Ashcraft Performance Horses

12/08/2024

No action shots this time from the Magic Valley Reined Cow Horse Association. They did however put on a good show and we did do well! Catastrophic Cat came home with the LO Derby reserve champion slot and placed in the top 4 in the Open Hackamore, making checks in both events!

The highlight for me however, was being able to enjoy this trip with my girls. I'm on the road quite a bit, and more times than not, they don't get to go along with me. Between the shoulder rubs while driving down the road, hotel swimming pools, horse baths, naps, and waterfalls, we had a pretty good time. Hate to admit it, but on occasion I still tear up when I drop them off at the end... tonight was no different. They are my team, they are my support, they are my cheerleaders, they are my heart. I'm a lucky dad.

21/06/2024

What a great way to finish at the Dave Grashuis Memorial Cowhorse Show in Nevada! Catastrophic Cat takes home the Open Hackamore championship, marking a 74 in the reining and a 74.5 down the fence! Not much more to say about this horse that hasn't already been said. We're grateful to have a horse like this in our barn and would love 10 more like him.

Otto kept us proud as well with his respectable run, marking a 72 and 71 in the Open Bridle. He's starting to dial in and become a little more consistent and confident.

20/06/2024

Karla's Classy Pistol, "Classy" owned by Karla and Jerry Chapin of Battle Mtn, NV. made her first trip to town to compete in Winnemucca, Nevada at the Dave Grashuis Memorial Cowhorse Show. Certainly room for improvement, but despite her late arrival into the show world, she has big things ahead of her!

09/06/2024

2 weeks in Scottsdale paid off with a big finish! 3rd in the LO Derby finals. Catastrophic Cat has been quite the horse. We are both tired and ready for cooler weather! 111 degree heat can take the energy out of you, and can also turn your gummie bears into one giant gummie blob. We're looking forward to have a few days at home before heading off to Winnemucca, NV on Thursday.

28/05/2024

Finished up at the Idaho Reined Cowhorse Derby last night at 8pm and headed straight for Scottsdale, AZ for the NRCHA Western Derby which starts Wednesday.

Idaho was a roller coaster. I wasn't particularly happy with Catastrophic Cat. He had more to give in the Derby than what he gave. We ended in the middle of the pack. I had my concerns for Westwind Otto as well. I didn't feel like he'd warmed up his best either 🤣🤦‍♂️ but then we rode in and he surprised us all! His best run yet, marking a 145.5 in the reining and a 144.5 on the fence work. Placing 5th in the open bridle and 3rd in the Intermediate. Great show for him.

A last minute entry, Catastrophic Cat came in for the Open Hackamore and made a great run! Redeeming himself, we ended up splitting the reserve open championship! A day off today and we start again tomorrow, getting ready for this Arizona heat!

23/05/2024

To be underestimated is an incredible gift. It took a fair amount of time to find the value in that thought. Time wasted attempting to defend a position or circumstance. Wasted sacrificing self-respect and the feeling of self-worth to gain favor with another, only to be shamed for honest effort. Wasted on those who'd seemingly never let you off your knees, as though you owe them some kind of unpaid debt, no matter your effort. Many will not believe you have it in you. Surprise them. Don't be shamed for chasing your dreams.

Advice....
1) Surround yourself with the people who love you, instead of the people who don't. Not everyone who likes your pictures on Facebook likes your happiness.
2) Build it yourself. It's your dream, not someone else's. The more you sacrifice for something, the more you'll love and care for it.
3) Let go. Only fight for the things that will fight for you. When your ship starts taking on water, you'll know what those things are. Throw the rest overboard.
4) Prepare yourself physically, spiritually, and emotionally. When you wage war on the world, the world fights back.

Stay the grand finale. Stay the reading of your swan song and epilogue. We get one shot at this experience we call "life."

11/04/2024

Catastrophic Cat finished up the prelims today in Vegas at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes well enough to get us in the top 10 of the LO Derby, qualifying us for the finals! He's in the first set of the herd work in the morning, coming back Saturday to wrap it up with the reining and fence work. Watch live at NRCHA.COM

10/03/2024

Much like many others I'm sure, this horse has a story to tell. Catastrophic Cat has been earning his stripes all year long in his first year as a show horses. Missing his entire 3 year old year was devastating, knowing he was on the sidelines while others were gaining experience we weren't able to. 2023 wasn't exactly easy either, given the recent move and construction of a new facility, we basically had to train by competing. Though it started off a little shaky, I knew I had a horse under me, and as the year progressed he began to understand his job and began to excell. Winning money at every.... single.... show he went to, qualifying for the NRCHA World Show, and making the finals, finishing 4th in the Nation and 8th in the world, we're quite happy.

Tonight he received his awards at the ImRCHA year end banquet with a Reserve Champion title in both the Intermediate and Open Hackamore, and crowned Champion of the Limited Open Hackamore. Still plenty of refining to do but when you know you have a good one, you know.

Joined tonight by Bev and Terry Rees, the owners, and their daughter Tarrah, much more like family than clients. A huge thank you and congratulations to them. And a big thanks to my not-so-little girls for supporting me, and packing out his arm full of awards! ;)

10/03/2024

Without permission from owner Bryan Blatt, I'm going to take a moment to speak plainly about his Morgan horse, Westwind Otto.

