Summer Camp - Cutting Style

Sound inviting? More than 60 people from across the nation thought so, and attended the Whitney Welch Memorial Bible and Cutting Horse Camp hosted by Horsemen For Christ last year.

The idea began several years ago when Horsemen For Christ founder, Joe Howard Williamson, helped others host a Christian-based camp with a variety of disciplines, including pleasure, cutting and many others. "With the encouragement of many professionals in the cutting industry, I decided to focus the camp on cutting."

Williamson teams up with Christian cutting horse trainers to provide a hands-on, in-depth clinic that is geared to the skill levels of the participants. "The trainers divide everyone into six or seven groups, based on their skill levels, not their age," explains Rainbolt. "Each group goes with a trainer and stays with that particular trainer the entire week. We've had very basic beginners all the way to professional trainers that go through the camp.

Most groups have approximately 10 to 12 riders, so each rider gets a lot of individual attention. "Each group gets their own arena," says Williamson, "and fresh cattle every day. Everyone gets plenty of riding time and instruction."

In addition to the one-on-one instruction, every rider is videoed. "We spend a half day cutting, and then watch the videos. In the afternoons, each trainer puts on a demonstration," says Williamson. "They might bring some three-year-olds that they are preparing for the Futurity, or maybe show a finished horse. We try to focus on several different levels of training."

Trainers have included Russell Harrison, Faron Hightower and Greg Welch. This year's trainers are Tim McCloud, Craig Thompson, Matt Gaines, Phil Rapp, Chubby Turner, Mike Mowery and Josh King.

"I think a large part of our success is the commitment from some of the top trainers in the industry," Rainbolt says. "Many of these guys are World or Futurity Champions."

Williamson agrees. These guys are top of the line, he says. In addition to the trainers, the camp also relies on the help of many volunteers. "We have a tremendous set of helpers. Many help saddle horses, help turn back, whatever we need. Amy King has always been a big help, as has Chris Benedict, hauling fresh cattle back and forth every day. Jerry Durrant is a big sponsor as well."

One night the entire camp gathers at the Durrant's home for a swim and pizza party mixed in with praise and worship. "Our goal for the camp is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, while giving everyone the opportunity to learn from some of the best trainers around," says Rainbolt.

Williamson teaches "the Word of the Lord in a contemporary way, with the help of a contemporary Christian band." The band participates throughout the day, he says. "They get us started in the morning, sing at lunch and in the evening during Bible study."

Participants range in age from youth to older adults. "We have a shuttle service for those 18 and under to get them from the motel and back. We welcome all ages and skill levels," says Williamson.

Even though the camp is in Texas, participants come from across the country. "We have people from everywhere - Texas, North Carolina, Mississippi," says Rainbolt.

The camp is named for Whitney Welch, daughter of trainer Greg Welch, who was killed along with three other girls by a drunk driver just prior to the first camp. "Whitney was a fine Christian teenager who had a tremendous influence on her school, her community and the cutting industry," says Williamson. "Her life embodied what we try to promote at the camp - the enjoyment of riding cutting horses while living by God's Word."

The camp is a "package deal," including accommodations, meals, entertainment, a t-shirt, a bible study manual, four days of cutting instruction, cattle for practice and horse stall bedding, all for only $600. Participants are responsible for their horse, buckets, feed and tack.

In addition to the camp, Horsemen For Christ also leads chapels at many cuttings around the country, and provides spiritual-based counseling for those in need. They also pursue a prison ministry and hold rallies at schools across Texas and Oklahoma promoting a lifestyle free of alcohol, drugs and sexual promiscuity.

Their cutting chapels are extremely popular, with over 350 people attending the Futurity Chapel. "We also have a booth at most of the major cuttings," says Rainbolt. "It's a great opportunity to get to know the people in the industry. We want them to know we're here for them."

For more information on Horsemen For Christ and the 5th Annual Whitney Welch Memorial Camp, log onto www.horsemenforchrist.com.