2026 Invitational Colt Starting Competition
Where Skill and Cowboy Spirit Create Magic
This invitational-only challenge brings together some of the most skilled colt starters in the business—each with a résumé that proves their mastery. Watch as these talented horsemen and horsewomen transform unhandled colts into willing partners before your eyes and compete against each other for bragging rights.
Stay all 3 days to catch every moment of their hard work and dedication, and don’t miss the grand finale and awards ceremony on Sunday—it’s the perfect way to see the magic come full circle!
2025 and 2026 Colts provided by Munns Ranch! Check out more about Munns Ranch and the colts at bottom of the page.
If you are interested in being a competitor for the 2027 or 2028 Invitational Colt Starting Competition, please fill out your information.
2026 Competitor Mike Price
Mike Price is owner of Diamond P Mules in Whitehall, Montana.
I’ve been around horses and mules since the day I was born, and for the past 20+ years I’ve had the privilege of training mules for the public. Along with training, I raise and sell a few mules of my own, and we use our stock for just about everything—hunting, camping, roping, showing, or simply enjoying a good ride.
What I love most about training horses and mules is how much they teach us about ourselves. Starting colts is like a drug to me—it’s something I just can’t get enough of.
I’m grateful for the chance to be part of this event, and I look forward to seeing you all down the trail.
Let’s ride!
2026 Competitor Ryan Butterwick
Ryan was born and raised in Rocky Mountain House Alberta and continues to call this community home. He has spent the last 30 years focusing on his career as a professional colt starter, with his first pay cheque being earned at the age of 12. Ryan believes that as horsemen, we never stop learning, and can often be heard saying “when I know better, I do better.” After 30 years in the colt starting business, Ryan has developed a program that is proven to provide horses the foundation that is required to produce confident and willing equine partners, regardless of discipline. Though Ryan’s passion is young horses, he will often have horses in training for “problem solving” and fine tuning. Ryan’s program focuses on teaching young horses trust, respect and work ethic, that follows them throughout their careers. He accomplishes this by building confidence and avoiding situations that cause fear and trauma. “If you don’t get one scared, you’ll never have a fear response to overcome.” A confident foundation results in a versatile and usable horse. Ryan believes that confidence and versatility is extremely important for the health, wellbeing, mind and future of all horses, but especially performance horses “even our performance horses are all around horses, we use them for everything.” When not working with client horses, giving lessons or offering clinics, Ryan spends his time on the back of one of the families’ personal horses, either ranch rodeoing, riding in the foothills of Alberta, or fine tuning his wife and kids rodeo horses. If you can’t find him in the arena, mountains or pasture, he is likely hauling someone somewhere for lessons, clinics or rodeos. Ryan is a huge supporter of his wife and kids and spends a great deal of time making sure their horses are in top performance condition year-round. “If you miss the beginning, the basics, then you are destined to go back and visit the beginning” – Buck Brannaman
2026 Competitor Lucia Lhotak
Lucia Lhotak is professional horsewoman, training for 15years in Washington and recently moved to South Dakota. She has been riding and showing horses for over 25years in eventing, dressage, reined cowhorse, and ranch riding. She specializes in colt starting, ranch riding and reining, emphasizing body mechanics of how a horse balances and travels, while promoting mental soundness of natural horsemanship combined with the lateral work and centered balance learned from classical riding. Her goal with each horse is to bring them to their highest level without losing integrity in her horsemanship. She strives for longevity in a horses career. Her skills in teaching fundamental groundwork become perquisites to support her first rides on colts leading her success in her young horse development. Her program represents all classes of horses and disciplines in performance horses and your everyday family recreational horse. Lucia's has competed in 13 Colt Starting Challenge USA competitions, being the first woman to compete in National Finals in Las Vegas during the NFR. Today Lucia trains and competes in reining and ranch versatility.
2026 Competitor Andrea Fraire
In 2020, Andrea started a full time training business mostly starting young horses. She is now directing her focus on developing performance horses and has recently begun showing in Reined Cowhorse. Andrea strives to give each horse she trains a fair and honest education to mentally and physically prepare them for their future careers. As somebody who has competed in a few colt starting competitions, her goal is to set an example and help other people in this industry find success.
2026 Competitor Grace Billotte
Grace Billotte is a third generation horseman (woman) who has spent her entire 20 years devoted to all things cowboy. She grew up riding and traveling the US competing with her parents in Cowboy Mounted Shooting and has won her way to a ladies level 4 competitor. She is a very talented leather crafter and loves working with young horses. Her favorite horse Dakota, she bought as a weanling at a sale and raised and trained it herself. And is now competing on her in mounted shooting and cowhorse events. Grace spent several months working for Cole and Craig Cameron on the Double Horn Ranch in Bluff Dale TX. And most recently spent time on the road with Cliff Schadt and Ashley Madison as well as an internship with Clark Farms Quarter horses when she was just 16. In 2024 she was also chosen to be a leather craft vendor at Art Of The Cowgirl in Queen Creek Arizona. Grace also competed in the Clark's Colt starting in the youth division twice, winning the division in 2022. In 2024 she competed as an adult for the first time. Placing in the top 4. In 2025 she returned as an adult competitor consecutively placing in the top 4. Grace is currently getting into Reined Cowhorse and working towards her goal to compete at Worlds Greatest Horsewoman at the Art Of The Cowgirl. Grace has been running her own training program for several years now, starting colts and brining along her own performance horses. Grace strives to improve her Horsemanship and expand her knowledge to best serve her own and client horses.
2026 Competitor Dylan Sandifer
I am originally from Baton Rouge, Louisana growing up around horses and cattle. I had always been very passionate about horses and cattle but never had the opportunity to expand my knowledge until I began my apprenticeship program with Craig & Cole Cameron in the Spring of 2020. I am now entering my sixth year training and working alongside the Cameron's traveling throughout the US and Canada assisiting in colt startings & clinics, and occasional day working. My interest and passion grows more every day for the horse and colt starting, and I am excited to see where this journey will take me!
Colts have been provided by Munns Ranch.
Keith and Ruth began their program over 50 years ago.
Horses have been the steady heartbeat of their lives. Their breeding program evolved from Quarter Horses and Paints to a strong focus on old-style, foundation-bred Quarter Horses with Driftwood, Hancock, Blue Valentine, and High Rolling Roany bloodlines.
While color was never the goal, their thoughtful crosses have produced striking roan horses known for strength, bone, sound feet, and eye appeal. Raised in open country among rocks and brush, their colts develop sure-footed confidence and natural ranch instincts—creating horses that excel both in the arena and out on the ranch.