Tonight we celebrated his new title of Reserve Champion in the Intermediate Open Bridle, and crowned him with the year-end Championship buckle in the Limited Open Bridle for the 2023 season in the ImRCHA. My goal for the year was to win a buckle on this horse for his owner. I knew the odds of this were slim. Unlike nearly every horse he's had to compete against, he has not come from a long line of selectively bred cowhorses.

I don't particularly ride into any given arena swollen with pride that I'm riding the only Morgan horse in the NRCHA. In fact, I tend to wonder what others may be thinking..... I've heard some good and bad comments. The truth is, I need Otto in my program. It's a blessing to be showing any horse and I don't take that for granted, regardless of pedigree.

In my program Otto is ridden like every other horse and is given the same opportunity and held to the same standards as any other horse I have in training. He's got some work to do. I do not have him where I want him. He's still green in the bridle and his steering goes out at high rates of speed 😄 and I have left the arena on more than one occasion embarrassed by this.... but I'm determined to fix that. Otto has more to give. I do not expect to sweep the NRCHA with this horse, but he's an excellent horse and a pleasure to be around. I do have confidence he will one day do this job completely and correctly. To what level is entirely up to him. He will not be held back based on me thinking "He's just a Morgan." He has done a pretty dang good job so far and you have to respect that.

I'm grateful to Bryan and wish he could have been here to receive this buckle himself. He and Otto deserved this. I'm grateful my girls were able to share this with me. Quite an accomplishment for this little Morgan.

29/02/2024

Better late than never, last week wrapped up the "2023" season with the NRCHA World Show in Ft Worth, TX. Qualifying both Westwind Otto in each level of the Open Bridle, and Catastrophic Cat in each level of the Open Hackamore. Otto was Otto, finishing in the top 25 of the LO Bridle, quite the accomplishment for this Morgan stallion. Catastrophic Cat was no disappointment either, making the LO Hackamore finals and finishing in the top 10!

Already making plans for the 2024 season and excited about what's to come!

We're very grateful for the support we've received from family, friends, sponsors, and followers! We hope to put on quite a show this year!

19/02/2024

The NRCHA World Show kicked off (for us) today, with the LO Hackamore prelims. With a grateful heart, we're proud to announce that Catastrophic Cat finished today in the top 10, bringing him back this coming Tuesday to compete in the finals where they'll crown the 2023 World Champion.

We express thanks to owner, Beverly Rees, of Elk, WA, for the love and support she and her family have shown me and my family. We hope to have continued success with her little guy as the future allows, both here in Ft Worth, TX, and all of 2024.

06/11/2023

2023 a wrap! Finishing up today at the Idaho Reined Cowhorse Association's show. Catastrophic Cat once again in style, Reserve Champion in the Limited Open Hackamore, and placing in the Intermediate and Open Hackamore. Winning money in 100% of his shows for the year. Quite the accomplishment for this little guy. Could not be more proud of him and any more grateful to the Rees Family for all the opportunity they provide for our program and faith they've had in me. Big thanks to Legends Ranch Show Pads for keeping him well dressed in the pretty threads, and Sx Stall Treatment for keeping the barn smelling good!

27/09/2023

Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity is a wrap. Finished up in a good way. "Mr. Consistent" (Catastrophic Cat) placed in the Derby reining, and came back in both hackamore shows winning checks, putting him 3rd in the average in both the Open and Intermediate Open Hackamore, and finishing Reserve Champion in the Limited Open Hackamore!!! What a horse he's turning out to be. 100 percent of his shows ending up in the money to date.

Westwind Otto has been no slouch either.... sporting his new threads after placing in both Limited Open Bridle shows and ending up Reserve Champion in the average! He's consistently getting better in his fence work! Lots of heart! The little Morgan that could!

20/09/2023

Wrapped up Reno on Sunday and made it to Montana, Monday for the next one. Catastrophic Cat struck again with a Reserve Championship in the Limited Open Hackamore in Reno. He wasn't quite feeling himself but feels as good as ever starting off here in Kalispell... fingers crossed for the start tomorrow! Wish I had my "hired helpers" with me this week! They're the heart of the program. ;)

30/08/2023

Las Vegas was a far cry from the show we wanted. Between overreaching in a stop and tripping in the fence work it seemed like nothing was going to line up, but Sunday, Catastrophic Cat came back and had a decent fence run to get us back in the last hole and a $1000 check. Apparently he didn't want to break his money-earning streak he's had since his very first show. A couple of days off and a new set of shoes and we're ready for Utah this weekend!

16/08/2023

Westwind Otto came to show in Filer, Idaho this weekend taking 3rd in both the Intermediate and Limited Open Bridle! Marking his highest reining score so far and dragging his behind in the dirt! One day at a time, Otto is getting his job figured out and liking it too!

