NJC Broke By Sunset contest April 30

***NJC Press Release***


If you’d like to spend a Saturday doing something out of the ordinary and free of charge, make plans now to watch some of the Broke By Sunset colt starting competition being held at the fairgrounds on April 30th. The Northeastern Junior College Equine Management Program will once again host this competition this spring on Saturday, April 30th, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the indoor arena at the Logan County Fairgrounds. This is the sixth year that the students have showcased competitive horse training abilities for the public to observe and enjoy.

Each year four students in equine management programs compete against one another to see who can accomplish what with an un-broke colt in about six hours time. At the start of the event, the colts—which are usually provided by the same horse ranch and are comparable in age and size, are placed in individual round pens inside the arena. Students draw numbers to determine who gets which horse. Using the training techniques they have learned in their academic programs, they work with the colts, primarily doing ground work until noon time, then take an hour or more break over lunch and return in the afternoon to complete the competition. The objective for the day is to get the colt saddled, be able to mount and ride around the round pen, then move out into a larger pen. The last activity of the day requires that the student ride the colt through a designated pattern in the arena. Finally, a free-style segment allows the student to do anything on the horse they choose that will truly demonstrate how cooperative they can ask the colt to be. In the past, this has included roping and dragging a barrel, standing up on the saddle and doing a rope trick and loping the arena while popping a bull whip in the air. Some years at least one or two colts aren’t very cooperative and then the show gets a little ‘western’, albeit amusing. The arena riding typically occurs about 1:30 p.m. with the contest over and awards presented by 3 p.m. Both young men and women have competed in the contest. All of the past winners have been male, however.

Judges who are accomplished horse trainers from the region are brought in to evaluate the students at work, awarding points for use of various training techniques, tools and philosophies. At the end of the event, the winners are announced and prizes are awarded.

In past years, contestants have come in from colleges as far away as Wyoming and Kansas. It was decided this year to have four of the NJC contestants compete against each other.

This is a free event, open to the public. There is seating in the indoor arena for spectators to sit and watch. A concession stand will be open and the students will be holding a silent auction as a fundraiser for the Equine Management Club. Area businesses and horse enthusiasts generously donate items to this auction.