sponsored by Craig Cameron a world re-knowned horseman and member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Culver Academy Hall of Fame, who provides education and entertainment demonstrating his famous horsemanship skills.
The Extreme Cowboy Association World Championship will be aired on RFD TV. For more information go to www.extremecowboyassociation.com.