16/08/2023

This little athlete keeps getting better and better! Magic Valley Reined Cow Horse Association was good to us this past weekend, and Catastrophic Cat hung in as the Reserve Champion in the L1 Open Derby and Placing in the LO Derby as well. He came back Sunday in the hackamore with his highest marked reining score to date placing in the Open and Intermediate Open Hackamore, and a Champion of the LO Hackamore!

27/07/2023

Room for growth, but still ended up 3rd in the LO Hackamore in Tulsa, OK at the Hackamore Classic. Catastrophic Cat has consistently found his way to the money at every show and I still don't feel like I've got him competing near his full potential. The future looks exciting for him! Extreme gratitude for owner, Bev Rees of Elk, WA.

13/07/2023

Stressed but blessed, was how last weekend went... but "Catastrophic Cat" didn't know it! After overcoming injury as a 3 year old, and only his 4th NRCHA event, he came home as the RESERVE CHAMPION of the Open Hackamore, the CHAMPION of both the Intermediate Open and Limited Open Hackamore, and winning a check in the L1 Open Derby as well!!! What's most crazy, is knowing this horse has not yet reached his true potential!!

Working hard to get his mother bought (playgun x daughter of Doc O Lena/ Peppymint Twist), I had dreamed of breeding her to Bet Hesa Cat. This c**t was the outcome. Acquired by a long-time client (Bev Rees), I was able to keep him and train him. So excited to start him, I was saddling him on icy ground having just overcome a serious leg-break which required screws and plates to put me back together. I could hardly hang on to him. In fact, I'd posted a video of the first time I ever tried swinging a blanket over his back (see in comments) and recieved all sorts of ridicule from people all over Facebook... accusing me of ruining the horse, teaching him how to get away, that it was obvious I'd never started a c**t before. It was hard to bridle my tongue (bees don't waste time trying to convince flies, honey tastes better than s**t), and though I don't profess I always do it right, I do feel a little satisfaction being able to post this today😬

As Johnny Mitchell pointed out to me, "you knew he was good the first time you ever swung a leg over him".... and I did. I really knew he was special.

It's my hope I can help bring out all he has to offer. I hope I can show him in such a way it gives him the justice he deserves. A true athlete. I'm grateful for him and all those along the way who've helped me direct him.

11/07/2023

The Gem State Stock Horse Association NRCHA show is in the books. Once again, Westwind Otto (owner, Westwind Morgans) finds his way into the money with his biggest fence run to date! Marking a 144! Otto has begun to surpass expectations of many and it's been a geat experience to be a part of it. I'm thankful for each horse I have in training, including Otto, and hope to see him continue to progress! Thank you Westwind Morgans and thank you Legends Ranch Show Pads for keeping Otto sharp in the show pen!

21/06/2023

06/06/2023

Otto is hanging right in there after the reining today! Fence work to come Saturday

Special thanks to Bryan Blatt (owner)

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02/06/2023

Pretty good run at his first major event, 1 point off the lead, until Andrea Fappani came in and smoked us all in the reining! Catastrophic Cat holds his own, owned by Beverly Rees of Elk, WA. Sitting in great position as we enter the herd work today.

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29/05/2023

Leaving the Idaho Derby splitting 2nd in the L1 Open Derby. 'Catastrophic Cat" is getting better and better. Already on the way to Arizona. Looking forward to the NRCHA Western Derby the next couple of weeks!

23/05/2023

A successful weekend in the books. The Gem State Stock Horse Association put on a great show. Catastrophic Cat (owner Beverly Rees) took home the win as the class champion in the NRCHA Limited Open Hackamore! His second time ever to compete, and second time in the money!

Westwind Otto (owner Westwind Morgans )sharing the spotlight, his second time entering in the NRCHA Open Bridle, placing 3rd and in the money as well!

Despite the hard work, mixed with a little luck, there's plenty of room for improvement! Lots of "year" left. Only a couple of days off and we head back for the Idaho Derby and Horse Show this week!

21/05/2023

OUTSTANDING! WESTWIND OTTO PLACED 3rd IN THE OPEN BRIDLE GEM STATE NATIONAL REINED COWHORSE ASSOCIATION SHOW TODAY. THANKS TO JARED ASHCRAFT, ALL THE WESTWIND OTTO SUPPORTERS, DIANE FINDLAY WHO SOLD BAYBARRY TO ME, HARRY AND MABEL SWEETS AND JUSTIN MORGAN. WE WON"T BACK DOWN!

24/04/2023

Catastrophic Cat (owned by Beverly Rees) did not disappoint! His first NRCHA show put him in the money in Nevada over the weekend! Bright future ahead for this young horse.

And as always, Westwind Otto (owned by Westwind Morgans ) brought a lot of attention himself, wrapping up his first Open Bridle run as well!

16/04/2023

Sneak peek of "Catastrophic Cat" (Bet Hesa Cat × Daughter of Playgun) all legged up and ready to head out for Winnemucca next week for his NRCHA debut run! It's been a long time coming to see this one in the show pen!

08/04/2023

Westwind Otto was invited by the Idaho Horse Expo to represent the Morgan horse breed today. A crowd favorite for sure! We appreciate the opportunity and support from Westwind Morgans, we hope to have a year of success in this, his first year to be showing as a bridle horse.

02/04/2023