ThisWeek CW 10/06/2011
When the 44th All American Quarter Horse Congress opens at the Ohio Expo Center (state fairgrounds) later this month, it will mark Fairfield County native Chuck Smith’s 44th year as part of the world’s largest single-breed horse show.
“The Quarter Horse Congress was developed back in ’67, and I was a ringmaster back at the very first one,” said Smith, 63, owner of the Chuck Smith Cutting Horses ranch at 650 Bowen Road in Canal Winchester.
“It’s been a real thrill to work with the Quarter Horse Congress group for almost 50 years now, to develop and promote this event that’s turned into a $180-million event,” Smith said.
There are more than 17,000 entries for this year’s event.
American quarter horses are a breed of horse known for their ability to outpace other breeds in quarter-mile and shorter races. Cutting horses are quarter horses trained to use their speed and agility to separate a cow from a herd.
All American Quarter Horse Congress, slated for Oct. 7-30, holds 19 different competitions for horses and riders, including cutting, according to the group’s website (www. oqha.com).
Smith’s history with horses goes back to his youth on his family farm just west of Lancaster, where he had his first horse at age 12. Two years after graduating with a master’s degree in animal science from Ohio State University in 1974, Smith and horse trainer Dale Wilkinson founded the Center for Equine and Pre-Veterinary Studies at what was then Findlay College in Findlay, Ohio.
“In 1981, I won the world championship as a nonprofessional in the reining competition at the Quarter Horse Congress,” Smith said.
Reining is an event that highlights a horse’s agility through running a specific pattern.
“At that time, I was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn to train cutting horses in Texas from the top trainer at that time, Larry Reader,” he said.
During the 1980s, cutting horse events were very popular in western states, but not as popular in the Midwest, where reining horse competitions were the most popular western-style riding events, according to Smith.
Smith took his first job training cutting horses at a plantation just south of Augusta, Ga. After four years in Georgia, Smith said he was ready to come home. On a handshake deal with Dan Evans, of Bob Evans Farms, Smith opened his first central Ohio cutting horse facility at Evans Farms in 1986.
Prior to Dan Evans’ death in 2010, Smith worked with Evans and his wife to open the horse facility that he currently operates; the old facility now specializes in cattle.
Since 1990, Smith has been involved with the National Cutting Horse Association, the sanctioning body for cutting horse completions in the U.S. His role as judge at events takes him back and forth across the country every year, with special event trips to Canada and France.
According to Smith, cutting horses are growing in popularity, particularly in Europe.
“I’m looking forward to doing some more international judging over the next year or two,” he said.
He isn’t planning to slow down anytime soon: “I’ve still got plenty of goals to reach before I’m done.”
Smith is in the process of raising a new barn at the farm to expand his operations.
“The biggest thing for me is when I have somebody new come to my facility and say they’ve always dreamed of cutting horses. I put them on a good horse and just watch the excitement and expression on their face,” Smith said.
“When you feel that horse take ahold of that cow and control it — well, it’s just something you have to experience. I’ve never had anyone not want to do it again.”
Smith welcomes newcomers to the farm any time during the week to see the horses and to give cutting horses a try; more information is available at www.chucksmithcuttinghorses. webs.com.
“It isn’t just the riding, it’s the camaraderie for me; I only work on positive programs and with positive people,” Smith said.