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Meet Extreme Cowboy Racing's Joyce Lewis
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This is the second in a series of articles about the equine sport of Extreme Cowboy Racing, sponsored by the Extreme Cowboy Association (EXCA).
Ask Joyce Lewis how she got started in Extreme Cowboy Racing and you just might be surprised at the answer.
Channel surfing RFD-TV one day with her friend Melissa Simmons of Cedar Cross Farm, she caught a glimpse of Craig Cameron’s “The Extreme Cowboy Race”, the show which introduced the sport to the world. Designed by Craig Cameron to showcase horsemanship while performing activities emulating those which might be performed on a ranch, Extreme Cowboy Racing tests both horse and rider – and more importantly, the relationship between them.What Joyce Lewis saw that day intrigued her and she set out to see if she could master the skills necessary to complete the challenging 13 obstacle course.
A dressage rider in her youth, Joyce “got out of horses” at about age 21 to pursue other interests – in particular, undertaking an Air Force career and raising a family. In 2004, at age 42, Joyce and her family moved to Mount Pleasant, North Carolina from Las Vegas and the horse bug began to bite again. Joyce’s sister Janell Mount, who lived nearby, had a horse and wanted Joyce to ride with her.
Enter Josh, a big, beautiful bay gelding. But, of course, looks can be deceiving. Highly disrespectful, pushing, and headstrong, Josh was anything but the horse Joyce was looking for to “just have fun on”.
“He was a great little colt…then he went over to the Dark Side”.- quip from Josh’s veterinarian
With a goal-oriented personality and never one to shrink from a challenge, Joyce was determined she could make inroads with this unruly equine. Taking ownership of Josh, Joyce began applying the skills she saw demonstrated on RFD-TV by the various natural horsemanship practitioners. Little by little, she saw changes in Josh’s demeanor and, gradually, he went from being a challenge to a joy to trail ride.
Video by KRISIS Films: Joyce works with a paint mare, Oreo, on fundamental skills.
Becoming bored with simple trail riding, however, Joyce discovered the North American Trail Ride Conference. NATRC is a competitive trail riding program which taught her much about horsemanship – from care to travel, handling to communication. Together, Joyce and Josh forged a partnership – one that would be put to the test thanks to Joyce’s channel surfing.
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In 2007, Joyce discovered HorseCity.com was sponsoring an open casting call for “The Extreme Cowboy Race”. Challenged by her friend Melissa – no, practically “dared” – Joyce submitted the requisite demo tape to be considered as a competitor. Harking back to her English roots, Joyce opened her demo by racing in decked out in full English tack and apparel. Riding up to the camera, she conceded perhaps English was not exactly what the sponsors had in mind when they said “Extreme Cowboy Race”. Racing off, Joyce re-entered the video moments later, using a “borrowed Western saddle” and western attire. She proceeded to show Craig and his team just what an English rider in a Western clothing can really do.
And it won her a slot on Season Six of “The Extreme Cowboy Race”, filmed October 2007 in Augusta, Georgia.
And it won her a slot on Season Six of “The Extreme Cowboy Race”, filmed October 2007 in Augusta, Georgia.The next installment of our of our series will chronicle Joyce’s experiences as a competitor in both Season 6 and Season 8 of “The Extreme Cowboy Race”.
Photo: HorseCity.com
All photos, except as noted: Joyce Lewis
For info on EXCA:
www.extremecowboyassociation.com
For more on the North AmericanTrail Ride Conference:
www.NATRC.org
For additional articles by Lori Roets:
www.loriroets.com
www.extremecowboyassociation.com
For more on the North AmericanTrail Ride Conference:
www.NATRC.org
For additional articles by Lori Roets:
www.loriroets.com
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