2025 Invitational Colt Starting Competiton

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Andrea’s journey into the world of horsemanship began in California, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Equine and Ranch Management. She quickly immersed herself in the craft, learning from accomplished trainers while refining her skills and developing her own unique training philosophy. In 2020, Andrea started a full-time training business, specializing in starting young horses and laying the foundation for their future success.

Today, Andrea is working as an assistant trainer under a respected reined cowhorse trainer, deepening her expertise and expanding her reach into the show world. Her commitment to the equine industry goes beyond training—she aims to provide every horse with a thoughtful, balanced education that nurtures both their mental and physical development for long-term success.

Having competed in colt starting competitions herself, Andrea is dedicated to setting a positive example for others in the industry, especially aspiring trainers who are passionate about working with young horses. Her mission is to inspire others to approach training with integrity, patience, and a deep respect for the animals they work with.

James Barnes grew up spending summers ranching with his grandfather in Firth, ID, where his favorite part was riding horses during cattle drives. After marrying his wife, Katie, he rekindled his passion for horses and developed a knack for riding the ones no one else wanted. A quick learner, James enjoys studying new training techniques and attending clinics to refine his skills.

For the past few years, he has focused on starting colts, ensuring they become willing and capable partners for roping, ranch work, family riding, and trails. In addition to his own training program, James provides coaching and training for the Mustang Recovery Challenge, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers individuals in recovery by teaching them to train Mustangs.

He and Katie reside in Idaho Falls, where they run B Diamond Equine, working with their own horses as well as a select number of outside horses.

Born on Long Island, NY as a 2nd generation horseman, Cliff began his career riding hunter and jumper horses. His future as a cowboy was set after receiving his first cowboy hat as a young boy. The dream he worked toward and realized at 18 when he moved to Oregon to pursue life working on ranches and learning the cowboy way of life. He continued this path across the United States and back and refined his abilities starting and developing young horses, working ranches, and developing skills as a clinician. Now located in Ocala, FL, Cliff focuses on developing horses for anywhere from the ranch to the Grand Prix. Drawing on experiences with horseman such as Martin Black, Craig Cameron, and Pat Parelli, Cliff has built a solid program that tailors to fit horses and humans of any age, discipline, and skill level. 

Cliff's core belief is that when we make a horse feel safe and confident, we can build a solid foundation to ensure success for the rest of the horse's career. 

"Rhythm creates Relaxation, Rhythm and Relaxation together create Understanding"

 Matt Robertson has a horse training business, alongside his wife Paige, in Prescott, AZ focusing on colt starting and problem horses. The forty-five year old horseman was born and raised in Wyoming where ranching, horsemanship and rodeo filled his youth.  Matt found a love for riding bucking horses at a young age, sparking a career that evolved through highschool and the PRCA, into ranch bronc riding until recent years.  As a young teen starting colts to pay entry fees, Matt was introduced to Ray Hunt's method of horsemanship, planting the seed of what would grow into a lifelong career.  His evolving approach to horsemanship has been a journey of self discovery and exploration, gaining an understanding of how the horse's mind and body work, to create a confident and reliable partnership.  Matt's journey has taken him from Alberta to Arizona starting colts, cowboying and playing music.