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‘Stylish Reys’ and Paige Brummund win Reserve Champion in AQHA Versatility World Show. [Photo: Shane Rux Photography]
Paige Brummund didn’t dip her spurs into ranch and cow horse versatility events until just about 3 years ago. Having a background predominantly in recreational and ranch riding, she had to shop for a cow horse. “I bought ‘Davie’ a few years ago from another non-pro competitor in Colorado — sight unseen,” said the cowgirl.
Since then, Brummund has added first-place reining finish in the National Ranch & Stock Horse Alliance (NRSHA) and top ten in NRSHA’s limited amateur all-around, along with Reserve Champion in the limited amateur reining for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) to her resume.
Brummund of Donnybrook, N.D. showed ‘Stylish Reys” aka Davie, a 7-year-old stallion ‘in style’ this past June 20-24, 2023, in Guthrie, Oklahoma at the Lazy E Arena during the American Quarter Horse Association Versatility Ranch Horse World Show.
Brummund said that ‘Davie’ is a push-style cow horse. With a thunderstorm brewing in the Oklahoma skies as Brummund hit the reining pen, her stallion kept moving forward despite the weather and tarps blowing off the fence and into the arena. They just kept going, according to the horsewoman, and made the ‘ride of their summer.’
Brummund was mostly self-taught when it came to horses, acquiring her first when she was about 14. “My parents thought it was just a phase, but it wasn’t — I’ve been horse crazy my whole life.”
Brummund worked through 4-H, open horse shows, animal science and equine degrees in college, ring stewarding for breed shows, and then moved to Texas after college — working her way into equine breeding management careers. “I learned so much about the horse industry while I was down south, and then moved back to North Dakota to take a job as an NDSU Extension agent in Ward County, where I also farm and ranch with Christopher Rockemen near Donnybrook.”
“The horses we raise and ride here in North Dakota are suited for these ranch versatility events. Even though there aren’t a ton of versatility shows offered up here, I encourage anyone to just try it out when they get a chance,” stated Brummund.
Brummund organizes practice shows at her facility, promoting the industry she is passionate about.
‘Genuine Lil Gun’ and Anderson competing on the ranch trail course. [Photo: Shane Rux Photography]
Jacob Anderson of Lisbon, N.D. said, “It was so nice seeing North Dakotans go down to Guthrie and crack into the top ten of the world in the youth, amateur, and open classes. Two horses were North Dakota bred, proving you can find quality horses right here in North Dakota.”
“Paige knew her strong suits and she did just an amazing job competing in Guthrie. She let the big things happen, and she babysat through the maneuvers where her horse needed her,” said fellow showman/trainer Jacob Anderson.
Anderson’s resume heightened as well. Showing ‘Genuine Lil Gun’, the horseman ended up with an 8th place finish of the world in the open junior reining.
Show stoppers-Anderson and ‘Genuine Lil Gun’. [Photo: Shane Rux Photography]
“The preparation I used to compete at a world show was controlling his mind. I just slowed everything down and went back to basic mechanics, like when he was two years old. I knew conditions such as heat may play a factor, but having his mind locked in and keeping things simple gave us a foundation to maintain success,” said Anderson.
Another stand out from the Peace Garden State was Emily Fannik of Max, N.D. Placing in the top ten of the Limited Youth All-Around, this cowgirl showed ‘RSF Honey Gun’, a six-year-old mare that she had purchased from Brummund, as a two-year-old and was a Dakota 50/50 horse.
Emily Fannik-Top Ten Youth All Around. [Photo: Kristi Fannik]
“Emily is an outstanding youth competitor. She has done 99 percent of the work on her horse. She shows up to clinics, practices and is coachable and very competitive. With a few months of coaching assistance with Jacob Anderson, she took an underrated cow horse from North Dakota and competed against some high caliber horses and took names,” according to Brummund.
Emily Fannik and ‘RSF Honey Gun’ on the ranch course. [Photo Kristi Fannik]
“Emily did an amazing job of keeping her composure at the world show. She stayed calm, focused, and made the least number of mistakes while in the pen. She didn’t try to overdo it or over show and the results speak for themselves,” said Anderson on Fannik’s top ten finish.
Les Merck of Minot, N.D. finished 27th in the AQHA VRH All-Around on AR Colonels Little Badger, another Dakota 50/50 horse. He came in 5th in Conformation.
According to Anderson, “This was the coolest experience I’ve ever had. The rail and ranch patterns are in a pasture at the Lazy E. The set up is surreal like a ranch. Even if you just go down to spectate or participate, I highly recommend that more non-pro’s get out of their comfort zone and go for it.”
The Versatility Ranch Horse competition promotes the athletic ability and versatility of the horse and is demonstrated in six classes — ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch cutting, ranch reining, ranch cow work and ranch confirmation according to the American Quarter Horse Association’s web site.
For more results and information, visit aqha.com.
Tisa Peek is a long-time horse trainer, competitor in barrel racing and team roping, and writer about the equine. Rodeo and horses run deep in her roots. JT Family Equine is where she calls home, south of Bismarck, ND. Tisa, along with her husband, Jon, and boys, Blu and River, train horses and host clinics. Tisa is the host for Dakota Cowboy on BEK TV.