After riding since the age of 10 in English disciplines including 3 day eventing, Camille Courtney was introduced to the world of cow horses through her friendship with Gary and Bobby Kay Davis, then Templeton, California ranchers. After a real estate transaction brought them together, Camille followed along with Bobby Kay to three World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurities, then held in Fresno, California, put on by the National Reined Cow Horse Association. She had purchased a Jewel’s Leo Bar mare who trainer Sandy Collier had reached the semi finals of the PCCHA futurity on and had begun taking lessons and showing. Sandy felt it was time to step up to a more competitive horse. While at the 1996 Snaffle Bit Futurity, Camille’s life would change. Ready to leave after a long 11 days, her name was called as the winner of Peppy Nic Doc, the last foal to be raised on the Ward Ranch by the legendary stallion Reminic. Running down to be interviewed the announcer asked her where she lived, and when she announced Orange County, California, there was an audible groan, not a cow horse town! On the way home, with the colt securely in her friend’s trailer, a decision had to be made whether to sell the well-bred colt or continue its training as it came with a paid entry in the following year’s Open Futurity. After much soul searching, she kept the foal, allowing Sandy to show him and then at just 4 years old she put him into the bridle and commenced showing him, and as they say the “rest is history”. Who would have expected, a woman not raised in a ranching or horse family would have the likes of Greg Ward riding along side telling her how proud they were of her success with him. That horse changed her life. She moved to the Central Coast of California, generally considered the home of the cow horse sport, rode with Sandy 4-5 times/per week for 6 years and won every major competition they entered, year end awards and national events. When life forced her to sell her herd and move to Italy. She did so reluctantly but kept tabs on all the buyers. While in Italy she organized the first ever judges clinic in Reggio nell’Emilia. She was designated the first international judge by the NRCHA Board. She served as the Non Pro representative on the NRCHA for 2 years. When the Association experienced financial hardship she stepped in and ran the Snaffle Bit office in Reno for two years, along with then president Howard Erenberg and team. She advanced her knowledge through clinics with Ron Ralls, Todd Crawford, Roberta McCarty, and Sean Flarida. She pursued colt starting as she began breeding her mares, learning from Buck Brannaman and Joe Wolter. Upon return from Italy she was able to re-purchase two of her horses, including world champion Peppy Nic Doc. She continues to participate in NRCHA events, adding ranch riding, ranch trail and ranch horse versatility events as well, both as a competitor judge and coach. The community of performance horse owners, breeders, riders, trainers have provided a life time of memories and she continues to encourage others in the sports that have given so much to her for so long. Camille loves to meet and coach riders to excellence in the show ring. Positive, optimistic, outgoing, she is described as an excellent teacher. She credits her path as first a non-pro to trainer/coach as providing the foundation and ability to communicate to Non-pros. Come ride with us at Shining Star Ranch! Call for lessons.
