Reined Cow Horses: The Final Brazilian Frontier
Les Vogt is first to bring reined cow horse tradition to Brazilian riders
PRESIDENTE PRUDENTE, BRAZIL—Brazil is a nation steeped in culture and
tradition. More than 3.5 million people descend on the country's urban centers
each summer to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Carnival, its
best-known tradition. But this year, a new tradition was being forged miles from
the chaos of Rio—thanks to the expertise of an American horseman.
Reined
cow horse legend Les Vogt became a part of Brazilian horsemanship history on
February 21–23, when he held the nation's first-ever cow work clinic, hosted by
Dr. Fernando Da Costa. Two hundred spectators, including Argentinian and
Uruguayan gauchos, gathered at Mimi's Rancho Luciano to watch the 15-time world
champion introduce the concept of cow work to 10 select Brazilian riders.
"The quality of the Brazilians' reining is nothing less than excellent,"
Les attested. "They're very good horsemen and very good reiners. But there has
never been a reined cow horse instructor there to help them."
Stepping up
to that task, Les and his assistant/girlfriend Kay Williams spent three days
demonstrating how to introduce horses to cow work and how to train them down the
fence through all the traditional phases of the discipline. In the process, he
learned some fascinating facts about Brazilian horsemanship as well.
For
instance, many Brazilian performance horses are Quarter Horses of the same
bloodlines as top American cutters, reiners and cow horses. But Brazilians also
ride another breed called a Carola, which they liken to a "Portuguese Mustang."
According to Les, Carolas are just as talented as Quarter Horses and very
impressive in the show pen.
Those talents will be needed if they are to
become cow horses in Brazil, as the South American cattle of choice would make
any cowboy wish for the toughest California steer. The Brazilians use an African
breed that resembles a long-legged Brahma but has less respect for a horse than
your average Holstein. They also lack the gregariousness and gentle nature of
American cattle, which makes them a nightmare to work down the fence.
The wily critters line up, however, when the bahancha enters the arena.
One of an elite traditional group, the bahancha—described by Brazilians as a
"cow whisperer"—blows an elaborately carved, 4-foot-long polished horn, making
grunting sounds more akin to a pig than to a cow, to summon the cattle. Then the
otherwise foul-tempered beasts run from a quarter-mile away to trail the
bahancha as though he were the Pied Piper. Fortunately for Les and his students,
world champion bahancha Alceudo Berrante was on hand at Rancho Luciano to round
up a herd for the clinic.
Les Vogt has taught the arts of reined cow
horse training and showing across the United States, Europe, Australia and South
America for nearly 30 years. For more information or for a schedule of upcoming
clinics, look at the clinic schedule or call (805)
455-0162.
