Horsemanship and Pole Bending Section

From this page you can get to all our information on speed event horsemanship, pole bending, and horse training.

Pole Bending Help

There is a wealth of information on pole bending technique and speed event horsemanship to be found on the Pole Bending Help Page >>

Pole Bending Clinics

We conduct a limited number of speed event horsemanship and pole bending clinics throughout the year. You can find detailed clinic information on the Pole Bending Clinics Page >>

Pole Bending Video Lessons via the mail

We can review videos of your pole bending runs, and return the tape to you with slow motion, stop motion, and commentary recorded right on the tape with your runs. We will add videos of pole bending demonstrations and training exercises to help you progress to higher levels of competition. You can find detailed clinic information on the Video Lessons Page >>

Pole Bending DVDs and Books

We offer our own DVD of Pole Bending Technique, and we also carry Wayne Sandberg's book, Nineteen Second Pole Bending. They are filled with information, including techniques, training exercises, and practice drills. You can find more details and ordering information DVD and Books page>>

NEW! We have written a set of notes to accompany the book. They provide further explanation for some of the more challenging topics. They are available to download free by going to the book page above.

Pole Bending Bases

We have written a review of several models of pole bending bases. You can find that information with photos on the Pole Bending Bases Page >>

The Significance of the Snaffle Bit

We have written a brief explanation of the importance of the snaffle bit. The snaffle bit is a precision tool for establishing high levels of horse handling. Some regard the snaffle as a kind of kindergarten bit that, once the horse graduates to grammar school, the bit no longer serves a purpose. That couldn't be further from reality. You can find this information with photos on the Snaffle Bit Basics Page >>

FLASH! The WBRA Speedhorse Pole Bending Futurity at Moses Lake, Washington was won once again by a Sunrise West horse. This year, 2006, Ken Smith and Sumbunnydunnickbar placed in each go and won the average and the championship. In 2005, Ken Smith and Ashes On The Money won both goes and the average. This same event was won in 2004 by Pat Smith and Cowgirl In The Money.

National Pole Bending Association (NPBA)

A National Pole Bending Association has been established. This will provide a reason to go on with those good high school horses, and will provide places for pole benders to compete for real dollars. The first annual national championship show was held in 2006, where over 150 horses competed for over $30,000. In addition, there are several pole bending futurities in the west, with substantial added money. Ken Smith of Sunrise West Quarter Horses is a founding member of the NPBA. The NPBA web site has all the information. To visit the NPBA site, click on the following link: www.polebending.org

Ken and Pat Smith
Sunrise West Quarter Horses, LLC
2240 4th Avenue
Clarkston, Washington 99403
509-758-9426